I have been under Dr Verter's care for a couple years after a torn retina. He and his team in Westport have been rockstars! Kudos to all!!! 👏👏👏👏
Medically reviewed by John Huang, M.D. | Last reviewed: April 2026
Advanced Uveitis Care at New England Retina Associates
Uveitis is a serious inflammatory eye condition that affects the uvea, the middle layer of the eye. Without prompt treatment, it can lead to complications such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular edema, or lasting vision loss. At New England Retina Associates, our fellowship-trained retina specialists provide expert diagnosis, advanced imaging, and individualized treatment to control inflammation and protect your vision.
~10%
Of Blindness Cases in the U.S. Are Linked to Uveitis
~90%
Of Uveitis Cases in Large U.S. Studies Are Noninfectious
Sources: American Academy of Ophthalmology resources and peer-reviewed U.S. epidemiology studies
Experiencing Eye Pain or Light Sensitivity?
Schedule a prompt eye evaluation to check for uveitis or other causes of ocular inflammation.
Request an AppointmentOcular Inflammation Experts
What Is Uveitis?
Uveitis is a broad medical term for inflammation inside the eye. It most often affects the uvea, which includes the iris, ciliary body, and choroid, but inflammation may also involve nearby eye structures. When the inflammation is limited to the iris, it is commonly called anterior uveitis or iritis.
Uveitis has many possible causes. It may be linked to autoimmune disease, infection, prior eye injury, or inflammatory conditions elsewhere in the body, and in some cases no clear cause is identified. Because uveitis can be associated with both eye disease and systemic illness, careful evaluation is important to guide treatment and reduce the risk of long-term damage.
Comprehensive Diagnostics
Utilizing advanced imaging and laboratory testing to pinpoint the underlying cause of your inflammation.
Advanced Treatments
Providing tailored therapies, from local steroid treatments to advanced disease-modifying immunosuppressive medications.
Uveitis Care in Expert Hands
At New England Retina Associates, all four of our board-certified ophthalmologists are highly experienced in treating ocular inflammation. We work closely with referring optometrists, general ophthalmologists, and rheumatologists to manage complex autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. With offices in Hamden, Trumbull, Westport, and Old Greenwich, expert uveitis care is always accessible in your community.
Fellowship Trained
Autoimmune Expertise
Multidisciplinary Care
30+ Years Experience
Clinical Research
Patient-First Approach
Board-Certified Ophthalmologists
Specialized Ocular Immunology
While all NERA physicians are highly skilled in treating ocular inflammation, Dr. John Huang brings additional depth through his dedicated fellowship training in uveitis and ocular immunology. His background provides patients with world-class expertise in diagnosing and managing complex, vision-threatening inflammatory conditions.
Dual Fellowship Trained
Specialized training from Harvard University and Johns Hopkins Hospital.
CT Uveitis Foundation
Proud founder dedicated to advancing care and support for uveitis patients.
Systemic Disease Integration
Expertise in linking eye inflammation to whole-body autoimmune conditions.
Academic Leadership
Former Director of the Uveitis Service at Yale University.
Recognizing the Symptoms of Uveitis
Uveitis requires prompt medical attention because untreated inflammation can lead to complications such as vision loss, macular edema, cataracts, or glaucoma. Symptoms may begin suddenly or develop more gradually, depending on the type and severity of inflammation.
During your evaluation, your eye specialist will perform a comprehensive eye exam and may use advanced imaging or additional testing to determine the location, severity, and possible cause of the inflammation.
"Early detection and careful medical therapy are crucial in managing uveitis and preventing long-term damage to the eye."
Don't Ignore These Signs
Severe Eye Pain
Extreme Light Sensitivity (Photophobia)
New or Worsening Floaters
Sudden Blurred Vision
Noticeable Eye Redness
Decreased Visual Acuity
Advanced Medical Therapy
New England Retina Associates provides targeted therapies to quell acute inflammation and advanced immunomodulatory treatments for long-term disease remission.
Comprehensive Care
Customized Treatment Plans
Treating uveitis requires a tailored approach based on the specific type of inflammation, its underlying cause, and your overall health. Our goal is to quiet the inflammation rapidly, prevent structural damage to the eye, and establish a long-term strategy to minimize flare-ups.
Because some autoimmune diseases affect only the eye while others affect the entire body, our specialists frequently collaborate with rheumatologists and primary care physicians to coordinate systemic immunosuppressive therapy.
Preserves visual acuity
Reduces flare-up frequency
Prevents secondary complications
Coordinates systemic health
How We Diagnose and Treat Uveitis
1
Comprehensive Exam
Through a dilated exam, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and angiography, we locate and measure the extent of inflammation in the eye.
2
Laboratory Testing
We often perform specialized blood work to identify systemic autoimmune conditions, infections, or genetic markers contributing to the inflammation.
3
Targeted Therapy
Treatment begins with local steroid drops or injections to quickly suppress the immune response and relieve acute pain and redness.
4
Ongoing Monitoring
For chronic cases, we may transition to systemic immunosuppressives or biologics, with regular follow-ups to monitor medication safety and prevent flare-ups.
Common Causes and Risk Factors
Uveitis can occur in anyone, but it is frequently linked to broader health conditions. The underlying cause often dictates the most effective treatment path.
Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or related inflammatory disorders
Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
Ankylosing spondylitis and other spondyloarthropathies
Infections including herpes viruses, tuberculosis, or syphilis
Previous eye injury or eye surgery
Psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis
Sarcoidosis, which can affect multiple organs including the eyes
Idiopathic cases, where no specific cause is identified
Diagnostic Technology
Precision imaging is essential for diagnosing uveitis, monitoring your response to treatment, and detecting complications like macular edema.
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
Creates detailed cross-sectional images of the retina to detect inflammatory swelling or fluid accumulation in the macula.
Fluorescein Angiography
Uses injected dye to reveal active inflammation, blocked blood vessels, and vascular leakage in the retina.
Indocyanine Green Angiography (ICG)
Highlights inflammation and circulatory issues in the deeper choroid layer, beneath the retina.
Ophthalmic Ultrasound
Evaluates the structural integrity of the back of the eye when intense inflammation or cataracts obscure the direct view.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is uveitis curable?
Many cases of uveitis can be controlled effectively, and some patients achieve long periods of remission. However, uveitis is not always permanently curable, especially when it is linked to an underlying autoimmune or inflammatory condition. Ongoing monitoring may be needed to reduce the risk of flare-ups and protect vision.
Will I lose my vision from uveitis?
Uveitis can lead to severe and sometimes permanent vision loss if it is not treated appropriately. With prompt diagnosis, careful monitoring, and the right treatment plan, many patients are able to control inflammation and reduce the risk of long-term damage.
Why do I need blood tests for an eye problem?
Uveitis is often linked to systemic autoimmune diseases or underlying infections. Blood tests help identify conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, sarcoidosis, or tuberculosis that may be driving the inflammation. Understanding the root cause is essential for choosing the safest and most effective treatment approach.
What are biologic medications for uveitis?
Biologic medications such as adalimumab or infliximab are advanced immunomodulatory treatments that target specific parts of the immune system involved in inflammation. They may be considered when steroid treatment alone is not enough, is not well tolerated, or is not appropriate for long-term control.
Can I participate in clinical trials for uveitis?
New England Retina Associates is involved in clinical research across multiple retinal and inflammatory eye conditions. Clinical trial participation may provide some eligible patients with access to promising emerging therapies. Ask your NERA physician whether a study may be appropriate for your condition.
Do you coordinate with my other doctors?
Yes. Because uveitis is often connected to systemic health conditions, NERA specialists work closely with referring optometrists, rheumatologists, infectious disease specialists, and primary care physicians to coordinate a unified treatment strategy that addresses both the eye and any underlying condition.
Explore More Topics
30 Years of Care & Commitment
Our Locations
