IRITIS

The disease condition is better known as uveitis. This is an inflammatory disease affecting the uveal tract present in the eye. The uveal tract is constituted by the choroid, the ciliary body and the iris.

Types

Uveitis is classified on the basis of region affected as

Anterior uveitis – this type involves mostly the iris region. At times even the ciliary body may be affected. This type accounts for 75% of the total reported cases.

Intermediate uveitis – the retinal region and the area at the back of ciliary body gets chiefly affected.

Posterior uveitis – The retina, choroids and the area behind the eye are the major areas that get affected.

Panuveitis – it involves inflammatory response of the whole uveal tract.

Symptoms

Anterior uveitis / iritis: Symptoms are it usually affect only one eye, redness of eyes and are often painful, pupil appears smaller, colour change of iris, sensitivity to light (photophobia), presence of dots that travel across field of vision called as floaters, blurred vision, cloudy eyes and headache.

Intermediate uveitis: Symptoms are it affects both eyes, compared to the former type, pain is less intense, absence of redness, presence of dots that travel across field of vision called as floaters and blurred vision.

Posterior uveitis: Symptoms are it affects only one eye, not painful, develops over a long period, severity differs, the course of disease is prolonged, presence of dots that travel across field of vision called as floaters.

Causes

The exact cause for uveitis is not yet known. A trauma or an injury involving eyes, history of eye surgery or the following conditions may result in uveitis

An inflammatory process including arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis etc.
Diseases such as tuberculosis (TB), gastroenteritis, Lyme disease, Crohn’s disease, or gonorrhoea.
Autoimmune disorders

Treatment

The type, extend and cause determines the mode of treatment.

Treatment measures include a total eye check up at a hospital. Dark glasses can be helpful if one develops light sensitivity. A warm towel placed over the eyes can induce a smoothening feeling. Eye drops – It prevents visual impairment. It also prevents spasm of eye muscles and the pupil also dilates. Steroid eye drops – These are useful in controlling the infection. Steroid pills or steroid injections – These are used only if eye drops fail to cure the symptoms.

The condition usually gets cured within 2-3 weeks. The early the condition is detected and treatment initiated, the sooner the cure.

Complications

If left untreated, the condition progresses to a state in which the iris sticks to the lens. This may prevent the drainage of fluid that permanently impairs the vision. This further leads to conditions like glaucoma, cataract, elevated intra ocular pressure etc.

Recovery

It is possible soon after the underlying infection gets treated.