Patient's question:
Main symptoms: Decade of uveitis with cataract onset time: 10 years ago laboratory test results:Doctor's answer:
Hello, common complications of uveitis include:1. Corneal edema: This is caused by inflammation affecting the corneal endothelial cells, disrupting the corneal hydration process. Corneal band-shaped opacity is more common in children with anterior uveitis and in chronic iridocyclitis patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
2. Anterior and posterior synechiae: In severe cases, complete posterior synechiae of the pupillary margin can lead to pupillary block and iris bombe, with the pupillary area covered by an organized membrane, forming pupillary membrane closure. Iris bombe or synechiae of the anterior chamber angle due to organized exudates can cause anterior synechiae. All these conditions can lead to secondary glaucoma.
3. Secondary glaucoma: Due to pupillary block, aqueous humor from the posterior chamber cannot pass through the pupil to the anterior chamber, causing increased intraocular pressure. Additionally, peripheral anterior synechiae can block the anterior chamber angle, reducing filtration function and raising intraocular pressure. In acute stages, increased viscosity of aqueous humor and exudates blocking the anterior chamber angle can also elevate intraocular pressure.
4. Complicated cataract: Long-term inflammation affects the nutrition and metabolism of the lens, leading to opacity in the posterior capsule and cortex. This is more common in chronic anterior uveitis and intermediate uveitis.
5. Vitreous opacity: Severe iridocyclitis or posterior uveitis often presents with punctate, linear, or mass-like opacities in the vitreous body, located posteriorly and floating with eye movement. Severe cases can impair vision.
6. Choroidal detachment: This is exudative and resolves as inflammation subsides.
7. Retinal and macular edema and degeneration: Posterior uveitis often causes severe retinal and macular edema, turning the retina grayish-white and leading to diffuse or cystoid macular degeneration. Prolonged duration can result in severe vision loss.
8. Optic nerve changes: Can lead to optic neuritis, papilledema, and neovascularization of the optic disc.
9. Refractive errors: During active inflammation, ciliary spasm can cause myopia. Macular edema may cause temporary hyperopia.
10. Enucleation: Severe inflammation can lead to ciliary membrane traction retinal detachment, ciliary body atrophy, reduced aqueous humor production, low intraocular pressure, and enucleation with complete vision loss.
It is recommended to undergo a comprehensive examination at a hospital to determine the specific complication and adopt corresponding treatment measures to save vision.
Uveitis experts at Beijing Tongren Eye Hospital include Wang Hong and Sun Xuguang.