Which term is defined as inflammation of the uvea?

Which term is defined as inflammation of the uvea?

• A. Uveitis
• B. Conjunctivitis
• C. Blepharitis
• D. Hordeolum

Answer: (A)

Inflammation of the vascular middle layer of the eye, the uveal tract, is called uveitis. The uvea includes the iris, ciliary body, and choroid, and it supplies blood to the eye and plays a role in focusing and light regulation. When this tract becomes inflamed, it’s the uvea that’s involved, so the standard term used by clinicians is uveitis. Symptoms often include eye pain, sensitivity to light (photophobia), blurred vision, and redness. There are more specific terms for inflammation of particular parts: iritis or iridocyclitis for the iris (sometimes with the ciliary body), and choroiditis for the choroid. The other conditions listed refer to different structures: conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva (the membrane covering the white of the eye and inside of the eyelids), blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelid margins, and a hordeolum is a stye from infection of a gland at the eyelid margin.

Inflammation of the vascular middle layer of the eye, the uveal tract, is called uveitis. The uvea includes the iris, ciliary body, and choroid, and it supplies blood to the eye and plays a role in focusing and light regulation. When this tract becomes inflamed, it’s the uvea that’s involved, so the standard term used by clinicians is uveitis. Symptoms often include eye pain, sensitivity to light (photophobia), blurred vision, and redness.

There are more specific terms for inflammation of particular parts: iritis or iridocyclitis for the iris (sometimes with the ciliary body), and choroiditis for the choroid. The other conditions listed refer to different structures: conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva (the membrane covering the white of the eye and inside of the eyelids), blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelid margins, and a hordeolum is a stye from infection of a gland at the eyelid margin.