Vision Care Services

Uveitis & Iritis

A painful, light-sensitive eye needs a same-day exam.

Uveitis is inflammation inside the eye. The most common form, iritis (anterior uveitis), affects the colored part of the eye and causes a deep ache, redness and sensitivity to light. Untreated, it can raise eye pressure, cause cataracts and damage vision.

Dr. Tumolo and Dr. Than diagnose and treat uveitis and iritis in the office with prescription drops and, when needed, oral medication, and they coordinate with your primary care doctor or rheumatologist when an underlying condition is involved.

Call today for eye pain with light sensitivity, redness around the colored part of the eye, or blurry vision.

SymptomsA deep ache, light sensitivity, redness close to the iris, blurry vision and sometimes floaters.

DiagnosisA slit lamp exam can see inflammatory cells in the eye, and a dilated exam checks the back of the eye.

TreatmentPrescription steroid drops to calm inflammation, dilating drops for comfort, and pressure checks.

What causes uveitis

Autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, such as ankylosing spondylitis, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, sarcoidosis and juvenile arthritis.
Infections, such as herpes and shingles.
Eye injury or surgery.
Unknown causes: many cases have no single identifiable cause.

Recurring uveitis

Uveitis can come back. If you have had it before, call at the first sign of symptoms, because early treatment is usually shorter and easier. For recurring cases, we may recommend blood tests or coordinate care with your primary care doctor or rheumatologist.

Common questions

Is uveitis serious?

It can be. Uveitis responds well to prompt treatment, but untreated inflammation can lead to glaucoma, cataracts and vision loss. That is why eye pain with light sensitivity should be seen the same day.

How is iritis different from pink eye?

Pink eye usually causes discharge and a gritty feeling, without much pain. Iritis causes a deep ache, light sensitivity and redness concentrated around the colored part of the eye, usually without discharge.

Can an optometrist treat uveitis?

Yes. Dr. Tumolo and Dr. Than are optometric physicians licensed in Florida to prescribe medicated eye drops and oral medications, so treatment can usually start the same day. Our doctors treat uveitis and iritis with prescription steroid drops and other medication and follow you closely, checking eye pressure at each visit.

Will uveitis come back?

Some people have a single episode and others have repeat flare-ups, especially with an underlying condition. Call us as soon as symptoms return.