Overview
Posterior uveitis is a serious inflammatory condition that affects the back part of the eye, specifically the uvea — the middle layer of the eye wall. The uvea includes the choroid, which is a layer of blood vessels that nourishes the retina (the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye). When this area becomes inflamed, it can interfere with vision in significant ways. The condition may also involve the retina and the vitreous, which is the gel-like fluid that fills the eye. People with posterior uveitis often notice blurry vision, floaters (spots or strings drifting across their field of view), and sometimes flashes of light. Unlike the front-of-eye form of uveitis, posterior uveitis does not usually cause a red or painful eye, which can make it harder to recognize early. It can affect one or both eyes. Posterior uveitis can be caused by infections (such as toxoplasmosis, syphilis, or tuberculosis), autoimmune conditions (such as sarcoidosis or Behçet's disease), or it may have no identifiable cause (called idiopathic). Treatment depends on the underlying cause and typically involves anti-inflammatory medications, antibiotics or antivirals if an infection is found, and sometimes immunosuppressive drugs. Without proper treatment, posterior uveitis can lead to permanent vision loss, making early diagnosis and ongoing specialist care very important.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Blurry or hazy visionFloaters — spots, strings, or cobwebs drifting across your visionFlashes of lightBlind spots or missing areas in your visionDecreased color visionSensitivity to lightGradual or sudden loss of visionDistorted vision (straight lines appearing wavy)Difficulty seeing in low light or at nightEye pressure changes (may be noticed by a doctor)
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 Posterior uveitis.
View clinical trials →Clinical Trials
View all trials with filters →No actively recruiting trials found for Posterior uveitis at this time.
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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 Posterior uveitis.
Community
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Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
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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 causing my posterior uveitis — is it an infection, an autoimmune condition, or is the cause unknown?,What treatment do you recommend, and how long will I need to take it?,How will we know if the treatment is working, and how often do I need follow-up eye exams?,What are the risks of long-term use of the medications you are prescribing?,What warning signs should make me call you or go to the emergency room right away?,Is my posterior uveitis likely to come back, and what can I do to reduce the risk of flares?,Are there any clinical trials or newer treatments I should know about?
Common questions about Posterior uveitis
What is Posterior uveitis?
Posterior uveitis is a serious inflammatory condition that affects the back part of the eye, specifically the uvea — the middle layer of the eye wall. The uvea includes the choroid, which is a layer of blood vessels that nourishes the retina (the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye). When this area becomes inflamed, it can interfere with vision in significant ways. The condition may also involve the retina and the vitreous, which is the gel-like fluid that fills the eye. People with posterior uveitis often notice blurry vision, floaters (spots or strings drifting across their field
How is Posterior uveitis inherited?
Posterior uveitis follows a multifactorial inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
Which specialists treat Posterior uveitis?
19 specialists and care centers treating Posterior uveitis are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.