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Iritis is a form of anterior uveitis - an inflammatory disorder of the colored part of the eye (iris).
Iritis is sometimes confused with conjunctivitis, a much less serious disorder of the clear outer lining of the eye.
Causes & Development
In the majority of cases there is no specific cause.
Signs & Symptoms
Generally, only one eye is affected and the pupil on that side is sometimes smaller. Typically, the eye is not sticky, crusty or producing a discharge.
The symptoms of iritis usually appear suddenly and develop rapidly over a few hours or days. Iritis commonly causes pain, tearing, light sensitivity, and blurred vision. A red eye often occurs as a result of iritis. Some patients may experience floaters, which are small specks or dots moving in the field of vision. In addition, the pupil may become smaller in the eye affected by iritis.
Diagnosis & Tests
Occasionally, iritis is just one symptom of a disease that affects other organ systems. These are called connective tissue diseases and include: rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, lupus, scleroderma, Behcet's disease, anklylosing spondylitis, Reiter's disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and B-27 disease. Sometimes it is necessary to establish whether iritis/uveitis is a manifestation of one of these or some other underlying systemic disease. Your eye care provider may ask a detailed medical history, and may order a battery of tests including several possible blood tests, a chest X-ray, X-rays of the lower back, and a skin test for tuberculosis.
Treatment & Prevention
Treatment of iritis is often directed at finding and removing the cause of the inflammation. In addition, eye drops and ointments are used to relieve pain, quiet the inflammation, dilate the pupil, and reduce any scarring which may occur. If diagnosed in the early stages, iritis can usually be controlled with the use of eye drops before vision loss occurs. Both steroids and antibiotics may be used. The application of hot packs may also provide relief from the symptoms of iritis. In severe cases, oral medications and injections may be necessary to treat the condition.
A case of iritis usually lasts 6 to 8 weeks. During this time, the patient must be observed carefully to monitor potential side-effects from medications and any complications which may occur. Cataracts, glaucoma, corneal changes, and secondary inflammation of the retina may occur as a result of iritis and the medications used to treat the disorder.
The secrets to the successful treatment of iritis is early detection and proper choice of medicines. Persistent cases may require more intensive treatment. Successful treatment of iritis depends on careful and consistent compliance by the patient.
Prognosis; Seek medical attention if
Fortunately, it rarely causes blindness but it can affect vision while the inflammation is present. Iritis is frequently a recurrent problem; after a few episodes patients become very astute at early diagnosis.
Iritis is a potentially serious condition requiring medical attention by an ophthalmologist.
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Signs, symptoms & indicators of Iritis:
Risk factors for Iritis:
Recommendations and treatments for Iritis: | | | | | Action |  Seeing An Eye Doctor | Since iritis is an inflammation inside the eye, the condition is potentially sight-threatening. Proper diagnosis and prompt treatment of iritis are essential. To minimize any loss of vision and avoid blindness, the patient should have a complete eye examination as soon as symptoms occur. A slit lamp, which illuminates and magnifies the structures of the eye, is commonly used to detect any signs of inflammation. |
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KEY | | Weak or unproven link |  | | Strong or generally accepted link | | | Highly recommended |
GLOSSARY
Anterior
In the front or forward part of the organ or toward the head of the body.
Cataract (Cataracts)
A steadily worsening disease of the eye in which the lens becomes cloudy as a result of the precipitation of proteins. Most cataracts are caused by the functions of the body breaking down. Eye trauma, such as from a puncture wound, may also result in cataracts.
Conjunctiva (Conjunctivitis)
Mucous membrane covering the posterior surface of the eyelids and the anterior surface of the eyeball. Conjunctivitis: An inflammation of the conjunctiva, either from environmental irritation, allergies, viral or bacterial infections.
Crohn's Disease (Crohn's)
Chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract. The most common symptoms are abdominal pain, often in the lower right area, and diarrhea. Rectal bleeding, weight loss, and fever may also occur. Bleeding may be serious and persistent, leading to anemia.
Discharge (Discharges)
A secretion, of pus for example, from a wound or bodily orifice.
Glaucoma
A disease of the eye characterized by vision loss due to an increase in the pressure of fluid within the eye. This rise in pressure results from a build-up of aqueous fluid and leads to progressive damage to the optic nerve that transmits visual signals to the brain. Over time, glaucoma can lead to a gradual loss in peripheral vision. There are usually no signs that you're developing glaucoma until vision loss occurs.
Iritis (Rheumatoid Iritis, Viral Iritis)
Inflammation of the iris, the colored part of the eye. Rheumatoid Iritis: An autoimmune (rheumatoid factor) inflammation of the iris. This is a face of rheumatoid arthritis seldom diagnosed, along with rheumatoid otitis. Viral Iritis: A viral infection of the iris. It appears red and swollen, and pupil contraction and relaxation is erratic and pulled. The usual cause is a herpes infection, often resident in the trigeminal nerve, and reoccurring during times of stress or sympathetic to a larger viral condition.
Retina (Retinal)
A 10-layered, frail nervous tissue membrane of the eye, parallel with the optic nerve. It receives images of outer objects and carries sight signals through the optic nerve to the brain.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
A long-term, destructive connective tissue disease that results from the body rejecting its own tissue cells (autoimmune reaction).
Scleroderma (Systemic Sclerosis)
An autoimmune disease of the connective tissue, characterized by the formation of scar tissue (fibrosis) in the skin and organs of the body. This leads to thickness and firmness of involved areas.
Spondylitis
Inflammation of one or more vertebrae.
Steroid (Steroids)
Any of a large number of hormonal substances with a similar basic chemical structure containing a 17-carbon 14-ring system and including the sterols and various hormones and glycosides.
Tuberculosis
Also known as TB, Consumption or "The White Plague", tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, usually affecting the lungs but possibly also the brain, kidneys and bones. Patients may at first be symptom-free or experience a flu-like illness. In the secondary stage, there might be a slight fever, night sweats, weight loss, fatigue and various other symptoms, depending on the part of the body affected. Tuberculosis of the lung is usually associated with a dry cough that eventually leads to a productive cough with blood-stained sputum. There might also be chest pain and shortness of breath.
Ulcerative Colitis (Colitis Ulcerosa)
Ulceration of the colon and rectum, usually long-term and characterized by rectal bleeding or blood in the stool, frequent urgent diarrhea/bowel movements each day, abdominal pain.
X-rays (X-ray)
High-energy radiation used to take pictures of areas inside the body.
Last updated: May 11, 2008
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