Quick answer. Uveitis is inflammation inside the eye that causes a red, painful eye with blurred vision and sensitivity to light, often linked to autoimmune conditions or infection. It needs prompt treatment by an eye specialist to control the inflammation and prevent lasting damage, so a painful red eye with vision changes warrants an urgent eye review.
Uveitis is inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye, and it is an important cause of a red, painful eye in Singapore that should not be dismissed as a minor irritation. It typically causes eye pain, redness, blurred vision and marked sensitivity to light, and it can be linked to autoimmune diseases or infections elsewhere in the body.
What makes uveitis significant is that, left untreated, the inflammation can damage the eye and threaten vision, yet it usually responds well when treated promptly, often with steroid eye drops. This guide explains what uveitis is, what causes it, how it is diagnosed and treated, and why a painful red eye with blurred vision needs an urgent eye review rather than watchful waiting.
At a glance
| Feature | What you may notice | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Eye redness | Redness, often around the coloured part of the eye | Sign of active internal inflammation |
| Eye pain | A deep, aching pain in or around the eye | Distinguishes it from simple irritation |
| Light sensitivity | Discomfort in bright light (photophobia) | Common and characteristic of uveitis |
| Blurred vision | Reduced or hazy sight, sometimes floaters | Inflammation affecting vision needs urgent care |
| Onset | Can be sudden or gradual, one or both eyes | Guides the type and cause of uveitis |
What is uveitis?
Uveitis is inflammation of the uvea, the pigmented middle layer of the eye that includes the iris (the coloured part), the ciliary body and the choroid. Because these structures are rich in blood vessels and lie close to the parts of the eye responsible for vision, inflammation here can quickly affect sight and cause significant discomfort.
Uveitis is classified by which part of the uvea is affected, with inflammation at the front of the eye being the most common form. It can affect people of any age, including young, otherwise healthy adults in Singapore, and may occur in one or both eyes. While it is treatable, uveitis is not a condition to manage at home, because untreated inflammation can lead to complications such as raised eye pressure, cataract or lasting damage to vision.
Symptoms and signs
Uveitis can come on suddenly or develop gradually. Typical symptoms include:
- A red, painful eye, with the pain often felt as a deep ache
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia), making bright surroundings uncomfortable
- Blurred or reduced vision
- New floaters, the spots or specks that drift across vision
- A small or irregular pupil, or watering of the eye
Symptoms may affect one or both eyes. Because a painful red eye with changing vision can also signal other serious eye problems, these features always warrant a prompt eye assessment rather than waiting to see if they settle.
Causes and risk factors
In many cases the exact cause of uveitis is not identified, but it is frequently linked to inflammation elsewhere in the body. Recognised causes and associations include:
- Autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, such as ankylosing spondylitis, sarcoidosis and inflammatory bowel disease
- Infections, including viral, bacterial and other infections affecting the eye or body
- Eye injury or trauma
- In some cases, no underlying cause is found (idiopathic uveitis)
Because of these links, a doctor diagnosing uveitis will often look for an underlying systemic condition, particularly if the inflammation is recurrent or affects both eyes.
How it is diagnosed
Uveitis is diagnosed by an eye specialist (ophthalmologist) using a slit-lamp examination, a microscope with a bright light that lets the doctor see inflammatory cells inside the eye. The pupils may be dilated to examine the back of the eye, and eye pressure is usually checked.
Because uveitis can be a sign of disease elsewhere, the specialist may arrange further investigations, such as blood tests or imaging, especially if the inflammation is severe, recurrent or affects both eyes, to identify any underlying autoimmune or infective cause. Identifying the cause helps target treatment and prevent recurrences.
Treatment options
The aim of treatment is to control inflammation quickly, relieve symptoms and prevent complications. Common approaches include:
- Steroid eye drops to reduce inflammation, which are the mainstay for inflammation at the front of the eye
- Drops that dilate the pupil, which ease pain and help prevent the iris sticking to the lens
- For more severe or deeper inflammation, steroids given as injections around the eye or as tablets
- Treatment of any underlying cause, such as an infection or autoimmune condition, sometimes with additional medication under specialist care
Because steroids must be used carefully and eye pressure monitored, uveitis is managed by an eye specialist rather than self-treated. Prompt, properly supervised treatment usually controls the inflammation and protects vision. There is no routine surgery for uveitis itself, so no procedure cost range applies.
When to see a doctor and which specialist
Uveitis needs prompt professional treatment, so a painful red eye with blurred vision or light sensitivity should prompt an urgent eye review rather than waiting. Do not simply use over-the-counter eye drops and hope it settles, as untreated uveitis can damage vision. See an eye specialist urgently if you have a painful red eye with reduced or blurred vision, marked light sensitivity, or new floaters, particularly if symptoms are worsening.
Seek emergency care, and call 995 or go to A&E, if eye symptoms occur alongside a serious head injury or other emergency features such as sudden weakness, severe headache or slurred speech. If you have a known autoimmune condition, mention it, as uveitis can be associated with it. Because uveitis can recur, ongoing follow-up with an eye specialist is important to monitor your eyes and treat any flare-ups early.
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Sources
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