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Medical Author:

Frank J. Weinstock, MD, FACS

Frank J. Weinstock, MD, FACS

Dr. Weinstock is a board-certified ophthalmologist. He practices general ophthalmology in Canton, Ohio, with a special interest in contact lenses. He holds faculty positions of Professor of Ophthalmology at the Northeastern Ohio Colleges of Medicine and Affiliate Clinical Professor in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Biomedical Science at Florida Atlantic University.

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Medical Editor:

Andrew A. Dahl, MD, FACS

Andrew A. Dahl, MD, FACS

Andrew A. Dahl, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist. Dr. Dahl's educational background includes a BA with Honors and Distinction from Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, and an MD from Cornell University, where he was selected for Alpha Omega Alpha, the national medical honor society. He had an internal medical internship at the New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center.

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In this Article

• What is iritis?
• What causes iritis?
• What are symptoms and signs of iritis?
• How is iritis diagnosed?
• What is the treatment for iritis?
• How long does iritis last?
• What are complications of iritis?
• What is the prognosis for iritis?
• What research is being done for iritis?
• Where can I find out more information about iritis?
• Iritis At A Glance
• Find a local Eye Doctor in your town
• Iritis Index

Diagnosis of iritis is made by the ophthalmologist. It is suspected from the history and symptoms and then is confirmed by an exam. After measuring the vision, the eye is inspected with a slit lamp (biomicroscope) where microscopic cells are seen in the front part of the eye. When measuring the eye pressure, it is often found to be lower than in the other eye.

First, we try to find a cause. Causes such as trauma, inflammatory eye disease, or an eye infection are often apparent. Treatment is then directed at the underlying cause. In many cases, no cause is detected. There are no natural remedies for iritis.

Specific treatment is usually antiinflammatory cortisone (steroid) eyedrops, often accompanied by drops to enlarge (the pupil). This serves two purposes: (1) it relieves some of the pain (2) the drops keep the pupil dilated to avoid it becoming scarred down and adherent to the focusing lens (behind the pupil) of the eye.

If the drops are not successful, injections of steroids around the eye or steroid (cortisone) pills may be necessary.

Usually, iritis clears in days, but it may last for months or may become chronic and recurrent.

Blindness is the ultimate but relatively rare complication. Recurrent pain and blurring of vision may occur. If the pupil becomes scarred, it is unable to react, thereby losing some of the ability to adjust to different light conditions.

Glaucoma secondary to iritis may cause pain and result in blindness.