Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Tests for autoimmune eye diseases?

Hi again. As I posted elsewhere here I have been having a lot of symptoms seeimingly related to the B27 marker I have. No definite DX yet. Recently told I have vision loss in both eyes--so far 20/30, 20/40 but odd.....told central visual field blurring on last test with dark floater with veins apparent as it floats, photophobia ( can handle sunlight), other eye has blurry areas that look like gray cotton strings floating over it. Both blurry and worse in bright light.

Understand that autoimmune disease can attack the retina and eye structures.

Please let me know if any of you know which tests to run to DX this as different from diabetic eye, macular degeneration, and glaucoma.

.
If know a particular eye specialist in Pittsburgh area, let me know please. Seems most don't understand autoimmune possibilities.

Thanks.

Hi! Welcome to the site. I have vision problems also. I had a blind spot in the center of my left eye - which has since cleared up - and a blurry spot in my right eye - which I'm hoping goes away soon (I have directional dyslexia and it doesn't help when I can't read road signs). I started drinking more water and taking an herbal vision enhancement capsule. It seems to be helping. The capsule contains: bilberry berry, grape seed, lutein and astaxanthin. Good Luck. The only thing the opthamologist I went to could suggest was surgery which doesn't always do the job ...

Helen

What a coincidence! I was just looking this up. Maybe I won't screw up the spelling too much.

There is a test for antibodies called ELISA which stands for Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Then there is a test then called a ENA, Extractable Nuclear Antigen Antibodies, and it can be done to look for SSA(Ro) and SSB(La). These antibodies are associated with Sjogen's syndrome. About 70% of patients with Sjogen's have SSA positive antibodies to Ro, and about 60% have antibodies to La. You can have antibodies for both.

So the tests on the lab report might look like this:
ENA -SSa (Ro)
ENA-SSb (La)

Sjogen's syndrome is an autoimmune disease that causes dry eyes, sensitivity to glare, dry mouth, and the associated problems that this causes, it is also associated with other autoimmune diseases such as spondylarthropies including Ank. Spond.(that's us, and I am tired of spelling...) and lupus. It's sort of a smoking gun, a doctor may have trouble believing a patient's symptons are really arthritis but the Dentist and the Opthamologist are seeing clear signs of autoimmune disease because the patient has gum disease and vision problems.
So if you have the antibodies, it's another very strong indication that you have an autoimmune disease process going on.

ok, laimer, lol
a not an ophthalmologist, and am in no way a decent substitute. I am a retired ophthalmic medical technolgist. So if ya like I would love to try and help you get a better handle on this....and pleeez excuse the type o's.............

I simply cannot typemuch n this screen, the letters dont come

I will work on getting you a referral for your area.........ann in the mean time my private regular email is itybitybuffya@aol.com

On you side the world, their is on of the better ophth groups n the US, in Boston. If that s at all possible, i wil get ya the name of the cinic. and always, manhattan eye and ear........ the QUEEN on the east coast.....
also, the remicade web site has a list of drs who work withit, and they have seen so much SpA it is amzing, you wont even have to cry or beg, they will probably see it rght away.........took my newdr 2 days to find outwhat others had screwed up for years.......
so I highlrecommend he Remicade web site www.remicade.com also

I look forward to hearing from you. I am trying to set up an eye bal section on th baord,and to get some of my old fearless leaders to come hlp, contribute.....
est to ya darlin, praying for ya,
Shu
Praying everyday for
Strength enough for the journey
wisdom enough to see the path
gratitude enough to appriciate all I have.

I know of two specialists in the Philidelphia area. I can't speak personally for either of them. Have you been seen by an opthalmologist? There is an excellent specialist in Boston, if you might consider that. I will list his contact info last.

Alexander J. Brucker, MD
Scheie Eye Institute
51 North 39th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Tel: (215)662-8675 Fax: (215)662-0133

David H. Fisher, MD
Lankenau Medical Building East
100 Lancaster Avenue
Suite 256
Wynnewood, PA 19106
Tel: (610)649-1970 Fax: (610)649-8624

C. Stephen Foster, MD, FACS
Director, Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Service
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
Harvard Medical School
243 Charles Street
Boston, MA 02114
Tel: (617)573-5549 Fax: (617)573-3181
E-mail: fosters@uveitis.org



********
Kristin

Helen,

Lutein increases the immune system. Not a good idea for those of us with autoimmune disorders.

********
Kristin

Sjogrens can also cause dryness in parts of our body we can't see, such as lubrication in our joints - - which is just another cross to bear along with everything else, we don't need any more joint problems! I was DXed with it a couple of years ago - - by an eye doctor, but my dentist had mentioned unusual tartar buildup and I was seeing her every six months. Since being on Arava the Sjogrens symptoms have almost disappeared, still get bouts of dry eye and scleritis but not very often, and my teeth seem to be doing okay.

Cheryl

If you can't be a good example you'll just have to serve as a horrible warning.
Jennifer Cruisie

Dogs don't want to know about every other dog you've been with

Krystyn got it fisrt, and right, this group is one of the LEADING GROUPS for ophthalmic pathology in the US. You will not find better care anywhere, this I state with utmost certainty. Every person I have ever referred there loves them. Also of note, Ihad 2 patients that moved away from the area, and they FLY back every 2 yrs just to get a check up, make certain no one else is missing anything.
I am certain they can "Name that Pain"
Best to you,
Shu

Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
Harvard Medical School
243 Charles Street
Boston, MA 02114
Tel: (617)573-5549

did you get checked out yet?
how did it go? praying for you,
shu

Hi everyone.

Haven't been to second opinion yet. Opthamologist here in Pgh, PA -I am seeing dismisses autoimmune eye disease and states there is nothing to do about it anyway except give injections into eye with steroids if inflames profoundly and then can cause elevated pressures aka glaucoma. He also feels most research is "bull" as he puts it.

I will see if I can afford seeing others you recommend out of pocket given insurance restrictions.

Any other ideas or help---especially things I can do myself, sites to read,etc.?

Thanks for your help!
God Bless.
PA pain