Iritis
.. ..
Seen mainly in young
people. Occasionally associated with systemic conditions such as ankylosing
spondylitis and sarcoidosis.
Presentation:
Painful red eye
Photophobia with reduced vision
May have been treated for resistant
conjunctivitis
Examination:
Visual acuity is reduced to varying
degree
Redness mainly around the cornea (ciliary
injection)
Pupil is usually constricted or irregular
reacting
poorly to light.
In severe cases, clumps of white cells
(keratitic precipitates may be seen behind the cornea)
Management:
Refer the patient within 24 hours.
Slit-lamp examination by ophthalmologists
to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment is with intensive topical
steroid to reduce inflammation and mydriatic to dilate the
pupil so that the iris does not
stick to the cornea causing problem with glaucoma.
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Figure 1
This is the picture of a patient
who presented with a painful photophobic
red eye. Note the ciliary injection
around the cornea (limbus) typical of
iritis
|
|
Figure 2
This is another patient with iritis.
Note the presence of opacities
behind the cornea. This is caused
by deposition of clumps of white
cells (keratic precipitates). |
Return
to red eyes |
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