Overview
What is Anterior Uveitis (Iritis)?
Anterior uveitis is the inflammation of the anterior most portion of the middle coat (uveal tract) of the eyeball.
Causes
The disease is predominantly idiopathic, autoimmune or sometimes infectious in origin.
Autoimmune causes include:
Infectious causes include:
The most common signs and symptoms are sudden onset of pain, redness, watering, photophobia (difficulty in looking at bright light) etc.. It may also be associated with slight decrease of vision at times depending on the severity of the inflammation.
What are the common symptoms?
The pupil may get adhered to the front surface of the lens (posterior synechiae). There can be small pus-like material in the lower part behind the cornea in advanced stage, which is termed as hypopyon.
What are the common signs?
The eye can also be quiet and white without having any of the above-mentioned symptoms, but have signs of damage due to low-grade inflammation.
Area shaded in red representing the part of the eye which is affected in anterior uveitis.
Images showing eyes with anterior uveitis
What is the outcome for a patient with Anterior Uveitis (Iritis)?
The disease is often recurrent and can be unilateral or bilateral. The frequency of recurrence may vary from individual to individual.
Therefore one needs to have a periodic ophthalmic checkup once in 3 to 6 months depending on the severity of the inflammation.
Detection & Treatment
The treatment options include instillation of steroid drops (which are used to suppress inflammation) and cycloplegic or mydriatic eye drops (eye drops that are used to dilate or paralyse the muscles of cilliary body - which help to reduce the pain and prevent the adhesion of pupil with lens).
Specialties & Services
