Hello from a 22-years iritis-sufferer (Ventura County, CA)

[Jojo.Daof]

I’ve been fighting chronic Iritis on my right eye since 1988… I’ve had cataract surgery (lens replacement) 15 years ago and corneal transplant (DSAEK) last year. As of now, the Iritis is still as persistent as it has always been while my cornea has begun to have issues…which in turn again diminishing my vision.

Sometime in between 1988 and as late as last year, I’ve consulted for second opinion and/or recommendations from USC Doheny Eye Institute and UCLA Jules Stein Eye Institute. Most of my visits on these research centers usually agree with what my local doctor’s prescription regime, they say “inflammation is controlled”. Meanwhile, the rest of the eye suffers from the side effects of eye drops.

Early 2008, bullous keratopathy due to endothelial dysfunction developed in my right eye. Vision is disrupted along with discomfort and pain.…annoying from the time you wake up until deep in sleep. Over the years I’ve dealt with inferiority complex consequent of eye appearance (Iritis + chemosis) but never did it adversely affect my quality of life when my cornea troubles started. The fear of vision loss created frustration, anxiousness, depression…panic attacks.

My cornea surgery was in 2009; the procedure improved my vision…for about a year…. As of recently I’m experiencing the same signs as when my cornea started to dysfunction.

[Mike Bartolatz]

welcome to the grouP,
any chance of contacting Narsing A Rao MD at Doheny eye in LA?
he would be the one to see and treat you in my Lay opinion. DR Albert Vitale is an excellent ocular immunologist in Salt Lake City.

Dr Foster often gets patients such as you with VERY complicated eye diseases and uveitis going on, If you could travel to Boston that would be your best bet.
contact information for these specialsts can be found at http://www.uveitis.org in the PATIENT INFORMATION section of the site on the SPECIALIST list. once you are a patient of Dr Foster he will work with your local team. He is the BEST ocular immunologist in the World.

Wishing you quiet eyes,
mike