Externally peer reviewed: Yes
Evidence type: Review 
Subjects: Humans

UNDER STRICT EMBARGO 16:00 hours [UK BST] / 10:00 hours [US CT] Wednesday 28 May 2025

Early detection key to improving treatment of uveitis, a leading cause globally of vision loss 
 

New treatment guidance has been developed to help doctors tackle uveitis — one of the leading causes of vision loss.  The new clinical guidance, by a team at the University of Bristol, aims to help thousands of sufferers keep this painful eye condition at bay. The study is published in JAMA today [28 May].

Typically affecting adults between 20 and 50 years old. The condition, which causes inflammation inside the eye, is responsible for up to 10% of vision loss worldwide. Early detection and treatment is critical for patient recovery. Despite its impact, this inflammatory disease remains largely unrecognised by the general public and is sometimes overlooked within the wider medical community. A new comprehensive review sheds light on the condition’s causes, symptoms, and the latest advances in treatment, with an urgent call for earlier diagnosis and intervention.

The research, by ophthalmologists in Bristol Medical School, highlights the pressing need for better awareness of uveitis.

A call for earlier diagnosis and better treatment

Dr Panayiotis Maghsoudlou, NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer in Ophthalmology in the Bristol Medical School: Translational Health Sciences (THS) and the study’s lead author, emphasised the dangers of late diagnosis: “Uveitis is often detected too late, by which point irreversible damage may already have occurred. It is vital that people experiencing persistent eye pain, redness, sensitivity to light, new floaters, blurred vision, or sudden changes in sight seek urgent medical attention. Early intervention can significantly improve outcomes and, in many cases, prevent permanent sight loss.”

“Diagnosing and treating uveitis is challenging due to the varying presentation of multiple subtypes, each with distinct underlying causes and responses to treatment. This variability complicates both early recognition and the selection of appropriate treatment strategies, as different forms of the disease require tailored approaches.”

To tackle this, the researchers developed new clinical guidance to help doctors diagnose and treat uveitis more effectively. The team conducted an extensive review of 2,900 published studies on uveitis, to evaluate the most effective diagnosis and course of treatment.

New advances in uveitis treatment

Historically, treatment for uveitis has relied on corticosteroids, which help control inflammation but carry risks of long-term side effects such as glaucoma and cataracts. However, recent advancements in treatment have introduced new options, including biologic therapies such as adalimumab, which have proven highly effective for patients with severe or recurrent cases. While these treatments mark a significant step forward, ensuring global access remains a challenge.

The study highlights the importance of a tailored treatment approach, as different types of uveitis require distinct management strategies. While non-infectious uveitis often involves immunosuppressive medications to control inflammation, infectious cases must be treated with targeted antimicrobial therapies.

The need for a multidisciplinary approach

The review underlines the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to managing uveitis, as it is frequently linked to underlying systemic diseases. Collaboration between ophthalmologists, rheumatologists, and infectious disease specialists is essential to ensuring patients receive comprehensive care. The study also calls for greater public health efforts to educate people about uveitis.

Andrew Dick, Professor of Ophthalmology in the Bristol Medical School: THS and senior author of the study added: “Despite being a leading cause of preventable blindness, uveitis remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. Our study has identified the most effective treatments depending on the type and cause of the inflammation. By tailoring treatment approaches, we can significantly decrease the likelihood of vision loss, which is the most serious potential outcome of untreated eye inflammation.”

Paper

‘Uveitis in adults: a review’ by Panayiotis Maghsoudlou, Simon J. Epps, Catherine M. Guly, Andrew D. Dick in JAMA [open access].

. . . ENDS

Notes to editors

A copy of the press preview paper is available on request.

For further information or to arrange an interview with Dr Maghsoudlou or Professor Dick, please contact Joanne Fryer [Mon to Wed], email joanne.fryer@bristol.ac.uk, mobile +44 (0)7747 768805 or Caroline Clancy [Wed to Fri], email caroline.clancy@bristol.ac.uk, mobile: +44 (0)7776 170238 in the University of Bristol Media and PR team.

About Uveitis
Uveitis is a serious eye condition that causes inflammation inside the eye. It can be triggered by infections, immune system disorders, or, in some cases, an unknown cause. Most commonly affecting adults between 20 and 50 years old, it is responsible for up to 10% of vision loss worldwide.

People with uveitis may experience eye pain, redness, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, or dark spots (floaters) in their sight. If not treated quickly, the inflammation can cause lasting damage and, in severe cases, lead to blindness. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to protecting vision.

About the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
The mission of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. We do this by:

•    Funding high quality, timely research that benefits the NHS, public health and social care; 
•    Investing in world-class expertise, facilities and a skilled delivery workforce to translate discoveries into improved treatments and services; 
•    Partnering with patients, service users, carers and communities, improving the relevance, quality and impact of our research; 
•    Attracting, training and supporting the best researchers to tackle complex health and social care challenges; 
•    Collaborating with other public funders, charities and industry to help shape a cohesive and globally competitive research system; 
•    Funding applied global health research and training to meet the needs of the poorest people in low and middle income countries.

NIHR is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care. Its work in low and middle income countries is principally funded through UK Aid from the UK government.

Issued by the University of Bristol Media Team