- Anti-inflammatory medication Glucocorticoids (cortisone) play a primary role here: they slow down inflammatory processes in the eye. Glucocorticoids are available in the form of eye drops and eye ointments, but also as tablets and injections. However, so-called cortisone-sparing medication is often used for severe or chronic courses. These are classic immunosuppressants such as methotrexate, azathioprine and others, but also newer drugs, so-called biologics. These are often antibodies that influence a part of the immune response as specifically as possible. The aim of treatment is to control the uveitis as completely as possible and to minimize side effects.
In the case of uveitis as part of an underlying disease, such as rheumatic inflammation or chronic inflammatory bowel disease, an interdisciplinary approach is always taken with the relevant specialists to find the optimum therapeutic solution to address all aspects of the disease.
- Pupil-dilating and cycloplegic medication: Eye drops are used, for example with the active ingredients atropine, scopolamine or tropicamide. These medicines are classified as mydriatics. Among other things, they ensure that the refractive membrane does not stick to the lens and are mainly used for anterior uveitis or when the anterior segment is involved
- Antibiotics, antimycotics, antihelminthics and antivirals are used by doctors when pathogens are involved in uveitis. Antibiotics help against bacteria and certain parasites, antifungals against fungi, antihelminthics against worms and antivirals against viruses. They often work together with infectious disease specialists.
- Drugs that reduce elevated intraocular pressure are used when the pressure in the eye is too high, either due to the inflammation itself or as a side effect of the administration of mostly topical corticosteroids. Pressure-reducing medication is available as drops or tablets
- Surgical intervention is sometimes required during the course of the disease, e.g. to reduce an uncontrollable eye pressure or in the case of other complications of uveitis such as clouding of the lens or retinal detachment.
