National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Panuveitis


Other Names:
Inflammation of the whole uveal tract; Total uveitis; Diffuse uveitis
Categories:
Panuveitis is inflammation of all layers of the uvea of the eye, which includes the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. These make up the middle layer of the eye.[1] The condition can also affect the lens, retina, optic nerve, and vitreous, causing reduced vision or blindness.[2] Signs and symptoms may include eye redness and pain; blurring; light sensitivity; decreased vision; and seeing floaters.[1] It can last for a short time or can occur chronically. Severe cases may recur many times.[2] In many cases the specific cause is unknown, but in some cases it occurs in association with other eye conditions, or with another condition or infection that also affects other body parts.[1][2] Early treatment is needed and may include eye drops to reduce inflammation and pain; and/or oral medications or injections in severe cases.[1]
Last updated: 11/17/2016
Signs and symptoms of panuveitis can develop suddenly and may affect one or both eyes. They may include blurred vision; seeing dark, floating spots ("floaters"); eye pain; redness of the eye; and sensitivity to light (photophobia). There may also be a whitish area (called a hypopyon) obscuring the lower part of the iris.[1][2]
Last updated: 11/21/2016
Panuveitis can be associated with an underlying condition, or it may occur by itself without the cause being known (idiopathic). Possible causes may include an attack from the body's own immune system (autoimmunity); an infection or tumor within the eye or in another part of the body; injury to the eye; and toxins that may penetrate the eye. Specific conditions that have been associated with panuveitis include tuberculosis; Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome; sympathetic ophthalmia; Behcet's disease; and sarcoidosis. The signs and symptoms of the condition are due to inflammatory responses inside the eye.[1][2][3]
Last updated: 11/17/2016
Panuveitis is not thought to be an inherited condition. While familial cases of uveitis have been reported, it is very rare. The few cases that have been reported may represent the familial occurrence of underlying conditions that are associated with uveitis (e.g. sarcoidosis, ankylosing spondylitis).[4] We are not aware of reports of familial cases of panuveitis specifically, and to our knowledge, no gene responsible for the condition has been identified.
Last updated: 11/21/2016
Panuveitis may be treated in several ways, including injections around the eye, oral medications, and eye drops.[2][3] Corticosteroids are the treatment of choice for most types of uveitis, including panuveitis. Depending on the severity of the disease, oral prednisolone is typically started in a larger dose, and then is tapered off a few weeks after starting therapy as inflammation improves. A maintenance dose is typically used thereafter.[3]

Immunomodulating drugs (drugs that alter the body's immune response) are needed if the inflammation cannot be controlled with corticosteroids or if active inflammation interferes with activities of daily living.[3][5] Cycloplegics (eye drops that temporarily paralyze the ciliary body) are used to help with pain due to ciliary spasms.[3]

Forms of uveitis due to infectious agents are treated by specific antimicrobial therapy (antibiotics, antiparasitics or antivirals), with or without corticosteroids.[3]
Last updated: 11/21/2016

FDA-Approved Treatments

The medication(s) listed below have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as orphan products for treatment of this condition. Learn more orphan products.

The outlook (prognosis) for people with panuveitis somewhat varies depending upon the cause and severity.[5] However, uveitis is one of the major causes of blindness in the world, and visual morbidity in panuveitis is poor.[3] Profound and irreversible vision loss  can occur, especially when the condition is unrecognized, inadequately treated, or both.[6]

Uveitis can rapidly damage the eye and cause long-term, vision-threatening complications. The most frequent complications include:
  • Cataract
  • Glaucoma
  • Retinal detachment
  • Neovascularization of the retina, optic nerve, or iris
  • Cystoid macular edema (the most common cause of decreased vision in patients with uveitis)[6]
Last updated: 11/17/2016

Research helps us better understand diseases and can lead to advances in diagnosis and treatment. This section provides resources to help you learn about medical research and ways to get involved.

Clinical Research Resources

  • ClinicalTrials.gov lists trials that are related to Panuveitis. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials.gov to read descriptions of these studies.

    Please note: Studies listed on the ClinicalTrials.gov website are listed for informational purposes only; being listed does not reflect an endorsement by GARD or the NIH. We strongly recommend that you talk with a trusted healthcare provider before choosing to participate in any clinical study.

Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Supporting this Disease

Social Networking Websites

Living with a genetic or rare disease can impact the daily lives of patients and families. These resources can help families navigate various aspects of living with a rare disease.

Financial Resources

  • National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) has Disease-Specific Assistance Programs designed to help patients with out-of-pocket costs such as monthly insurance premiums or deductibles. In addition, some programs may provide financial assistance for additional expenses related to a patient's diagnosis such as travel to see a specialist.
  • Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN Foundation) has Assistance Programs for those with health insurance who reside in the United States. The disease fund status can change over time, so you may need to check back if funds are not currently available. 
  • The Assistance Fund provides various services, including education and financial aid, to help patients with a chronic or serious illness cover the cost of FDA-approved medications. Patients must be U.S citizens or permanent residents.

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

  • The American Academy of Ophthalmology Web site has an information page on Panuveitis. Their Web site is dedicated to educating people about eye diseases and conditions and the preservation of eye health.
  • MedlinePlus was designed by the National Library of Medicine to help you research your health questions, and it provides more information about this topic.
  • The Merck Manual provides information on this condition for patients and caregivers. 
  • The National Eye Institute (NEI) was established by Congress in 1968 to protect and prolong the vision of the American people. Click on the link to view information on this topic. 

In-Depth Information

  • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Panuveitis. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

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  • I would like to know information about this disease, including genetic links/markers and best treatment. I have had this twice with no explanation. See answer


  1. Kierstan Boyd. What is uveitis?. American Academy of Ophthalmology. March 1, 2014; http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/uveitis/index.cfm.
  2. Facts About Uveitis. National Eye Institute. August, 2011; https://nei.nih.gov/health/uveitis/uveitis.
  3. Reema Bansal, Vishali Gupta, and Amod Gupta. Current approach in the diagnosis and management of panuveitis. Indian Journal of Ophthalmology. Jan-Feb, 2010; 58(1):45-54. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2841373/.
  4. Deuter CM1, Stübiger N, Siepmann K, Derse M, Zierhut M. [Familial uveitis. Forms and incidence in patients at the University Eye Hospital Tubingen]. Ophthalmologe. September, 2003; 100(9):713-719.
  5. James T Rosenbaum. Uveitis: Treatment. UpToDate. Waltham, MA: UpToDate; October, 2016;
  6. Emmett T. Cunningham, Jr. Uveitis. Merck Manual. October, 2014; https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/eye-disorders/uveitis-and-related-disorders/overview-of-uveitis.