Anterior uveitis/iritis

Question 1

Features

Answer 1

acute eye pain
pupil may be small +/- irregular due to sphincter muscle contraction
photophobia (often intense)
red eye
ciliary flush: a ring of red spreading outwards
hypopyon; describes pus and inflammatory cells in the anterior chamber, often resulting in a visible fluid level

Question 2

Is visual acuity impaired

Answer 2

visual acuity initially normal → impaired

Question 3

Associated conditions

Answer 3

ankylosing spondylitis
reactive arthritis
ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease
Behcet’s disease
sarcoidosis: bilateral disease may be seen

Question 4

Management of anterior uveitis

Answer 4

urgent review by ophthalmology

cycloplegics

steroid eye drops

Question 5

(dilates the pupil which helps to relieve pain and photophobia) e.g. Atropine, cyclopentolate

Answer 5

cycloplegics