In this definitive guide, we’ll break down:
✔️ The 4 main Types of Uveitis and how they differ
✔️ Who’s most at risk for each type (by age, genetics, and health conditions)
✔️ Danger signs you’re developing complications
✔️ Why posterior uveitis is the “silent thief of sight”
The 4 Types of Uveitis: Location Matters
Uveitis is classified by where inflammation occurs in the eye:
| Type | Location Affected | % of Cases | Key Risk Groups |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anterior | Iris & ciliary body | 75% | Young adults (20-50), HLA-B27+ |
| Intermediate | Vitreous & peripheral retina | 15% | Teens/young adults, multiple sclerosis patients |
| Posterior | Choroid & retina | 5% | Immunocompromised, infectious disease carriers |
| Panuveitis | All layers | 5% | Sarcoidosis, Behçet’s disease patients |
1. Anterior Uveitis (Iritis/Iridocyclitis)
Hallmark Symptoms:
- Severe eye pain & redness
- Light sensitivity (photophobia)
- Blurry vision with “floaters”
Top Causes:
- Autoimmune disorders (ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn’s)
- Trauma or surgery
- Herpes simplex virus
Unique Risk:
⚠️ Acute glaucoma develops in 20% of untreated cases due to inflammatory debris clogging drainage angles.
Diagnosis Tip: Slit-lamp exam shows “flare” (protein leakage) in the anterior chamber.
2. Intermediate Uveitis (Pars Planitis)
Hallmark Symptoms:
- Floaters that look like cobwebs
- Hazy vision (like looking through wax paper)
- Usually painless
Top Causes:
- Multiple sclerosis (25% of patients develop this)
- Lyme disease
- Idiopathic (no known cause in 60% of cases)
Unique Risk:
⚠️ Snowbanking – White inflammatory deposits on the retina’s edge that can trigger retinal detachments.
Diagnosis Tip: Requires ultrasound biomicroscopy to see pars plana inflammation.
3. Posterior Uveitis (The Silent Threat)
Hallmark Symptoms:
- Gradual vision loss (often painless)
- Night blindness
- Distorted colors
Top Causes:
- Toxoplasmosis (cat parasite infection)
- Tuberculosis
- Syphilis
Unique Risk:
⚠️ Macular scarring – The #1 cause of irreversible blindness in this type.
Diagnosis Tip: OCT scans reveal retinal edema, while blood tests identify infections.
4. Panuveitis (Whole-Eye Inflammation)
Hallmark Symptoms:
- Combination of all above symptoms
- Often systemic illness (fever, joint pain)
Top Causes:
- Behçet’s disease
- Sarcoidosis
- Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome
Unique Risk:
⚠️ Phthisis bulbi – Severe cases can shrink and destroy the eyeball.
Diagnosis Tip: Requires chest X-rays and ACE blood tests to detect systemic links.
Who’s Most at Risk? A Demographic Breakdown
By Age
- Anterior: Peak onset at 20-50 years
- Intermediate: Most common in teens/20s
- Posterior/Panuveitis: Any age (depends on underlying cause)
By Gender
- Anterior: Males > Females (3:2 ratio)
- Intermediate: Females slightly higher
- Behçet’s-related: Males in Middle East, females in Japan
By Geography
- Toxoplasmosis uveitis: Common in Brazil/France
- TB uveitis: Prevalent in India/China
- HLA-B27 anterior uveitis: Northern European descent
Complications Specific to Each Type
| Type | Blindness Risk | Most Common Complication |
|---|---|---|
| Anterior | Low (if treated) | Cataracts (30% of chronic cases) |
| Intermediate | Moderate | Cystoid macular edema (CME) |
| Posterior | High | Choroidal neovascularization |
| Panuveitis | Very High | Retinal detachment |
Critical Fact: Posterior uveitis causes 70% of uveitis-related blindness despite being the rarest type.
How to Confirm Your Uveitis Type
- Anterior: Slit-lamp exam + HLA-B27 blood test
- Intermediate: Vitreous biopsy (rarely needed)
- Posterior: OCT + infectious disease panel
- Panuveitis: Systemic workup (chest CT, lumbar puncture)
Red Flag: If your doctor diagnoses “uveitis” without specifying the type, seek a second opinion.
Treatment Varies Dramatically by Type
Anterior
- Steroid drops (prednisolone)
- Pupil dilators (atropine)
Intermediate
- Steroid implants (Ozurdex)
- Immunosuppressants (methotrexate)
Posterior
- Antibiotics (for infections like toxoplasmosis)
- Biologics (adalimumab for autoimmune cases)
Panuveitis
- High-dose steroids + biologics
- Often requires rheumatologist co-management
Patient Story: A Misdiagnosis Nightmare
"Doctors treated my posterior uveitis as ‘dry eye’ for 6 months. By the time I got an OCT scan, my retina was scarred—I’m now legally blind in one eye."
— Luis R., 38
Key Takeaways
- Anterior uveitis is the most common but least dangerous if treated early.
- Posterior uveitis is the “silent” type—annual dilated exams are critical for at-risk groups.
- Panuveitis often signals a life-threatening systemic disease.
If You Suspect Uveitis:
- Demand a type-specific diagnosis (general labels are inadequate).
- Get systemic testing for infections/autoimmune disorders.
- Find a uveitis specialist—general ophthalmologists miss nuances.
"Knowing which of the Types of Uveitis you have is the first step to saving your vision."
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