Contact us the same day or the next day. Outside opening hours: the out-of-hours medical service (lægevagten).
What is iritis?
The iris is the coloured part of the eye. In iritis it is inflamed without there being an infection. Often no cause is found, but the condition is more common with certain rheumatic and bowel diseases, e.g. ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.
Symptoms
- Red eye, most pronounced around the coloured part
- Deep, aching pain in the eye
- Marked sensitivity to light
- Blurred vision and possibly a small, irregular pupil
Unlike ordinary conjunctivitis, there is rarely pus or sticky eyes.
Treatment
Treatment is corticosteroid eye drops that reduce the inflammation, often combined with pupil-dilating drops that relieve the pain. The drops are slowly tapered off over weeks. We follow you with check-ups so we can adjust the treatment and keep an eye on the pressure in the eye.
Relapses
Many people get iritis again. If you know the symptoms, contact us quickly next time they appear. Early treatment shortens the course and reduces the risk of adhesions and raised pressure.
This text is general information and does not replace an examination. If you are unsure about your symptoms, call us.