Has anyone else suffered with this awful eye disease?
I was finally diagnosed last Thursday evening after being fobbed off by my GP that it was conjunctivitis. I’m now on steroid drops which have drastically helped with the pain and I no longer look like The Terminator!
I’ve seen lots of studies into the links with Covid and even the vaccine.
I’m glad that the pain has gone away and that my vision is ok (apart from some fog). I genuinely wouldn’t wish the light sensitivity pain on my worst enemy.
It's not nice is it? I've had a few patients with it but , fortunately, not me. Sadly it may recur especially if you are a bit run down but at least you'll know and be able to get help. Frequent fliers at the eye depts usually know when it's coming before the signs really show so will be given their prescriptions on their own say so.
I can't say I have seen any links to covid mind, nothing mainstream.
I had an awful time with this too a few years ago and had an identical encounter with an incompetent GP.
I finished up having to have steroid injections in one eye and drops in both for over 15 months. I am convinced stress was the cause of my attack.
I had a miserable Christmas because of it
I was told at the eye hospital that I will probably recur in future but now know as soon as starts to get the optician to ASAP for referral
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I had it dozens of times in my teens
Not very nice at all.
I’ve have iritis which is a form of uveitis for the past 9 years. Comes on randomly. I seam to get it at least twice a year. No cure for it. What I’ve been told is that it’s more likely due to other underlying health problems.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I’m continually baffled by patients going to see a gp for eye concerns. I assume they also go there for dental work??
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
I must say that thought did occur to me. Most GPs have done about 2 weeks on eyes waaay back in med school. There is a whole dedicated profession on your High St very happy to help.Originally Posted by WarrenVrs
GP’s have the ability to refer you to an eye specialist for treatment. The local optician will not be able to treat uveitis.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
What would you do instead? As noted above, I would expect anyone to visit their GP who then refers them on.
Thanks for all the replies. I wasn’t able to see an eye specialist without a referral from a GP first. I’m a little over a week into steroid drops and it has calmed down.
Another option, depending on severity might be to go to A&E.
Your GP will not diagnose or treat anterior uveitis. It would be considered an emergency referral so whilst they should be able to refer your local optometrist is far more likely to recognise it for what it is, for more accessible and will have a direct referral protocol into the local eye department. I'd expect to be able to get an iritis case into Ophthalmology the same day.
GPs do a cracking job as what they are, a general practitioner, but since there is a more specialist service readily available why not use it?
Seeing an optician isn’t free. Why would I pay for an optician appointment only for them to refer me? And I will not be seen by a specialist any quicker than a referral from a GP.
The only other route to get seen in an emergency is A&E.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
It's a matter of priorities at the time. You could spend a not inconsiderable time on the phone trying to get an appointment or spend a small amount, if indeed an individual did need to pay, plenty don't, to be seen far more promptly. All the while in quite considerable pain. A choice each person is entitled to make for themselves, as you have pointed out.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote