Chronic Inflamation of Eye?!
Question:
Chronic Inflamation of Eye?
I went to see a specialist in Boston about an eye condition. He described my eyes as having chronic inflammation. Supposedly, there a 4 holes that allow for drainage of the eye fluids ( 2 in each eye ) of which 2 have been blocked due to scarring. I been using Neoral ( cyclosplorine ), Patanol drops, Retasis drops, and Alrex drops and which none have helped. The doctor said that this could potentially lead to blindness. What are my options. In the meantime, I'm going to get probing and irrigation for both eyes to stop the constant tearing though this does not resolve the serious and underlining issue. What are my options? Please help
Answers:
Is your condition called 'ocular cicatricial pemphigoid'? It would explain the punctal scarring (which is rare) as well as the fact that you're on a systemic immunosuppressive. Other possibilities would include severe 'allergic' conditions, like 'atopic keratoconjunctivitis'.
These are conditions that can lead to blindness. Neoral is not the only treatment for these conditions. I think your sense that the 'probing and irrigation' wont' solve the problem is correct - need to treat/control the root of the problem (i.e. the inflammation).
If you haven't already, you should seek Dr. C. Stephen Foster, at MERSI (in Cambridge; see www.uveitis.org)- he's the world authority on eye inflammation.