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Ankylosing Spondylitis & eye probs.

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Posted 2/27/2009 11:16 AM (GMT 0)

Hi all,

My first post.

I'm a sufferer of Ankylosing Spondylitis. I have also recently experienced my first ever flare of iritis at the grand old age of 40 within my right eye. Six months on from flare, I am off pred drops now & the inflammation has seemed to have gone within my right eye. Unfortunately my right pupil is still more dilated than my left (normal eye). Yet it responds to light OK (expands & contracts). Since the initial iristis flare my right pupil has always been slightly more dilated than the left one. My right eye is still sensitive to light & I have to wear sunglasses quite often, even to watch tv cool I see an eye specialist every month (no pun intended :-) ), but she can't explain why my pupil is enlarged. Neither can she offer me any further treatment. I have had my bloods tested & all have come back OK & I don't suffer from high blood pressure. There was also a spot found on my right retina, whatever that means? I'm also suffering from some pain within my left eye now, but that doesn't appeared to be inflamed.

I have been taking Remicade now for over 5 years, which recently has been loosing it's effectiveness. At the moment I'm off all meds & it is now over 3 months since my last Remicade infusion. Can't tolerate any NSAID use to to related stomach probs.

I was just worried that the Remicade has caused my eye probs?

I have also been offered Humria. Dose anyone know if this Anti TNF treatment has beneficial affects on iritis?

Any other advice would be much appreciated.

Many thanks.

George.

Post Edited (Boroboy) : 3/10/2009 7:56:38 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 2/28/2009 6:24 AM (GMT 0)

Hi George,

Welcome to this forum

I have read that Iritus is an anto immune disease as is AS. Unfortunately if you have one auto immune condition you are susceptable to others cry

I am suspicious though of the drugs we take. I didn't get eye probs(detatched vitreous) until I started Rituximab-an infusion once or twice a year.

Some sites  that may answer your question:

http://www.justanswer.com/questions/k0nb-iritus-autoimmune-disease

Here is a snippet from this site-

So , the main treatment of iritis are medicines to cause dilatation of the iris so that even if it sticks to the lens, it does so when the pupil is fully dilated. Other treatment includes steroids to decrease the inflammation of the iris and prevent stickiness. Steroids may be in the form of eyedrops or oral medicines. The Econopred that you are using is a steroid.

To know more about iritis, please see;

- http://www.iritis.org/

- http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/iritis/HQ00940

Hope this helps turn

As to Humira helping, I wouldn't think so.

All the best

 

Posted 2/28/2009 8:44 PM (GMT 0)

Debbie,

Thanks for your replay, info & links provided.

I have researched irits & posted on iritis.org.

Just can't understand why the inflammation within my effected eye has seemed to of settled down. Yet I'm still having probs with my pupil. Unless the iritis has caused muscle damage?

Unfortunately my current eye specialist has limited knowledge regarding autoimmune diseases & iritis.

It's a 5 hour drive for me to see an ocular immunologist, prob the best person to see regarding my prob.

From what I can gather, iritis affects around 40% of AS sufferers.

Best wishes.

George.
Posted 3/1/2009 4:46 AM (GMT 0)

Hi George,

On this site  http://www.justanswer.com/questions/k0nb-iritus-autoimmune-disease

Is where you can ask your question. Have you tries that?

Ask Your Health Question. Health Experts Answer You ASAP. (Not a Health Question?)

Posted 3/2/2009 12:26 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for link Debbie,

But cost's cash for a reply.

Posted 3/2/2009 1:12 AM (GMT 0)
I would see another opthamologist. I have had two bouts of Iritis and my doctor is really good. You can ask your current opthamologist, your rhuematologist or your gp for a referal to someone who has specific knowledge of your condition. Of cource-I might drive the 5 hours to see some one if it were my eye.
Posted 3/2/2009 1:39 PM (GMT 0)
 

sjkly,

Thanks for info.

I shall mention this to my current Ophthalmologist when I see her this month.

Don't think she's very specialised, more a general Ophthalmologist.

It's difficult when we can't find any answers, she doesn't fill me with confidence.

George.

 

Posted 3/3/2009 11:55 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Boroboy,

I can only tell you my experiences.    I have had several bouts of Iritis in both eyes. I seemed to get it twice a year for several years in a row.I started on Humira last August and knock on wood, haven't had the Iritis back since.   I really don't know if there's a connection or not but am happy to say that the Humira has helped my joints tremendously and I haven't missed doing those steroid eye drops!   

On the down side, I am very sensitive to light and find it near impossible to drive at night now because of the glare from on coming cars.  I think it's from  having to dilate my eyes for such a long period of time.

My friend's daughter has A.S. also and she is on Remicade.  She had several bouts of Iritis before starting Remicade - but hasn't had a problem with her eyes since.  Maybe we're both just lucky, but sounds like the drugs might be helping???

Good luck :-)

Alicat

Posted 3/3/2009 1:54 PM (GMT 0)

Alicat,

Thanks for your post.

I was on Remicade for 5 years, helped my joints, but not me eyes.

I have the option of starting Humeria, I may give it a go & hope for the best. I too have probs driving at night & watching TV later on, due to the bright glare. Not on any drops at the mo (3 weeks) & counting.

Best wishes.

George.

Posted 3/8/2009 11:36 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

My father has ankylosing spondylitis along with RA, iritis, and degenerative eye disease. He is currently taking Enbrel. It seems to be working for him but his eyes are still really bad off. He has dark spots on the color part of his eye next to the pupil, but I am not for sure what caused it. I know his used to get cortisteriod shots in his eyes. Then finally give him drops. He not off of the drops yet, but hopefully soon. I'll ask him some questions about his stuff and write you back with anything helpful. He has been to several doctors and sees an eye specialist out of AR. Best of luck.

Andrea
Posted 3/10/2009 1:55 PM (GMT 0)

Andrea,

Thanks for your post.

Hope your farther finds some relief from his ongoing pain & eye probs.

I'm off the steroidal drops now. My so called specialist or should I say generalist has said inflammation now clear. I'm still suffering from sore eyes, may be Sjogren's Syndrome (dry eyes). Have had paper test done on my eyes & apparently there's dry spots. So will have to use additive free eye lubrication drops.

Im still using the sunglasses to watch tv, due to bright light sensitivity. My eye care specialist has know idea why confused

Best wishes.

George.

Post Edited (Boroboy) : 3/10/2009 7:58:34 AM (GMT-6)

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