What symptoms can uveitis cause in the eye?

Uveitis, which is the inflammation of the uvea, can present with a variety of symptoms that may develop rapidly or subtly depending on the site and severity of the inflammation. Common symptoms include:1

• Eye pain: This can range from mild discomfort to deep, acute pain.12
• Vision changes: Patients often experience blurred vision or decreased visual acuity.12
• Sensitivity to light: Intense sensitivity to light (photophobia) is a frequent symptom, particularly in nongranulomatous forms.12
• Redness: The eye may appear red due to inflammation.12
• Visual disturbances: The presence of floating spots (floaters) in the field of vision is common, especially in posterior uveitis.12
• Tearing: The eye may water, though typically without the discharge associated with conditions like conjunctivitis.12

Because uveitis can lead to permanent vision loss if left untreated, it is essential that individuals experiencing these symptoms are examined by an eye doctor within 24 hours.1