Iridocyclitis

Iridocyclitis, a type of anterior uveitis, is a condition in which the uvea of the eye suffers inflammation.

Symptoms

Symptoms include:
Photophobia
Redness
Watering of the eyes
Lacrimation
Miosis, constriction of the pupil
Blurred vision
Synechia

Causes

Iridocyclitis is usually caused by direct exposure of the eyes to chemicals, particularly lachrymators, but can also be caused by ocular viral infection such as herpes zoster (i.e. herpetic iridocyclitis).

Types

There are six classifications of iridocyclitis.

Acute or chronic
Acute
Sudden symptomatic onset, lasting no more than six weeks.
Chronic
Persisting for more than six weeks, possibly asymptomatic. Chronic iridocyclitis is usually associated with systemic disorders including ankylosing spondylitis, Behçet's syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, Reiter's syndrome, sarcoidosis, syphilis, tuberculosis, and Lyme disease.

Exogenous or endogenous
Exogenous
Related to external damage to the uvea or invasion of external microbes
Endogenous
Related to internal microbes

Granulomatous or non-granulomatous
Granulomatous
Accompanied by large keratic precipitates
Non-granulomatous
Accompanied by smaller keratic precipitates

Treatment

Iridocyclitis can be effectively treated with tropane alkaloids or steroids.

To immobilize the iris and decrease pain, one may find tropane alkaloids effective, particularly scopolamine and atropine in .25% and 1% concentrations respectively. Topical steroids may be used to decrease inflammation, particularly prednisolone and dexamethasone. Upon presentation of a severe case, a subconjunctival steroid injection may be administered.