IRI'TIS (Neo•Lat., from iris, iris). Inflam mation of the iris. The objective symptoms of iritis (those which can be observed by the physi cian) are: (1) Redness of the eye, arising from vascularity of the sclerotic around the cornea and general redness of the sclerotic from accom panying conjunctivitis. (2) Change in the color of the iris. \Vhen there is an exudation into the iris. a gray or blue eye is rendered greenish, while in a dark eye a muddy reddish tint is produced. The brilliancy of the color of the iris also disappears. When the inflammation is very violent, or has been unchecked by remedies. suppuration may take place, the pus settling at the lower part of the anterior chamber. (3) Ir regularity. sluggishness, and sometimes immo bility of the pupil, produced by the adhesion of the back of the iris to the crystalline lens. The subjective symptoms (those of which the patient is conscious) are intolerance of light, dimness of vision, pain in and around the eye, and lachryma lion. The disease is often confused with acute catarrhal conjunctivitis. acute cases re cover under treatment in a few weeks: others run a more mild but ehronic•course. Complicat ing inflammation of the deep portions of the eye increases the danger. Iritis may be followed by
adhesions between the iris and lens, ocelusion of the pupil, glaucoma, and sometimes blindness. Iritis may lie primary, or secondary to inflamma tion of other portions of the eye. The primary eases are often caused by syphilis, rheumatism, injury, or, less frequently, by tuberculosis, gonorrhma, acute infectious diseases, or diabetes. In the so-called idiopathic iritis no cause is found. The treatment consists in absolute rest of the eye, with protection from light, the ap flieation of moist, warm compresses, local blood-letting. and dilatation of the pupil by the instillation into the eye of a weak solution of sulphate of atropine, with the view of preventing adhesion of the iris, or of breaking, or. at all events, of stretching and elongating, any adhesive hands that may be formed; and thus of prevent ing any impairment of the movements of the iris, and any irregularity of the pupil after the inflammation shall have abated. \Vhen this is done the result must be carefully watched by the physician. Constitutional treatment must be directed to the cause of the inflammation, especially in cases of syphilitic origin. See Err,