Possible Uveitis? Or Pars? Help please.

[J-er]

Hi all, I am a 37 yr old male.
Here is my story. About 4 months ago, I started with dizziness, lightheadness, and on and off tingly hands that would fall asleep at night, everynight. Went to my Dr, who did some bloodwork, normal stuff like CBC, diff, also tested for Lyme. All came back normal. He referred me to a neuro. Before I had a chance to see her (approximately two months ago), I started to get new floaters in my eyes, and they became sensitive to light. Also, my right knee became tight and sometimes weak. Went to the neuro, she wasn't convinced it was all related, but she had me sent for a CT scan of brain and neck, which came back normal. Also sent me for an MRI with and without contrast of brain, which came back normal. Also MRI of brain stem which came back normal. I do have another followup with her next month, at which time she is planning to do some nerve testing, and I might push her for some MRI of spine. Also, in the meantime I went for a eye exam at the local Walmart, which they saw nothing wrong with my eyes. I wanted a second opinion, so I ended up getting in with an opthmalogist who also did a complete eye exam. Again, all came back normal. SO, because I still have floaters, and an sensitive to light, do I go for a third opinion, with a specialist? I have an apt tentatively scheduled for 2 weeks. I "DR GOOGLED" everything I have and it was sounding like something like MS, SLE, with uveitis, or Pars Planitis. I need some help. What do you think?

Also, as a followup. The dizziness, lightheadness, and tingly hands during the day have stopped. They still fall asleep at night sometimes, but have gotten better.

[Mike Bartolatz]

the experience of the ophthalmologist with seeing various types of uveitis early on is required to diagnose things like vitreal inflammation and pars planitis. a depressed scleral exam where the ophthalmologist presses in on the white part of the eye surrounding the iris while looking through a prism is needed to adequately see the pars plana, if this wasn't done then you need to get re examined by another ophthalmologist. as to the cause of your other symptoms, it could be linked to many things and only an expert can sift through them and order tests to determine their cause and then to decide if you have something associated with uveitis. we have a list of specialists available for you to look through and then get another opinion regarding the cause of your floaters. it is at the website of the Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Foundation http://www.uveitis.org located in the patient information section of the site. I hope you don't have uveitis of any form BTW.

wishing you the very best,
Mike

[J-er]

Hi Mike,
Thanks for the replay.
I will be seeing another ophthalmologist this week. I will let you know how it goes. At this point, if it is something like uveitis, of any sort, is there damage being done, since I am not being treated for anything right now? Something like irreversible damage?

Thanks, Jason

[Mike Bartolatz]

I can't opine on the what if's regarding treatment for you. it all depends on what part of the eyes are impacted at this time. it can take days or it can take years for one to have damage from uveitis. only your ophthalmologist can give you an educated opinion on this matter. just ask that a depressed scleral exam be performed to rule out pars planitis. if present there will be clumps of exudate, pus like material just behind the iris.
some individuals develop pars planitis and have no problems. others develop complications of cystoid macular edema, epiretinal membrane formation over the site of the CME, cataracts and glaucoma. it is impossible to say what is in store for anyone.

wish you the very best,
Mike