Which statement best describes iritis?

• A. Diffuse redness with mucopurulent discharge.
• B. Painful with no redness.
• C. Redness around the outer ring of the iris.
• D. Itchy eyelids with crusts.

Answer: (C)

Iritis presents as inflammation of the iris with a distinctive redness pattern: the injection is circumcorneal or ciliary, producing a deep red ring around the cornea rather than a widespread conjunctival redness. This is often accompanied by pain with light, photophobia, and a small, constricted pupil, along with cells and flare in the anterior chamber on exam. Discharge is minimal or absent, and the conjunctiva may look relatively quiet compared to the eye in conjunctivitis.

The description of redness around the outer ring of the iris matches this circumpupillary (ciliary) injection pattern, which is characteristic of anterior uveitis/iritis, making it the best descriptor.

In contrast, diffuse conjunctival redness with mucopurulent discharge points to conjunctivitis; itching with crusts suggests blepharitis or allergic conjunctivitis; iritis is typically painful, photophobic, with a shallow anterior chamber and a small pupil, rather than itchy with surface crusts. This condition requires prompt ophthalmology evaluation to manage inflammation and prevent complications like synechiae or elevated intraocular pressure.