- Autoimmune diseases: Iritis is often linked to systemic autoimmune or inflammatory diseases, including:
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis)
- Sarcoidosis
- Lupus
- Infections:
- Viral infections (e.g., herpes simplex, herpes zoster, cytomegalovirus)
- Bacterial infections (e.g., tuberculosis, syphilis, Lyme disease)
- Fungal infections
- Parasitic infections
- Eye injury or trauma: A blunt force injury to the eye can trigger iritis.
- Certain medications: Rarely, some medications can cause drug-induced iritis.
- Genetic factors: Individuals with certain genetic markers (e.g., HLA-B27) are more prone to developing iritis, especially when associated with autoimmune conditions.
- Eye pain: Often a deep, aching pain inside the eye, which can worsen with exposure to light or when pressing on the eye.
- Redness of the eye: Particularly around the iris and pupil.
- Photophobia (light sensitivity): Discomfort or pain when exposed to bright light.
- Blurred or hazy vision.
- Small or irregularly shaped pupil: The pupil may appear smaller than the other eye or have an irregular shape due to inflammation.
- Headache: May accompany eye pain.
- Tearing.
- Medical history and physical exam: The doctor will ask about your symptoms, any underlying medical conditions, and family history.
- Slit-lamp examination: This is the primary diagnostic tool. The ophthalmologist uses a special microscope to examine the front structures of the eye (cornea, anterior chamber, iris, lens) for signs of inflammation, such as:
- Cells and flare (protein leakage) in the anterior chamber.
- Keratic precipitates (inflammatory cells deposited on the back of the cornea).
- Posterior synechiae (adhesions between the iris and the lens).
- Intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement: Eye pressure may be normal, low, or elevated in iritis.
- Dilated fundus examination: To examine the back of the eye (retina and optic nerve) to rule out inflammation in other parts of the uvea (intermediate or posterior uveitis).
- Blood tests and imaging: If an underlying systemic disease or infection is suspected, the doctor may order blood tests (e.g., ESR, CRP, HLA-B27, tests for specific infections) or imaging (e.g., X-rays, MRI).
- Corticosteroid eye drops: These are the primary treatment to reduce inflammation in the eye (e.g., prednisolone acetate, dexamethasone).
- Pupil-dilating eye drops (cycloplegics): These drops (e.g., cyclopentolate, atropine) help to relieve pain by relaxing the ciliary muscle, prevent the iris from forming adhesions (synechiae) to the lens, and reduce light sensitivity.
- Oral corticosteroids: For severe cases or if there is significant inflammation in other parts of the eye, oral corticosteroids may be prescribed.
- Immunosuppressants: For chronic, severe, or recurrent iritis associated with systemic autoimmune diseases, other immunosuppressive medications may be used to control the underlying condition and reduce inflammation.
- Treatment of underlying cause: If an infection is identified, appropriate antiviral, antibacterial, or antifungal medications will be prescribed. If an autoimmune disease is the cause, managing that condition is crucial.
- Pain relievers: Over-the-counter pain medications (e.g., ibuprofen) can help manage eye pain.