Uveitis and Ocular Inflammation

The physicians under the Uveitis and Ocular Inflammation Service at the USC Roski Eye Institute are dedicated to providing optimal care in the treatment and management of inflammations and infections of the uveal tract, vitreous, retina and sclera. Characterized by a class of inflammatory diseases, uveitis can be a serious condition that can cause severe swelling and may lead to eye tissue degradation. As a result, uveitis may cause dramatic vision loss if not diagnosed and treated with the appropriate measures.

The ophthalmology team at the USC Roski Eye Institute has assisted countless patients not only understand the conditions affecting their sight, but help treat their uveitis and related conditions. If you are experiencing issues with your eyesight, call 323-442-6335 or contact us online to undergo a diagnosis of your condition and start receiving the treatment you need for better eye health.

Conditions We Treat

Diagnostic Services

Our subspecialists have access to a number of sophisticated technologies in the diagnosis of uveitis conditions. A proper diagnosis of the cause of inflammation is essential to ensuring our patients have the best possible outcome. Thus our expertise also extends to ophthalmic pathology practices where fluid can be extracted from the eye and analyzed through molecular techniques in the diagnosis of the particular uveitis condition. Our service is equipped with the state-of-the-art technology that includes:

• Electrophysiologic Testing
• Autofluorescence
• Fluorescein Angiography
• ICG (Indocyanine Green) Angiography
• OCT Angiography
• Optical Coherence Tomography
• Anterior Chamber and Vitreous Sampling

Treatment

There are various causes of eye inflammation, which include bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic infections. The treatment plan is individualized based on the patient’s medical history, family history, eye exam and overall health. In certain cases where eye inflammation is found to be noninfectious, generally as a result of an autoimmune disorder, patients are treated with biological therapy. Our uveitis specialists will consult with rheumatologists to determine the best course of action for patients with autoimmune disorders.

Often our services require a multidisciplinary approach in the treatment of uveitis, involving consultation with various subspecialists, since this condition can cause complications in the eye such as glaucoma, cataract or retinal detachment. Patients will be referred to our highly skilled team of ophthalmic surgical specialists within the USC Roski Eye Institute if surgical intervention is required.

• Local Treatment: anti-inflammatory eye drops and injections around the eye and novel intraocular slow drug releasing implants
• Systemic Treatment: oral anti-inflammatory agents including corticosteroids; steroid sparing agents; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents and immunomodulatory drugs and biological agents.

Advances in Uveitis and Ocular Inflammation Research

• Eye Imaging approaches in early diagnosis of infectious and non-infectious auto-immune uveitis
• Local drug delivery to avoid systemic side effects of corticosteroids
• Elucidation of autofluorescence abnormalities in autoimmune retinopathy
• Cutting edge research on the pathophysiologic mechanisms and treatment of tuberculous uveitis
• Development of surgical techniques to establish diagnosis in enigmatic causes of uveitis

All of our physicians are American board certified and fellowship trained subspecialists. Through careful diagnosis and effective treatments individualized to your personal needs, better eyesight and health is possible today.

Next, read about our vitreoretinal surgery and retinal disease service.