Why It Is Important To Treat Iritis As Soon As Possible
- Posted on: Mar 15 2023
Our eyes are incredibly sensitive to irritation and susceptible to injury. Many irritants and conditions can share the same symptoms. In most cases, these are easily treatable and sometimes go away on their own. However, certain conditions require prompt attention to avoid them becoming worse and causing more severe issues, like vision loss.
Each part of your eye can be affected by external irritants or internal conditions that cause inflammation and swelling, leading to discomfort and pain. One of the most common conditions of the eye is the irritation or inflammation of the thin covering of the white part of the eye, the conjunctiva. Conjunctivitis generally goes away on its own, but medication and drops can help.
Irritation of the iris, or the colored ring around the middle of the eye, is a much more severe condition. The symptoms of this irritation or inflammation, called iritis, are similar to other eye conditions and include irritation or redness of the eye, sensitivity to light, blurry vision, or general eye pain.
There are two primary categories of iritis. Traumatic iritis is caused by impact or exposure to chemicals that cause swelling and irritation of the iris. However, there are many internal medical conditions that can cause iritis.
The causes of non-traumatic iritis include many of the most common autoimmune conditions, certain types of arthritis, and a general weakened immune system. These seemingly unrelated conditions can cause similar swelling and irritation of the iris that, if left untreated, can lead to significant pain or even vision loss.
Early diagnosis and treatment have been proven very successful and reducing the progression of iritis. Once diagnosed, you will need to wear dark glasses or special medicated, or steroidal eye drops to help alleviate the pressure on the iris. Certain autoimmune conditions must also be addressed to help prevent the recurrence of iritis.
Since the symptoms of many eye conditions are similar, a comprehensive exam is needed to accurately diagnose and promptly treat potentially serious conditions that can lead to blindness. If you have difficulty seeing, or pain in your eyes, call The Eye Clinic in Portland, OR at 503-297-4718 or visit www.eyeclinicpdx.com to schedule an exam today.
Posted in: Iritis
