Iridocyclitis

Iridocyclitis, also known as anterior uveitis, is a condition in which the uvea[?] of the eye suffers inflammation.

Symptoms include photophobia[?], redness, watering of the eyes, lacrimation, miosis[?], and blurred vision. Iridocyclitis is usually caused by direct exposure of the eyes to chemicals, particularly lacrimators[?]. It can be effectively treated with tropane[?] alkaloids or steroids[?].

There are six classifications of iridocyclitis.

Acute or Chronic

Acute: sudden symptomatic onset, lasting no more than six weeks.

Chronic: Persisting for more than six weeks, possibly asymptomatic. Chronic iridocyclitis is usually associated with systemic disorders including ankylosing spondylitis[?], Behçet's syndrome[?], inflammatory bowel disease[?], juvenile rheumatoid arthritis[?], Reiter's syndrome[?], sarcoidosis[?], syphilis, tuberculosis, and Lyme disease.

Exogenous[?] or Endogenous[?]

Exogenous: related to external damage to the uvea or invasion of external microbes[?].

Endogenous: related to internal microbes.

Granulomatous[?] or Non-granulomatous

Granulomatous: accompanied by large keratotic[?] precipitates.

Non-granulomatous: accompanied by smaller keratotic precipitates.

Treatment

To immobilize the iris and decrease pain, one may find tropane alkaloids effective, particularly scopolamine and atropine in .25% and 1% concentrations respectively. Topical steroids may be used to decrease inflammation, particularly prednisolone[?] and [[dexamethasone].

See also: inflammation, uvea[?]