What characterizes uveitis?

Uveitis is characterized by the breakdown of the blood-ocular barrier. This barrier normally protects the inner structures of the eye from potential immunological attacks and maintains the delicate environment necessary for visual function. When uveitis occurs, inflammation in the uveal tract leads to increased permeability of the blood vessels in the eye. This results in the leakage of inflammatory cells and proteins into the eye, contributing to the signs and symptoms associated with uveitis, such as redness, pain, and photophobia.

Moreover, the disruption of this barrier is a critical factor that can affect the intraocular environment. Although increased intraocular pressure and other complications can arise in cases of uveitis, they are not defining characteristics of the condition itself. Instead, the breakdown of the blood-ocular barrier is a hallmark of the underlying inflammatory process and can help guide diagnosis and treatment strategies in veterinary ophthalmology.