Uveitis for 20 years. Will I for sure go Blind eventually?

Post here to exchange iritis general information and support with others.

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Anatomy
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Joined: Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:28 am

Uveitis for 20 years. Will I for sure go Blind eventually?

Post by Anatomy »

I've had uveitis since I was 4 years old. My doctor growing up, would always say that he hopes I have vision till I'm hundred years old.

I don't think my case has worsened really, atleast for the past couple years. Actually went up to Cleveland to just get a 'second opinion' and they gave me a new a drop to use, which they couldn't believe I hadn't been taking (Tropicamide Ophthalmic Solution).

I just wonder, do people eventually lose their eyesight to the disease 100% of the time? Could I live and die without ever going blind? Do you think they'll ever cure uveitis/blindness? Maybe even some crazy SciFi bionic eye?

I dunno, I just think about things sometimes. I hate having a messed up eye, it looks different, and I know it stands out. Makes finding a nice girl much harder :p (really worried about that one, almost 25 years old and seems like I have no future cuz of this damned disease.)

Anyways, best of luck.
Mike Bartolatz
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Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2004 9:58 pm

Re: Uveitis for 20 years. Will I for sure go Blind eventually?

Post by Mike Bartolatz »

Sorry you are so bummed out at the moment. I do suggest that you contact Dr Dino Klisovic in Columbus, Ohio for a consultation. do you have Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis related iritis (anterior uveitis)?
it might be able to start you on therapy which can finally get this under control forever. for Some Non Steroidal Anti inflammatory drugs such as Celebrex, Difusinal or Naprosyn can break the recurrent nature of this. sometimes it can be difficult to control JRA related uveitis in Adults and newer classes of meds Called biological Response modifying Drugs DMARD for short are used such Remicade or Humira in addition to other classes such as The DMARD drugs methtorexate or Cellcept.
eventually you could easily develop cataracts and Glaucoma from the uveitis as well as From the corticosteroids most often used to treat this stuff. other complications can occur as well from long standing disease such as Cystoid macular edema which is most often the cause of loss of vison as it can cause detached retina to occur or vascularization, new blood vessel growth which can then 'bleed' into the eye causing blind spots where the blood vessels burst.
contact informaton for Dr Klisovic can be found at http://www.uveitis.org in the PATIENT information section of the site on the SPECIALIST list for the USA.

I hope this helps.
Wishing you quiet eyes,
Mike
Mike Bartolatz
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mtbargeman
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Re: Uveitis for 20 years. Will I for sure go Blind eventually?

Post by mtbargeman »

Hey, there, Anatomy.

YOu should certainly take Mike's advice about the specialist. He is very knowledgable, or Mike wouldn't reccomend him. No, it is not certain that you will go blind from your Iritis. Nothing is certain. I have certainly learned that if nothing else since I've been gone. :oops:

Keep your head up. I remember being 25. When you look or feel messed up and you are young, it can be devastating to your self-esteem, whether you are a man or a woman. Concentrate on your vision for right now, and your work. When you stop looking for a nice girl, that nice girl will find you. Sounds trite, but it's true. Just don't give up hope. YOu have plenty of time- you can still make your life whatever you want it to be. Keep trying, and keep your head up.

Mary
Anatomy
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Re: Uveitis for 20 years. Will I for sure go Blind eventually?

Post by Anatomy »

Thanks guys for the reassuring words.

And i'll definitely look into what you suggested mike.
Mike Bartolatz
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Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2004 9:58 pm

Re: Uveitis for 20 years. Will I for sure go Blind eventually?

Post by Mike Bartolatz »

Dr Klisovic is a very good ocular immunologist who can break the recurrent cycle of the iritis that you have before it can cause permanent errosion of vision,

wish you the very best,
Mike
Mike Bartolatz
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mtbargeman
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Re: Uveitis for 20 years. Will I for sure go Blind eventually?

Post by mtbargeman »

Anatomy-

I wish you the best of luck, Please keep us informed, if you will.

MAry
Anatomy
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Re: Uveitis for 20 years. Will I for sure go Blind eventually?

Post by Anatomy »

Thanks mike I will for sure.

I go back to louisville in march to see dr. kaplan again, should I mention anyhing in particular do you think? Or just contact the columbus place?
Mike Bartolatz
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Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2004 9:58 pm

Re: Uveitis for 20 years. Will I for sure go Blind eventually?

Post by Mike Bartolatz »

if you can afford the trip to see Dr Klisovic, that is who I would see. you would probably have to travel to see him every six weeks or so and then move to six months until your eyes are quiet for two years, off all steroids without inflammation.

Wish you the best,
Mike
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