What does uveitis refer to?

Uveitis refers specifically to the inflammation of the uvea, which is the middle layer of the eye. The uvea consists of three main components: the iris, the ciliary body, and the choroid. Inflammation of this layer can lead to various symptoms, including redness, pain, light sensitivity, and visual disturbances. Uveitis can occur due to various causes, including autoimmune diseases, infections, and trauma.

Understanding the specific anatomical structures involved is crucial for diagnosing and treating uveitis appropriately. The other options describe inflammation of different eye structures: inflammation of the lens is known as cataract formation, inflammation of the retina would be referred to as retinitis, and inflammation of the cornea is termed keratitis. Each of these conditions has distinct causes, symptoms, and treatment approaches, emphasizing the importance of accurately identifying the affected part of the eye.