Tattoos linked with uveitis

When considering possible causes for a patient’s uveitis, asking whether they have any tattoos might be important. Tattoo-related uveitis is rare, but with a fifth of all British adults now sporting some ink there may be more cases than previously thought.

Uveitis is an inflammation of the uvea and can have serious effects on vision. It can be caused by many things, including viruses, fungi, eye injuries and infections in other parts of the body.

Dr James Dunn, of Wills Eye Hospital Philadelphia, explained that whether tattoo inflammation triggers ocular inflammation or there is an underlying inflammation manifesting in both the eye and the tattoo is unclear. ‘Some people just get tattoo granulomas and uveitis. For unknown reasons, others get more severe, systemic disease, where other factors such as genetics may have come into play,’ commented Dr Dunn.