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What Is a Uveal Scar?

A uveal scar is an area of permanent scarring involving the uveal tissues, often presenting as a chorioretinal scar in the back of the eye. It commonly forms after inflammation or infection, trauma, or certain retinal treatments. Many scars are stable and only noticed during an eye exam. Some can affect vision directly or lead to complications such as choroidal neovascularization.

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What Is a Uveal Scar?

A uveal scar is an area of permanent scarring involving the uveal tissues, often presenting as a chorioretinal scar in the back of the eye. It commonly forms after inflammation or infection, trauma, or certain retinal treatments. Many scars are stable and only noticed during an eye exam. Some can affect vision directly or lead to complications such as choroidal neovascularization.

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Common causes

Scars form when deeper eye tissues heal after damage. The cause helps predict whether the scar is stable or at risk for future activity.

  • Prior infection or inflammation, such as ocular toxoplasmosis
  • Trauma or surgery
  • Laser treatment scars after retinal therapy
  • Inflammatory conditions that involve the choroid and retina

Symptoms and vision effects

Small peripheral scars may cause no symptoms. Scars near the macula can reduce central vision, contrast, or cause distortion. Some people notice a fixed blind spot that does not change over time. New distortion, a new central dark spot, or sudden worsening vision can indicate a treatable complication rather than the old scar itself.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is made with a dilated exam and retinal imaging to document location and size. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) can show scarring patterns and detect fluid that suggests new vessel growth. Fundus photography helps track stability over time. If choroidal neovascularization is suspected, angiography may be used to confirm leakage.

Management and complications

There is no treatment that removes a mature scar, so management focuses on monitoring and treating complications. Choroidal neovascularization is often treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections to reduce leakage and protect central vision. If the scar is from a prior infection, clinicians may also consider whether there is active inflammation that needs treatment. Low-vision aids can help when central scarring limits detail vision.

FAQs on uveal scars

Do uveal scars go away?

Most scars are permanent, but symptoms may be minimal if the scar is small or peripheral. The main goal is monitoring for changes. Your clinician can tell you whether the scar is stable.

Can a scar cause new blurry vision years later?

Yes, if a complication develops, especially choroidal neovascularization near or within an old scar. This can cause new distortion or central blur and may be treatable. New symptoms should be evaluated promptly.

When should I seek urgent care?

Seek urgent care for sudden distortion, a new central dark spot, rapid vision loss, or a curtain-like shadow. These can indicate choroidal neovascularization, retinal detachment, or bleeding. Do not assume new symptoms are from an old scar.

How is choroidal neovascularization treated?

It is commonly treated with anti-VEGF injections that reduce abnormal vessel leakage. Treatment timing matters, especially when the macula is involved. Your retina specialist will recommend a schedule based on response.

References

Presumed Ocular Histoplasmosis Syndrome. EyeWiki (American Academy of Ophthalmology). https://eyewiki.org/Presumed_Ocular_Histoplasmosis_Syndrome. Date Accessed: February 19, 2026.

An Overview of Pediatric Uveitis. Tugal-Tutkun I. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10441137/. Date Accessed: February 19, 2026.

Ocular Toxoplasmosis: Advances in Toxoplasma gondii Biology, Clinical Manifestations, Diagnostics, and Therapy. Marino AMF, et al. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11509995/. Date Accessed: February 19, 2026.

Uveitis in Adults: A Review. Maghsoudlou P, et al. https://edhub.ama-assn.org/journals/jama/articlepdf/2834628/jama_maghsoudlou_2025_rv_250013_1753377741.58.pdf. Date Accessed: February 19, 2026.

Chorioretinitis. Geetha R, et al. StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551705/. Date Accessed: February 19, 2026.