New member in Arizona
My name is Tammy and I am 41 years old.
I was first diagnosed with iritis in my left eye in Jan 2008. It took a couple weeks to get this properly diagnosed and on the correct dose of medication - dilation drop once per day and steroid drop once every hour. I saw an optometrist, a couple different ophthalmologists as well as a retinal specialists to get this under control.
The retinal specialist ordered a series of tests and all came back normal. During my first case of iritis, I lost the sight in my left eye. This required that I get a steroid injection in my left eye. Within about 6-8 weeks of the injection I was back to my normal self again. But they did warn me it could come back.
In Oct 2008 I got iritis in my right eye. I went to the doctor and got on treatment quickly - 4 steroid drops per day. I had blood tests rerun and again all came back normal. After a few weeks the inflammation appeared to be clearing up and they started slowly tapering me off of the steroid drops. Before I could completely get off of the drops it started to act up again. The dosage was increased back to four drops per day.
Earlier this month I got iritis in my left eye again. (Still have it in my right eye too.) The doctor put me on steroid drops in both eyes. A couple days later my vision started decreasing in both eyes. So back to the doctor I went. The doctor I saw this time appeared to be concerned that I have it in both eyes now and suggested I see a retinal specialist again. Last week I started feeling pain as well. The doctor agreed to increase the dosage to one drop every two hours and he asked that I now have both eyes dilated.
I saw another retinal specialist yesterday. It seemed that his attitude was since my case is so mild I should just deal with it. "It is not a big deal to live life with this in both eyes at the same time and still try to work and live a normal life." He also mentioned it might be a phase I am going through that it will eventually pass or I might have this all my life. I will not be seeing that doctor again!
I understand ignoring the iritis will cause permanent eye damage. However the treatment for this can also lead to other eye problems. I have some serious concerns about this now that it appears to be more than a one time thing.
I am so frustrated now I am not even sure what route to take for treatment. I do not believe there are any iritis/uveitis specialists in Arizona. I may even consider consulting with a homeopathic doctor.
Any suggestions or recommendations would be appreciated.
I just wanted to welcome you to the group. You'll get lots of good information here, and support too. I also have anterior uveitis, but only in my left eye. Thanks to this group, and my wonderful uveitis specialist, I got off the Pred Forte drops (after 3 years of almost constant use) and have now been flare-free for 1 1/2 years (keeping my fingers crossed!)
I believe there are some uveitis specialists in Los Angeles, and I'm sure one of the moderators will jump in to welcome you and direct you to resources. The uveitis glossary is very helpful to get you up to speed. And, many of of us post in the support and caring section of this site - you might want to have a look over there.
Re: Welcome Tammy
Tammy,
welcome to the group!
there is a support group in Tucson (sp) run by a Dr Park at the university medical center. contact information for him can be found at our parent site, www.uveitis.org in the patient information section of the site.
the closest true ocular immunologist to you is DR Albert Vitale in salt lake city or DR Narsing A Rao in LA, contact information can be found at the above site in the patient information section of the site on the Specialist list.
there are many things that can cause uveitis. some are caused by pathogens, some by other autoimmune disease processes. a complete review of your medical history as well as possible exposure to things while traveling might shed some light on why you have bilateral anterior uveitis.
in your area Valley fever can cause this which is a mold.
exposure to pets or farm animals can cause it too through things like cat scratch disease, toxocariasis from possible contamination by fecal matter from dogs, cats etc.
if you have symptoms of arthritis, skin rashes, vascular disease etc those symptoms need to be explored.
we suggest an ocular immunologist because of the myriad of causes of uveitis. with over 85 things directly linked to uveitis it is impossible or cost effective to test for everything. if there are any autoimmune diseases in your immediate family medical history, those things should be tested for.
please join in the ongoing discussion in the general discussion forum. ask questions and please know that you are NOT ALONE!
Re: Welcome Tammy
Thank you for the reply. I am currently working on a referal with my current eye doctor. I plan to see Dr. Narsing Rao in Los Angeles.
Re: Welcome Tammy
DR Rao's specialty is posterior uveitis. unless you have activity causing problems with your retina, he may not accept you as a patient from what I have been told by other's who have seen him. this includes Cystoid macular edema and other complications from uveitis.
I hope that you can get this under control and to a steroid sparing approach to treatment. please join in the ongoing conversations at other forums at this site since this is an 'introduction' forum.
Topic Commands
Click to receive email notification of replies 
Click to stop receiving email notification of replies