Iritis refers to the inflammation of the iris, the colored part at the front of the eye surrounding the pupil. Iritis is also known as anterior uveitis (uveitis is an inflammation of the middle layer of the eye called uvea and the iris is present in the anterior part meaning the front part of the uvea). Iritis can be acute, appearing suddenly within hours or days, or it can be chronic, occurring gradually and lasting longer than three months. Iritis can affect one or both eyes, although it is usually one-sided. The signs and symptoms include redness of the eye, pain in the eye, sensitivity to light, eye floaters, watery eyes, abnormally shaped pupils, blurred vision and headache.
Homeopathic treatment
The homeopathic mode of treatment has great potential to treat cases of iritis. Homeopathic medicines address the underlying cause of iris inflammation and provide excellent results. These are natural remedies that gradually reduce the inflammation of the iris and halt the further progression of the complaint. Moreover, they wonderfully manage its signs and symptoms such as eye redness, eye pain, light sensitivity, watery eyes, headaches and eye floaters. Homeopathic medicines for the treatment of iritis are made from natural substances and are therefore very safe to use without any toxic side effects. They are recommended for mild to moderate cases where no additional complications are present. The homeopathic prescription for iritis varies from case to case, depending on the characteristic individual symptoms. One should therefore take homeopathic medicines under the supervision of a homeopathic doctor and avoid self-medication.
Top Homeopathic Medicines for Iritis
1. Merc Sol – Top Medicine
Merc Sol is a leading drug for treating cases of iritis. In cases where this is necessary, there is pain in the affected eye that can be of various kinds. It can be a cutting, tearing or dull pain. The pain may spread around the eye and the side of the head. The eye is painful to touch. There is an intense sensitivity to light along with the other symptoms. In addition, heat and pressure are felt in the eye. The eyes also turn red.
2. Belladonna – With redness of the eyes
Belladonna is a prominently indicated drug for the treatment of iritis. It is used when there is obvious redness in the eye. In addition, pain is felt in the eye, especially when closing the eye and with eye movements. There is sensitivity to light. Sparks or flickers (shining of light) in front of the eyes may be felt. Blurred vision may occur.
3. Merc Cor – For Iritis with marked eye pain
This medicine is suitable for the treatment of iritis with marked pain in the eye. The pain is usually of the burning type. In most cases it is worse at night. Individuals who require this may also have excessive sensitivity to light. There is also redness in the eye.
4. Rhus Tox – In case of joint inflammation or injury
Firstly, Rhus Tox is recommended for someone who suffers from iritis and also has joint inflammation. Secondly, it is also indicated if iritis follows an eye injury. In cases where this is necessary, there is pain in the eyes. The pain can be pressing or sharp in nature. Pain from the eye can shoot to the back of the head. It gets worse at night. Eyes become red and there may be light sensitivity. In some cases, the inflammation can reach the choroid layer of the eye, leading to choroiditis.
5. Euphrasia – with watering eyes and weakness of vision
This medicine is indicated for watery eyes and visual impairment in cases of iritis. In addition, there is constant pain in the eye. A sharp pain occasionally occurs in the eyes. Mild redness may be visible in the eyes. Euphrasia can also be considered if there is inflammation of the cornea (keratitis) and iris inflammation after an injury. Here the pain is marked in the eyes, which may be of the stabbing type or may be burning in nature, along with excessive watering of the eyes.
6. Arnica – For Iritis after an injury
Arnica is a suitable drug for the treatment of iritis that occurs due to an injury. It is useful if there is redness and shooting or tearing pain in the eye. It is accompanied by excessive tearing from the eyes. Sensitivity to light also occurs. The complaint is relieved by applying light pressure to the eye.
7. Apis Mellifica – To manage eye pain and light sensitivity
This medicine is effective in controlling eye pain and photosensitivity in iritis. The pain can be aching, shooting, burning, stabbing or pressing. Pain can be felt in and around the eyes. The pain is made worse by eye movements. Pain can also occur in the forehead. Eyes are red. Water may come out of the eyes, causing a burning sensation.
8. Argentum Nitricum – With sore eyes
This medicine is useful in cases where the eye is sensitive to touch. There is pain and heat in the eyes. It gets worse with movement and touch. There is a feeling of fullness in the eye along with dryness. This medicine is also recommended for the treatment of inflammation of the cornea and iris, where pain radiates from the top of the head to the eye.
9. Pulsatilla – For a burning heat sensation in the eyes
Pulsatilla is a medicine that is beneficial for the burning sensation of heat in and around the eye. There is also sensitivity to light. It is accompanied by suffocating pain in the eyes. Sometimes tearing or shooting pain is felt in the eye. Blurred vision may occur. In the open air there may be excessive tearing from the eyes. People who need it may see fiery circles before their eyes.
What causes iritis?
1. An infection by a virus, bacteria or parasite. Some examples of infections include herpes zoster (a viral infection caused by the varicella zoster virus, characterized by a painful rash/sores on the skin), cold sores (caused by the herpes simplex virus that leads to small blisters on the lips or around the mouth) tuberculosis (an infection of the lungs caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis).
2. An eye injury
3. A form of arthritis (joint inflammation) can lead to iritis. It primarily includes ankylosing spondylitis (a type of arthritis that starts at the sacroiliac joint and then moves upward to involve the joints of the spine). The second type of arthritis is reactive arthritis (it refers to joint inflammation that occurs after an infection in another part of the body such as genitals or urinary tract). The next are juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (joint inflammation that lasts more than six weeks in children aged 16 or younger) and psoriatic arthritis (arthritis that occurs in some people who suffer from psoriasis, a skin condition with red spots covered with silvery-white scales).
4. Any autoimmune disease in which the body’s disease-fighting cells, known as immune cells, accidentally begin to damage the body’s healthy tissues. For example, sarcoidosis (disease in which small clumps of inflammatory cells grow in different body organs, leading to inflammation). Other examples include ulcerative colitis in which inflammation and ulcers occur in the colon and rectum, multiple sclerosis (a disease that causes damage to the myelin sheath of nerve cells) and psoriasis (skin disease with red spots on the skin covered with silvery-white scales).
5. Use of certain medications such as cidofovir, rifabutin
6. Behcet’s disease, a disease that leads to inflammation of blood vessels throughout the body
7. Weak immunity, genetic predisposition and smoking are some of the other risk factors.
Complications
If iritis is not properly treated on time, complications can arise that can cause vision loss. These include glaucoma (an increased pressure in the eye that can lead to vision loss), cataract (clouding/opacity of the lens in the eye), swollen retina, irregular shape of the pupil and build-up of calcium crystals on the cornea.