California Uveitis

Are you looking for a uveitis specialist in California?

At Retina Associates of Orange County, our uveitis care is grounded in over 23 years of clinical experience and fellowship training from Harvard, Weill Cornell, and Bascom Palmer.

If you are experiencing eye pain, sensitivity to light, redness, or blurred vision that has developed gradually or keeps returning in episodes, uveitis may be the underlying cause. Uveitis is an inflammatory condition that can damage the internal structures of the eye and lead to permanent vision loss without proper treatment. Our physicians at Retina Associates of Orange County hold board certifications through the American Board of Ophthalmology and have managed complex uveitis cases throughout their careers. Our California uveitis specialist can identify the type and cause of your inflammation and build a treatment plan designed to protect your sight. Contact our office to schedule a consultation.

Uveitis Specialist in California

Uveitis refers to inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye that includes the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. It can affect one or both eyes and is classified by location: anterior uveitis involves the front of the eye, intermediate uveitis affects the vitreous cavity, posterior uveitis targets the retina and choroid, and panuveitis involves all layers simultaneously. Each type presents differently and requires a distinct treatment approach.

The NEI uveitis page notes that uveitis is most common in adults between ages 20 and 60 and that smoking increases risk. Uveitis accounts for a significant percentage of preventable blindness in the United States, and its connection to systemic autoimmune diseases means that patients often need coordinated care between a retinal specialist and a rheumatologist or immunologist. California’s large and diverse population means that retina specialists here encounter the full spectrum of uveitis subtypes, from common anterior iritis to rare posterior inflammatory syndromes.

Uveitis Services We Offer in California

Retina Associates of Orange County provides evaluation and long-term management for all forms of uveitis at our offices in Laguna Hills, Newport Beach, CA, and Santa Ana. Our physicians combine advanced retinal imaging with laboratory coordination and multidisciplinary collaboration to manage both the ocular and systemic dimensions of this disease.

• Anterior uveitis evaluation. Anterior uveitis, also called iritis, is the most common form and primarily affects the iris and anterior chamber. Symptoms include eye pain, redness, and light sensitivity. Our physicians assess the severity of anterior chamber inflammation and determine whether the condition is isolated or part of a broader autoimmune process.
• Intermediate uveitis management. Intermediate uveitis affects the vitreous cavity and is often associated with conditions like multiple sclerosis or sarcoidosis. Patients may notice floaters or hazy vision. Our evaluation includes dilated examination, OCT, and laboratory workup to identify the underlying cause and guide treatment.
• Posterior uveitis treatment. Posterior uveitis involves the retina and choroid and carries the highest risk of vision loss among the uveitis subtypes. Conditions such as toxoplasmosis, Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease, and birdshot chorioretinopathy fall into this category. Our physicians use fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green angiography, and optical coherence tomography to map the extent of inflammation and monitor treatment response.
• Panuveitis care. Panuveitis affects all layers of the uvea and is frequently linked to systemic autoimmune diseases like Behçet’s disease and sarcoidosis. Management requires aggressive anti-inflammatory therapy and close coordination with other specialists to address the multisystem nature of these conditions.
• Intravitreal and periocular corticosteroid injections. Local corticosteroid injections deliver anti-inflammatory medication directly to the eye, providing rapid control of active inflammation while minimizing systemic side effects. These injections are performed in-office and are a cornerstone of acute uveitis management.
• Systemic immunosuppressive therapy coordination. Chronic or recurrent uveitis often requires long-term immunosuppressive medications such as methotrexate, mycophenolate, or azathioprine. Our physicians work directly with each patient’s rheumatologist or internist to select, initiate, and monitor these therapies.
• Biologic therapy management. FDA-approved biologic agents like adalimumab have changed the treatment landscape for noninfectious uveitis. Our physicians evaluate candidacy for biologic therapy, coordinate with prescribing specialists, and monitor ocular response to ensure the medication is controlling inflammation effectively.
• Diagnostic imaging and laboratory coordination. Comprehensive uveitis evaluation extends beyond the eye. Our physicians order targeted blood panels, imaging studies, and infectious disease testing to differentiate autoimmune from infectious causes, which is essential to choosing the right treatment.

Why Choose Retina Associates of Orange County for Uveitis in California?

Clinical Trials and Emerging Therapies

Uveitis treatment has advanced rapidly in recent years, and patients at Retina Associates of Orange County benefit from physicians who stay at the forefront of those developments. Dr. Charles Eifrig trained at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute for both his residency and vitreoretinal fellowship. He has participated in clinical trials, earned an academic merit award for ophthalmic research, and serves as a panel reviewer for Ophthalmic Surgery, Lasers and Imaging. His direct involvement in research means patients receive care informed by the latest evidence.

Dr. John Lean completed his medical training at Oxford University and his vitreoretinal fellowship at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, a global center for uveitis management and inflammatory eye disease research. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons and a member of the Macula Society and Club Jules Gonin. Our clinical trials program may also provide eligible uveitis patients access to investigational therapies not yet available through standard care.

Multidisciplinary Coordination and Long-Term Management

Uveitis is frequently a chronic condition. Flares can recur months or years after initial treatment, and many patients require ongoing immunosuppressive therapy managed across multiple specialties. Our retina associates maintain direct communication with rheumatologists, immunologists, and internists throughout California to ensure treatment decisions account for both ocular and systemic health. With offices in Laguna Hills, CA, Newport Beach, and Santa Ana, patients with chronic uveitis requiring regular follow-up can be seen close to home.

Understanding Uveitis Care

Conditions We Treat and Treatment Options

Uveitis has dozens of potential causes. Some cases are triggered by infection, others by autoimmune disease, and a significant number remain idiopathic even after thorough evaluation. The following conditions are among the most common reasons patients are referred to our practice for uveitis care:

• HLA-B27-associated anterior uveitis, one of the most frequently diagnosed forms
• Sarcoidosis-related ocular inflammation, which can affect any layer of the uvea
• Behçet’s disease with retinal vasculitis and posterior segment involvement
• Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease, an autoimmune condition affecting the eyes, skin, and meninges
• Toxoplasmosis retinochoroiditis, an infectious cause of posterior uveitis
• Birdshot chorioretinopathy and other white dot syndromes
• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis in younger patients

Treatment is guided by the type, cause, and severity of the inflammation. Mild anterior uveitis may respond to topical corticosteroid drops alone. More severe or posterior forms often require intravitreal corticosteroid injections, systemic immunosuppression, or biologic agents. When uveitis leads to secondary complications like macular edema, cataracts, glaucoma, or retinal detachment, those conditions are treated concurrently. Patients who notice visual warning signs such as increased pain, redness, or blurred vision between appointments should contact our office promptly, as early intervention during a flare can prevent lasting damage.

What Should You Expect from a Uveitis Evaluation?

• A thorough history covering symptom timeline, recurrence patterns, prior treatments, and any diagnosed autoimmune or infectious conditions
• A comprehensive dilated examination of both eyes to assess the location and degree of inflammation
• OCT imaging to detect macular edema, subretinal fluid, or structural changes caused by chronic inflammation
• Targeted laboratory testing based on clinical findings, which may include autoimmune markers, infectious disease panels, and chest imaging
• A treatment plan that addresses both the ocular inflammation and any identified systemic disease

What Is the Typical Treatment Timeline?

• Your first visit includes a full evaluation with imaging and typically lasts 90 minutes or longer due to the complexity of uveitis workups
• Laboratory results may take several days, and your physician will follow up to discuss findings and finalize the treatment plan
• Acute inflammation may be treated with injections at the first or second visit
• During active disease, follow-up visits are usually scheduled every two to four weeks until inflammation is controlled
• Once the uveitis is stable, visits are spaced to every two to three months, with the possibility of longer intervals for patients in sustained remission
• Timelines vary significantly depending on the uveitis subtype, whether an underlying systemic condition is present, and how the patient responds to therapy

What Should You Bring to Your First Visit?

• Insurance card and photo ID
• A complete medication list, including any immunosuppressants, corticosteroids, or biologic agents you are currently taking
• Records and lab results from your rheumatologist, immunologist, or referring ophthalmologist
• A summary of your medical history, with particular attention to autoimmune diagnoses, prior infections, and any history of uveitis flares
• Questions about your diagnosis, available therapies, and what to expect from long-term management

Uveitis evaluations are more involved than a routine eye exam. Plan for a longer appointment and arrange transportation, as your pupils will be dilated during the examination.

What Are Some Important California Uveitis Resources?

Patients looking for information about uveitis or physician credentials in California can consult the following:

• The National Eye Institute provides patient guides on uveitis, its subtypes, treatment options, and links to clinical trial databases
• The CDC vision health initiative publishes data on eye disease prevalence, risk factors, and vision loss prevention at the national and state level
• The Medical Board of California allows patients to verify physician licenses, board certifications, and any disciplinary history before choosing a provider
• The American Academy of Ophthalmology publishes patient education materials on uveitis, immunosuppressive therapy, and inflammatory eye diseases
• The American Uveitis Society offers resources for patients and physicians focused specifically on ocular inflammatory disease

These resources are informational and do not substitute for a clinical evaluation. If you are experiencing symptoms of uveitis or a flare of previously diagnosed ocular inflammation, schedule a retinal evaluation promptly.

Contact Retina Associates of Orange County

Uveitis is a condition that requires both precision and patience. If you have been newly diagnosed, are managing recurrent flares, or need a second opinion from a fellowship-trained retinal specialist with experience in inflammatory eye disease, Retina Associates of Orange County can help.

Your first visit will include advanced imaging, a detailed examination, and a candid discussion with your physician about diagnosis, treatment options, and what to expect going forward. We accept most major insurance plans and Medicare, and our offices in Laguna Hills, Newport Beach, and Santa Ana are equipped for the complex diagnostic workup that uveitis demands. Contact us to schedule your evaluation.