What condition results from a breakdown of the blood-ocular barrier?

Uveitis is the condition that results from a breakdown of the blood-ocular barrier. This barrier typically protects the inner eye from potentially harmful substances present in the bloodstream, maintaining a stable environment necessary for optimal ocular function. When this barrier is compromised, inflammatory cells, proteins, and other mediators can infiltrate the ocular tissues.

This infiltration leads to inflammation of the uveal tract, which includes the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. The symptoms of uveitis can include redness, pain, photophobia, and potentially vision loss if not managed appropriately. The inflammation may also lead to the formation of synechiae (adhesions within the eye), and it can cause changes in intraocular pressure and other complications.

The other conditions listed, while they can involve inflammation or other changes in the eye, do not directly stem from the breakdown of the blood-ocular barrier in the same way uveitis does. For instance, cataracts involve opacification of the lens, glaucoma primarily relates to elevated intraocular pressure, and keratoconjunctivitis sicca pertains to tear film deficiency. Thus, uveitis stands out distinctly as the condition driven by a breakdown of the blood-ocular barrier.