Uveitis, a life time of experience
Having had uveitis for 60 years , off and on, linked to AS, I thought I would share some ideas on handling this:
Stress seems to play a big part in triggering a flare, house moves, child birth or family issues have all done it for me. Alternative therapies, walking, gardening and meditating (Head space online is good) can help.
Always have eye drops to hand, especially on holiday.
Be sure to be properly diagnosed when you get the red, painful eye as other infections may confuse things. Sensitivity to light is pretty definitive. Always get checked if the eye is not improving, especially if your vision becomes foggy and unclear.
Steroid drops used for uveitis can, over time, lead to cataracts, these cause strobing or auras around lights which you may notice. Surgery for cataracts is very good these days.
While uveitis is an unpleasant and painful condition you will probably have plenty of months and years without it to make the most of. Good luck and good health.
Sadly I had about 2 months where my eyes weren't too bad but just in the past 3 wks I am now having cloudiness in my left eye and both eyes are always very irritated, even w/ the drops. And I'm sure stress is a BIG part of it. I have an appt w/ my opthomologist soon since my eyes have gotten worse. But I was getting used to sometimes being able to drive short distances again..no more.
I am a bit horrified that it took you so long to be diagnosed and that that has been damaging. I must admit that the eye specialists I see are able to diagnose uveitis on the spot. i have found Uv pretty trying over the years as it is so painful and frankly scary, however i have had some years without it now (I have RA instead, what a sense of humour fate has!) I hope you will have good remissions and a break to regroup. All the best.
It took a long time & many doctors/specialists to finally diagnose my eye isssues as Uveitis. By then, my left eye was almost completely blind & my right eye wasn't doing so well either.
But this eye specialist finally put me on 2 different medicated eye meds. 1 is a steroid & he did say it can cause cataracts. That was 8 months ago & he is already seeing signs of them in my left eye but I still take the drops because w/ out them, I wouldn't be able to see.
I do carry GenTeal drops wherever I go, lol. Those drops he said I could use as often as needed, thankfully because my eyes get so dry. He finally had to cauterize the left inner eye so that the natural tears would stop going down the nasal passages and instead of into the eye..it worked!! Good luck & keep positive!
I also really like GenTeal drops. Rick - moderator
Thank you for sharing this, Shonkie. I used to suffer with uveitis fairly often but seem to have managed to avoid it in recent years. Your comment about stress resonates with me too. I know here in the UK having bouts of uveitis usually means a lengthy series of drops and treatments. I have also been told to be sure and get treatment sooner rather than later. Thanks again for sharing.
Steve Tuffin (Community advocate)
