Noninfectious uveitis means that although the uvea is inflamed, no bacteria or viruses are found in the eye. The inflammation may be caused indirectly by a disease affecting one of your body’s other systems, but often no cause can be found. When that is the case, patients may be having an autoimmune reaction, which means that, for an unknown reason, the body is reacting to some of its own cells as if they were foreign invaders.

Posterior segment (back-of-the-eye) uveitis may include the middle section of the uvea around the ciliary body (reaching the edge of the retina). It may also affect the choroid and other parts of the back of the eye, including the entire retina and the blood vessels of the retina.

Noninfectious posterior segment uveitis is usually painless. Your vision may be decreased and you may see irregular floating black spots (floaters).

More severe posterior uveitis affecting the retina can lead to significant loss of vision.

The inflammation associated with noninfectious posterior segment uveitis can cause immune cells to enter the vitreous gel that fills the back of your eye, creating what is known as vitreous haze. The haze can contribute to decreased vision.

Uveitis can damage the eye and cause long-term complications that reduce vision. While many people have only a single episode of uveitis, others may have recurrences over months to years. It is very important to receive medical treatment for the inflammation of posterior segment uveitis.