1. Give importance of nutritional diet therapy.

2. Client education

A. Disease process

Uveitis is inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye between the
sclera (white outer coat of the eye) and the retina (the back of the eye). The uvea
contains many of the blood vessels that nourish the eye. Inflammation of this area
can affect the cornea, the retina, the sclera, and other important parts of the eye.
Although the exact cause of uveitis is often unknown, it may result from
trauma to the eye, such as chemical exposure. In addition, uveitis may be caused by
a viral infection (for example, cytomegalovirus, as seen in patients with AIDS), a
fungal infection (such as histoplasmosis), or an infection caused by a parasite (such
as toxoplasmosis -- a newborn may develop uveitis if the mother was exposed to
toxoplasmosis during pregnancy).
Uveitis is also associated with underlying immune-related disorders, including
Reiter syndrome, multiple sclerosis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease,
and sarcoidosis. Certain diseases, including leukemia, lymphoma, and malignant
melanoma, may have symptoms that resemble uveitis. Some medications, such as
rifabutin, cidofovir, pamidronic acid, and sulfonamides, may cause uveitis. In many
cases, an underlying cause is not identified.
Uveitis is often accompanied by the following signs and symptoms:
• Painful eye(s)
• Redness of the conjunctiva, the membrane covering the surface of the eyeball
• Sensitivity to light
• Blurred or decreased vision
• Tearing
• Redness

B. Physical activity

• Exercise moderately, if tolerated, at least 30 minutes daily, 5 days a week.

• Manage your stress. Take up Yoga, Tai Chi, meditation, walks in the woods, or
prayer on a daily basis.

C. Meal Planning

• Uveitis is the inflammation of the uvea, the client must be in an anti-

inflammatory diet consisting largely of vegetables, fruit, fish and whole grains.
• Eat more antioxidant-rich foods (such as green, leafy vegetables, and peppers)
and fruits (such as blueberries, tomatoes, and cherries).
• Eat fewer red meats and more lean meats, cold-water fish, tofu (soy, if no allergy
is present), or beans for protein.
 • Use healthy cooking oils, such as olive oil or vegetable oil.
• Drink 6 - 8 glasses of filtered water daily
• Reduce or eliminate drinking caffeine and sodas, avoid aspartame (labeled diet
foods) and man made fats (corn oil and safflower oil, trans fats and hydrogenated
vegetable oils including canola oil), deep fat fried foods, monosodium glutamate
(MSG) used as a flavor enhancer which are potential retinal toxin, and fat blockers
like Olestra which impair the absorption of carotenoids.
• Limit your alcohol consumption to 1 glass of red wine at night. Alcohol interferes
with liver functions, reducing protective glutathione levels.
• Eliminate smoking. Smoking among other things produces cyanide, a retinal
toxin.

D. Medication compliance

Medical treatment of uveitis must be aggressive to prevent glaucoma, to

prevent scarring of the structures inside the eye and to prevent possible blindness.
Different medications are used to control the original cause of the uveitis, if known,
and to minimize the inflammation itself. Aspirin (not aspirin substitutes) or Rimadyl®
by mouth and indomethacin, Profenal®, Ocufen®, Voltaren® and corticosteroids
(cortisone drugs) minimize the inflammatory process. Corticosteroids may be
administered by injection under the conjunctiva (moveable white tissue of the eye),
by eye drops or as an oral medication or a combination of these means depending on
the location of uveitis. Eye drops are most often used for anterior uveitis. Injections
and oral medication are used for posterior uveitis or panuveitis. Drops in the eye
must be postponed if damage to the corneal surface is present (ulcer) because the
corticosteroids prevent healing of the ulcer or lead to a worsening of the ulcer.

E. Risk Reduction

People with the following conditions or characteristics are at risk for developing
uveitis:
• History of an autoimmune disease such as ankylosing spondylitis, juvenile
rheumatoid arthritis, and Crohn's disease.
• Infections such as syphilis, tuberculosis, cytomegalovirus, and Lyme disease.
• Other eye diseases.
• Location in geographic areas that is prone to certain organisms such as
histoplasmosis and Lyme disease.
• In the case of toxoplasmosis, pigs and mice carry the parasite and can transmit
it to humans. Cat owners are at increased risk of toxoplasmosis because the litter
contains spores of the parasite. Pregnant women should not change cat litter.
• People who take certain medications, such as rifabutin.

Your health care provider can screen for uveitis during a regular eye exam.
Treatment of any of the underlying diseases discussed above may help prevent the
onset of uveitis. Avoiding drugs associated with uveitis, such as rifabutin, may also
help prevent this condition.

F. Psychosocial
3.Complimentary/ Alternative Therapy

Herbs
Herbs are generally a safe way to strengthen and tone the body's systems. As with
any therapy, you should work with your health care provider to diagnose your
problem before starting any treatment. If you're being treated for uveitis, inform all
of your health care providers of any herbal remedies you're considering taking. You
may use herbs as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine
extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, make teas with
1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 - 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and
10 - 20 minutes for roots. Drink 2 - 4 cups per day. You may use tinctures alone or in
combination as noted.
• Green tea (Cameillia sinensis) standardized extract, 250 - 500 mg daily, for
antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immune effects. Use caffeine-free products.
You may also prepare teas from the leaf of this herb.
• Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) standardized extract, 40 - 80 mg 3 times daily, for
antioxidant and blood vessel support.
• Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) standardized extract, 80 mg 2 - 3 times daily, for
antioxidant and vascular system support.
• Holy basil (Ocimum sanctum) standardized extract, 400 mg daily, for anti-stress
and antiviral protection.
• Turmeric (Curcuma longa) standardized extract, 300 mg 3 times daily, for
inflammation and antioxidant support.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) uses many herb combinations to strengthen and
tone the immune system, and as antiviral agents. Check with your health care
provider for more information on TCM.
Homeopathy
No known scientific literature supports the use of homeopathy for uveitis. An
experienced homeopath could consider your individual case and may recommend
treatments to help relieve your specific symptoms.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture may help relieve pain and inflammation and support immune function.