Acute iridocyclitis Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Acute iridocyclitis is a part of uveitis eye disease, which is an inflammatory disorder in the middle part of the eye which is also called the uvea. The uvea includes the three parts of the eye, namely the iris, ciliary body, and choroid.
Acute iridocyclitis is a form of inflammation or inflammation of the iris and ciliary body of the eye. The duration of acute iridocyclitis is usually less than three months or an average of about six weeks.
Apart from acute iridocyclitis, there is also the term chronic iridocyclitis. This is persistent inflammation and occurs for longer or more than three months, or recurs within three months after treatment is finished. Then there is also recurrent iridocyclitis, namely iridocyclitis that heals and often recurs.
The location of iridocyclitis is in the front (anterior uveitis) which affects the iris (a colored ring of tissue in the middle of the eye, the part that gives the eye color and can be seen when looking in the mirror) and the ciliary body of the eye (a structure in the middle of the eye that is located behind the iris, this part is not visible in the mirror).
Symptom
Some of the symptoms that may indicate acute iridocyclitis include:
- Vision problems, such as blurry or foggy vision
- Floaters, in the form of spots or dots that appear to float in the field of view of the eye
- Pain in the eyes
- Redness of the eyes
- Photophobia, excessive sensitivity to light
- Headache
- The pupils seem to shrink
- Color change in the iris of the eye
Reason
Often there is no clear cause for the symptoms of acute iridocyclitis. This condition can arise due to trauma to the eye. For example, there is a collision or a foreign body in the eye. This situation can also occur due to complications from other eye diseases, or related to other diseases experienced by a person.
Several risk factors for acute iridocyclitis:
- Juvenile arthritis, psoriasis, and other autoimmune diseases (eg rheumatoid arthritis ).
- Inflammatory diseases, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
- HIV/AIDS or other diseases that weaken the body’s immune system.
- Infectious disease. For example brucellosis, herpes simplex, herpes zoster, leptospirosis, Lyme disease, syphilis, toxoplasmosis, tuberculosis, and so on.
Diagnosis
A complete evaluation is required to determine the diagnosis of acute iridocyclitis. Checks that can be done are:
- Anamnesis: interview regarding signs and symptoms felt, history of present illness, and past illness.
- Physical examination: complete eye examination, can use the help of a slit lamp.
- Investigations: especially to find out other possible causes (for example: chest X-ray to check for tuberculosis, blood tests to find out infectious or autoimmune diseases, and so on).
Treatment
It is best if patients with suspected acute iridocyclitis are immediately evaluated by an ophthalmologist. Some types of drugs that may be given are:
- Antibiotics or antivirals, if related to a bacterial or viral infection.
- Corticosteroids, given in the form of drops, oral medication, or injection in the eye. Corticosteroids are not given if there is a corneal ulcer.
- Mydriaticum, a drug that functions to keep the pupils of the eyes dilated (widened). This drug can help the healing process, reduce eye pain due to pupil movement, and prevent the pupil from sticking to the eye lens. Side effects of blurry vision and photophobia may occur during the use of mydriatics.
- Immunosuppressant drugs are recommended if the symptoms are very severe and there is a risk of loss of vision (blindness). It can also be given if the response to other treatments is not good.
Without early detection and adequate treatment, there is a potential for complications from acute iridocyclitis. Among other things, the appearance of glaucoma, cataracts, macular edema of the eye, the presence of scar tissue or scar, retinal detachment, and loss of vision function or blindness.
Prevention
There is no effective way to prevent acute iridocyclitis. It will be quite difficult to prevent acute iridocyclitis caused by side effects or complications of other health problems. Recognizing problems early can help handle them more quickly and precisely.
Maintaining endurance and eye conditions from collisions or trauma when doing physical activities that are prone to collisions can also help eye health conditions in general. For example wearing goggles (protective glasses) when motorized, playing sports such as cycling or basketball.