Iridocyclitis, also known as anterior uveitis, is an inflammation of the uvea—the middle layer of the eye between the retina and the sclera, which includes the iris and ciliary body. The condition can manifest suddenly (acute), persist chronically, or recur multiple times if not treated effectively.

According to Master, Doctor Luong Thi Anh Thu from the High-tech Eye Center, Tam Anh General Hospital Hanoi, iridocyclitis not only causes pain, red eyes, light sensitivity, and vision loss, but also poses many dangerous complications that directly affect eye structure and visual quality if not detected and managed promptly.

When inflammation is prolonged, reactions in the eye's tissues and endothelial cells can spread beyond the initial site of damage. If the condition recurs frequently or is poorly controlled, these reactions increase the risk of secondary complications. Early and appropriate treatment is key to limiting risks and preserving vision.

Doctor Thu examines a woman's eyes. Illustration: Tam Anh General Hospital

Cataracts

This is one of the most common complications of iridocyclitis. Prolonged inflammation can damage the lens (the transparent part behind the pupil), leading to clouding. This prevents light from passing through easily, reducing the patient's vision. Inflammation can also cause adhesions between the iris and the lens, deforming the pupil and making it slow to react to light, which can cause glare and light sensitivity.

Glaucoma

Recurrent iridocyclitis affects the eye's aqueous humor drainage mechanism, leading to abnormally high intraocular pressure. If this condition persists, it damages the optic nerve, severely impacting vision and potentially leading to blindness if left uncontrolled.

Band keratopathy

Prolonged inflammation can stimulate calcium deposition on the corneal surface. These deposits reduce corneal transparency, making the cornea rough, causing discomfort, and impairing the patient's visual quality and appearance.

Retinal detachment or tears

In some severe cases, prolonged inflammation causes abnormal proliferative vitreous bands to form, which can lead to retinal detachment or tears. This is a severe complication that causes blurred vision, central vision loss, or permanent vision loss if not treated urgently.

Doctor Thu notes that the risk of iridocyclitis worsening and developing complications increases when inflammation recurs frequently due to ineffective control. Patients who do not adhere to their treatment regimen, delay seeking examination when symptoms appear, or have existing autoimmune diseases or immune disorders are also more likely to experience complex disease progression.

Hieu Nguyen