Iritis / Anterior Uveitis Treatment

Treatment for Iritis

It is very important to differentiate iritis from other similar red eye appearances.  Once the diagnosis is confirmed, iritis is treated very aggressively with the most potent corticosteroid eye drops.   Our eye doctors will prescribe the appropriate treatment after a thorough evaluation of the anterior and posterior portion of the eye.  In order to have a significant impact on the inflammation, the corticosteroid eye drops must be a very potent variety.  The steroid drops are often prescribed to be used every hour or every two hours.  Steroids must be tapered gradually or there is a risk that the inflammation could come back worse than the initial onset.  In addition to the potent corticosteroid eye drops the pupils are dilated for days or possibly weeks depending on the severity of the condition. Long acting dilating drops are used to sustain dilation for extended periods of time to prevent synechiae (adherence of the iris to the crystalline lens) and to reduce the discomfort of the patient by reducing ciliary spasm.  Regular follow-up appointments with the prescribing eye doctor are important in managing anterior uveitis (iritis) and to be assured that high eye pressure does not develop as a side effect of the corticosteroid treatment.

Because iritis may be associated with a number of conditions in the body that are inflammatory or infectious in nature additional tests may be ordered by the eye doctor.  There is more suspicion of a systemic cause if iritis becomes recurrent, severe or if both eyes have been affected at the same time.  In order to determine an underlying body disease, laboratory tests and/or referral to an internal medicine specialist will be performed.

If iritis becomes chronic and is left untreated, it can result in glaucoma and/or cataracts, which can lead to significant decreased vision. To make sure this eye condition is not missed it’s important to go to an eye doctor if you have these symptoms or if the symptoms are not improving with treatment or if they recur after discontinuing treatment.  In general, emergency doctor physicians do not have the equipment to properly diagnose iritis.