Uveitis Clinic

Children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) are at increased risk for developing uveitis, an inflammation of the middle layer of the eye, and the second leading cause of blindness in the U.S. Through a collaboration between our divisions of Pediatric Rheumatology and Pediatric Ophthalmology, we offer a uveitis clinic so children with JIA can receiving ongoing monitoring and treatment for this condition – including an innovative treatment that’s not available anywhere else in Ohio.

Comprehensive, convenient care.

Uveitis is a serious eye condition that must be treated right away to prevent vision problems, so ongoing monitoring is very important. Children with JIA should be examined regularly by an ophthalmologist for signs of uveitis, usually every 3 to 4 months.

To make it more convenient for your child to receive this care, our uveitis clinic staff includes pediatric ophthalmologists and pediatric rheumatologists, so your child can see all the specialists they need at once.

The uveitis clinic is located in our Vision Center, where our pediatric ophthalmologists have the specialized equipment needed for your child’s exam. A pediatric rheumatologist will meet with your family and examine your child during the same visit.

The uveitis clinic visit will not replace your child’s ongoing care with your rheumatologist, who will continue to treat your child’s JIA. All exam findings and your child’s plan of care in the uveitis clinic will be discussed with you and communicated to your primary rheumatologist, ophthalmologist and primary care physician.

By working together, the team will ensure all your child’s health care needs are met.

Treatment of uveitis.

While treatment for uveitis typically includes steroid eye drops or oral medications, our Vision Center is the only program in Ohio that provides an implantable steroid treatment usually used in adults. It is also very effective in treating uveitis in children.

This treatment is accomplished under general anesthesia, so your child remains totally comfortable while the tiny, rod-shaped implant is injected into the eye. As the implant dissolves, it slowly releases steroids to treat the inflammation. This implant eliminates the need for multiple eye drops every day and avoids some of the side effects associated with long-term steroid use.