Synopsis
Recognise inflammatory eye disease associated with rheumatological conditions, investigate relevant systemic clues and coordinate safe ocular treatment without overlooking infection.
- Uveitis may be the first clue to systemic inflammatory disease, but many episodes lack an identified systemic cause.
- Ask about inflammatory back pain, joint symptoms, psoriasis, bowel inflammation and recurrent oral or genital ulcers.
- Describe which ocular structures are inflamed; anterior, intermediate, posterior and panuveitic disease require different assessment and treatment.
Key red flags
A painful red eye with light intolerance or reduced vision needs same-day ophthalmic assessment.
Investigation priorities
Confirm anterior inflammation and assess associated structural or pressure complications.
Management branches
Pain, redness, photophobia or blurred vision suggests acute anterior uveitis.
- Arrange same-day ophthalmological assessment, stating visual change, immune treatment and relevant systemic disease.
- Document available visual findings and medication exposure while avoiding empirical escalation of steroid for an undiagnosed red eye.
Key medicines
Pred Forte 1% prednisolone acetate suspension for specialist-confirmed inflammationThe adult UK product regimen is one or two drops in the affected eye two to four times daily; during the first 24–48 hours, two drops every hour may be prescribed. The ophthalmologist determines subsequent frequency, taper and stop point from inflammation control.