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The eye has three different layers of tissue surrounding a central cavity. The outermost is the sclera (white coat of the eye), the middle layer the uvea (contains many of the blood vessels that nourish the eye) and the innermost layer is called the retina (image-gathering tissue in the back of the eye).

When the uvea becomes inflamed, the condition is called uveitis. Inflammation of the uvea can affect the cornea, retina, sclera and other vital parts of the eye. Since the uvea borders many important parts of the eye, inflammation of this layer may threaten sight more seriously than the more common inflammation of the outside layers of the eye.

When the uvea is inflamed near the front of the eye, in the iris, it is called iritis. Inflammation in the middle of the eye involving the ciliary body is called cyclitis. Inflammation in the back of the eye affecting the choroid is called choroiditis.

Symptoms of uveitis include light sensitivity, blurring of vision, pain and redness of the eye. Uveitis may come on suddenly with redness and pain, or it may be slow in onset with little pain or redness, but gradual blurring of vision.

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