Hello as well

[joblack23]

Hi,

I am Joe and recently I’ve discovered this forum. I’ve started having iritis attacks about 5 years ago. I was lucky that my doctor diagnosed it right from the start correctly and so, after 2 weeks of Pred Forte and Atropine I was able to go to 4 times a day to 2 times a day quite rapid and finally after 2 months I was clear.

Since then I keep a bottle of Pred Forte in my fridge just in case. It seams to go away easier if it is delt with it early. I am also lucky that my iritis is only mild and I respond quite well to Pred Forte. My vision after the attack comes back to normal. However, finding this forum, gave me a better understanding of what I am dealing with. I am hoping to find better treatment. I haven’t found a good eye specialist here although a few have been recommended.

I am going to my 5th attach now and I’ve noticed I am getting more immune to Pred Forte. I have to be more aggressive with the eye drops.

Thanks to all.

[Mike Bartolatz]

you should always see a doctor with a slit lamp micorscope and who can measure the pressure inside your eye. the most common consequence of use of topical steroids is elevated intra ocular pressure. with iritis often dilating drops are need to prevent adhesion between the iris and lens in many cases too. some doctors say to immediately start meds and then call for an appointment but that appointment needs to be right away not six weeks away. complications from iritis can occur quickly and the damage to stuctures within the eye can slowly be damaged resulting is very serious complications such as glaucoma, cataracts, and later on, cystoid macular edema, membranes growing the macula which is the central part of the retina from which one sees.
often one can get the slit lamp exam done along with a pressure check very quickly at an optometrists office and if the pressure rises to above about 24 or below an 8 damage from glaucoma can occur. the disease can cause glaucoma as can the corticoteroids (I developed glaucoma which is painless in most cases).

if you start seeig rainbows around lights, that is a symptom of elevated pressure inside our eyes and you must get into the ER right away for pressure lowering drops.
flashes of light can also indicate possible detachment of the retina.
a dark black cloud that blocks ones vision is related to bleeding inside the eye.

I do hope that all you have is a bout for a couple of weeks every few years rather the need for more aggressive treatment.

wishing you the very best,
Mike