What is the difference between iritis and conjunctivitis

The uvea is the middle layer of the eye between the retina and the white part of the eye. The iris is located in the front portion anterior of the uvea. Iritis is the most common type of uveitis.

Uveitis is inflammation of part of or all of the uvea. The cause is often unknown. It can result from an underlying condition or genetic factor. If untreated, iritis could lead to glaucoma or vision loss. See your doctor as soon as possible if you have symptoms of iritis. Iritis can occur in one or both eyes.

It usually develops suddenly, and can last up to three months. Iritis that develops suddenly, over hours or days, is known as acute iritis. Symptoms that develop gradually or last longer than three months indicate chronic iritis. See an eye specialist ophthalmologist as soon as possible if you have symptoms of iritis. Prompt treatment helps prevent serious complications. If you have eye pain and vision problems with other signs and symptoms, you might need urgent medical care. Often, the cause of iritis can't be determined.

What is it? How does it appear? Periocular pain and photophobia Monocular or binocular Preserved vision Engorged conjunctival vessels, especially at corneal edge "ciliary flush" Irregularly-shaped pupil sometimes Turbidity and floating cells in aqueous humor and sometimes pigment on anterior lens surface , visible on slit-lamp biomicroscopy, and shown here in retro-illumination Iris margin stuck to anterior lens capsule " posterior synechiae " or to periphery of cornea "anterior synechiae" Inflammatory cells clumped on posterior surface of cornea " keratic precipitates " Normal, elevated, or depressed intraocular pressure.

The course and prognosis of iritis anterior uveitis depends on the cause and severity of the inflammation. Iritis is not a quick fix like a conjunctivitis pink eye condition.

Iritis requires longer periods of medical treatment and monitoring. Severe iritis takes longer to treat and is more likely to cause complications than a mild form of iritis.

However, anterior uveitis is usually easier to treat and heals more rapidly with fewer consequences than posterior uveitis. The information on this website is not meant to diagnose or treat any disease s. Only a licensed doctor can diagnose or treat disease. No information on this website has been evaluated by the U. Food and Drug Administration.

See Our Locations. Schedule Online. Eye Anatomy. Eye Diseases. Causes of Iritis Iritis can be caused by autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis, infection, or exposure to toxins. Signs and Symptoms of Iritis Iritis may affect only one or both eyes, although it usually occurs in only one eye.

Signs and symptoms may include any or all of the following: Blurred vision Eye pain sometimes significant Increased eye pain when exposed to bright light Redness of the eye, especially surrounding the iris Dark, floating spots in vision A smaller than normal pupil miotic pupil Low eye pressure Tearing Headache When inflammation is present in the iris, white blood cells are shed into the anterior chamber of the eye where they can be observed by an eye doctor by biomicroscopic slit lamp examination with high magnification.

Treatment for Iritis It is very important to differentiate iritis from other similar red eye appearances.