What Causes Inflammatory Eye Disease?

Inflammatory eye disease can occur when the immune system attacks part of the eye. The condition is also the result of an underlying condition, infection or even trauma to the eye.

Autoimmune Disorders

• Sarcoidosis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, lupus and a form called Behcet's disease all feature inflammation. This inflammation occurs in other parts of the body including the eye as the disease causes the body to attack itself.

Inflammatory Conditions

• Other diseases characterized by inflammation include Crohn's disease, arthritis and ulcerative colitis. These also cause eye inflammation.

Infection

• Sexually transmitted disease family like syphilis, respiratory infections like tuberculosis and immunity suppressing infections like HIV, also cause inflammatory eye disease.

Trauma

• Any injury to the eye can cause the area to inflame. Infections that enter through the injured area can cause the fluid buildup and inflammation as well. Debris like metal shavings or dust also cause of eye inflammation.

Cancer

• Lymphoma in the lymph nodes located near the eye can cause the eye to inflame. Cancers of the eye can cause tumors or lesions on part of the eye, with inflammation in the surrounding tissue. Cancers of the blood vessels in the eye are also a source of inflammation.