Iritis is an inflammation of the iris, the colored area of the eye. The iris constricts or dilates to control the size of the pupil, the black area at the center of eye. By controlling pupil size, the iris moderates the amount of light that enters the eye in different lighting conditions. Injuries, infections, and inflammatory and genetic disorders are among the possible causes of iritis, also known as anterior uveitis. Treatment focuses on reducing inflammation to prevent iris scarring.
Eye Trauma
A serious blow to the eye, known as an eye contusion, may precipitate a bout of iritis, reports The Merck Manuals website. Common symptoms of posttraumatic iritis include eye redness, blurred vision, throbbing pain, excessive tearing and sensitivity to bright light. Posttraumatic iritis usually develops within three days of the initial eye injury. Treatments typically include steroid eye drops to decrease inflammation and drops to temporarily paralyze the muscles of the iris, which reduces eye pain and facilitates healing.
Spondyloarthropathies
Spondyloarthropathies are a group of arthritic conditions that share the common feature of inflammation in locations where ligaments, tendons and the external joint tissue, or joint capsule, attach to bone. The spondyloarthropathies include psoriatic, reactive and enteropathic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. In a 2004 review article published in "American Family Physician," Drs. Rajesh Kataria and Lawrence Brent report that people with a spondyloarthropathy often develop uveitis, including iritis. Ankylosing spondylitis--a chronic arthritic condition that primarily affects the spine--is often associated with recurrent bouts of anterior uveitis. Kataria and Brent note that chronic uveitis may occur with psoriatic and enteropathic arthritis, which includes inflammatory arthritic syndromes associated with Crohn's disease, Whipple's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Eye Infections
Herpes simplex and herpes zoster viral infections of the eye may cause iritis, notes The Merck Manuals. Other infections that may precipitate iritis include syphilis, histoplasmosis, leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis, tuberculosis, toxocariasis and Lyme disease. Among people living with HIV/AIDS, cytomegalovirus and Pneumocystis jirovecii infections can trigger uveitis, including iritis.
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Chronic iritis commonly occurs in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, also known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. MayoClinic.com reports that children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis are routinely screened for chronic iritis due to the frequent simultaneous occurrence of these two conditions. Uncommonly, iritis may be the presenting condition that leads to a diagnosis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis. In a 2005 research article published in the "British Journal of Ophthalmology," Dr. David BenEzra and colleagues report that juvenile idiopathic arthritis is the most common systemic illness responsible for iritis among children.
References
- The Merck Manuals: Uveitis
- The Merck Manuals: Eye Injuries, Contusions and Lacerations, Posttraumatic Iridocyclitis
- "American Family Physician"; Spondyloarthropathies; Rajesh K. Kataria, D.O., Lawrence H. Brent, M.D.; June 2004
- "British Journal of Ophthalmology"; Uveitis in Children and Adolescents; David BenEzra M.D., Ph.D., et al.; April 2005
- The Merck Manuals: Seronegative Spondyloarthropathies (Seronegative Spondyloarthritides)
