Iritis – Symptoms and Treatment
Iritis is an inflammation of the uvea, which is the middle layer of the eye. This condition adversely affects the iris, which is the colored circular ring around the pupil. If iris remains untreated for a long period or if it recurs frequently, it could increase the risk of glaucoma.Symptoms of iritis
fIf you are suffering from iritis, your eyes will appear red, especially in the white of the eye around the iris. You will experience pain and discomfort in the eye. The vision in the affected eye will become blurred. Sensitivity to light will increase, and you might see floating spots. Iritis might be acute or chronic. If the symptoms of the disease develop suddenly or within a few days, it is known as acute iritis. In chronic iritis, the symptoms develop slowly, or the disease lasts for more than six weeks.
Causes of iritis
The exact cause of this eye disease is largely unknown. However, certain factors might make you vulnerable to this eye disorder. People with a family history of iritis have a greater risk of developing this disease. Acute iritis could develop from an eye injury.
Children suffering from juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or adults with a history of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis could develop chronic iritis. Iritis is often associated with autoimmune diseases. People suffering from sexually transmitted diseases are susceptible to iritis. Chronic iritis is sometimes associated with ankylosing spondylitis, which is characterized by chronic inflammation of the spine.
Iritis treatment
Iritis is treated with steroid eyedrops, which help to reduce the inflammation of the iris. Eyedrops that help to dilate the pupil reduces pain and the risk of developing glaucoma. Frequently steroid injections are administered around the eyes to cure the disease speedily. With proper treatment, iritis cures within a few days. However, chronic iritis might last for several months or recur often. Recurrent iritis increases the risk of glaucoma and loss of vision. Although home remedies are not effective in treating this eye disorder, but you can reduce the risk of inflammation of the iris through proper diet. Intake of omega-3 fatty acids could help to reduce complications developing from iritis. Fish, fish oil, flaxseed oil and walnut are rich sources of this essential fatty acid.
