Inflammation of the iris is called, “iritis.” Inflammation of the ciliary body is called “intermediate uveitis” or “cyclitis.” “Choroiditis” is inflammation of the choroid and “panuveitis" is the inflammation of all three areas.

Causes could involve autoimmune disorders such as lupus, and multiple sclerosis; infections such as bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic, and trauma. In some cases, the cause is unknown. Body infections affecting eyes include TB, herpes zoster, Lyme disease, and syphilis.

But all types of uveitis have a commonality: there’s an overabundance of inflammatory white blood cells leaking from the uvea’s inside blood vessels to areas outside of them. Treatment usually addresses inflammation and typically steroids are prescribed. If the cause is infectious, the medication will probably be antibiotic, antiviral or antifungal in nature.

Broken Blood Vessels in the Eye

Subconjunctival is a term used to describe the space just below the conjunctiva – the clear surface of your eye. A hemorrhage develops because of incidents such as blunt force trauma. This condition is typically not painful, but may be accompanied by scratchy or itchy feelings on the surface of the eye.

Events that can cause breakage of delicate blood vessels in conjunctiva are: coughing; straining; crying; rubbing eyes; poorly controlled eyeball pressure; vomiting, blunt trauma, an increase in intracranial or intraocular pressure; sneezing, and blood thinners can make it easier for hemorrhages to occur. Rarely, there is blood vessel breakage due to conjunctivitis and increased blood pressure.

“Hyphema” is blood in the front chamber of the eye between the iris and the cornea. This is a more serious condition. See a health care provider if you have broken blood vessels in your eye. Your doctor will be able to rule out other causes.