Vitaveritis

Vitaveritis is a term occasionally used to denote inflammation of the vitreous humor, the gel that fills the eye's posterior chamber. In current ophthalmology practice, the condition is more commonly described as vitreitis or as part of a posterior uveitis syndrome; vitaveritis is not a widely recognized standalone diagnosis.

Symptoms typically include blurred or cloudy vision, floaters, and reduced visual acuity. The eye may appear hazy on examination, and photophobia can occur if additional ocular structures are involved.

Causes are diverse and include infectious etiologies such as toxoplasmosis, syphilis, tuberculosis, and cytomegalovirus, as well as noninfectious inflammatory diseases such as sarcoidosis and Behçet disease. In many cases the cause remains idiopathic.

Diagnosis relies on a comprehensive ophthalmic examination with dilated fundus assessment, imaging such as optical coherence tomography and fluorescein angiography, and, when infection is suspected, vitreous sampling for PCR or culture. Serologic testing for systemic disease may be guided by findings.

Treatment is tailored to the underlying cause and may include corticosteroids (topical, periocular, systemic, or intravitreal), immunomodulatory therapy, and targeted antimicrobial treatment for infections. Management also involves treating associated systemic conditions and monitoring for complications such as glaucoma, cataract, or retinal detachment.

Prognosis is variable; many cases respond to therapy, but relapses are possible and vision may be permanently affected in severe or chronic inflammation. The term vitaveritis is largely superseded by specific etiologies in modern practice.