Uveitis is defined as inflammation inside the eye and is a serious eye disease. Stating that it is a condition that requires great care as it can lead to permanent vision loss in children, Prof. Dr. Merih Oray stated that uveitis can be more severe in children with childhood joint rheumatism (juvenile arthritis). He made statements that this disease can lead to vision loss due to inflammation in the eye and can cause permanent damage if left untreated.
Uveitis occurs when the middle layer of the eye, which is rich in blood vessels, becomes inflamed. Uveitis can be seen in many rheumatic diseases, especially Behcet’s disease, ankylosing spondylitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS).
In uveitis that involves the iris tissue of the eye and is limited to the front part of the eye; pain felt by touching the eyeball and turning it right or left, light sensitivity, redness and blurred vision symptoms come to the fore. These symptoms reflect the period when the inflammation is flaring up and definitely require treatment.
In uveitis located at the back of the eye, blurred vision and black dot vision symptoms are at the forefront. In particular, if the inflammatory involvement of the visual point called the macula is not treated correctly, it can cause complications and permanent vision loss. It should not be said that uveitis is treated once and cured, it should not be forgotten that it is a disease that requires many years of medical supervision.
IT IS COMMONLY SEEN IN CHILDREN WITH CHILDHOOD RHEUMATISM
Uveitis can develop in any age group. Especially in the childhood age group, this disease can cause serious health problems with complications that can lead to blindness. Although vision loss varies, there is a 10-15 percent risk of serious vision loss. In order to prevent the recurrence of this disease, which progresses insidiously without being noticed, the underlying causes must also be investigated.
It is very important to have frequent eye screenings, especially in children with childhood rheumatism. In these children, there can be inflammation in the eyes as well as in the joints. Sometimes there is no redness in the eyes, and children cannot express it because they are young. Families cannot notice it either. Therefore, it is necessary to take these children to an ophthalmologist who specializes in uveitis at routine intervals. Sometimes it is difficult to examine children. We apply a planned systemic treatment. If it is not noticed in the long term, it can have serious side effects. Problems such as cataracts and glaucoma can occur. It can also lead to vision loss over time.
IT IS A DISEASE THAT NEEDS IMMEDIATE INTERVENTION
Regardless of its severity, uveitis is a disease that requires urgent intervention. If it is delayed, the disease progresses and can cause complications such as pupil deformities, cataracts, and increased eye pressure due to inflammation. Attacks over time cause structural damage within the eye. There may be damage to the optic nerve and the visual point. If the disease is not treated quickly, tissue damage occurs and vision loss may occur. The first thing to do when symptoms are seen is to be examined by an ophthalmologist experienced in uveitis.