serous iritis


iritis

 [i-ri´tis] inflammation of the iris" >iris; it may be acute, occurring suddenly with pronounced symptoms, or chronic, with less severe but longer-lasting symptoms. adj., adj irit´ic.Cause. The cause is often obscure; iritis is frequently associated with rheumatic diseases (particularly rheumatoid arthritis), diabetes mellitus, syphilis, diseased teeth, tonsillitis, and other infections. It may also be caused by trauma.Symptoms. Iritis is characterized by severe pain, usually radiating to the forehead and becoming worse at night. The eye is usually red and the pupil contracts and may be irregular in shape; there is extreme sensitivity to light, together with blurring of vision and tenderness of the eyeball. The iris becomes swollen and discolored. If not treated promptly, iritis can be dangerous because of scarring and adhesions that may cause impaired vision and possibly blindness.Treatment. Caring for iritis calls for treatment of the underlying cause and then dilation of the pupil with atropine drops to prevent scarring or adhesions. Certain steroid drugs may be used to reduce the inflammation quickly. Warm compresses may also help to lessen the inflammation and pain. A protective covering allows the eye to rest.
With proper treatment, acute iritis usually clears up fairly quickly, although it may recur. For permanent relief, elimination or control of the underlying cause is necessary.serous iritis iritis with a serous exudate.

se·rous i·ri·tis

inflammation of the iris, with a serous exudate in the anterior chamber.

serous iritis

Iritis in which serum forms the exudate. See also: iritis