Inflammatory Diseases Specialist
InSight Retina Consultants, P.C.
Retina Specialists located in Denver, Aurora, Glenwood Springs and Edwards, CO
Inflammatory diseases can cause eye symptoms like redness, irritation, and light sensitivity, making it difficult to function. At InSight Retina Consultants, P.C., skilled physician Dennis O’Connell, DO, can see you within a day or so after your symptoms start. This ensures a fast diagnosis and quick road to recovery. There are offices in Aurora, Colorado, so call the one nearest to you or click the online scheduling tool now.
Inflammatory Diseases Q & A
What are inflammatory diseases of the eye?
Inflammatory eye diseases cause significant inflammation and irritation within any of the layers of your eye. This type of disease can be either infectious or noninfectious. In both cases, inflammatory eye disease can cause severe damage if untreated.
What are the different types of inflammatory diseases?
The most common family of inflammatory eye diseases is uveitis. It occurs in three main forms, including:
Anterior uveitis
The most common form of uveitis, anterior uveitis, occurs within your iris and ciliary body. It may happen in people with arthritis or other autoimmune disorders.
Intermediate uveitis
Intermediate uveitis affects the middle section of your eye along with your vitreous body and retina. This type of uveitis may occur for unknown reasons (idiopathic) or because of multiple sclerosis, Lyme disease, or other diseases.
Posterior uveitis
Posterior uveitis occurs only in the back of the eye. It damages your retina, choroid, or both. This type of uveitis commonly occurs because of both viruses and bacterial infections. Autoimmune disease can also cause posterior uveitis.
Panuveitis
In panuveitis, you experience inflammation throughout your whole eye. In many cases, panuveitis occurs for unknown reasons, but it can occur in people with tuberculosis.
Conjunctivitis, also called pink eye, is another common cause of eye inflammation. In conjunctivitis, the thin lining covering your eyelids and the whites of your eyes grows badly inflamed to cause considerable eye discomfort.
What are the symptoms of inflammatory diseases of the eye?
The most common symptoms of inflammatory eye disease include:
- Red eyes
- Sore or painful eyes
- Dry eyes
- Light sensitivity
- Fuzzy vision
- Floaters
Many people who have inflammatory eye diseases experience multiple symptoms, which can seriously disrupt your ability to work, drive, and live normally.
How are inflammatory eye diseases treated?
Treatment depends on disease severity, whether your disease is infectious or noninfectious, and other factors in your particular case. A few common treatments include:
Steroids
Steroid treatment can reduce inflammation to help with noninfectious inflammatory eye disease.
Anti-inflammatory medication
Anti-inflammatory medication can help with inflammatory eye disease in people who can’t take steroids or who need long-term therapy.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are the most effective treatment for most infectious forms of inflammatory eye disease.
Delivery methods can include eye drops, oral medication, or eye injections. Dr. O’Connell may also recommend other treatments based upon your underlying issues and symptoms.
For help with inflammatory eye diseases, call InSight Retina Consultants, P.C., or click on the provided booking link now.