Welcome to the Iritis Organization
This is an informative website on iritis to help those that suffer
and those researching the disease. Iritis.org is more of a community
than an organization in that its visitors are connected in such
a unique way. The site consists of forums, polls, uveitis specialists and
other web sites to research and inform its visitors.
We encourage everyone to ask questions and share their own knowledge of the disease.What is Iritis?
Iritis is inflammation predominantly located in the iris of the eye. Inflammation in the iris is more correctly classified as anterior uveitis.The ciliary body can also be inflammed and this would then be called iridocyclitis.When the iris is inflammed, white blood cells (leukocytes) are shed into the anterior chamber of the eye where they can be observed on slit lamp examination floating in the convection currents of the aqueous humor. These cells can be counted and form the basis for rating the degree of inflammation. This is measured on a scale of 1-4, four being a very high cell count (this is further explained in the Glossary of medical terms at http://www.uveitis.org.) These cells can accumulate and cause adhesion between the iris and the lens. Learn more about the symptoms and treatment of iritis and uveitis by exploring the site and forums.
Uveitis is the third leading cause of preventable blindness in the developed world. Most opthalmologists are not trained in the diagnosis and treament of difficult to control uveitis. A list of specialists has been developed by C Stephen Foster MD of the Ocuar Immunology and Uveitis Foundation here in the USA. One can access this list by going to http://www.uveitis.org once there visit the PATIENT information Section of the site.
Our general discussion forum and other forums available here are an excellent way to ask questions and read up on various medical conditions related to uveitis. Feel free to join in the discussion when you feel comfortable with us.