Tattoos are incredibly popular throughout the world. One rare, but very concerning result from getting a tattoo is tattoo-associated uveitis. This is an inflammation of the eye, which can even cause permanent vision loss.
The most common health complications of tattoos are local inflammations, infections, allergic reactions at the site of the tattoo, and other inflammatory immune responses. Uveitis is a rare inflammatory response, which is consistently associated with long-term inflammation at the tattoo site (meaning that the inflammation has spread to the eye).
A recent review of studies found that tattoo-associated uveitis was associated with black ink and larger tattoos. Uveitis treatments included: 70.5% of individuals were treated with corticosteroids (with 50% needing long-term treatment), immunosuppressants (38.6%), and 16% had removal of the tattoo by excision. 16% also needed intraocular pressure management.
Different countries have different regulations regarding tattoo inks, with the European Union having stricter regulations than other countries. While the following article discusses tattoo-associated uveitis cases in Australia, it also occurs in the United States.
Bottom line: Monitor tattoos to see if there is long-term inflammation (swelling, redness).
Excerpts from The Conversation: What’s the link between tattoos and vision loss? 2 optometrists explain
Getting a tattoo can be a thrilling, albeit painful, experience.
About one-third of Australians have a tattoo, with many getting inked as a rite of passage. However, a small but increasing number of Australians are being diagnosed with a rare tattoo-related eye condition. It’s known as tattoo-associated uveitis and can cause permanent vision loss.
Tattoo inks used in Australia and other countries may contain toxic chemicals, which have been linked to the development of certain cancers.
From a health perspective, the vast majority of people don’t react to these chemicals. But in some cases, they may trigger a harmful immune response. This happens when a person’s immune system recognises the ink as being dangerous and starts attacking the tattoo site. This can cause inflammation, both of the tattooed skin and other parts of the body.
Inflammatory cells from a tattoo may breach the blood-ocular barrier, which is a wall-like structure designed to protect the inside of the eye. If that happens, inflammation can spread to various parts of the eye.
This includes the uvea, the middle layer of the eye which helps it focus on nearby objects. The uvea also contains the coloured part of the eye, the iris.
If your uvea becomes inflamed, you may develop the rare condition known as tattoo-associated uveitis. Symptoms include sudden pain, red eyes, and increased sensitivity to light. In severe cases, this condition can lead to glaucoma, which refers to several eye diseases caused by damage to the optic nerve, or scarring on your eye. Both complications can cause blindness, if left untreated or if treatment is delayed.
In a 2025 study, a group of Australian eye health experts examined 40 known cases of tattoo-associated uveitis reported between 2023 and 2025. With these new cases, the number of global cases has doubled since 2010. Tattoo-associated uveitis is still a rare condition. But scientists say it may be more common than we think, with some describing it as a public health issue.
In this 2025 study, researchers found tattoo-associated uveitis consistently caused inflammation at the tattoo site. Patients experienced inflammation anywhere between three months and ten years after getting a tattoo.
A 2026 review of related studies suggests larger tattoos and tattoos made of black ink were more likely to cause tattoo-associated uveitis.
We can treat milder cases with steroid eyedrops. These eyedrops work by suppressing the activity of immune cells which cause the inflammation. Steroid eyedrops also help strengthen the blood-ocular barrier, which prevents harmful substances from entering the eye.
But in most cases, ophthalmologists need to inject steroids into the patient’s eyeball. This ensures the steroids go directly to the most inflamed area, where they can act quickly and effectively. Patients may also need to take immunosuppressive medications such as methotrexate or adalimubab over a period of months or even years.
However, treatment doesn’t always work. Even after having treatment, about 75% of patients experience temporary vision loss and 17% experience permanent visual loss. Many also develop cataract and glaucoma, both conditions which can lead to permanent vision loss or blindness.