Ocular inflammatory disease is inflammation that causes pain, redness and vision problems in one or both eyes. Inflammation is the body’s response to eliminate damage, germs, or toxins. The eye disease has a specific name depending on the part of the eye affected. Uveitis, for example, is inflammation in the middle layer of the eye that can be caused by infection or an autoimmune disease. Scleritis is inflammation of the wall of the eye; myositis is inflammation of the muscles around the eye; and chorioretinitis is inflammation of the back of the eye.
Many times, the exact cause of the condition is unknown and it is considered an autoimmune or inflammatory disorder that only impacts the eye. In other cases, it stems from an autoimmune disorder that affects other parts of the body, such as lupus or Crohn's disease. It can also come from an infection or injury.
Ocular inflammatory disease can cause redness, pain, light sensitivity, blurred vision, decreased vision, and dark floating spots in vision in one or both eyes. Sometimes, the disease has no symptoms and is only detected during an eye exam.
Your fellowship-trained ophthalmology specialist at the Cizik Eye Clinic will conduct a complete eye exam and determine what testing is needed to diagnose the specific type of ocular inflammatory disease, as well as to determine whether there is an infection or autoimmune disorder.
Uveitis is diagnosed nearly 45,000 times a year in the United States. It can lead to severe eye problems, including permanent vision loss, if not treated.
While treatment depends on the underlying cause, eye drops and steroids are commonly part of the treatment plan. Severe cases may require drugs to suppress the immune system. Your uveitis specialist is well-versed in the most effective recommendations and will discuss appropriate treatment options with you.
The Cizik Eye Clinic opened in 2007 and is housed in Memorial Hermann Plaza at 6400 Fannin Street. It includes dozens of exam areas, multiple operating rooms, and laser suites equipped with the most sophisticated equipment available for patient care.
People travel from across the country and the world for treatment at the Cizik Eye Clinic, in part because our affiliation with the McGovern Medical School at UTHealth provides unmatched resources and expertise. Our friendly staff works diligently to make your visit pleasant and efficient, as we maximize patient flow through everything from routine eye exams to the most advanced eye surgeries.
Our physicians are faculty members at McGovern Medical School and are board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology or are board eligible. At the Cizik Eye Clinic, we understand that the eye is a small part of a whole patient who deserves top-notch, comprehensive care in a cutting-edge facility.
At Robert Cizik Eye Clinic, we offer patients access to highly specialized eye and vision care. To ask us a question, schedule an appointment, or learn more about us, please call (713) 486-9400, or click below to send us a message. In the event of an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Room.