What is Vitritis?
Vitritis is inflammation of the vitreous humor, the clear gel that fills the inside of the eye between the lens and the retina. It is often a sign of an underlying eye infection or inflammation and can affect vision if left untreated.
What Are the Symptoms of Vitritis?
Symptoms of vitritis can vary but often include:
- Floaters or spots in vision
- Blurred or hazy vision
- Eye redness
- Eye pain or discomfort
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- Decreased visual clarity
What Causes Vitritis?
Vitritis may result from various causes, including:
- Infections such as bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic infections
- Autoimmune or inflammatory diseases like uveitis
- Eye trauma or surgery
- Spread of infection from other parts of the body
- Certain systemic diseases such as sarcoidosis or tuberculosis
How is Vitritis Diagnosed?
Diagnosis involves:
- Comprehensive eye examination by an ophthalmologist
- Slit-lamp examination to view the vitreous and retina
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT) to assess inflammation
- Ultrasound of the eye if the view is obscured
- Laboratory tests or vitreous biopsy in unclear cases to identify infectious agents
How is Vitritis Treated?
- Medications
- Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation
- Antibiotics, antivirals, or antifungals if infection is present
- Immunosuppressive drugs for autoimmune causes
- Procedures
- Vitrectomy (surgical removal of the vitreous gel) may be necessary in severe or persistent cases to remove infectious or inflammatory material
- Supportive Care
- Monitoring for complications such as retinal detachment or vision loss
- Regular follow-up with eye specialists
Complications of Untreated Vitritis
- Permanent vision impairment or loss
- Retinal detachment
- Formation of scar tissue on the retina
- Chronic inflammation leading to glaucoma or cataracts
Living with Vitritis: Tips for Eye Health
- Seek prompt medical attention for any eye redness or vision changes
- Adhere strictly to prescribed treatments
- Manage underlying systemic conditions effectively
- Protect eyes from injury and infections
- Attend regular eye checkups to monitor inflammation and prevent complications