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Iridocyclitis, a type of anterior uveitis, is a condition in which the uvea of the eye is inflamed. Iridocyclitis is Inflammation of the iris and the ciliary body. Symptoms Symptoms include: Photophobia Redness Watering of the eyes Lacrimation Miosis, constriction of the pupil Blurred vision Synechia Causes Iridocyclitis is usually caused by direct exposure of the eyes to chemicals, particularly lachrymators, but can also be caused by ocular viral infection such as herpes zoster (i.e. herpetic iridocyclitis). Can also be associated with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (also known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis). Seen usually with the pauciarticular type in females but polyarticular types are also at risk. Types There are six classifications of iridocyclitis. Acute or chronic Acute Sudden symptomatic onset, lasting no more than six weeks. Chronic Persisting for more than six weeks, possibly asymptomatic. Chronic iridocyclitis is usually associated with systemic disorders including ankylosing spondylitis, Behçet's syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, Reiter's syndrome, sarcoidosis, syphilis, tuberculosis, and Lyme disease. Exogenous or endogenous Exogenous Related to external damage to the uvea or invasion of external microbes Endogenous Related to internal microbes Granulomatous or non-granulomatous Granulomatous Accompanied by large keratic precipitates Non-granulomatous Accompanied by smaller keratic precipitates Treatment The treatment for uveitis depends on the cause. Treatment is focused on the controlling any underlying disease that may be responsible for the uveitis. Treatment for uveitis may include eye drops, oral corticosteroids, or medications that suppress the immune system. Close follow-up is important since uveitis can recur. Specific treatment for uveitis may include: Cycloplegics for uveitis: Eye drops that dilate the pupil Cyclopentolate (Cyclogyl) Atropine (Isopto) Homatropine (Isopto) Corticosteroid eye drops for uveitis: Prednisolone (Pred Forte) Corticosteroid injections for uveitis Triamcinolone (Amcort, Kenalog, Aristocort) Oral corticosteroids for uveitis: Prednisone (Deltasone) Methylprednisolone (Medrol) Medications that suppress the immune system: Azathioprine (Imuran) Methotrexate (Rheumatrex) Mycophenolate (CellCept) Cyclosporin (Sandimmune, Neoral) Tacrolimus (Prograf) Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar) Chlorambucil (Leukeran) Surgery for uveitis: Depending on the cause, surgery may be required Inflammation must resolve before surgery is considered