Eye Health Center
Your Eyes and Iritis
Iritis Overview
The iris is a circular, pigmented membrane that provides the eye its color and the opening in the center is the pupil of the eye.
The iris is made up of muscular fibers that control the amount of light entering the pupil so that we can see clearly. The iris accomplishes this task by making the pupil smaller in bright light and larger in dim light.
Understanding Stye -- the Basics
A stye is a pimple or abscess that forms in either the upper or lower eyelid. The medical term for stye is hordeolum (pronounced HOR-dee-oh-lumm) and it is an infection caused by bacteria that normally live on the surface of the eyelid without any problems. Some of these germs get trapped along with dead skin cells along the edge of the eyelid. Styes are usually superficial and plainly visible. Occasionally they can reside deeper within the eyelid. An external stye starts as a pimple next to an...
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In some people, the iris can become inflamed. This is termed iritis.
Iritis Causes
Iritis may be a consequence of trauma (traumatic iritis) or nontraumatic causes. In a significant number of cases, no cause for the iritis is found.
- Blunt trauma to the eye can cause traumatic inflammation of the iris.
- Nontraumatic iritis is frequently associated with certain diseases, such as ankylosing spondylitis, Reiter syndrome, sarcoidosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriasis.
- Infectious causes may include Lyme disease, tuberculosis, toxoplasmosis, syphilis, and herpes simplex and herpes zoster viruses.
Iritis Symptoms
Iritis usually develops quickly and generally affects only one eye. Signs and symptoms may include any or all of the following:
- Pain in the eye or brow region
- Worsened eye pain when exposed to bright light
- Reddened eye, especially adjacent to the iris
- Small or funny shaped pupil
- Blurred vision
- Headache
When to Seek Medical Care for Iritis
Notify your ophthalmologist (a medical doctor who specializes in eye care and surgery) if any of the following signs or symptoms of iritis are present:
- Eye pain, including pain associated with bright light
- Blurred vision
- Redness in the eye, especially near the iris
If you cannot reach your ophthalmologist, then seek medical attention at a hospital's emergency department.
Questions to Ask the Doctor About Iritis
If you've been diagnosed with iritis, these are questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Are there any signs of permanent damage to the eye?
- Are there any signs of permanent vision loss?
- What should I expect as my eye heals?
- What symptoms should I call you about between visits?
Iritis Exams and Tests
The diagnosis of iritis is confirmed by examining the eye with a slit lamp (a special microscope designed for eye exams). Your ophthalmologist can see cells (white blood cells) and flare (particles of protein) in the fluid that is produced in the eye.
Two other physical exam findings aid your ophthalmologist in diagnosing iritis. They include:
- Topical anesthetics do not relieve the pain associated with iritis.
- Shining light in the normal, unaffected eye causes pain in the affected eye if iritis is present. This is because shining light in one eye causes both pupils to constrict. Movement of the affected iris causes pain.
Iritis Treatment at Home
Iritis requires prescription medications and follow-up visits with an ophthalmologist, so seeking medical care is very important.
- Use prescription medications exactly as prescribed.
- Wear dark glasses if light worsens your eye pain.
- Take mild analgesics, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil), to help control some of the discomfort.
WebMD Medical Reference
