Uveitis - Something to keep an eye on

Uveitis is a serious condition in which the middle layer of the eye becomes inflamed.

Although I personally do not have uveitis many children with JIA do.  In fact about 1 in 8 children who are diagnosed with JIA develop uveitis. This is an invisible disease much like arthritis.  It shows no symptoms in its early stages when it's most easily treated. If you are diagnosed with JIA, your doctor will more than likely have you get frequent eye exams (about every three months) to check for inflammation before it becomes too late. 45% of children who have uveitis become blind. Girls who are diagnosed with JIA by the age of one are most likely to develop this condition although people of any age or gender could develop it.

Not only do the children who suffer from this condition have to deal with the chronic pain of arthritis, but they also have to deal with the fact that almost half of them will become blind. These children are incredibly brave, and I have so much sympathy for them.  I know how hard it is to have arthritis alone.   I couldn't possibly imagine also being blind because of the disease that I was dealt.