Effective Treatment for Canine Uveitis: Expert Tips & S
Bringing our furry friend to the PetStar Professional Ophthalmology Hospital for a checkup, the vet conducted a thorough eye examination and diagnosed our dog with uveitis. But what exactly is uveitis?
What is Uveitis?
The basic structure of the eye consists of three layers: the outermost fibrous layer (including the sclera and cornea), the middle vascular layer (the uvea), and the innermost neuroectodermal layer (the retina and optic nerve).
The uvea is made up of three parts: the iris, the ciliary body (also known as the anterior uvea), and the choroid (the posterior uvea). Uveitis refers to inflammation in these areas. It's important to note that the uvea contains a large number of blood vessels, which play a crucial role in maintaining the bloodeye barrier.
Therefore, the causes of uveitis are numerous and the mechanisms are complex. Besides mechanical injuries, autoimmune diseases, certain systemic infections, and some tumors may also trigger uveitis. In clinical practice, a significant number of cases of uveitis are idiopathic, with the cause still unclear.
The uvea is anatomically similar in color and size to dark purple grapes, hence the name "uvea".
What are the symptoms of uveitis?
When uveitis occurs, the bloodaqueous barrier is damaged, leading to the leakage of proteins and cellular components into the aqueous humor. This can be observed as aqueous humor glint, free cells in the anterior chamber, corneal deposits, and even anterior chamber pus.
Other symptoms may include red eyes, photophobia, eyelid spasms; iris edema and pupillary sphincter contraction causing miosis; iris adhesion; low intraocular pressure; and in cases of posterior uveitis, vitreous opacity, retinal edema, and even retinal detachment. Different areas of uveitis may present with varying clinical symptoms.
When uveitis occurs, the bloodaqueous barrier is damaged, and proteins and cellular components leak into the aqueous humor, resulting in anterior chamber glint visible during clinical examination.
Diagnosis of Uveitis
Most of the time, uveitis can be diagnosed based on the above clinical symptoms and characteristic findings. However, since uveitis may also be associated with systemic diseases, it is important to conduct a detailed physical examination, including hematology tests, urinalysis, and imaging studies.
Treatment of Uveitis
In cases where the cause is determined, the most effective treatment is etiological treatment. At the same time, to prevent complications, active antiinflammatory treatment is needed, along with the prevention of complications and pain relief.
Failure to treat uveitis promptly may lead to cataracts, glaucoma, retinal edema, and even retinal detachment, which can be severe and even lead to blindness.
Summary
Uveitis, in addition to being idiopathic, may also be associated with systemic diseases. A detailed physical examination, including hematology tests, urinalysis, and imaging studies, is necessary. Identifying the primary etiological cause and treating it is the most effective method.
Uveitis can cause severe eye discomfort. It is important to follow the doctor's instructions, take eye drops as prescribed to relieve eye discomfort, and schedule regular followup appointments. Failure to treat uveitis promptly may lead to complications such as cataracts, glaucoma, retinal diseases, and even blindness. Therefore, it is crucial for pet owners to be attentive to their pets' eye discomfort and seek professional ophthalmological care promptly.
