Do you or someone you know have tattoos? Did you know that there’s an increasingly significant connection between tattoos and eye health?

The popularity of tattoos has increased in recent years — About 32% of adults have one, and about 22% have more than one. Among people with tattoos, a small but significant percentage develop an eye disease named “tattoo-associated uveitis” (TAU). While you are not guaranteed to develop TAU if you have a tattoo, the disease is not as rare as it used to be overall. So, it’s important for you to be aware of some key information about TAU. In this article, we will walk you through what exactly TAU is, how it’s treated, and how to identify it.

What is tattoo-associated uveitis (TAU)?

Tattoo-associated uveitis (TAU) occurs when your immune system reacts to tattoo ink, which might not begin until months or years after you get a tattoo. “Uveitis” simply refers to the swelling of the uvea—the middle layer of your eye. This swelling can cause blurry vision, making it difficult to complete daily tasks like driving and reading.

Did you know that tattoo-associated uveitis (TAU) can steal your vision? Many patients with TAU also report experiencing sight-stealing eye diseases like cataracts and glaucoma.

Treatment for tattoo-associated uveitis (TAU)

Given the potential of tattoo-associated uveitis (TAU) to steal your vision, it’s important to be aware of treatment options. TAU treatment varies depending on the severity of the disease, with most patients needing more than eye drops. In a 2026 Australian study of 40 TAU cases, eye drops alone were effective for only 25% of patients. On the other hand, advanced treatment options were common among TAU patients—with up to 67.5% of patients needing systemic therapy (ex. steroids like methotrexate) and up to 42.5% needing biologic treatment (i.e., genetically engineered medications that need to be either infused directly into your bloodstream or injected with a needle or syringe).

Tattoo-associated uveitis (TAU) is a long-term disease – It can either become more severe or periodically occur. While you may initially be given eye drops, they may not be effective as TAU progresses. Regularly checking in with your eye care team can help you get the tailored treatment you need to maximize your vision.

3 steps you can take to protect your eye health when getting a tattoo

Tattoo-associated uveitis (TAU) can be severe and cause vision loss — but don’t worry. If you are thinking of getting a tattoo, there are several steps you can take to protect your eye health:

• Use a licensed studio — Licensed studios require all artists to have a certification in “Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) and Communicable Diseases.” This reduces your likelihood of a tattoo causing inflammation in your skin and eyes.
• Avoid experimental pigments — Experimental pigments often don’t have official ingredient lists. This means that they might contain hidden materials—like heavy metals—that your body’s immune system rejects. Experimental pigments are also capable of breaking down into toxic substances when exposed to sunlight or tattoo removal equipment.
• Monitor both skin and eye health regularly — After getting a tattoo, it’s important to monitor your health regularly, not just immediately afterwards. In fact, many report developing tattoo-associated uveitis (TAU) up to 6 months after getting a tattoo.

When monitoring your health, you should keep a lookout for both skin changes and eye symptoms. For tattoo-associated uveitis (TAU) patients, skin changes and eye symptoms not only exist, but also develop simultaneously. Here are some common skin changes that TAU patients notice around a tattoo:

• Raised and hardened lines.
• Itchiness.
• Redness.
• Swelling.
• Peeling

And here are some common eye symptoms that tattoo-associated uveitis (TAU) patients experience:

• Pain (especially around bright lights).
• Redness.
• Blurry vision.

If any of these skin changes and/or eye symptoms occur, be sure to document it immediately and schedule an appointment with your eye care provider.

At Mittleman Eye, personalized care is etched in our heart

With regular eye exams, your eye care team can identify eye diseases like tattoo-associated uveitis (TAU) early enough to preserve your vision. At Mittleman Eye, we offer comprehensive eye exams in multiple office locations. We also offer specialized testing like optical coherence tomography (OCT), which is especially helpful for identifying structural changes in the eye associated with TAU. What’s more, our team will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan. Whether you need eye drops or more advanced care, we’re here to help!

To book an appointment, text or call 561-500-2020, or go online to https://mittlemaneye.com/appointment-request.