Uveitis returns after 10 years in remission

[AngieUK]

Hi, in 1998 my left eye began it's uveitis journey, it was quite a shock as I am already virtually blind in my right eye from congenital cataract. After 4 years, the condition seemed to burn itself out and I thought that was that. For 10 years I've lived with a damaged pupil (from the use of Atropine drops), and needed tinted glasses. My eye was very sensitive to light, I've suffered from really bad headaches. In 2004 I contracted a virus that caused damage to my middle ears and I have permanent labrynthitis causing very bad balance and nausea. Bright lights in offices and shops are a nightmare for me, my vision is affected and consequently my balance is very poor and I feel sick most of the time. I have had three office moves in this time, the first was fine unless the fluorescent bulbs were on their way out and flickering, the second move was great as I was situated in a kind of alcove and thus away from direct light, the third move in November 2011 has been awful, the new office is far too bright, fluorescent lights, white walls, and my balance is so bad that when I get home I lay on the settee for up to three hours to make the nausea go away. Again, I have really bad headaches that cause memory and speech problems. In September 2012 the Uveitis returned with an additional problem of secondary glaucoma, caused from a reaction to the steroid drops (Pred Forte). Again I was put on Atropine, again significant damage occurred to the eye muscles and thus after being off the drug for nearly 4 months, the pupil is permanently dilated. I have had 4 flare ups since September 28 2012, and am still off work. I have found the attacks occur following a return to work meeting at the office - probably a combination of fluorescent light and stress, also cold wind seems to bring on an attack. I am 53 years old and work as a full time learning and development officer, I have registered with the site to gain more insight into my condition and learn how I can manage it and return back to work.

[Mike Bartolatz]

first of all, welcome to the group!
I strongly urge you to go to London for a consultation with Professor William Ayliffe the top ocular immunologist in the UK.
a non functioning iris is not a normal situation with anything but herpes Sx viral uveitis. glaucoma occurs with it as well.
that said, please contact http://www.oliviasvision.org.uk for help very good members to help you and Professor Ayliffe as well as other Ocular Immunologists are on the Board that oversees the site.

could you be having little strokes instead of just headaches? I had similar problems from TIA's in the past.

with photophobia constantly present, you may also have optic neuritis and CNS involvement. there are several conditions linked to CNS disease and uveitis that the specialist can explore and then a corticosteroid sparing approach to treatment can be initiated. the international uveitis society uses a steroid sparing approach to treatment. steroids alone will never conquer the beast of uveitis.
DMARD drugs alone or in combination with other drugs are needed before permanent vision loss occurs.

professor ayliffes contact information can be found on the INTERNATIONAL specialist list at http://www.uveitis.org in the PATIENT information section of the site. Please contact him right away. he practices out of several hospitals in the London area.

wishing you the very best,
Mike