Iritis is a common diagnosis that literally means “inflammation of the iris,” the colored part of the eye. Anterior uveitis is a more technical term for iritis. There are many possible causes, and sometimes the cause cannot be identified. Due to the complexity of the vision system, any suspected case of eye inflammation should be examined by an optometrist, ophthalmologist or medical doctor. Most of the time, iritis resolves in less than 6 weeks; however, iritis can reoccur. It can signal acute or chronic underlying disease in the body, and therefore should be cared for by a qualified healthcare professional. Without proper treatment, iritis can lead to cataracts, glaucoma, an irregularly sized and sluggish pupil, calcium deposits in the cornea, central serous choroidopathy, or retinal swelling (cystoid macular edema). Continue reading “Iritis – Minor Irritation or Major Warning?”
Category: Uveitis
Photophobia: When the Eyes Have Extreme Light Sensitivity
Everyone is sensitive to light to some degree, but light sensitivity, or photophobia is an abnormal intolerance for light. Discomfort can be experienced from light sources such as sunlight and fluorescent or other artificial lights. It may cause the person with light sensitivity to squint or to have to close their eyes. It can cause pain and/or tears. In some cases, this may be accompanied by a headache.
The brighter the light, the greater the discomfort. Generally people Continue reading “Photophobia: When the Eyes Have Extreme Light Sensitivity”
How Enzymes Help the Body and the Eyes
An enzyme acts as a catalyst to increase the rate of a chemical reaction. Enzymes are proteins. Scientists have named 3,000+ different enzymes, but perhaps 50,000 additional enzymes may exist. Enzymes all have specific functions that result in biochemical reactions. For example, certain enzymes are involved in the absorption of oxygen and production of energy; other enzymes help nutrients get into the cells.
Digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas are the most well-known, because they help break down food. Tay-Sachs disease and juvenile diabetes (Type I) are caused by genetic problems that inhibit the pancreas’s ability to generate the necessary enzymes in enough quantity.
Uveitis Is More Severe In Youngest Patients, Adult Risks
Uveitis in Children
Uveitis means “inflammation of the uvea,” an inner layer of the eye, that can result in severe and permanent vision loss. In addition, uveitis can lead to other ocular complications including glaucoma, cataracts, or retinal damage all of which can severely damage the eyes. Early detection and treatment is necessary to reduce the risk of permanent vision loss.
A study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology examines cases of the condition in children. The study found that the younger a child is when he develops the disease, the more likely he is to have complications. Complications include the development of secondary glaucoma, cataracts, and vitreous hemorrhage. Children who developed uveitis when they were younger were also less likely to experience remission. Researchers recommend that kids who show signs of uveitis at a young age (perhaps before age 7) receive more intensive monitoring. Source: British Journal of Ophthalmology (2011;95:646-651)
Adult Uveitis
As part of our Vision Wellness Protocol to prevent all eye diseases, we always recommend that you stop smoking. Here’s another reason to quit: people who smoke are more than two times as likely to develop uveitis than non-smokers.
Uveitis can be a result of trauma to the eye, but often it is not possible to trace its cause. But, as this study suggests, we may be able to add smoking to the list. According to study author Nisha Acharya, MD, “Cigarette smoke includes compounds that stimulate inflammation within the blood vessels, and this may contribute to immune system disruption and uveitis.”
Source https://www.sciencedaily.com
Steroid Treatment for Uveitis: Problems
A recent study of patients undergoing long term topical steroid treatment (e.g. eyedrops) shows that the medication increases the likelihood of developing sub-conjunctival hemorrhage.
The study, published in the medical journal Eye found that those taking steroid eyedrops for uveitis (inflammation of the middle layer of the eye) ran a “substantial” risk of developing spontaneous hemorrhaging in the eyes. Source: https://www.nature.com/
For more on uveitis, including how to prevent and treat it naturally, visit our website.