Iritis: Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors, Diagnosis, Treatment and Complications

Iritis is the swelling or irritation of the colored ring around your eye's pupil. The uvea separates the retina and the white part of the eye, the intermediate layer of the eye. The iris is located in the front portion of the uvea. Iritis is the most common type of uveitis. 

Uveitis is the term for inflammation of either part or all of the uvea. The cause is frequently unknown. It could result from an underlying medical condition or a hereditary condition. If neglected, iritis can lead to glaucoma or blindness. 

Causes Of Iritis

It is often unknown what causes iritis. Occasionally, ocular traumas, genetic factors, or particular diseases may be connected to arthritis. One can develop iritis from:

• Injury to the eyes: Burns from chemicals or fires, blunt force trauma, and piercing traumas can all result in acute iritis.
• Diseases: Viral infections of the face, such as herpes viruses causing cold sores and shingles, can cause iritis. Additionally, uveitis may be linked to other viral or bacterially-induced infectious diseases. Toxoplasmosis, which is caused by parasites found in undercooked food, syphilis, which is caused by bacteria that enter the lungs, histoplasmosis, an infection of the lung caused by inhaling fungal spores, and tuberculosis are a few examples of these.
• Genetic predisposition: Acute iritis can also strike individuals with specific autoimmune diseases brought on by gene abnormalities that impact the immune system. These include ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease.
• The disease of Behcet: Acute iritis is also brought on by this unusual condition that is associated with joint pain, vaginal sores, and mouth sores in Western countries.
• Juvenile iritis: Chronic iritis may occur in children who have this condition.
• Sarcoidosis: Clusters of inflammatory cells multiply in several body areas, including the eyes, due to this autoimmune disorder.
• Certain medications: Sometimes using certain medications, such as the antibiotic rifabutin (Mycobutin) and the antiviral drug cidofovir, can cause iritis. One uncommon adverse reaction to bisphosphonates, which are used to treat osteoporosis, is uveitis. When these medications are removed, the symptoms of iritis usually disappear.

Also Read: Subconjunctival Haemorrhage: Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention and Complications

Symptoms Of Iritis

Iris can develop in either or both of your eyes. Usually, it starts abruptly and lasts for three months.

Symptoms and indicators of iritis include:

• Redness in the eyes
• Soreness or pain in the affected eye
• Exposure to Light
• Decreased vision
• Irritation that develops suddenly and lasts for several hours or days is known as acute iritis. The signs of chronic iritis include symptoms that get worse with time or persist longer than three months.

Also Read: Fuchs' Dystrophy: Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors, Diagnosis and Treatment

Risk Factors Of Iritis

Iritis is more likely to happen if you:

• Possess a specific genetic alteration: A particular mutation in a gene essential for proper immune system activity makes arthritic symptoms more common. HLA-B27 is the name given to this mutation.
• Posses a sexually transmitted disease: People with specific disorders, such as syphilis or HIV/AIDS, are significantly more prone to get iritis.
• Have impaired immune function or an autoimmune illness: Ankylosing spondylitis and reactive arthritis are among the conditions covered by this.
• Inhale smoke from tobacco: According to research, smoking raises your risk.

Diagnosis Of Iritis

A thorough eye exam will be performed by your eye doctor, which will include:

• External assessment: Using a penlight, your doctor may examine your pupils, note any discharge, and note the pattern of redness in one or both of your eyes.
• Visual acuity: Your doctor will use an eye chart and other common tests to determine how keen your vision is.
• Slit-lamp examination: Your doctor examines the interior of your eye using a special light-equipped microscope to check for iritis. Using eye drops to dilate your pupil improves the view your doctor has of the inside of your eye.

Your primary care physician and your eye doctor may collaborate to identify the underlying cause of your iritis if your eye doctor believes that a disease or condition is to blame. If so, additional testing to detect or rule out particular causes may involve blood tests or X-rays.

Also Read: Optic Neuritis: Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors, Diagnosis and Treatment

Treatment Of Iritis

Treatment for iritis aims to reduce pain and inflammation while maintaining vision. It's also important to treat any underlying conditions linked to iritis.

The most common course of treatment for iritis is:

• Steroid eye drops: When used topically, glucocorticoids decrease inflammation.
• Dilating eye drops: Iritis pain can be lessened by using eye drops to dilate your pupil. Dilating eye drops also shield you from issues that could impair the ability of your pupil to function.

Your eye doctor may give oral medications, such as steroids or other anti-inflammatory agents if your symptoms don't go away or worsen. This will depend on your overall health.

Also Read: Blindness: Causes, Symptoms, Types, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention

Complications Of Iritis

Irritation without appropriate treatment may result in:

• Cataracts: A cataract, or clouding of the lens of your eye, may develop. This is a potential risk, particularly if you have experienced prolonged inflammation.
• An irregular pupil: Scar tissue can cause the iris to adhere to the cornea or the underlying lens, resulting in an uneven pupil shape and a slow-moving iris in response to light.
• Glaucoma: Recurrent iritis can lead to glaucoma, a dangerous disorder of the eyes that is marked by elevated intraocular pressure and potential loss of vision.
• Deposits of calcium on the cornea: Your cornea will deteriorate as a result, which may impair your eyesight.
• Enlargement of the retina: Cysts filled with fluid and swollen in the retina at the rear of the eye can blur or decrease your central vision.

Also Read: Retinitis Pigmentosa: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

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