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[StrongerThanTheStorm]

Hi, everyone! My name is Mary. I live in New Jersey. I'll be 26 in about two weeks. Two weeks after earning my Bachelor degree in Speech Pathology/Audiology I began experiencing black floaters, blurred/clouded vision, and eye sensitivity to sunlight. At first, I thought I was going crazy, or that I had "bugs" in my eye (I worked outside, full-time when this plagued me), or maybe I needed glasses. So, in June 2011 I made an appointment with a general ophthalmologist. I never remembered having my eyes dilated & inspected by a slit-lamp as a child, so this was all completely new to me. Not to mention, I'm probably the WORST EYE PATIENT IN THE WORLD (I barely ever wear eye make-up, I can never put drops in my eyes right the first two tries, & I've never had the need for contacts). After a thorough examination, I could tell the ophthalmologist saw something in my eyes that took him by complete surprise. He said I have a rare condition that he's seen less than three times in his career (up close & personal).

I was diagnosed with Pars Planitis/Intermediate Uveitis in the summer of 2011. I currently have "no new inflammation," but it appears that follow-up after follow-up I have (in both eyes) 1) Mild Macular Edema, 2) +1 cells in vitreous, 3) 20/25 vision. I've been seeing a retinal specialist since I was first diagnosed by a general ophthalmologist. I'm giving more thought about seeing another specialist and/or ophthalmologist and making an appointment at Wills Eye Hospital/Institute in Philadelphia, PA. Philly is about less than 100 miles from home. Mainly because I feel as though I should get a second opinion and to see what my other options may be. I've had sub-tenon injections before (twice, about a year apart, but only in the left eye at the time because this eye was my "problem" eye). I am currently on a low dose of prednisolone (10 mg every other day). I can tolerate that dosage, but last summer I was on an extremely high dosage and I was miserable, unhappy, gained a lot of weight, and had painful acid reflux/indigestion. In other words, I want to get off of the prednisone ASAP. If I have "no new inflammation," & the inflammation I do have is not current, active, moderate or severe why can't I just come off?

About three weeks ago, I experienced new, active floaters and flashes in my right eye. Upon closing one eye at a time, I saw that my left eye practically had no floaters (the left eye has always been the worse since 2011), and that my right eye "picked-up" or "transferred" new floaters into it. I was so scared, I never heard my doctor tell me that this could happen. I was able to get an emergency examination and it was determined that I now have Posterior Vitreous Detachment.

I'd like to know what options I have besides prednisolone, methotrexate, & other harmful medications. I'm already on enough medications, vitamins, and supplements as it is. I've heard of virectomies and laser treatment. Then I hear in some people it will just "burn out" with time (but it reappears 15-20 years down the road). Ughhh, frustrating disease to say the least!

[Mike Bartolatz]

first off, Welcome to the group. I have a history of Pan uveitis which started as anterior/iritis, then pars planitis and then the entire eye was affected. developed Cystoid macular edema and epiretinal membranes. then cataracts and glaucoma from steroids. so, I can empathize with you.
being in NJ, you have the option of seeing one of the best specialists near you, Dr David Chu. his contact information is in the SUPPPORT portion of http://www.uveitis.org on the USA specialist list. other options are Dr Samson and DR Rosenbaum in NYC.

he can guide you as to the proper means of getting total control of this. determining if vitrectomy with endolaser to the pars plana is appropriate or a drug combination such as Cellcept with Remicade or Humira might be appropriate, his experience can also help you discover the underlying cause of your pan uveitis with serious complications going on. an injection of Avastin might calm the CME too which is one of the potentially vision robbing consequences of intermediate and posterior uveitis.
the detachment is of concern. do you have vascularization of the retina present? have you been tested for Lupus, sarcoidosis, MS etc?

please join us in the General Discussion forum.

Mike