Iritis, inflammation of the colored portion of the eye,
may cause a red eye or a small pupil.
What is the iris?
The iris is a circular muscle near the front of the eye. Besides
giving color to the eye, the iris controls the amount of light
which enters the eye through the pupil. The iris is located behind
the cornea (the clear protective layer of the eye) and just in
front of the focusing lens.
To see clearly, the proper amount of light must enter the eye.
Just as the shutter controls the amount of light which enters
a camera, the iris regulates the amount of light which enters
the eye. The iris contains two muscles which control the size
of the pupil opening. When too much light is present, the muscles
cause the pupil to become smaller to reduce excessive light and
glare. In dim light or at night, the muscles make the pupil larger
to increase the amount of light entering the eye.
What causes iritis?
In many cases, iritis is related to a disease or infection in
another part of the body. Diseases such as arthritis, tuberculosis,
or syphilis can contribute to the development of iritis. Infection
of some parts of the body (tonsils, sinus, kidney, gallbladder
and teeth) can also cause inflammation of the iris.
In other cases, iritis may follow injury to the eye or accompany
an ulcer or foreign body on the cornea. Often, the exact cause
of the disorder remains unknown.
In many cases, iritis is related to an infection or disease in
another part of the body.
SYMPTOMS OF IRITIS
- Tearing
- Tearing
- Light Sensitivity
- Blurred Vision
- Red Eye
- Floaters
- Small Pupil
What are the symptoms of iritis?
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, small
specks or dots moving in the field of vision. In addition, the
pupil may become smaller in the eye affected by iritis.
How is iritis diagnosed?
A careful eye exam is extremely important when the symptoms of
iritis occur, as inflammation inside the eye can affect sight
and could lead to blindness. A slit lamp, which illuminates and
magnifies the structures of the eye, is commonly used to detect
any signs of inflammation. A diagnosis is often made on the basis
of an eye examination.
Since iritis can be associated with another disease, an evaluation
of the patient's overall health is sometimes necessary for proper
diagnosis and treatment. In some cases, blood tests, skin tests,
and x-rays may be conducted and other specialists may be consulted
to determine the cause of the inflammation.
How is iritis treated?
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. 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.
Sight loss can be prevented
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,
the patient should have a complete eye examination as soon as
symptoms occur. If diagnosed in the early stages, iritis can usually
be controlled before vision loss occurs.
If you are experiencing the symptoms of iritis or have other vision
problems, you should obtain a complete eye examination.
ATTENTION!
All materials on this page are copyright protected by ApaGrafix Inc. and registered with the US copyright office. They can not be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission from ApaGrafix Inc. Unauthorized links to this page or any other unauthorized use of the materials and information on this page is strictly prohibited. Copyright protection extends to materials on the internet. For authorization to link to or otherwise use ApaGrafix materials call 770-641-7310 - Atlanta GA USA or send an email message to apagrafix@apagrafix.com.
