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Cyclitis is a form of uveitis (inflammation inside the eye) characterized by the inflammation of the ciliary body. The ciliary body is a ring of tissue located behind the iris that produces aqueous humor fluid and controls the shape of the eye's lens.
read more about cyclitis ...The primary causes are often related to systemic autoimmune diseases or trauma, though many cases are idiopathic (unknown cause). The inflammation begins when immune cells infiltrate the ciliary body tissue, damaging the blood vessels and the muscle fibers. This inflammation disrupts both the production of aqueous humor and the muscle's ability to focus the lens. The disruption to fluid production is one of the features that helps distinguish cyclitis from other forms of uveitis.
Symptoms include eye pain, redness, blurred vision, and light sensitivity. A defining symptom of cyclitis is changes in accommodation, meaning the patient struggles to focus clearly, especially up close, due to muscle spasm. The inflammation can also lead to a buildup of inflammatory cells in the anterior chamber, known as cell and flare.
Cyclitis severely impacts vision by disrupting the focusing mechanism and affecting fluid production. Inflammation can lead to swelling and scarring of the ciliary body. This can cause the eye pressure to drop too low (hypotony) or become dangerously high, leading to secondary glaucoma.
Diagnosis involves a extensive dilated eye exam. The eye doctor uses a slit lamp to observe inflammatory cells in the anterior chamber and examines the ciliary body. Ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) may be used to visualize the ciliary body directly and confirm swelling.
Management strategies focus on suppressing inflammation and controlling eye pressure. Treatment involves corticosteroid eye drops to reduce swelling and cycloplegic drops to relax the focusing muscle. Immunosuppressive therapy may be needed for severe, chronic cases.
Yes, the inflammation is treatable, but recurrence is common and requires continuous monitoring.
Yes, the muscle spasm and inflammation often cause moderate to severe eye pain.
No, iritis affects the iris. Cyclitis affects the ciliary body. Both are forms of anterior uveitis.
Consult a doctor for deep, "boring" eye pain and light sensitivity (Photophobia). Cyclitis involves inflammation of the "Ciliary Body" (the muscle that focuses the eye). Without steroid treatment, this can lead to "Synechiae", where the iris sticks to the lens, causing permanent pupil damage.
AAO. Anterior Uveitis (aao.org). 2024.
Cleveland Clinic. Uveitis Types (clevelandclinic.org). 2024.
StatPearls. Intermediate Uveitis (Cyclitis) (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). 2024.
Mayo Clinic. Uveitis Relief (mayoclinic.org). 2024.