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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

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Illustration showing location of the iris Iris

Iritis is a type of uveitis — inflammation of the middle layer of the eye (uvea) — that affects your eye's iris. The iris is the colored ring of tissue surrounding your pupil, which lies just behind the transparent cornea. Muscles controlling the iris change the size of the pupil to adjust to light conditions. Prolonged inflammation can lead to adhesions of the iris, causing your pupil to become smaller or irregularly shaped and predisposing you to glaucoma.

Often, iritis can't be linked to a specific cause. But sometimes, iritis results from an underlying chronic condition or genetic factor.

Also referred to as anterior uveitis, iritis is a serious condition that, if left untreated, could lead to blindness. If you have symptoms of iritis, see your doctor as soon as possible for evaluation and treatment.

Symptoms
References
  1. Care of the patient with anterior uveitis. St. Louis, Mo.: American Optometric Association. http://www.aoa.org/documents/CPG-7.pdf. Accessed Jan. 7, 2009.
  2. Cunningham ET Jr. Uveal tract. In: Riordan-Eva P, et al. Vaughan & Asbury's General Ophthalmology. 17th ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3091280. Accessed Jan. 7, 2009.
  3. Forster DJ. General approach to the uveitis patient and treatment strategies. In: Yanoff M, et al. Ophthalmology. 2nd ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby, Inc.; 2004. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/116823936-3/0/1197/69.html?tocnode=50823224&fromURL=69.html. Accessed Jan. 7, 2009.
  4. Jacobs DS. Evaluation of the red eye. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 7, 2009.
  5. Rosenbaum JT. Uveitis: Etiology; clinical manifestations; and diagnosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 7, 2009.
  6. Rosenbaum JT. Uveitis: Treatment. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 7, 2009.

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Feb. 10, 2009

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