Anterior Uveitis/Iritis Flashcards
1
Q
What is anterior uveitis?
A
Inflammation of the anterior part of the uvea - iris, ciliary body and choroid
2
Q
What is the pathophysiology of anterior uveitis?
A
- Anterior chamber of eye becomes infiltrated by neutrophils, lymphocytes and macrophages
- Usually autoimmune but can be due to infection, trauma, ischaemia or malignancy
3
Q
What are the 2 types of anterior uveitis?
A
Acute and Chronic
Chronic is more granulomatous (more macrophages) and has a less severe but longer duration of symptoms
4
Q
What is acute anterior uveitis associated with?
A
HLA-B27 conditions
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Reactive arthritis
5
Q
What is chronic anterior uveitis associated with?
A
- Sarcoidosis
- Syphilis
- Lyme disease
- TB
- Herpes
6
Q
How does anterior uveitis present?
A
- Unilateral
- Dull, achy, painful red eye
- Ciliary flush (red ring from cornea outwards)
- Reduced acuity
- Floaters and flashers
- Photophobia
- Constricted pupil
- Lacrimation
7
Q
What is the management of anterior uveitis?
A
- Refer same day to ophthalmologist
- Steroids
- Cycloplegic-mydriatic medications such as cyclopentolate/atropine eye drops which block iris muscles and ciliary body to help dilate pupil and reduce pain
- Immunosuppressants such as DMARDs/TNF inhibitors
- Surgery/Laser in severe cases
