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Iritis is a form of anterior uveitis and refers to the inflammation of the iris of the eye.
Signs and symptoms
- Ocular and periorbital pain
- Photophobia
- Blurred or cloudy vision
- White blood cells (leukocytes) in the anterior chamber (resulting in a grey or near-white appearing pupil)
- Flare
- Synechia or adhesion of iris to lens or cornea
Causes
People with ankylosing spondylitis and other HLA-B27 related disorders are prone to iritis and other forms of anterior uveitis. Iritis is also found in those with rheumatoid arthritis, Behcet's disease, Crohn's disease, lupus, Reiter's disease, chronic psoriasis, sarcoidosis, scleroderma, and ulcerative colitis. Iritis is usually secondary to some other systemic condition, but can be the only apparent somatic symptom.
Complications
Cataract, glaucoma, corneal calcification, posterior uveitis, blindness
Treatment
- Steroid anti-inflamatory eye drops (such as prednisolone acetate)
- Dilating eye drops (to help prevent synechia and reduce photophobia)
- Pressure-reducing eye drops (such as brimonidine tartrate)
- Oral steroids (such as prednisone)
- Subconjunctival steroid injections
- Steroid-sparing agents such as methotrexate (for prologned, chronic iritis)
References
"Iritis"