HLA-B27 uveitis in Monterrey
The most common type of uveitis in young adults. It causes a red, painful eye almost overnight, tends to come back and responds well when treated early.
Reviewed by Dr. Alan Treviño, board-certified ophthalmologist with fellowship training in retina and uveitis · Updated: November 2026
Evaluations in San Pedro Garza García (Río de la Plata 113, Col. Del Valle), minutes from Monterrey.
HLA-B27 is a genetic marker linked to acute anterior uveitis: red eye, pain and light sensitivity that start over hours or days, usually in one eye. It is associated with ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. It is treated with steroid drops and drops that dilate the pupil; if flares keep coming back, treatment is added together with your rheumatologist. Treating from day one prevents lasting damage.
What is HLA-B27 uveitis?
HLA-B27 is a protein we inherit in our cells. Many people carry it and never get sick; in others it is linked to inflammation of the spine, joints, gut or eye.
In the eye it causes acute anterior uveitis: inflammation of the front part of the uvea (iris and ciliary body). It usually affects one eye at a time, may switch between eyes and tends to recur.
- Redness around the colored part of the eye.
- Fast onset, over hours or a few days.
- Flares that return months or years apart.
- Sometimes the first sign of a spine or joint disease.
Symptoms of a flare
Red eye
Mostly around the iris.
Pain
Dull, worse when focusing.
Light sensitivity
Hard to open the eye in light.
Blurry vision
And tearing.
If you have had uveitis before and these symptoms start, message us the same day: a flare treated early settles faster.
What is it associated with?
Ankylosing spondylitis
Low back pain and morning stiffness.
Psoriatic arthritis
Arthritis in people with psoriasis.
Reactive arthritis
After a gut or urinary infection.
Inflammatory bowel disease
Ulcerative colitis or Crohn disease.
If you have had back pain for months, morning stiffness or chronic diarrhea, mention it at your visit: we can order tests and refer you to a rheumatologist.
How is it treated?
Steroid drops
Reduce inflammation. The dose is adjusted to how the eye responds and tapered slowly.
Dilating drops
Relieve pain and keep the iris from sticking to the lens.
Injection near the eye or tablets
When inflammation is severe or does not settle with drops.
Treatment with your rheumatologist
If flares are frequent, immune-modulating medicines make them less frequent.
Do not stop drops suddenly or restart them on your own: unsupervised steroids can raise eye pressure or cause cataract.
Questions about HLA-B27 uveitis
I tested HLA-B27 positive. Will I get uveitis?
Can it be cured?
Can it affect the other eye?
Is it contagious?
What should I do if I feel a new flare starting?
Why Dr. Alan Treviño?
With subspecialty training in both uveitis and retina, Dr. Alan Treviño treats the inflammation and its retinal complications. Consultations are available in English.
- Board-certified by the Mexican Board of Ophthalmology (No. 4209).
- Fellowship in Medical and Surgical Retina at LV Prasad Eye Institute (India).
- Fellowship in Ocular Inflammatory Diseases and Uveitis (APEC, UNAM).
- Clinical rotation in Cornea and Retina at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute (University of Miami).
- Member of Mexico's National System of Researchers.
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Centro Interamericano de Alta Especialidad en Oftalmología
Río de la Plata 113, Col. Del Valle,
66220 San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León, Mexico.
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