Iritis – Diagnosis and Treatment
Iritis is an eye condition where the iris, the colored part of the eye, becomes inflamed. This inflammation can cause pain, redness, and blurry vision.
Without proper care, iritis can lead to serious complications, including vision loss. Early diagnosis and treatment protect eyesight and reduce discomfort.
Diagnosis
Doctors follow different steps to check for inflammation in the iris and other parts of the uvea. First, they look at the eyes closely, using a penlight to watch the pupils and the redness pattern.
They also look for signs like eye discharge, pain, or light sensitivity. Next, they measure how clear the person’s vision is with a standard eye chart. A slit-lamp microscope gives a better look at the front of the eye.
Sometimes, doctors use special drops to widen the pupil, making it easier to see irritation, swelling, or signs of uveitis. If needed, doctors order further tests—like blood work or X-rays—to check for possible infections, inflammation, or underlying diseases.
They may also ask for imaging tests such as OCT or fluorescein angiography to check for swelling in the retina or other deeper changes.
In some cases, doctors refer the patient to a specialist to find out if conditions like arthritis, sarcoidosis, or viral infections are causing the inflammation.
These tests help them spot symptoms such as blurred vision, floaters, headaches, macular edema, high intraocular pressure, or even vision loss related to iritis or other forms of uveitis.
Treatment
Doctors aim to protect sight and lessen pain and swelling when treating iritis. Steroid eye drops usually decrease inflammation inside the eye.
Doctors may also recommend dilating eye drops to widen the pupil, which can lower pain and keep the pupil working correctly.
If the condition does not improve, doctors may use other options. These can include oral steroids, other anti-inflammatory pills, or antibiotic treatments if an infection is present.
Sometimes, they give injections around the eye. If iritis keeps coming back or doesn’t respond to standard treatment, stronger medications that calm the immune system—called immunosuppressants—might be used.
Every treatment plan matches the patient’s needs. Doctors also check the eyes regularly to make sure pressure levels are safe and the inflammation is under control. They often reduce steroids slowly to avoid flare-ups.
Getting Ready for Your Visit
Steps You Can Take Before Seeing Your Eye Specialist
Preparing before an appointment with an eye care provider, such as an ophthalmologist, helps you get the most out of your visit.
Make a List Before You Go
- Write down all your symptoms. Include even small changes or symptoms that might not seem connected to your vision. Note when these symptoms started.
- List all medications, supplements, or vitamins you are taking. Write down the names and doses.
- Gather key health information. Mention any recent accidents or injuries, and include family history—especially if someone in the family has an autoimmune condition.
- Prepare questions to ask. This helps make sure you don’t forget anything important.
Example questions to consider:
| Question |
|---|
| Can iritis cause lasting changes to my vision? |
| Will I need more eye exams in the future? |
| What happens if my symptoms get worse or don’t improve? |
| How do I manage this condition along with my other illnesses? |
| Are there any useful resources or websites you recommend? |
Bring Someone With You
- Bring a friend or family member to help you remember what the doctor says.
- Important: Eye exams may include dilating your pupils. This can make vision blurry for a few hours, so having someone to drive you home is a good idea.
What the Eye Care Provider Will Ask and Do
The ophthalmologist or optometrist will ask several questions to understand your eye health and find the best way to help you.
They may ask about:
- If your issues are in one eye or both.
- Eye pain, especially if it gets worse when you touch your eyelid.
- Headaches that may be related.
- If bright light makes the pain worse.
- Whether you notice blurry vision.
- Any joint aches or pain, which can relate to certain health problems.
- Experiencing sores in your mouth or on other areas such as the genitals.
- Any previous diagnosis of iritis or other eye diseases.
- Other health issues you may have had.
- How you feel overall.
Your answers help the eye care provider choose the right tests and treatments.
