Hi from Rob aka TigerOC UK

[TigerOC]

At the age 60 I have had my first encounter with anterior uveitis.

It has been complex and very frustrating. Medical consultants believe that I suffered 6 attacks of vasculitis affecting the circulation to both hands and feet leading to peripheral neuropathy and also to my kidneys which resulted in impaired kidney function. They believe that it was triggered by an infected tooth which was extracted 2 days prior to the first attack. Whilst under investigation I developed iritis. I complained to both the GP and consultant about the smoky vision I was encountering but was ignored. After 5 days I went to the optician who detected it with a slit lamp and contacted the GP.
I have subsequently been examined by a consultant in the West of England Eye Hospital and treated with a dilator and Predfort. I am also being treated by them for glaucoma which I have had for 20 years. The Predfort had systemic effects and improved the neuropathy and kidney function.
I have suffered a further flare of iritis, 3 weeks after finishing the course of Predfort. I saw the eye clinic at A&E and treated again with the same combo and the flare has been very mild in comparison to the first. The follow-up is good.
I have been referred to the Rheumatology clinic who are investigating and currently doing checks for possible AS. My only concern is that there appears to be no co-ordinated approach. The ophthalmology consultant is only concerned with treating flares as they occur and not concerned with underlying conditions which they seem to see is the responsibility of Rheumatology.
I am keen to learn as much as I can. I am a retired Pharmacist so have some basic medical knowledge.

Rob

[Mike Bartolatz]

Rob, Welcome to the group!
ocular immunologists are very highly trained opthalmologists who can diagnose underlying causes of ocular inflammatory disease and then treat in a Corticosteroid sparing approach to treatment. it would be highly unusual for someone to develop Ankylosing spondylitis at 60 years of age.
your kidney involvement is unusual as well. systemic absorbtion of steroids from steroid eyedrops to cause change of symptoms is so minimal that it shouldn't be able to treat conditions other than the eye. I highly recommend that you contact one of the Ocular immunologists there in the UK on the international specialist list at http://www.uveitis.org Professor William Ayliffe in London/croydon is an excellent Ocular Immunologist.
there are several other Professors of Ocular Immunology at various universities there in the UK that could also help you treat your underlying cause systemically which is what is required to retrain your immune system to stop attacking your eyes. Most rheumatologists will not treat your uveitis aggressively using a corticosteroid sparing approach to treatment. your vasculitis is of great concern and the cause of that is what has to be explored and treated.
there are many autoimmune diseases as well as pathogens (about 85) which can cause iritis (anterior uveitis) to occur. the ocular immunologist would be the preferred diagnostician for you to go to for consultation. your GP can help you get a referral to one of them.
William Ayliffe is perhaps the best there in the UK,''

Please join us in our GENERAL discussion forum. also read deeply at http:?/www.parsplanitis.org where I've accumulated articles on various topics.

Looking forward to helping you learn about your condition,


Mike Bartolatz