Iritis/uveitis is generally diagnosed with a slit-lamp microscope. I'm not sure if all optomotrists have this, or could even diagnose it correctly... I went to my GP with my first iritis flare many years ago, she gave me drops for conjunctivitis even though I was certain it wasn't conjunctivitis as I'd had that before (and told her so!) - but the best thing she did was say that if it wasn't improving in 24hours, to go to the local hospital as they had an eye emergency unit there. Needless to say, that's what I did 24 hours later, it took a little while to get that flare under control but we got there.

It's good to know that the cortisone ointment is making it feel a bit better - steroid drops are normally prescribed for iritis flares, I've occasionally been given ointment for overnight in a severe flare. Yes, with your family history of glaucoma pressures are something they'll need to monitor - but for now, it's most important to get the inflammation under control rather than risk damaging the eye!

I know it's hard to keep fighting sometimes - I had to fight to get referred to a uveitis specialist, when this kept recurring for me - but you only have one pair of eyes, and unfortunately damage can occur quicker in the eyes than elsewhere in the body. I hope your doc can refer you to an ophthalmologist and you are able to see them soon.... please keep us posted!!

-Anke