Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group eye help needed STAT

Well,
Good subject since I use to get Iritis every 6 months. My optha started me with 1 drops every 2 hours then 1 drops every hour then 2 drops every hour......and also taking the red cap to dialate my eyes. He kept my eye dialated the whole time. The last time I got Iritis is was so bad that he gave me a shot on the side of my eye. That cleared my Iritis faster. He recommended it because I was maxing out on the drops and the drops were not helping. But he would see me every two weeks during the 3 months episode of Iritis. After the Iritis cleared up he would schedule me every months to make sure it was not coming back. My left iris is now stuck to my pupil and it not round or closes. The light is really bad. Especially when I walk out into the sun. I have to wear real dark prescription sunglasses. Good luck.
Dan

Hi All,
The sacrey thing about this is this is an opthalmologist from the Eye Institute! I see my rheumy tomorrow and will aask to be referred to someone else. The eye pain is a little better since I went back to the routine I ws doing, but it is red again. Thanks so much, you know sometimes you question your own inner sense telling you this is not right.

Thanks ,
Janet

Hey Janet,

Sorry to hear your eyes are bothering you. I'm hoping the specialist you saw is communicating with the other eye doctor. I agree with some of the other post in the fact things are moving to fast and you should be weaned off the meds.

Did he/she tell you what your eye pressure was while you were being seen? Normal eye pressure runs from 14 to about 20 with little being a little on the high side. An elevated eye pressure can be a sign of glaucoma.

Hope you feel better soon,
Brent

Hi Everybody,
I can't thank you guys enough. I read a post about wondering if being involved in a support group is a good thing. I have always been a firm believer of mind over body, and don't like support groups on the hole. This one is the exception because there is so much knowledge here and practical advice. I really think you guys saved my eyes from getting worse. Oh yes I now have Iritis in both eyes. How rare is that, anyhow I liked who I saw today and I am back on the old every hour drop and do it gladly to get the pain relief. He couldn't believe that he told me to come back in six months. He also couldn't comment on if the eye could be clear on Monday and flare this quickly, but I do know that they protect he other big time.It will be interesting as next week the on Call ER eye doc is my eye specialist partner. I have decided I'm not going back to him and I will tell the partner that. This is all I can type for now becuase I really can't see with these dilating drops.

Love To All
Janet

Hi again Janet!

I was dumbfounded to read that your doc was an Opthalmologist who practices at the Eye Institute!!! I was shaking my head in disappointment and disbelief!

It is not uncommon for the doc's to be unable to see very low level inflamation (even through their sophiscated scopes) and it is also not uncommon for iritis to suddenly rocket out of control for apparently no reason. In your case however, I suspect the reason is clear in that they had you lowering the dose too abruptly.

I am so sorry to hear it has attacked both of your eyes now. I've had both eyes affected at the same time, on 3 different occasions... and so the word "rare" has almost lost all meaning for me.

I'm so happy to hear that you're seeing someone else now who seems more competent! Yay! I am hoping they also gave you a night time (steroidal) ointment called Maxidex? Opthalmologist's will have differing approaches to treatment (so this is not standard), but personally I find it makes an amazing difference. It is used because we can't get up every hour in the night to administer drops, and therefore it provides continuous treatment through the critical phase. It's only appropriate when taking higher dose levels of pred drops, and is stopped when you taper down to 5/day, as it needs to be in balance. If your eyes don't noticeably improve within 2 days, I'd suggest calling and asking for it specifically.

I wish you the best and hope to hear that things are improving for you very soon!
Take care,

mig

Hi Mig,
I also have the ointment and was using it before, so this will be interesting getting it in both eyes by myself! My rheumatologist said that the doc's at the eye institute are so specialized in possibly one area and that doesn't make them an expert in all . He said he actually prefers the Opthalmologists in the community becuase they treat this more often. There is the exception of one doc at the eye institute who does make it his specialty.He does make a good point as I ws a RN, and I specialized in a few different areas in my career, but don't ask me to help in "birthin babies" as I wouldn't have a clue.(LOL)The left eye is much more comfy tonight and now I will get the right to do the same.Thanks once again and all the best.

Sincerely,
Janet

Ahhh, that makes a great deal of sense, and is actually a relief to hear. These specialties can seem so narrow focused with no bridges in between, but then they are the best in the world when you require that indepth knowledge. And I am so glad to hear you have the ointment as well!

Wishing you the best possible recovery Janet!

mig

Janet,

I have not experienced this condition yet. I say yet because I hope to not jinx myself with the familiar saying "spoke too soon." I on the other hand wanted to say I hope you feel better soon. I have very dry eyes most of the time but I don't think that has anything to do with iritis.

Take care,

Scott

Janet,

Good news on your eye getting better,

Dave

Hi Janet,

Sorry to hear about your eye trouble.

I have probly had iritis maybe 15 times in the last 8 yrs. The sad thing is the occurances are getting closer and closer together.

The last episode was really bad. I was virtually in bed for 2 weeks doing the oral steroids, eye steroids 4 drops each eye every 2 hours...that was around the clock.

I had to go see him every day(imagine driving when you cant see...lol) for him to check my eyes for more damage, eye damage or sight loss.

It is to the point now that even if I dont have full blown iritis but I can feel it coming I use the drops a couple of times a day.

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers,

Lisa