Iritis

Iritis: inflammation of the iris and ciliary body

Iritis, or iridocyclitis, is an inflammatory disease of the front of the eye, which involves inflammation of the iris, or iris, and ciliary body. This disease can be caused by various factors, including infections, metabolic diseases, eye injuries, eye surgery and purulent processes in the cornea.

With iridocyclitis, the pathogen or its toxins are exposed to the anterior part of the uveal tract, which leads to a reaction of the iris and ciliary body to the action of a microbial or autoimmune antigen. The disease usually occurs in the form of iridocyclitis, although isolated damage to the iris is extremely rare.

Symptoms of iridocyclitis include pain that increases with palpation of the eye, pericorneal or mixed injection of the eyeball, swelling of the iris, changes in its color and pattern, constriction of the pupil, and a slow reaction to light. Exudate deposits - precipitates - can form on the surface of the iris and on the posterior surface of the cornea. The moisture in the anterior chamber may become cloudy, and an accumulation of purulent cells forms at its bottom - hypopyoniitis. Sometimes there are hemorrhages on the surface of the iris and blood deposition to the bottom of the chamber in the form of a hyphema. Between the pupillary edge of the iris and the anterior capsule of the lens, adhesions can form - synechiae.

The differential diagnosis of iridocyclitis includes acute conjunctivitis, which is characterized by the absence of discharge, the presence of pericorneal injection of the eyeball, and changes in the iris and pupil. It is important to distinguish acute iridocyclitis from an acute attack of glaucoma, in which the intraocular pressure is increased, the cornea is cloudy, swollen, there is congestion, not inflammatory, vascular injection, the pupil (before using miotic drugs) is dilated, the anterior chamber is small, the pain is not localized in the eye itself, and in the corresponding half of the head.

Treatment of iridocyclitis is aimed at the underlying disease that caused this pathology. Early administration of mydriatic agents - installation of 1% atropine sulfate solution 4-6 times a day, 1% atropine ointment at night, can help reduce synechiae and prevent possible damage to the optic nerve. To reduce inflammation, anti-inflammatory drugs are used, such as some glucocorticosteroids, such as prednisolone. In the case of the infectious nature of iridocyclitis, antibiotics or antiviral drugs are prescribed. It is also important to monitor the level of intraocular pressure and treat glaucoma if it is associated with iridocyclitis.

If there is a danger of developing hypopyoniitis, it is necessary to perform paracentesis of the anterior chamber, and in the presence of hypopyon, additionally aspirate its contents.

It is important to consult an ophthalmologist if any of these symptoms appear, as iridocyclitis can lead to serious complications, including blurred vision and even blindness. Early contact with a specialist will help to start treatment in a timely manner and prevent the development of complications.

Iritis is an inflammatory process in the body, manifested by inflammation of the iris of the eye. Iritis is accompanied by blepharospasm, which is a spasm of the orbicularis oculi muscle.

The causes may be various infectious diseases and allergic reactions. Iritis can also develop against the background of a bacterial or viral infection - for example, gonorrhea, tuberculosis or chlamydia. Most often, this process occurs in an acute form, and along with an increase in temperature, severe pain in the eyes occurs. The acute process lasts from 6 to 8 weeks. This phase of iritis does not go away on its own. If you do not see a doctor on time, treatment can worsen the course of the disease and lead to loss of vision.

Depending on the type and cause of iritis