Uveitis

OCB is one of few ophthalmology centers in the United States that offers specialized comprehensive care for inflammatory conditions that affect the eye such as uveitis and scleritis. 

Led by Lana M. Rifkin, MD, a fellowship-trained premier expert and researcher in the field of Uveitis, OCB provides patients with a full range of services associated with diagnosing and managing this complex condition.

Uveitis is inflammation of the uvea, which is the middle layer of the eye, comprised of the iris, the ciliary body, and the choroid. Uveitis can be anterior (in the front part of the eye), intermediate (within the jelly of the eye), posterior (within the retina or choroid) and panuveitis (involving all the layers of the eye).

Scleritis is inflammation of the sclera, the wall, or the visibly white part of the eye.

Uveitis and scleritis may cause cataracts, glaucoma, or even vision loss.

Managing uveitis and scleritis can be multifaceted because it is often a feature of one of a number of systemic inflammatory conditions such as HLA-B27 associated disease, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s or Ulcerative Colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, sarcoidosis, among others. These conditions and others associated with uveitis are sometimes first discovered on an eye exam. OCB works in close collaboration with other specialists such as rheumatologists, gastroenterologists, pulmonologists, etc who may be involved in the care of our patients with inflammatory eye disease so that they receive collaborative treatment for the best possible outcome.