Iritis without KPs?

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MysticBlur
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Joined: Sun Oct 18, 2015 8:39 am

Iritis without KPs?

Post by MysticBlur »

I'm new to this forum so I hope I've chosen the correct board.

I've been suffering from my current episode of Iritis since May 2015. I've had the usual yo-yo ride of it clearing up only to come back as soon as I stop the steroids. But I've been told by three specialist that it has now cleared up, however my vision is worse than ever. I'm still tapering down the Maxidex steroids (twice a day) and also Azopt twice a day to keep the pressure down while I'm on the steroids.

My question is can Iritis be present without any KPs? When the specialists look at my eye they say it is crystal clear and therefore I have no Iritis but it feels very much present. I believe KPs are a secondary affect of Iritis so could they have cleared up via the steroids while the Iritis remains?

It's really concerning me because the specialists are implying I'm fixed and this is how it will always be.

Thanks,
Martin
kwork
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Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2004 12:30 pm

Re: Iritis without KPs?

Post by kwork »

You are right the inflammation is a side effect of iritis or any autoimmune disease. You need to completely taper before anyone can say you are free of this. ive never been on pressure drops so I'm not sure if you might have side effects from the meds.
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vancouver
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Re: Iritis without KPs?

Post by vancouver »

Sorry, what are kp's? I would assume an absence of protein and wbc's for 3 months means iritis is in remission. Not sure about vision. My synechiae costs me one line on eye chart. My eyes improved from 20/80 to 20/50 when i went off cyclopentolate and maxidex(hourly). I had ni cells or flares at 20/80. Any damage to lens can be corrected w replacement lens ie mila kunis. Im not sure why you have pressure issues. How do steroids block drainage? Hope you are doing better:)
kwork
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Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2004 12:30 pm

Re: Iritis without KPs?

Post by kwork »

Keratic precipitates are inflamed cells that clump together and show up like white spots near the cornea.
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MysticBlur
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Re: Iritis without KPs?

Post by MysticBlur »

Thanks for the replies.
My site is improving. The main reason it became so bad was due to the increased pressure as a result of the steroids. It's a known side affect. Funny thing is I never had a this problem in previous years but this year I've become a "steroid responder".
It's taken about a week for my vision to improve since the pressure was lowered. It's still not as good as it was before this episode but hopefully that's due to me being on the eye drops still. I'm starting to accept it's not going to be as a good as it was.

Martin
Mike Bartolatz
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Re: Iritis without KPs?

Post by Mike Bartolatz »

your vision could return to about normal in a few weeks once you are off all steroids and off the dilating drops.

you may require new prescription lenses however from time to time to keep it 'normal'. always buy 'insurance' for your glasses as your vision could change every few months with this stuff. blur of vision can be from increased pressure inside your eyes so until it gets to 'normal' you may need to keep changing between new and old glasses.

mike
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MysticBlur
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Re: Iritis without KPs?

Post by MysticBlur »

Here's an update for the blog.
I'm still using the steroids since last May (9 months now) but my vision is much better, almost normal.
The hospital kept telling me the Iritis had cleared up yet my vision was bad and I could feel it was wrong. They said it was "dry eye" and now I know they were right. What cleared up the dry eye was changing eye drops to the preservative-free versions. Within 2 weeks I could see so much better.
Instead of using Maxidex I switched to Dropodex minims. And for the pressure, instead of using Azopt I now use Brimonidine Tartrate (this is less affective but less harsh than Azopt).
I'm very gradually trying to come off the steroids. I know my subcapsular cataract is slowly getting worse for using them.

Martin
Hudsongrl
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Joined: Wed Nov 18, 2015 9:15 pm

Re: Iritis without KPs?

Post by Hudsongrl »

Martin, so glad you posted an update and you are doing better. So many people post and then we never hear from them again.

I have dry eye too and use preservative free drops. Which brand do you like best? I use systane, but find too much can be irritating and then i get burning. So, i use only when really needed.

I was diagnosed with bilateral posterior uveitis Nov. 16 th. Off all drops and weaning off oral steroids. Eyes quiet since Dec. 28 th. Keeping fingers crossed. I see uveitis specialist tomorrow. I was on 40 mg. oral pred and down to 7.5 mg. the plan is to keep weaning down over the next few weeks.

Hope you continue to do well. Do you see one of the iritis specialists?
MysticBlur
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Joined: Sun Oct 18, 2015 8:39 am

Re: Iritis without KPs?

Post by MysticBlur »

Hi Hudsongrl,
Yes it's been a while since my last post; it's taken a long time to get better.

The preservative free steroids I use are Dropodex (same as Maxidex I beleve):
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/28314

I also use preservative free moisturising drops (artificial tears) called Carmize in single doses:
http://www.mims.co.uk/drugs/eye/dry-eye/carmize

I've tried Celluvisc but prefer the latter.

Posterior uveitis is less common than anterior if I remember correctly. And it's also less common to take steroids aurally. Did you have problems with steroid eye drops? Was it in both eyes? Poor you! that must have been very restricting.

I've been seeing the eye specialists at Frimley Hospital in Surrey, UK. Are you in the UK?
Hope you stay on the mend.

Martin
Hudsongrl
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Joined: Wed Nov 18, 2015 9:15 pm

Re: Iritis without KPs?

Post by Hudsongrl »

Martin, no, i didn't have any problems taking the durezol. But, i use preservative free Systane artificial tears for dry eye. I am in the U.S.

Yes, posterior uveitis in both eyes. I was misdiagnosed for 2- 3 weeks by regular opthalmologist. It has been scary to say the least. I see uveitis specialist tomorrow. Hoping eyes still quiet.

Praying for all of us.
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