optic neuritis and raised pressure in eye with iritis

[tinajames]

Hi my name is Tina,
I have had chronic iritis for about 2 years now in my left eye... pred forte drops make the inflammation go away but once I taper down to one or zero drops it comes right back. I just saw my doctor after a long taper and for the first time the pressure is up and she's given me combugan drops to lower the pressure and I'm doing one drop per day of pred forte (generic) for 2 weeks. She also said I have optic neuritis and that I need to have an MRI, but that the neuritis will most likely resolve itself and the MRI is to see if I have Multiple Sclerosis. I have had a whole panel of blood tests and they were all negative - I am hla-b27 negative. I really have no other symptoms of any illness except the iritis - I am 46 and have a healthy lifestyle. I do feel tired a lot but I think that's mostly due to getting down about the iritis and worrying about getting worse.
I would appreciate any advice you may have for me... I will see my doctor again next week to check the pressure and talk more about the MRI - I was hoping to put off the MRI for a little while so that I can save up for it.... I have a very high deductible insurance plan.

[Hudsongrl]

Hi Tina, so you have posterior iritis that has become chronic in one eye? Are you seeing one of the uveitis specialists from the link here?

I have bilateral posterior iritis, and am currently weaning off durezol and oral prednisone. Hoping i don't flare. Going to 1 drop durezol tomorrow. Mine started Nov. 23 rd.

This is a scary condition.

[tinajames]

It is so frustrating to have it keep re-occurring. I hope that your taper works. I am not seeing a specialist - I just registered on this website and will look into it.

[Hudsongrl]

Yes, look into a speciailist. I feel your frustration.