Iritis: Treatment, Cost and Side Effects

Iritis is a condition where the iris in the eye becomes inflamed. The iris is the portion of the human eye that gives the color to the eye. It also acts as the opening into the pupils. Iritis can be caused due to some kind of trauma to the eye, but it may also be caused as a result of underlying health conditions, also known as non-traumatic Iritis. Lastly, the condition may be a result of an infection as well.

Symptoms for the disease include a sharp pain in the eye and the brows. This pain may increase when the person is in a heavily lit area. Redness in the eye just beside the iris can also be indicative of the iritis. Moreover, some people suffering from the condition also experience blurred vision and headaches.

The condition is diagnosed by an eye specialist using a slit lamp, which is a specialized microscope designed for the study of human eyes. Most forms of the disease are simple to treat and people can do so at home, even though they would still need to visit a doctor to ensure that the treatment is working. In case of chronic conditions, your eye doctor may inject your eye with steroids to prevent the symptoms related to Iritis.

Iritis may be caused due to a trauma to the eye or an underlying medical condition or an infection in the eye. In case of blunt trauma to the eye, iritis may be caused. Diseases such as Reiter syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, ankylosing spondylitis, sarcoidosis and psoriasis. Infectious conditions such as tuberculosis, syphilis, herpes zoster viruses and toxoplasmosis also often cause the eye disease in question. However, doctors often find no cause for Iritis.

Iritis may be treated at home, by simply taking some precautions and medication on the advice of an eye doctor. However, patients must ensure that they follow the instructions and the recommended dosages of the medication. People are also advised to wear dark tinted glasses to protect the eye from overexposure to light. Patients may also take mild analgesics to offset the discomfort.

Medical treatment for the disease comprises of eye drops and pills. These may be used to alleviate the pain and will also help with the other symptoms of the disease. Steroid eyedrops are also used in some of the cases, especially if the iritis is not caused by an infection.

People who experience extreme pain in the eyes and inflammation of the iris should visit an eye expert. The doctor will be able to confirm whether you have iritis or not. If the slit lamp inspection shows the presence of increased white blood cells in the liquid of the iris, the physician will begin the treatment for the disease.

People whose iritis has been caused due to an infection, should not seek treatment with steroid eye drops. Needless to say, people who have not been diagnosed with Iritis should also not seek the treatment for the condition. Often the symptoms related to Iritis can also be caused due to some other eye condition. So, treatment should not be started without a proper diagnosis.

Iritis is treated through medications and eye drops. Very few side effects are caused as a result of these medications, apart from the steroid eye drops. In case of the latter, there may be certain minor side effects as well as major issues. Minor issues include burning or itching sensation in the eye or even redness.

Serious side effects of steroid eye drops include the risk of developing cataracts. Glaucoma may also be caused in certain individuals. Infection is another serious side effect that may result from the medication.

Post the treatment, patients must visit the eye specialist regularly to check for any remaining issues with the eye. In case of non-traumatic iritis, doctors will also look to determine what the cause is behind the condition. However, diagnosis can be difficult in case of such diseases. Most of the time, physicians are unable to determine the cause for the eye disease.

It may take anywhere between a month or a couple of months to recover from the condition. However, the recovery period is usually longer in case of non-traumatic iritis.

Price varies from one place to the other. However, iritis in India can be treated in the range of Rs. 200 to Rs. 1,000.

Results of the treatment is generally permanent. However, it may recur if trauma is repeated on the eye or if the underlying condition is not treated properly. An infection may also cause the disease again in the future, once it is treated.

Iritis may be avoided or treated through natural means as well. This includes ingesting certain kinds of fishes, carrots, green vegetables, nuts and seeds and fruits. Using an eye compress while sleeping, can also help you avoid the disease. A poultice out of ginger can also be applied on the eye to avoid iritis. However, these are preventive measures and cannot help once you contract the disease.