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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffThe main goals in treating iritis are to preserve vision and relieve any pain associated with the condition.
Most often, treatment for iritis involves:
- Steroid eyedrops. Glucocorticoid medications, given as eyedrops, reduce inflammation associated with iritis. They work by stabilizing cell membranes in your eye and minimizing the circulation of white blood cells and other byproducts of the inflammatory process.
- Dilating eyedrops. Cycloplegics are medicines that dilate your pupil. Given as eyedrops, they can reduce pain associated with iritis. Dilating eyedrops also protect you from developing adhesions underneath your iris, which can lead to potential complications, including glaucoma.
- Antibiotic eyedrops. If your iritis is caused by a bacterial infection, your doctor will prescribe antibiotic eyedrops.
If your symptoms don't clear up, or seem to get worse, your eye doctor might prescribe oral medications that may include steroids or other anti-inflammatory agents. However, taking the medicine orally has the potential to affect not only your eyes, but other parts of your body as well. Your doctor will consider your overall condition before prescribing oral medications to treat your iritis.
References
- Uveitis. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec09/ch105/ch105a.html. Accessed Dec. 21, 2010.
- Rosenbaum JT. Uveitis: Etiology; clinical manifestations; and diagnosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 21, 2010.
- Mahmood AR, et al. Diagnosis and management of the acute red eye. Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America. 2008;26:35.
- Walker RA, et al. Eye emergencies. In: Tintinalli JE, et al. Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=6387273. Accessed Dec. 21, 2010.
- Care of the patient with anterior uveitis. St. Louis, Mo.: American Optometric Association. http://www.aoa.org/documents/CPG-7.pdf. Accessed Dec. 27, 2010.
- Mueller JB, et al. Ocular infection and inflammation. Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America. 2008;26:57.
- Robertson DM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 2, 2011.
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