Symptoms of Iritis Should Not Be Ignored

Iritis is an inflammation of the iris. Iritis can be caused by an underlying condition such as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Lupus, Sarcoid, Shingles or inflammatory bowel disease or trauma to the eye, among others. In approximately half of cases, iritis occurs spontaneously without a known cause. Symptoms of iritis include? pain in the eye or the brow region which worsens under bright light (photophobia) , tender red eye without discharge, blurred vision and small or irregularly shaped pupil. Left untreated, iritis may result in glaucoma and/or cataracts. Iritis, which causes the eye to be red, is frequently misdiagnosed as allergy or conjunctivitis by physicians who don't have access to a slit lamp biomicroscope, as is found in an eye doctor's office. The first line of treatment for iritis is steroid eyedrops. Careful monitoring of the eye pressure on this medication is required. If the eye fails to respond to steroid eyedrops, oral medications may be required. Treatment may be required for days or weeks, and uncommonly months. If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, you should inform your eye doctor promptly. Andrea?Schumann Staff Writer