Uvea

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Uvea

The Uvea is the middle layer of the eye, located between the sclera and the retina. It is composed of the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. The uvea is responsible for supplying blood to the deep layers of the retina.

Structure[edit | edit source]

The uvea is divided into three parts:

  • Iris: The iris is the colored part of the eye. It controls the amount of light that enters the eye by adjusting the size of the pupil.
  • Ciliary body: The ciliary body produces the aqueous humor, which nourishes the eye and maintains intraocular pressure. It also contains the ciliary muscle, which controls the shape of the lens for focusing.
  • Choroid: The choroid is a layer of blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the outer layers of the retina.

Function[edit | edit source]

The uvea plays a crucial role in the visual process. The iris controls the amount of light that enters the eye, the ciliary body produces the aqueous humor and controls the shape of the lens for focusing, and the choroid supplies the retina with nutrients and oxygen.

Clinical significance[edit | edit source]

Inflammation of the uvea, known as uveitis, can lead to vision loss if not treated promptly. Symptoms of uveitis include eye redness, pain, light sensitivity, blurred vision, and dark, floating spots in the field of vision. Causes of uveitis include autoimmune disorders, infections, injury, and certain medications.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


Uvea Resources
Doctor showing form.jpg
Wiki.png

Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD


Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.

Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD