Anterior Uveitis: Causes, Treatments, and What You Need to Know

When your eye hurts, turns red, and feels sensitive to light, it might be anterior uveitis, an inflammation of the iris and surrounding tissue at the front of the eye. Also known as iritis, it’s one of the most common forms of uveitis and can strike suddenly — often without warning. If you’ve ever woken up with a red, burning eye and thought it was just allergies, you might be wrong. Left untreated, anterior uveitis can lead to glaucoma, cataracts, or even vision loss.

This condition doesn’t just happen randomly. It’s often linked to autoimmune issues like ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis, or even infections like herpes or Lyme disease. But in many cases, doctors can’t find a clear cause — which doesn’t make it less serious. The key is catching it early. Symptoms like blurred vision, floating spots, and pain that gets worse when you read or focus on close objects are red flags. You won’t fix this with over-the-counter eye drops. It needs targeted treatment, usually with corticosteroid eye drops, prescription anti-inflammatory drops that reduce swelling in the iris, and sometimes pupil-dilating drops to prevent scarring. If it’s linked to an underlying disease, treating that becomes part of the plan.

What’s surprising is how often people delay care. They assume the redness will go away on its own. But anterior uveitis doesn’t heal quietly. It can flare up again, especially if the root cause isn’t managed. That’s why follow-ups matter. Even after the pain fades, your eye doctor will want to monitor pressure and inflammation levels. And while most cases respond well to treatment, a small number turn chronic — requiring long-term management.

You’ll find real stories here — not just textbook definitions. People who’ve dealt with sudden vision changes, struggled with steroid side effects, or discovered their eye pain was tied to a hidden autoimmune condition. We cover what actually works, what doesn’t, and how to avoid common mistakes like stopping drops too soon or ignoring recurring symptoms. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, managing a flare-up, or just trying to understand why your eye won’t stop hurting, the posts below give you the clear, no-nonsense info you need.