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The Cleveland Clinic

Uveitis (Inflammation of the Eye)

Introduction

Uveitis (pronounced you-vee-EYE-tis) involves all inflammatory processes of the middle layers of the eye, also called the uveal tract or uvea. The uvea includes the iris (colored part of the eye), choroid (a thin membrane containing many blood vessels) and ciliary body (the part of the eye that joins these together).

The uvea is very important because its many veins and arteries transport blood to the parts of the eye that are critical for vision.

Learn more about the structures that make up the eye in the article titled " The Amazing Human Eye ."



Next: What are the symptoms of uveitis? »

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Uveitis

What are eye floaters?

"Eye floaters" are deposits or condensation in the vitreous jelly of the eye. People use the term eye floaters to describe seeing floating spots within their vision when they look around. Eye floaters may be present in only one eye or both eyes.

Why do people notice eye floaters?

The structures in the front of the eye (the cornea and lens) focus rays of light onto the retina. Light focused onto the retina allows one to see. The light going to the retina passes through the vitreous humor, which is a jellylike material which occupies the back 2/3 of the eye. At birth and during childhood years, the vitreous gel is totally clear. Later in life, sometimes strands, deposits, or liquid pockets develop within the vitreous jelly. Each of these strands casts a small shadow onto the surface of the retina, and these shadows are perceived by the patient as eye floaters. As the eye moves from side to si...

Read the Floaters article »











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