Iridocyclitis is a medical condition that affects the iris and ciliary body. The spelling of this word can be confusing due to the numerous vowels and consonants involved. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /aɪ.rɪ.doʊ.saɪˈklaɪ.tɪs/. In this transcription, the "irido" segment is pronounced as "eye-rih-doh," with the "ir" sound similar to "eye." The "cycl" segment is pronounced as "sigh-kl," with the "y" acting as a vowel. Finally, the "itis" ending is pronounced as "eye-tis."
Iridocyclitis is a medical condition that refers to the inflammation of both the iris and the ciliary body, two distinct parts of the eye. The iris is the colored portion of the eye responsible for controlling the size of the pupil, while the ciliary body is a ring of tissue that surrounds the iris and helps to produce the fluid inside the eye. Usually, iridocyclitis is a result of various underlying causes such as infections, trauma, autoimmune diseases, or certain systemic conditions. It commonly affects one eye at a time, but in some cases, both eyes can be affected simultaneously.
The onset of iridocyclitis is often characterized by sudden pain, redness, and increased sensitivity to light in the affected eye. In some instances, individuals may also experience blurred vision or a small pupil due to the inflammation. If left untreated, iridocyclitis can lead to complications like posterior synechiae, a condition where the iris gets stuck to the lens or the cornea, resulting in vision impairment.
Diagnosis of iridocyclitis typically involves a comprehensive eye examination, including observations of the symptoms and signs, evaluation of the medical history, and specific tests like slit-lamp biomicroscopy. Treatment options for iridocyclitis generally involve addressing the underlying cause and managing the inflammation. This may include the use of corticosteroid eye drops or oral medications to reduce inflammation, analgesics for pain relief, and sometimes mydriatic eye drops to relax the pupil. Close monitoring of the condition and follow-up visits with an ophthalmologist are often necessary to ensure appropriate management and prevent complications.
Inflammation of both iris and ciliary body.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "iridocyclitis" is derived from two Greek roots: "irido" and "cyclitis".
"Irido" refers to the iris of the eye, which is the colored part that surrounds the pupil. It comes from the Greek word "íris" (ἶρις), meaning "rainbow". The reference to the iris as a "rainbow" is due to the fact that it often exhibits various hues.
"Cyclitis" is derived from the Greek word "kyklos" (κύκλος), meaning "circle" or "cycle". In the context of this term, it refers to the ciliary body, which is a structure within the eye that forms a ring or circle around the iris.
Therefore, "iridocyclitis" literally translates to "inflammation of the iris and ciliary body".