Hi Dr. Foster,
Thank you so much for this website, I have leant a great deal from it. I am from Montreal and I was diagnosed with Uveitis in my right eye in March of this
year and I was put on Pred Forte and Combigan due to high pressure and in May, I had a mild flare up. Sometime in July, I have changed ophthalmologist, his
name is Dr. Jean Deschenes and he believes that I have HSV uveitis. I have continued with Pred forte (4 times a day) and combigan (twice a day) and also
Acyclovir (600 mg daily) up until September he changed the steroid drops to Lotemax as the inflamation was not significant and the dose was reduced to twice
daily. On November 6th, as routine follow-up, he discovered that my optic nerve was slightly damaged and he added another eye drop called Xalatan once a day
and also I have developed cataract. This medication causes dry eye and eye pain. Even before using Xalatan, I often had some discomfort in the eye and pain
on below eyebrow. I had my pressure checked a week ago and it was 11. Should I continue with Xalatan? My eye pressure was never really high. Since the
treatment, the highest was about 24 and it went down very quickly between 15 and 18 and I have not had another flare up since May. Each time when I went for
my follow up, the doctor still detected very low grade of cells (like 3 to 5 cells). Can these cells ever go away as I am worried about using long term
steroid drops as cataract has already developed. Can I have surgery for cataract now? My vision is blurred a bit and I still function well with my daily
tasks and I will get my prescription changed. Is there another way to clear the inflamation apart from steroid? Can it be cured? Also, another important.
Can I have the H1N1 flu shot due to the fact that I have uveitis? Your kind response is greatly appreciated. Thank you, Katie
HSV UVEITIS
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 mollypat |
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Posts: 1 (11/25/09 05:43) |
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fostercs |
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Posts: 1200 (11/26/09 06:57) Administrator |
You ask many questions about your specific, particular case. I cannot answer those questions without personally examining you.
In general, I can say the following things: 1. Dr.Deschenes is an excellent doctor and a qualified uveitis expert. 2. Herpes uveitis is extremely difficult to treat, and it can never be cured. I personally treat with 800 mg of Acyclovir twice a day for life in an effort to make the virus stay in hibernation or latency. 3. Chronic steroid use, I agree with you, is terrible. But, unfortunately, it is very often a necessary part of treating herpes uveitis. 4. Cataract surgery can be performed successfully on patients who have had herpes uveitis, once the uveitis is in remission 5.Glaucoma is a common part of herpes uveitis, and it may in the end be the part that causes the most lost of vision; it must be monitored very carefully, very often, and must be treated aggressively, someimes even with surgery. I hope that these remarks are helpful to you. Stephen Foster
C. Stephen Foster, MD, FACS, FACR
Last Edited By: fostercs
11/26/09 10:10.
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mollypat |
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Posts: 2 (11/26/09 08:47) |
Dr Foster,
Thank you so much for your reply. I am getting a bit discouraged to know that there is cured for HSV uveitis. Does this mean that I might need steroid drops for the rest of my life and glaucoma is unavoidable? Can I have the H1N1 flu shot with my condition. Boston is not that far from Montreal, I may consider seeing you. Katie |
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fostercs |
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Posts: 1204 (11/26/09 10:16) Administrator |
I would be pleased to see you here in Cambridge. Please contact Ms. Ferida Tadic at ftadic@mersi.us. She can help you work out the details.
I do recommend to my patients that they get flu vaccinations, but NEVER using a live vaccine such as that administered through nasal spray. csf
C. Stephen Foster, MD, FACS, FACR
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mollypat |
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Posts: 3 (11/27/09 08:51) |
Dr. Foster,
Kindly allow me to ask you two more questions. 1) Is HVS uveitis contagious? If I touch the effected eye and then touch the good eye, can the good eye catch it? Can my son catch it if I kiss him on the face? 2) I felt some discomfort in the eye lately but no redness or pain, headache on and below the eye brow, therefore, yesterday I went the see an optometrist to have my pressure checked. Pressure was 15 but he saw about 15 to 20 cells but no flare up which was quite surprised to me as my last appointment with Dr. Deschesnes was Nov 16th and he only saw 3-5 cells. My next appointment is only on Dec. 11th. Should I be alarmed? Sorry for bothering you with this becaused I'am worrried. Thanks again, Katie |
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