Overview
Panuveitis is a serious eye condition in which all layers of the uvea become inflamed. The uvea is the middle layer of the eye and includes the iris (the colored part), the ciliary body (which helps the eye focus), and the choroid (a layer of blood vessels that nourishes the retina). When all three parts are inflamed at the same time, it is called panuveitis. This condition can also affect nearby structures like the retina and the vitreous (the gel-like substance inside the eye). Symptoms of panuveitis often include blurred vision, eye pain, redness, sensitivity to light, and seeing floaters (small spots or lines drifting across your vision). If left untreated, panuveitis can lead to serious complications such as cataracts, glaucoma, retinal damage, and even permanent vision loss. The condition can affect one or both eyes. Panuveitis can be caused by infections (such as tuberculosis, syphilis, or toxoplasmosis), autoimmune diseases (such as sarcoidosis, Behçet disease, or Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease), or it may have no identifiable cause (idiopathic). Treatment typically involves controlling the inflammation with corticosteroids, either as eye drops, injections around the eye, or taken by mouth. In more severe or chronic cases, immunosuppressive medications may be needed. Biologic therapies such as adalimumab (Humira) have been FDA-approved for certain forms of non-infectious uveitis. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to preserve vision.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Blurred or decreased visionEye painEye rednessSensitivity to light (photophobia)Floaters (spots or lines in your vision)Tearing or watery eyesHeadachesDark spots in your field of visionDifficulty seeing at nightSwelling around the eyeGradual vision lossSeeing halos around lightsChanges in pupil size or shape
Multifactorial
Caused by a mix of several genes and environmental factors
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Panuveitis.
View clinical trials →Clinical Trials
View all trials with filters →No actively recruiting trials found for Panuveitis at this time.
New trials open frequently. Follow this disease to get notified.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Panuveitis.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Panuveitis.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Panuveitis
No recent news articles for Panuveitis.
Follow this condition to be notified when news becomes available.
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What is the likely cause of my panuveitis, and do I need additional testing to find out?,How severe is the inflammation, and has it caused any damage to my retina or other eye structures?,What treatment plan do you recommend, and what are the potential side effects?,How often will I need follow-up eye exams?,Am I at risk for vision loss, and what can I do to protect my eyesight?,Should I see other specialists for possible underlying conditions?,Are there any lifestyle changes or precautions I should take while on treatment?
Common questions about Panuveitis
What is Panuveitis?
Panuveitis is a serious eye condition in which all layers of the uvea become inflamed. The uvea is the middle layer of the eye and includes the iris (the colored part), the ciliary body (which helps the eye focus), and the choroid (a layer of blood vessels that nourishes the retina). When all three parts are inflamed at the same time, it is called panuveitis. This condition can also affect nearby structures like the retina and the vitreous (the gel-like substance inside the eye). Symptoms of panuveitis often include blurred vision, eye pain, redness, sensitivity to light, and seeing floaters
How is Panuveitis inherited?
Panuveitis follows a multifactorial inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
Which specialists treat Panuveitis?
19 specialists and care centers treating Panuveitis are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.