Chronic Eye Inflammation

[confusedmama]

I am a 37 year old female and have had chronic eye inflammation for about 15 years, from epi scleritis, corneal ulcers and recently scleritis. This past year my flare ups have come more frequently and more severe.  I have been on steroid eye drops for years and it has never cleared up completely. I also took oral steroids and that didn't clear it completely either.  I recently went to an endocrinologist and he diagnosed me with thyroiditis but he wants to wait 3 months, redo the blood work and treat with medication if needed.  I have been to a rheumatologist and all of my blood work seems normal.  At this point I don't know what else to do.  The pain in both eyes has increased.  I take large amounts of Advil to help with the pain.  Could I be allergic to something?  Should I push the endocrinologist to treat me for the thyroiditis in hopes that it could help my eyes?  Is there something else I should be looking at?  Any help or insight would be greatly appreciated!!

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

some things are baffling and hard to diagnose. you have seen the right type of physicians. Suggestions would be to summarize and collect all your tests/records and go to a world class tertiary referal center such as the Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic or one of the many fine University Medical Centers in the US

JCH III MD

[CourtSC18]

I have had iritis inflammation in my eyes for 8 months and also was diagnosed with thryoiditis and now being treated. The numbers for the thyroid appear normal now but I still have the eye inflammation and I also have diffuse pain in my body that is unexplainable. Headed to the rheumatologist in a couple weeks finally. Did you ever receive a diagnosis?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Court:  No posts from Valister since 2008 so I doubt you will receive a reply. I think two things are extremely important:  1. seeing the rheumatologist to see if you have any systemic disease (and there are many) that might be causing the chronic iritis and because in some cases rheumatologists have to treat chronic iritis (at type of uveitis) with oral medication.  If you live in a large metropolitan center or near one there usually is an eye MD ophthalmologist that specializes in  "ocular uveitis" and they have special training in taking care of problems like yours.  Chances are your present ophthalmologists would be happy to send you to such a Eye MD if one is within a drivable distance,  many medical school dept of ophthalmology have one.  I would make an effort to find such an ophthalmologist.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[valister]

thanks for responding.  I hope they find a solution for you soon, and you get better, please keep me posted.  I know that the eye pain, is terrible.

I haven't seen any doctor other than the eye doctor, since I'm not sure who I should see.  My left eye, feels swollen inside, but looks fine if you look at me. The eye doctor, wants to see, if this was just a once in a life time that it happens, but I have to tell you, my eye doesn't feel the same as it did a few months ago.  When the doctor looks inside with the slit lamp, he sees many "bumps". The eye doctor, too seemed confused since he keeps calling my eyes interesting.   I do have joint pain, my fingers and hips hurt, I just thought that after having 3 kids, my joints in my hips would never to be same, and  I do alot of walking and I'm a secretary, so I'm always typing. I've always had healthy eyes and healthy in general, so I'm a bit baffled on why this would happen. I was thinking of getting a complete physical with blood work, just to rule anything out.  Thanks for the information.

Valister

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[confusedmama]

I sympathize with you.

I have been to rheumatologists and endocrinologists.  I have had blood work done and nothing has shown why I have chronic inflammation in my eyes.  I have recently gone to a uveitis specialist and he has put me on voltaren (anti inflammatory medicine) as well as oral steroids.  The steroids eye drops didn't work anymore.  The problem is that as soon as I wean down to 5 mgs of the oral steroids, the inflammation comes back.  I go back to the uveitis doctor in early June and I imagine that he will change my medication again.  

I had epi scleritis for years and I could live with it but once it turned to scleritis, it was a different world!  The pain was so intense and it was affecting my quality of life.

Have you been to a rheumatologist or endocrinologist?  How about a uveitis specialist?  I have to say I am doing better because the pain isn't there but this is just about managing the scleritis, no one has found a reason for it therefore they don't know how to get rid of it.

I wish you all the best!  Keep me posted.  

[valister]

I too, started having trouble with my left eye, with pain and a redness on the outer portion of my eye.  the eye doctor, said it was scleritis, and it would be very hard to clear up.  He put me on steroids, and it seems to have "cleared" up, but i also have and alergic reaction to what ever in in the air.  I have stopped the drops, and he wants to see if it comes back.  He told me this is usually an underlying condition involved, but I don't have any that I know of.  I'm confused as what to do.  Sitting around waiting to see if it happens again, is not my usual style.    What types of doctors did you go to?