Uveitic glaucoma: what it is and how to manage it

Uveitic glaucoma is a type of glaucoma that happens when inflammation inside the eye (uveitis) raises eye pressure and damages the optic nerve. It’s tricky because you have two problems at once: inflammation and high pressure. That makes treatment more complex than for common open-angle glaucoma.

Causes & symptoms

inflammation in the front part of the eye can clog the drainage angle or cause scarring. Steroid treatment for uveitis can also raise pressure in some people. Infections, autoimmune diseases, and trauma are common culprits. If you have recurrent uveitis, expect closer monitoring for pressure spikes.

How it feels: symptoms can come from either uveitis or glaucoma. You may notice eye redness, pain, light sensitivity, blurred vision, or halos around lights. Sometimes the pressure builds quietly and you won’t feel anything until vision is affected. Because signs overlap, you need an eye doctor who knows both uveitis and glaucoma.

Diagnosis & treatment

your ophthalmologist will check eye pressure, look at the drainage angle with gonioscopy, examine the optic nerve, and test visual fields. They’ll also grade inflammation and may do blood work or imaging to find a cause. Regular follow-up exams are essential; treatment changes fast.

Treating uveitic glaucoma has two goals: calm inflammation and lower eye pressure. That often means combining drugs. For inflammation, doctors use topical steroids, periocular injections, or systemic immunosuppressants if needed. For pressure, topical glaucoma drops are first line. Not all drops are suitable during active inflammation—some can worsen inflammation or cause side effects—so your doctor will choose carefully.

If medications don’t control pressure, procedures help. Laser trabeculoplasty works poorly when inflammation is active, so surgeons may prefer trabeculectomy with antifibrotic agents, drainage implants, or cyclodestructive procedures. Each option has risks; scar tissue from uveitis can make surgery less reliable, so the surgeon will plan for that.

What you can do: follow your treatment schedule, report new symptoms, and avoid sudden steroid changes without guidance. Keep appointments for pressure checks and visual field tests. If you travel or switch doctors, share your history of uveitis flares and glaucoma meds—details matter.

When to see help right away: sudden pain, severe vision loss, intense redness, or persistent headaches. Also seek care for marked floaters or flashes, which can signal complications.

Who manages it: care often needs a team approach. A glaucoma specialist and a uveitis specialist should coordinate in complex cases. If you have autoimmune disease, your rheumatologist may join the team.

Uveitic glaucoma is manageable but demanding. With close follow-up, tailored therapy, and quick action on warning signs, most people keep useful vision. Talk openly with your doctor about risks and realistic goals.

Note on steroids and pregnancy: if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, tell your doctor—some immunosuppressants and procedures aren’t safe. Also, ask about steroid-sparing drugs if pressure spikes are frequent. Keep a written list of current eye drops, doses, and dates of flare-ups so any new doctor can pick up where care left off. Small records often prevent big mistakes. Ask questions and stay involved.