Up to 50 percent of people with spondylitis will experience inflammation of the eye (iritis or uveitis) at least once. Iritis is a medical emergency and needs immediate attention as untreated eye inflammation may lead to permanent damage and even blindness.
Symptoms of iritis / uveitis often occur in one eye at a time, and may include redness, pain, sensitivity to light, and skewed vision. An ophthalmologist (or optometrist) can use a special slit lamp microscope to distinguish iritis from other causes of eye redness or irritation.
Iritis that is associated with spondylitis is typically treated with topical corticosteroid eye drops along with a dilating eye drop.In severe or unresponsive cases, corticosteroid injections may be used. Certain TNF inhibitors are also highly effective at reducing occurrences of iritis.
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