looking for Dr. in Western Washington

[K Izenman]

We are looking for a doctor who is familiar with iritis related to psoriatic spondelytis. My 24 year old son has had RA since he was a toddler and has had issues with iritis since about age 4 or 5. His eyes had, until this weekend, been clear for about 3 years, and even at their worst (pressure up to 42) he had never had pain or different sized pupils. He has not been on eye or arthritis meds for about 2 years now. Yesterday he experienced blurry vision and a pupil that would not dilate, so went to the emergency room. His health insurance is no longer with an HMO, so he can not return to the same doctors he once had, and now must find someone else. The emergency room doctors consulted with a retinal surgeon here in Tacoma, and my son went there today, and has another appointment with this doctor on Wednesday. While I am sure this guy is quite competent, in the long run we probably want to consult with someone who specializes in my son's particular health issues.

We live in the Tacoma area. Any suggestions? I saw on the doctor list that Allenmore Medical Group was listed, but when I looked on their Multicare website, I didn't see any ophthalmologists that weren't associated with the Mary Bridge Children's Hospital.
Thanks, K

[Mike Bartolatz]

I responded to your email to me regarding DR Rotkis at Allenmore Medical Center. he is a retina specialist with interest in uveitis.
you indicated in your INTRODUCTION that your son has now been diagnosed with Psoriatic ARthritis and iritis. this often is related to the HLA B27 gene which can be a stubborn form of uveitis. treatment of the SYSTEMIC disease is critical to stopping both the damage to the eye and the joints. the DMARD drugs such as Methotrexate or Cellcept in conjunction with Remicade or Humira can stop both. Enbrel has been found to be of NO VALUE in treatment of Uveitis even though it does help with forms of arthritis to include Psoriatic Arthritis use of the brand Pred forte corticosteroid seems to work better than the generic. if he has the generic, make sure he shakes it for AT LEAST 3 MINUTES to get the corticosteroid properly suspended in the liquid. then use the Oculded punctum method to make sure the eyedrop is absorbed by the eye and that it doesn't just go down the drain, the punctum. Gentle pressure over the PUnctum after instilling the eyedrop will keep the drugs on the surface of the eye where they are needed.

Wish you the very best,
Mike

[Mike Bartolatz]

DR Russel VanGelder, an Ocular Immunologist is now the head of the Opthalmology dept. at the University of Washington. his contact information can be found at http://www.uveitis.org in the patient information section of the site on the SPECIALIST LIST. he is top quality!

[Mike Bartolatz]

Russell Van Gelder, MD
University of Washington Eye Center
1959 NE Pacific
Seattle, Washington
Office phone: (206) 543-7250
FAX: (206) 543-4414

Appointments:
Harborview Medical Center
325 Ninth Ave
(206) 744-3225 appts

University of Washington Eye Center
(206) 598-4011 appts