IRITIS

(Uveitis, Anterior)

 Basic information

description

Iritis is an inflammation of the iris. The iris is the colored ring that surrounds the eye's pupil. The disorder is also called anterior uveitis. It can affect all ages. It may sometimes be confused with pink eye (conjunctivitis).

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Symptoms may develop suddenly and affect one or both eyes.
• Eye pain.
• Photophobia (sensitivity to light).
• Eye redness.
• Smaller pupil in the affected eye (sometimes).
• Tears.
• Blurred vision; may see dark, floating spots in the field of vision.

causes

In many cases, no cause is found. It may be caused by trauma (injury) to the eye. It may be caused by an infection (such as Lyme disease, tuberculosis, herpes, and others). It is sometimes one of the symptoms of a connective tissue disease that affects other parts of the body, such as arthritis.

risk increases with

• Ankylosing spondylitis.
• Inflammatory bowel disease.
• Reiter's syndrome.
• Arthritis.
• Behçet syndrome.
• Herpes infections.
• Lyme disease.
• Injuries.
• Sarcoidosis.
• Candidal infection.
• Syphilis.
• Histoplasmosis.
• Toxoplasmosis.
• Tuberculosis.
• AIDS.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

• Cannot be prevented at present.
• For people at risk for recurrence of iritis, steroid eye-drops may be prescribed to be used if symptoms occur.

expected outcomes

With prompt diagnosis and treatment, the outcome is generally good. Iritis due to trauma usually heals in 1 to 2 weeks. In other cases, healing may take 6 to 8 weeks.

possible complications

• Glaucoma, cataracts, other eye problems, or possible vision loss.
• Recurring or chronic iritis.

 diagnosis & treatment

general measures

• Iritis can be diagnosed by your eye care provider using special equipment to look into the eye. Other medical tests may be needed to help diagnose any health problem that is associated with iritis.
• Treatment goals are to reduce pain and redness, prevent complications, and treat other health problems that are diagnosed.
• For comfort, wear dark glasses (even indoors) until treatment is complete.
• Follow-up eye exams are needed to be sure that healing is complete.

medications

• Eyedrops (mydriatics) that dilate the pupil and prevent scarring. You may need to use eyedrops for a long time.
• Oral cortisone drugs or cortisone eyedrops to reduce inflammation may be prescribed.
• Drugs for other medical problems may be prescribed.

activity

No limits.

diet

No special diet.

 notify our office if

• You or a family member has symptoms of iritis. Call immediately.
• Vision changes in any way.
• New, unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects.

Special Notes: