Iritas

Iritis (anterior uveitis) is an inflammation of the iris of the eye causing pain, redness, sensitivity to light and blurred vision. Iritis, also known as acute anterior uveitis, is inflammation of the iris, the coloured part of the eye. There are three types of iritis:

• Acute iritis – acute iritis develops over hours or days and is usually characterised by eye pain, sensitivity to light, tearing, red eyes and blurred vision. Acute iritis can be cured with anti-inflammatory eye drops and must be used as directed. The recovery time depends on the underlying cause of the iritis, but it usually takes between four and six weeks.

• Recurrent iritis – if the iritis is related to another disease, it can reoccur – this is called recurrent iritis. Symptoms may be similar to the first occurrence, but proper treatment by specialists is essential. If not treated properly, complications can arise.

• Chronic iritis – if the iritis persists for several weeks or recurs after treatment, it is chronic iritis. In this case, the symptoms may be less severe, but regular visits to the ophthalmologist are needed to prevent loss of vision.

In most cases, the symptoms of iritis appear quickly – within hours or days – and are called acute iritis. Inflammation can occur in one or both eyes, cause pain, and can become a recurring problem. Symptoms of iritis can include:

• Red eyes;
• Photosensitivity/photophobia;
• Blurred vision;
• Headache;
• Tearful eyes.

There are several causes of iritis, including: autoimmune diseases, severe eye infections or trauma to the eye. However, in most cases, it is not possible to identify the underlying cause.

• Eye injury – can result from contact with blunt or sharp objects, chemical or fire burns;
• Infections (including bacterial and viral eye infections). In rare cases, infections in another part of the body such as tuberculosis, HIV or Lyme disease may cause it;
• Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is a common cause of iritis in children. People with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis should have their eyes checked regularly;
• Genetic autoimmune diseases – an affected immune system can cause acute iritis;
• Certain medicines – if you are taking medicines and develop iritis, it is best to consult your healthcare professional to see if taking medicines and developing iritis are related.

Your eye care professional will carry out a comprehensive examination to determine if you have iritis. This includes:

• A discussion of the symptoms associated with the eye problem;
• Vision screening using standard eye examination charts and procedures;
• Examination of the eye using a slit lamp – a lighted microscope that can look deep into the eye. Drops can be used to dilate the pupil to help detect the focus of infection and check the intraocular pressure.

If your eye specialist diagnoses iritis, he or she may ask you about your general health to find out if it is related to another condition. To confirm the diagnosis, a referral may be made to the ophthalmology department of the nearest hospital to start treatment and to decide whether further investigations are needed.