Uveitis

General description of the disease

This is an inflammation of the uveal tract[3]… This inflammatory process occurs quite often and accounts for about 35-60% of cases of eye inflammation and among all ophthalmic diseases – up to 10%.

The concept “uvea»Translated from Greek as “Grape”… And in fact, the appearance of an inflamed choroid is like a vine. With uveitis, the iris, choroid, ciliary body, or all vessels in general can become inflamed.

Uveitis can provoke a significant deterioration in visual acuity up to its complete loss.

Types of uveitis

Uveitis may be leaking acutely, chronically and with periodic relapses.

Depending on the foci of inflammation, this pathology is divided into:

  • anterior inflammation – the most common type of uveitis, it includes iridocyclitis and irit… Anterior uveitis affects the ciliary body and iris
  • intermediate – inflammation of the peripheral parts of the retina surface;
  • posterior uveitis is rare, and the optic nerve or retina becomes inflamed. Such a pathology does not respond well to therapy;
  • diffuse or panuveit – all parts of the vascular layer become inflamed.

Depending on the nature and intensity of the inflammatory process, uveitis can be hemorrhagic, purulent, mixed, fibrinous and syrupy.

Causes of uveitis

Infections, fungi, parasites, allergies, injuries, hormonal imbalances can provoke the development of uveitis.

The causes of infectious uveitis can be toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus, staphylococcal infection, tuberculosis, syphilis, herpes virus, sepsis, tonsillitis, carious teeth.

An allergic reaction to medications and foodstuffs can be a triggering factor for uveitis of allergic origin.

Post-traumatic uveitis causes foreign objects to enter the eye and burns the eyes.

Hormonal imbalances (menopause, diabetes and others) can cause uveitis. In some cases, uveitis can become a companion of autoimmune diseases: lupus, vitiligo, sarcoidosis. Genetic predisposition also plays an important role.

In children, uveitis is usually of an infectious nature, in the elderly, pathology develops against the background of oncological and other diseases, as well as with reduced immunity.

Uveitis symptoms

The symptoms of uveitis may differ depending on the causes, the focus of inflammation and the general state of the immune system:

  1. 1 with posterior uveitis there is a decrease in visual acuity, fogging, distortion of objects, the appearance of flies in front of the eyes is possible. Symptoms do not appear immediately and are mild;
  2. 2 anterior uveitis are manifested by intense redness of the eyeballs, pronounced pain syndrome, a feeling of heaviness in the eye, lacrimation and, in some cases, photophobia. In this case, the pupils are narrowed and intraocular pressure may increase;
  3. 3 indicator peripheral uveitis is inflammation of both eyes, blurred and decreased vision;
  4. 4 iridocyclochoroiditis may develop against the background of sepsis;
  5. 5 panuveit combines the symptoms of anterior and posterior uveitis.

Complications of uveitis

With incorrect or untimely therapy, uveitis can lead to cataracts, retinal detachment, angle-closure glaucoma, decreased visual acuity, up to complete blindness, and retinal infarction.

On the basis of untreated uveitis, retinal dystrophy, damage to the optic nerve, overgrowth of the pupil, changes in the structure of the lens, atrophy of the choroid and edema of the optic nerve head can form.

Treatment of uveitis in mainstream medicine

To prevent the development of irreversible complications, therapy for uveitis should only be carried out by an ophthalmologist. Self-medication for uveitis is unacceptable. After diagnosing and determining the cause of the disease, the doctor prescribes treatment aimed at preventing complications that can lead to loss of vision.

Uevites of infectious origin are treated locally with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drops, gels and ointments, and systemically with the help of tablets and injections. If necessary, the patient is prescribed antibiotics and cytostatics.

The main point in the treatment of uveitis is the use of steroid drugs. If intraocular pressure is increased, hirudotherapy is recommended. Physiotherapeutic procedures such as electrophoresis and phonophoresis give good results in the treatment of uveitis.

Secondary uveitis requires therapy for the underlying disease. Immunomodulators are successfully used in the treatment of uveitis; they can be used in combination with corticosteroids, thereby reducing their harmful effect on the body.

In some cases, surgery is indicated in the form of intravitreal injections, vitrectomy and phacoemulsification.

Uveitis requires long-term and systemic treatment, since this pathology is prone to recurrence. Anterior uveitis can be cured in 4-6 weeks, while posterior uveitis can take up to several months to treat.

Healthy foods for uveitis

Medical nutrition for uveitis should be aimed at improving the overall condition of the eyes and increasing immunity. To do this, ophthalmologists recommend including in the diet as many of the following products as possible:

  • containing vitamins A and D: cod liver, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, chicken eggs, wild garlic, vegetable oils, viburnum berries, oysters, cabbage;
  • carrots – contains a large amount of carotene, which is necessary for the eyes;
  • apricot – a source of potassium and vitamin A;
  • nuts and sprouted wheat seeds – contain vitamin E;
  • citrus fruits – a source of vitamin C, have a tonic effect on the body;
  • spinach – a source of lutein, which is good for the eyes;
  • blueberries – contains vitamin A;
  • Broccoli and corn are especially beneficial for uveitis as they are high in antioxidants.
  • oily fish are a source of vitamin D.

Traditional medicine for uveitis

  1. 1 several times a day rinse the eyes with a decoction of dried chamomile flowers;
  2. 2 rinse the eyes with filtered calendula broth for 2 weeks[2];
  3. 3 dilute with freshly squeezed aloe juice with water in a ratio of 1:10 and instill in the eyes twice a day for 10 days;
  4. 4 smear the eyelids with honey and lie with closed eyes for 30 minutes;
  5. 5 grate potatoes on a fine grater, add chopped parsley, mix well. Apply the resulting mixture to the eyelids, cover with gauze on top, and then with a piece of cloth. The duration of the procedure is 30-40 minutes[1];
  6. 6 good results in the treatment of uveitis are given by lotions from a decoction based on dried marshmallow root;
  7. 7 rinse eyes with rosemary broth;
  8. 8 rinse your eyes with a decoction of dried violet leaves;
  9. 9 wash with a decoction of mint leaves;
  10. 10 apply moistened gauze napkins to the eyes;
  11. 11 every morning, treat your eyes with a pale pink solution of potassium permanganate;
  12. 12 take inside the mummy according to the annotation;

Dangerous and harmful foods for uveitis

  • very salty foods, as they can cause dry eyes and a burning sensation;
  • alcoholic drinks. As a result of their use, riboflavin, which is necessary for the eyes, is less absorbed;
  • coffee – provokes a narrowing of the blood vessels of the eyes, respectively, and blood circulation is impaired;
  • proteins – excessive consumption leads to constipation and slagging of the body, as a result of which intraocular pressure may increase;
  • flour products that include starch – it has a negative effect on the retina of the eye;
  • chips, fast food, crackers, soda.
Information sources
  1. Herbalist: golden recipes for traditional medicine / Comp. A. Markov. – M .: Eksmo; Forum, 2007 .– 928 p.
  2. Popov A.P. Herbal textbook. Treatment with medicinal herbs. – LLC “U-Factoria”. Yekaterinburg: 1999.— 560 p., Ill.
  3. Wikipedia, article “Uveitis”.
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The administration is not responsible for any attempt to apply any recipe, advice or diet, and also does not guarantee that the specified information will help or harm you personally. Be prudent and always consult an appropriate physician!

Attention!

The administration is not responsible for any attempt to use the information provided, and does not guarantee that it will not harm you personally. The materials cannot be used to prescribe treatment and make a diagnosis. Always consult your specialist doctor!

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