Recurring uveitis
This is the third time I've had uveitis since June 2005. This past flare-up occured about a month after the last bout I had. When consulting my opthalmologist, he did the dilated pupil test and saw that I also had a bit of pars planitis and said my treatment would be the same, just longer (Prednisolone drops during the day and Maxidex ointment at night) for six months instead of two. He also noticed that I had two retinal holes due to my myopia that were 'saudered' two weeks ago with laser treatment. After this I was told that I could start wearing my contacts again and drop the Pred drops to 2x per day instead of 4x. I have done this for two weeks and today my eye is red, sensitive to the touch and pulsating. Was his diagnosis too quick? I mean it's been two months since this new flare-up and doesn't seem to fit with his six month pars planitis treatment!
I have been through numerous blood tests (ANA, HLA, sarcoidosis, arthritis, tuberculosis, rhumatoide, STDs, etc.), x-rays of my knees and lungs and everything is coming back negative. My eyesight has diminished in that eye, as it always does. I have frequent headaches which are new with this round of uveitis. Tylenol and Advil have become my best friends. He said these two symptoms are from the use of the Pred drops, not the uveitis. I have a bit of photosensitivity and one floater in that eye. My left eye is normal and unaffected.
I am so frustrated with uveitis and refuse to believe that it is idiopathic (spelling?). When fatigued or using the computer too much (sometimes 16 hrs), my eye tends to pulsate and redden the next day. I am worried about eyesight at the moment and will I have to deal with flare-ups forever? Is there any other treatment available? Should I get a second opinion? Could it be a new allergy, my birth control pills (Diane-35), or something else?
HI carol and welcome to the group.
please post to the general discussion forum as not many people post about care in given countries. your story is complex. parsplanitis is NOT treated with eyedrops. they will NOT penetrate to the middle of the eye. active inflammation must be quelled through the use of corticosteroids orally or through injection to tissue SURROUNDING the eye. usually several injections several weeks apart are required to stop pars planitis/intermediate uveitis. intermediate uveitis would be a better term to use as with pars planitis just the pars plana becomes inflammed. when the anterior chamber is also involved it is sometimes because of allot of inflammation of the pars plana OR it could be a more complex inflammatory process and since the back of your eye may also be inflammed then it could be what is called Pan uveitis. I truly suggest that you get an uveitis specialist involved in your diagnosis and treament because your current doctor is using only eyedrops which will only treat the anteroir inflammation.
we can try to suggest specialists for you so please indicate where in Canda you live. there aren't very many specialists and it can be difficult to get referrals out of province. we do have several members from Canada who can help you.
Wish you the best,
Mike Bartolatz
TAcoma, Washington USA
Re: Recurring uveitis
Jean Deschenes, MD
McGill University Health Center Tel: 514-843-1625
Department of Ophthalmology FAX: 514-843-1618
687 Pine Avenue West, Room E4.60
Montreal H3A 1A1, Quebec
E-mail: jean.deschenes@muhc.mcgill.ca
mrajatish
Unregistered User
(8/31/06 11:55 pm)
Need Help
Mike,
I live in Seattle, Washington - I really need help with my Iritis, can you please send me personal message and I can explain my problem.
Re: Recurring uveitis
"Idiopathic" uveitis IS a diagnosis; it means that the inflammation is located ONLY within the eye and can't be found in other organs and that blood studies are normal. It is common for inflammation in the eye not to leave a trail in systemic tests.
Why are you so frustrated with this diagnosis. It is perfectly clear what needs to be done. Think of "idiopathic" uveitis as "autoimmune-mediated uveitis", and you are on the right path.
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