Eye conditions - iritis

Iritis is inflammation of the iris and the front of the eye. The cause is unknown in many cases, but known causes include infections and some diseases such as autoimmune disorders. The young and middle aged are most commonly affected, but the reasons for this are not clear.

The iris is the coloured part of the eye. It is made up of a muscular ring with a central hole called the pupil. The iris regulates the amount of light that enters the eye by contracting or dilating to make the pupil smaller or larger. People with iritis often feel pain in bright light as their iris moves.

Without proper treatment, iritis can cause permanent visual problems. There is no cure, but treatment is effective to reduce inflammation and prevent complications. Iritis often recurs, despite successful medical treatment. Iritis is also known as anterior uveitis.

Uveitis explained
Uveitis means inflammation anywhere inside the eye from the sclera (white of the eye) to the retina (back of the eye). The different types of uveitis include:

• Anterior uveitis – inflammation of the iris, also known as iritis.
• Pars planitis – the choroid is the layer of blood vessels and connective tissue within the eyeball. Pars planitis is inflammation of the pars plana, which is located between the choroid and the iris.
• Posterior uveitis – inflammation of the choroid or other structures at the back of the eye.
• Chorioretinitis – inflammation of the choroid and the retina.

• Reddened eye
• Watery eye
• No pus discharge
• Eye pain
• Light sensitivity
• Blurred vision
• Small or distorted pupil
• It usually occurs only in one eye.

• Autoimmune disease – such as arthritis, Reiter’s syndrome, sarcoidosis and ankylosing spondylitis.
• Infection – such as herpes simplex infection, syphilis and leprosy.
• Eye problems – such as an eye infection, a scratch to the cornea or an ulcer on the eye’s surface (sclera).
• Isolated ocular autoimmune disorder – the immune system attacks the iris for reasons unknown, even when no other autoimmune disease is present.

• Corneal damage – the cornea is the fixed focus lens on the front of the eye. Iritis can cause changes to the cornea, which can affect the eye’s ability to focus.
• Glaucoma – a harmful build-up of fluid within the eyeball. Aqueous humour is fluid that nourishes the iris. It is located inside a small chamber just behind the cornea. Glaucoma is caused by the inability of the aqueous humour to drain properly. This can damage the optic nerve and cause vision to narrow or blank areas to appear in the visual field.
• Cataracts – the lens, situated behind the iris, becomes cloudy. Treatment includes surgery to replace the lens.
• Inflammation of the retina (retinitis) – the retina is the curved back layer of the eye that’s covered in light sensitive cells (rods and cones), which can ‘see’ shape, colour and pattern. Inflammation can cause swelling or permanent damage.
• Retinal detachment – the retina develops tears or holes.

• Corticosteroids – to reduce inflammation. Most patients respond to steroid eye drops, but occasionally oral or injected steroids are needed. Generally, patients who have iritis in both eyes are more likely to need aggressive oral steroid treatment.
• Cyclopegic medication – drugs to dilate the pupil, which helps to prevent scarring of both the iris and the lens. These drugs are usually administered in the form of eye drops.
• Treatment of underlying condition – iritis may be a sign of undiagnosed disease or infection somewhere else in the body. It is important for the person to have a range of tests (such as blood tests and x-rays) to find out if there is an underlying cause of their iritis. If so, appropriate treatment should be given.

• Your doctor
• Ophthalmologist
• Local general hospital or specialist eye hospital

• Iritis is inflammation of the iris and can cause blindness if not treated.
• Complications include glaucoma, cataracts and retinal detachment.
• Treatment includes corticosteroids, drops to dilate the pupil and treatment for the underlying infection or disease (if any).

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