Iritis

Question 1

What are differentials for an acute red eye?

Answer 1

• conjunctivitis
• keratitis
• uveitis
• acute glaucoma

Question 2

What is uveitis?

Answer 2

• AKA iritis
• intra-ocular inflammation, normally auto-immune
• can be unilateral or bilateral

Question 3

Who gets uveitis?

Answer 3

HLA B27, spondyloarthropathies, inflammatory bowel disease

ask about joints, rashes, ulcers, bowels

rarely secondary to systemic infection (TB, syphilis)

Question 4

Clinical features of uveitis/iritis?

Answer 4

Can be chronic or present with recurrent episodes

Dull orbital pain (only in anterior uveitis)

Decreased vision

Redness (esp around edge of cornea)

Mild watering, but no stickiness

Photophobia

Question 5

Management of uveitis/iritis

Answer 5

Investigate for systemic conditions

Topical steroid (eg. dexamethasone drops)

Dilating drops (eg. cyclopentolate)

Question 6

What is the most common form of uveitis/iritis?

Answer 6

Acute anterior uveitis

Question 7

Exam findings in uveitis/iritis

Answer 7

Synechiae (adhesions from iris to lens)

Keratic precipitates (dots on rear of cornea)