Iridocyclitis: causes, symptoms and treatment & bull; hello healthy

Definition

What is iridocyclitis?

Iridocyclitis is a type of eye disease that occurs due to inflammation of the iris and ciliary body. This condition causes redness and swelling. Iridocyclitis is also known as anterior uveitis. Generally people know only one type of uveitis, even though uveitis itself has several types. This condition is referred to as anterior uveitis because inflammation occurs only in the front (iris and ciliary body). Meanwhile, in uveitis, inflammation occurs in three parts, namely the iris, ciliary body, and choroid.

Most cases of iridocyclitis are related to problems with the immune system. However, these infections generally occur more frequently due to autoimmune diseases, such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthitis, and sarcoidosis.

Iridocyclitis can also be caused by viral infections such as toxoplasmosis, herpes (herpes simplex and herpes zoster), cytomegalovirus, and tuberculosis. In addition, this condition can also be caused by trauma or injury to the eye (both physical or chemical) or complications of eye surgery. However, in some cases the cause is not known with certainty.

This disease can occur without causing symptoms of red and swollen eyes.

How common is this condition?

This condition can be acute or chronic (chronic). Anterior uveitis is a rare condition that often affects the middle and front of the eye. This condition is one of the most dangerous problems and can cause vision loss if left untreated.

• Acute: symptoms appear suddenly and last for 6 weeks or less.
• Chronic: often occurs silently and produces no symptoms that last for months and years.

This condition can occur in patients of any age. Iridocyclitis can be treated by reducing risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Characteristics and Symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of iridocyclitis?

The general symptoms of this condition are generally classified into three categories, namely signs of vascular blockage, signs of discharge (exudation), and signs of pupil changes. If the middle or front of the eye is infected, common symptoms include:

• Red or reddish and watery eyes
• Eye pain, which doesn't go away, can lead to more serious conditions. At an advanced stage, there is a disturbance in secretion aqueous .
• Small pupils and other pupillary changes
• Blurred vision or decreased vision, which includes photophobia and circles around light, patients often feel uncomfortable seeing bright light.

If the back of the eye is affected, symptoms can include:

• Blurred vision
• 'Floaters', black patches floating in the vision

Having these symptoms doesn't necessarily mean you have iridocyclitis. Other eye conditions can also have the symptoms mentioned above.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about certain symptoms, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent this condition from getting worse and prevent other medical emergencies. For that, talk to your doctor to prevent this serious condition.

Everyone's body is different. If you have any signs or symptoms above or any other questions, please consult your doctor. Always consult a doctor to treat your health condition.

Cause

What causes anterior uveitis?

Like other infectious diseases, anterior uveitis is caused by the entry of organisms from outside into the eye through an open wound or ulcer. This infection can also be caused by bacteria, viruses, or endogenous protozoa, namely:

• Bacteria, such as TB, syphilis, gonorrhea
• Viruses, such as measles, smallpox, influenza
• Protozoa, such as toxoplasmosis

Grouping the causes of this condition is one of the most difficult problems in eye health science. In most cases, allergies may be the cause, such as:

• Allergies result from infection secondary to direct spread of adjacent structures, including the cornea, sclera, and portions of the retina.
• Allergic inflammation, which is a result of the antigen-antibody reaction that occurs in the eye due to the sensitivity of the uveal tissue to the previous allergen, especially if the allergen is a foreign protein.

Most cases of iridocyclitis have no specific cause and are probably due to allergies. However, this condition could also be caused by an autoimmune process. Autoimmune disorders that affect the whole body can present symptoms in the eyes in the form of iridocyclitis. Examples: rheumatoid arthritis, SLE, ankylosing spondylitis, Reiter's Syndrome, Behck's Syndrome.

Another autoimmune process that also causes this condition is the response to antigens in the rest of the eye. Iridocyclitis often accompanies serious corneal infections and choroid infections. Example: a patient with HLA B-27 has a high risk of developing acute anterior uveitis.

Triggers

What puts me at risk for anterior uveitis?

There are many factors that put a person at risk for anterior uveitis, namely:

• Some drugs or hypersensitivity reactions or side effects commonly associated with Uveitis, such as Rifabutin (used in the treatment of atypical mycobacterial infections); The antiviral drug Cidofovir; Moxifloxacin and Bisphosphonates especially when given intravenously.
• Risk factors for multiple sclerosis (MS). This condition is commonly associated with uveitis
• Patients who have autoimmune diseases or phenomena called immune reconstitution inflammation syndrome (IRIS).

Diagnosis and Treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How is this condition diagnosed?

Each type of infection requires a different method of testing:

• Examination slit lamp which helps trained supervisors visualize the anterior segment of the eye.
• Immediate visualization with detection of posterior leukocytes that are inflamed or intermediate uveitis.

How is this condition handled?

Generally, iridocyclitis treatment uses drug therapy, such as:

• Atropine - works by three different methods, namely resting the iris and ciliary body, preventing posterior formation synechiea, and destroy what has been formed
• Corticosteroids - one of the effects is to minimize the damage to the antibody antigen reaction.
• Aspirin is very useful in relieving pain. However, if the pain is very intense, a stronger dose is needed (usually in the form of eye drops).
• Other medications include: Cytotoxic drugs, Cyclosporin, and drugs needed in the treatment of complications and anterior uveitis (such as glaucoma)

Prevention

What are some things I can do at home to treat iridocyclitis?

Here are some lifestyle things you can take to prevent or treat iridocyclitis:

• Improve the immune system by taking the right vitamin supplements.
• Avoid substance abuse, especially those that have been linked to uveitis.
• Limit contact with possible infections (such as handling the injured eye with dirty hands, etc.).

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.