Iritis - Diagnosing uveitis

If you visit your GP with an eye problem, they will examine your eyes and ask you about your symptoms and medical history.

If a diagnosis of uveitis is suspected, it's likely that you'll be referred for an immediate appointment with an ophthalmologist (a doctor who specialises in treating eye conditions).

Slit-lamp exam

The ophthalmologist should be able to confirm a diagnosis of uveitis using a piece of equipment called a slit-lamp. A slit-lamp consists of a microscope and a powerful beam of light.

The ophthalmologist will use the light to illuminate your eye before examining it under the microscope to check for any abnormalities.

A slit-lamp examination can also identify the area of the eye that is affected by uveitis, which will help determine the treatment required.

Further tests

If a diagnosis of uveitis is confirmed, you may need further tests to try to identify the cause of the condition. This may include scans of your eye(s), X-rays and blood tests.

Knowing the cause of your uveitis will also help determine what treatment is needed.