Uveitis in India and its changing patterns
Uveitis is a term used to describe eye disease that causes red, swollen eyes, eye pain and inflammation. It affects the uvea (middle layer of the eye). Untreated and ignored uveitis can cause permanent blindness and vision loss. Uveitis affects people of all ages, even children. But women between 40 -60 years are at a higher risk. Certain types of Uveitis can come back, even after treatments. Due to the changing patterns in Uveitis, the risk factors of it are uncertain and the disease often occurs for unknown reasons. Uveitis in India is vaguely different from the other countries.
Uveitis was a specialty field in ophthalmology in the 1990s and early 2000s, with only a few specialists in India, and uveitis care was mostly limited to tertiary care centers. However, there has been a surge in the number of uveitis specialists in India in recent years, as seen by the growing number of uveitis papers from the subcontinent. In ophthalmology, uveitis is no longer a specialty. We have more ophthalmologists treating uveitis cases across India thanks to effective dissemination of knowledge in the form of study groups, newsletters, performing CMEs, and training at both national and international levels. There is now a greater understanding of the various aetiologies and presentations (from infective to autoimmune). Uveitis in India and its care has benefited from regular updates on recent breakthroughs in pathophysiology, diagnostics, and treatments, as well as quick advances in diagnostics (ophthalmology and non ophthalmology) and treatments. A multidisciplinary strategy combining close collaboration with other internal medicine departments has enabled us to function as a team, resulting in improved uveitis care and, as a result, a better prognosis for our uveitis patients.
Most persons with uveitis who receive timely treatment have little, if any, long-term vision impairments. Treatments can halt the advancement of the disease and restore vision that has been lost. Severe cases may necessitate long-term care. Severe illness increases the risk of vision loss or blindness. Regular eye exams are crucial if you have disorders that put you at risk for uveitis. If you have red eyes, pain in your eyes, or inflammation in your eyes, see your eye doctor. Your eye doctor can identify the best treatment for you based on the type of disease and its cause. Because uveitis frequently recurs after treatment, it is critical to have regular eye exams to protect your vision.
