iritis unexplained

[argus]

I live in New Orleans and was diagnosed with iritis three and a half years ago at the age of 49. The first three years I had yearly episodes which were around spring time, february or march of each year. My doctor couldn't find any reason as to why this was so. This year I've already had two more attacks, very mild in nature, and my doctor has told me to look for a uveitis specialist since he is just a general opthamologist. Any thoughts as to why my attacks were specifically around spring time??

[Mike Bartolatz]

allergy can trigger renewed inflammation and it is often the cause. if you have sinus infections this too can cause renewed inflammation to occur in the eyes. it can also trigger inflammation elsewhere in the body as the inflammatory substances move throughout your blood stream. some pathogens are more active in the spring and a GI tract problem can result and trigger inflammation. Molds and fungi also occur at more frequency at certain times of the year and they can irritate mucous membranes and trigger inflammation.
often an underlying autoimmune disease is the cause of recurrent uveitis. an Ocular Immunologist might be able to help you determine your cause and appropriate treatment. a list of them can be found at http://www.uveitis.org in the PATIENT information section of the site. DR Lewis at Baylor might be the closest or Dr Russel Read in Alabama.

wish you the very best,
Mike