Between 10 to 20% of children and young people with JIA develop inflammation of the eye. The reason for this is not known, but an immune process occurs within the eye similar to that of arthritis. As a result some of our patients have called this “arthritis of the eye”.
As with all conditions, there is a spectrum of severity, but most children who develop uveitis have a mild form that does not result in long-term complications.
However, it is difficult for parents, opticians and paediatric rheumatologists to detect the presence or amount of inflammation, which is why ophthalmology teams experienced in looking after children with uveitis need to see patients regularly. They can pick up inflammation early to allow treatment that prevents damage to the eye and loss of vision.
Many thanks to
Dr Nick Wilkinson,Consultant Paediatrician and Paediatric Rheumatologist and
Dr Lola Solebo (NIHR Clinician Scientist, Honorary Consultant Opthamologist UCL GOS Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Hospital)
Helpful videos about Uveitis
These videos were created by children and young people affected by Uveitis and funded by the NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre.
Childhood Uveitis
Childhood Uveitis Research
Uveitis Research
We have links to researchers working on research related to uveitis – to read more about this important work and any current patient involvement opportunities, please visit our Research Hub.