What are two common signs of anterior uveitis?

What are two common signs of anterior uveitis?

• A. Red eye and tearing
• B. Photophobia and halos
• C. Ciliary flush and cells/flare in the anterior chamber; miosis
• D. Floaters and peripheral vision loss

Answer: (C)

Anterior uveitis inflames the iris and ciliary body, so two hallmark signs are seen together on exam. The ciliary flush appears as a deep, bluish-red ring around the limbus from inflammation near the cornea, and you’ll also detect inflammatory cells and protein (flare) in the anterior chamber when looked at with a slit lamp. The iris inflammation often causes the pupil to constrict (miosis) as a reflex of irritation and to limit light reaching the inflamed tissues. These findings—ciliary flush, cells/flare in the anterior chamber, and a small, constricted pupil—are characteristic of this condition and help distinguish it from other eye problems. By contrast, a red eye with tearing is a broad sign seen in many conditions; photophobia with halos points more toward corneal or glaucoma issues; and floaters with peripheral vision loss suggest posterior segment disease.

Anterior uveitis inflames the iris and ciliary body, so two hallmark signs are seen together on exam. The ciliary flush appears as a deep, bluish-red ring around the limbus from inflammation near the cornea, and you’ll also detect inflammatory cells and protein (flare) in the anterior chamber when looked at with a slit lamp. The iris inflammation often causes the pupil to constrict (miosis) as a reflex of irritation and to limit light reaching the inflamed tissues. These findings—ciliary flush, cells/flare in the anterior chamber, and a small, constricted pupil—are characteristic of this condition and help distinguish it from other eye problems. By contrast, a red eye with tearing is a broad sign seen in many conditions; photophobia with halos points more toward corneal or glaucoma issues; and floaters with peripheral vision loss suggest posterior segment disease.