Eyes
Medicines for Uveitis
Inflammation inside the eye affecting the uvea (the middle layer) — typically causing a red, painful eye, blurred vision, sensitivity to light and floaters; the commonest form is anterior uveitis (iritis), and it needs prompt assessment and treatment by eye specialists because, left untreated, it can threaten sight.
Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.
Quick answer
What is Uveitis?
Uveitis means inflammation inside the eye, in a part called the uvea — the middle layer that includes the coloured iris at the front and structures further back. When this layer becomes inflamed, the eye can become red and painful, vision may blur, the eye may be very sensitive to light (a symptom called photophobia), and small dark shapes known as floaters may drift across the vision.
- How it is treated: Uveitis is assessed and treated by ophthalmology — the eye specialists — because controlling the inflammation quickly is what protects sight.
- Self-care: There is no diet or lifestyle change that prevents uveitis, but a few practical things help.
- When to seek help: A painful, red eye with reduced or blurred vision, or marked sensitivity to light, needs to be assessed the same day — do not wait.
What it is
Uveitis means inflammation inside the eye, in a part called the uvea — the middle layer that includes the coloured iris at the front and structures further back. When this layer becomes inflamed, the eye can become red and painful, vision may blur, the eye may be very sensitive to light (a symptom called photophobia), and small dark shapes known as floaters may drift across the vision. The most common form is anterior uveitis, which affects the front of the eye and is also known as iritis. Uveitis can have several different causes: it is sometimes linked to autoimmune or inflammatory conditions in which the body's immune system is overactive — for example ankylosing spondylitis or other forms of inflammatory arthritis — and it can be triggered by certain infections. In many people, though, no clear underlying cause is ever found. Whatever the cause, uveitis is taken seriously because the inflammation can damage the delicate structures of the eye if it is not controlled. It can also raise the pressure inside the eye or, over time, contribute to other eye problems, which is why prompt diagnosis and treatment matter so much.
How it is treated
Uveitis is assessed and treated by ophthalmology — the eye specialists — because controlling the inflammation quickly is what protects sight. The mainstay of treatment for the common anterior form is corticosteroid eye drops, which calm the inflammation inside the eye. These are often used alongside drops that dilate (widen) the pupil; dilating the pupil eases the pain caused by spasm of the muscles inside the eye and helps prevent the inflamed iris from sticking to the lens behind it, a complication the team is keen to avoid. The aim is to settle the inflammation, relieve symptoms and prevent damage. For uveitis that is severe, affects the back of the eye, keeps coming back, or is part of a wider inflammatory condition, treatment may need to go beyond drops — this can include corticosteroids given by mouth or other routes, and sometimes other immune-suppressing medicines, used under specialist supervision. Where an underlying cause such as an autoimmune condition or infection is identified, treating that condition is part of overall management. Throughout, the eye pressure and the response to treatment are monitored closely, and treatment is adjusted as the inflammation settles.
For this condition, these medicines
Medicine classes used for Uveitis
Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.
Symptom checker
Symptoms that can point to Uveitis
Uveitis can be one cause of these symptoms. Each guide explains the other possible causes and the red-flag warning signs that mean you should get urgent help:
Beyond medication
Lifestyle and self-care
There is no diet or lifestyle change that prevents uveitis, but a few practical things help. Using the eye drops exactly as the specialist directs, and not stopping them early just because the eye feels better, is important, because inflammation can flare again if treatment is cut short. Wearing sunglasses can ease the discomfort of light sensitivity while the eye is inflamed. Keeping to follow-up appointments allows the team to check the inflammation is settling and to watch the pressure in the eye. If you have an associated condition such as inflammatory arthritis, keeping that well managed and mentioning any eye symptoms early supports overall care.
When to get help
When to see a doctor
A painful, red eye with reduced or blurred vision, or marked sensitivity to light, needs to be assessed the same day — do not wait. Untreated uveitis can damage the eye and can raise the pressure inside it, so it is treated as an urgent problem. Contact an urgent eye service, an A&E with eye facilities, or your GP for same-day referral if you develop these symptoms, particularly if they come on suddenly or affect your vision. If you already know you have uveitis, seek prompt advice if your symptoms flare, your vision changes, or the eye becomes more painful or red despite treatment, as the inflammation may need closer attention. New floaters together with flashing lights or a curtain coming across your vision should always be checked urgently, as these can signal other serious eye problems.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
Answers
Uveitis: frequently asked questions
What medicines are used for uveitis?
The mainstay of treatment for the common form of uveitis (anterior uveitis, or iritis) is corticosteroid eye drops, which calm the inflammation inside the eye. These are very often used together with drops that dilate the pupil — widening the pupil eases the pain caused by spasm inside the eye and helps stop the inflamed iris sticking to the lens behind it. For uveitis that is more severe, affects the deeper parts of the eye, keeps returning, or is linked to a wider inflammatory condition, treatment may go beyond drops to include corticosteroids by mouth or other routes, and sometimes other immune-suppressing medicines, all under the care of an eye specialist. Where an underlying cause such as an infection is found, treating that is part of management too. Your ophthalmology team decides the right combination for you.
What causes uveitis?
Uveitis has several possible causes. It is sometimes linked to autoimmune or inflammatory conditions, in which the immune system is overactive — for example ankylosing spondylitis or other forms of inflammatory arthritis — and certain infections can trigger it too. In a large number of people, however, no clear underlying cause is ever identified, and this is common and well recognised. Because of these different possibilities, the eye team may sometimes arrange tests to look for an associated condition, especially if uveitis keeps coming back or affects the deeper parts of the eye. Whatever the cause, the immediate priority is the same: settling the inflammation quickly to relieve symptoms and protect your sight.
Can uveitis affect my sight permanently?
It can if it is not treated, which is exactly why uveitis is taken so seriously and assessed urgently. Inflammation inside the eye, left unchecked, can damage the delicate structures involved in vision, and it can raise the pressure inside the eye over time. The good news is that, with prompt assessment by eye specialists and proper treatment — usually corticosteroid drops, often with pupil-dilating drops — most cases settle and sight is protected. Using your treatment exactly as directed, not stopping it early, and keeping to follow-up appointments so the inflammation and eye pressure can be monitored all help to reduce the risk of lasting problems.
Why have I been given drops to dilate my pupil?
Pupil-dilating drops are a standard part of treating the common form of uveitis, used alongside corticosteroid drops. They serve two purposes. First, they ease pain: the inflammation causes the small muscles inside the eye to go into spasm, which is uncomfortable, and relaxing them with dilating drops relieves this. Second, they help prevent a complication in which the inflamed iris sticks to the lens behind it; keeping the pupil moving and dilated reduces this risk. The drops may temporarily blur your near vision and make the eye more sensitive to light, which can feel odd but is expected. Use them exactly as your eye specialist directs.
Keep reading
Related articles
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NICE CKS: Uveitis.
- Royal College of Ophthalmologists: Uveitis.
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