Treating a dangerous eye disease?

Q: I've been diagnosed with uveitis and have been told that the only treatment is steroid eye drops. Is there anything natural I can take instead?

A: Uveitis is an inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye between the retina and the outer sclera, (or "white" of your eye). The uvea, or uveal tract, includes the iris and the dark, pigmented area known as the choroid, which contains the jellylike vitreous humor, as well as blood vessels that ferry blood and nutrients into and out of the eye.

Uveitis can begin with redness and pain, or with painless blurring of vision. Other symptoms include light sensitivity and floaters (annoying spots or lines in your visual field). Unchecked inflammation of the uvea can lead to loss of vision and accounts for as much as 10 percent of cases of blindness in the United States.

The most common form of uveitis affects the iris, the colored part of the eye that controls the size of the pupildefine. Often called "iritis," this condition tends to occur along with rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Uveitis also can affect the retina and the choroid. Here, in addition to autoimmunity, the cause may be an infection with the herpes virus or other germs, such as those to blame for syphilis, toxoplasmosis and tuberculosis. Sometimes, uveitis follows an injury to the eye, but in up to one-half of all cases the cause can't be determined and may be related to stress. Potential complications include glaucoma, cataracts, the growth of new, abnormal blood vessels in the affected tissue, and damage to the retina.

Antibiotics can help when uveitis is due to infections, but otherwise, conventional treatment relies on steroid eye drops to ease the inflammation, in conjunction with drops that dilatedefine the pupils (to prevent scarring). In my opinion, steroid drops should be used for short-term therapy to reduce symptoms but not for long periods of time, as they are suppressive, not curative.

I recommend an anti-inflammatory diet (details available on my Web site: www. DrWeil.com) consisting largely of vegetables, fruit, fish and whole grains, and suggest taking Zyflamend, a natural anti-inflammatory product from New Chapter Inc. that contains ginger, turmeric, green tea and other herbs that moderate inflammation associated with autoimmune diseases. An antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplement formulated for eye health would also be a good idea. The Weil Vision Support Formula and Ocuvite are two good choices. In addition, I urge you to try mind/body approaches such as hypnosis or guided imagery to modify abnormal immune function and promote healing. Chinese medicine may also be effective. If your symptoms include sensitivity to light, be sure to wear dark glasses.

"Ask Dr. Weil" does not provide specific medical advice and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other health-care professional. You should always consult your physician to discuss specific symptoms and conditions.

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