What symptoms are typically associated with anterior uveitis?

Anterior uveitis, or iritis, is characterized by inflammation of the anterior segment of the uvea, which includes the iris and ciliary body. The symptoms typically associated with anterior uveitis include a painful, red eye and the onset of these symptoms can be gradual. The pain is often significant and can be accompanied by redness due to conjunctival injection, which indicates that the vessels in the eye are inflamed.

While other symptoms like photophobia (sensitivity to light) and blurred vision can also be present in anterior uveitis, the defining feature is the combination of pain and a red eye often appearing with a gradual onset, distinguishing it from other conditions of the eye that may present differently. Gradual onset can often lead to the condition being initially overlooked until the symptoms worsen.

This highlights the importance of recognizing the classic presentation of anterior uveitis to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment.