Hi Kirst,
From what Alohaben has added, it really does sound like this demands more attention and worth tossing them a never-ending list of questions or asking to be referred for a 2nd opinion.
Yes, I agree that AS could very well be a factor and assuming your eye doc is aware of your condition, one would think he has taken this into account. This thread highlights how Opthalmologist's do have different sub-specialties and perhaps asking to be referred to an Iritis Specialist might
seem odd if he doesn't agree it's a possibility, but may very well prove worthwhile. 8 years seems a very long time to leave something untreated.
As far as I know, the pupil contracts due to inflamation. The pupil is like the shutter on a camera lens which opens and closes to regulate the amount of light. Our pupils tend to close up (become smaller) when the iris is under attack and inflammed - kind of like a muscle spasm that grips tight. If the aperture closes to the point of touching it is very bad news and is why they treat iritis with dialating drops to force the pupil open, until the inflamation can be brought under control. The pupil doesn't open and close rapidly in iritis like you describe, BUT it could be
sticking at some points! Since it is
suppose to constantly be in flux (as minute light changes demand), then sticking could make it appear as you describe instead of a smooth motion that is normally undetectable. Sticking to me suggests iritis damage, but please undertand that I am ONLY
guessing here!
Perhaps there are any number of alternate reasons but I am convinced you need to press them to dig deeper. Maybe the reason isn't apparent, but there has got to be an explanation!
Best of luck and let us know if they are able to start providing you some answers. I can't count how many times my Opthalmologist has said, "we may never know the reason 'why' for many things."
Very frustrating!
Take care,
mig
