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Iritis and iridocyclitis are both inflammatory conditions that affect the iris (the colored part of the eye) and the ciliary body (the muscles that control the shape of the lens), which together are referred to as the anterior uvea. Iritis and iridocyclitis are often used interchangeably, but they are actually slightly different in terms of the specific parts of the eye that are affected.
Iritis is inflammation of the iris only, while iridocyclitis is inflammation of both the iris and ciliary body. In practice, the term iritis is often used to describe inflammation of the entire anterior uvea.
Both iritis and iridocyclitis can be caused by a variety of factors, including autoimmune disorders (such as rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis), infections (such as herpes simplex or tuberculosis), trauma, or exposure to certain medications or chemicals.
Symptoms of iritis/iridocyclitis include eye pain, redness, light sensitivity, blurred vision, and a small pupil that does not respond to changes in light. Treatment usually involves the use of topical or oral corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, as well as addressing the underlying cause if possible.
It is important to seek prompt medical attention if you experience symptoms of iritis/iridocyclitis, as untreated inflammation can lead to serious complications such as glaucoma, cataracts, or permanent vision loss.