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Pronunciations acetaminophen corticosteroid iridocyclitis uvea

Iritis (also known as iridocyclitis or uveitis) is inflammation of the pigmented inside lining of the eye (uvea), iris, or both.

Iritis can develop after blunt eye trauma or a chemical burn, typically within 3 days. However, iritis can also develop without injury.

Symptoms may include tearing, redness of the eye, and a painful ache in the eye. Usually people have some blurred vision or pain when exposed to bright light (photophobia).

A doctor bases the diagnosis on the person's history, symptoms, and the results of a slit lamp examination (see Symptoms and Diagnosis of Eye Disorders: Slit Lamp Examination) .

Iritis is treated by instilling into the eye a drug that dilates the pupil. The drug relaxes the muscles of the colored part of the eye (iris), which spasm painfully. These drugs are called cycloplegics and include cyclopentolate Some Trade Names
CYCLOGYL
and homatropine. Corticosteroid eye drops (such as prednisolone Some Trade Names
DELTA-CORTEF
HYDELTRASOL
) are often used to shorten symptom duration. Cycloplegics and corticosteroids are usually adequate to relieve pain, but if necessary, the person can also take acetaminophen Some Trade Names
TYLENOL
.

Last full review/revision May 2007 by Kathryn Colby, MD, PhD