Iritis

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
• Anterior chamber cells (resulting in a grey or near-white appearing pupil)
• Flare
• Synechia or adhesion of iris to lens or cornea

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)

Also see

People with ankylosing spondylitis and other HLA-B27 related disorders are prone to iritis and other forms of anterior uveitis.

Description and Classification of Anterior Uveitis, from The American Optometric Association Clinical Practice Guidelines - Care of the Patient with Anterior Uveitis (CPG7):

Uveitis is an inflammation of the uveal tract which consists of the choroid, the ciliary body, and the iris. It may be classified as anterior, intermediate (pars planitis), or posterior (choroiditis) uveitis. Anterior uveitis involves the anterior portion of the uvea (i.e., the iris and ciliary body). "Iritis" refers to an inflammation of the iris only, while "iridocyclitis" involves both the iris and the ciliary body. However, the terms anterior uveitis, iritis, and iridocyclitis are often used synonymously. Anterior uveitis is termed "acute" when the inflammation lasts less than 6 weeks or "chronic" when it lasts longer.

References

• Care of the Patient with Anterior Uveitis (CPG7) (PDF)
• Iritis Organization
• Assessment of the Red Eye - Iritis