recurring eye inflammation

the past year I have had a recurring eye problem (inflammation of the eye 11 times in a year) I've seen both my MD and and eye Dr. They have treated this inflammation with the same med. over and over, but the problem always returns.
It starts out with the feeling that there is something in the eye. Then the eye gets red,  itchy, the lid gets puffy. The feeling of a pulling or straining sensation with pain. The pain is felt when turning the eye (looking downward). Also, if I touch the eye (closing lid and touching the top of the eye) it feels different than the other eye. It is almost itchy with some pain. I feel the eye (it is almost like the affected eye is saying "Hey I'm here". I don't get the same sensation from the good eye.
I don't want to keep putting drops in my on a monthly basis. It seems like this problem will be something I have to live with. I would like for it to go away and not come back.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Your question has been answered by 'circumspect' below, a physician member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Sorry for the delay in answering as we're still working out the kinks of getting informative and accurate answers to forum readers in a timely manner.

[MSAK]

Hi there,

I've had a similar problem for the past seven months and it's had a big impact on my life.

My left eye is continously irritated.  The lid is scaly sometimes and little bumps form (most likely milia).  I was told my cornea has been irritated this whole time as well.  I am now starting to lose eyelashes on my left eye.
The right eye is totally fine.  

My doctors don't know what's going on.  I've been given oral and topic antibiotics, steroid drops and creams and artificial tears.

I am not sure how to deal with this but it seems like, when it's one eye, doctors are often as perplexed as you are.  

Some articles I came across where this sort of condition was mentioned: lupus or some other autoimmune disease, eyelid eczema and ocular rosacea.
The only thing that's really helped me (and by help, I mean my eye isn't as irritated as it usually is), is not touching the eye and using a mild soap (like Cetaphil) to clean your face.  Other than that, I haven't found a "cure."

Anyway, I hope someone figures out the whole thing (for everyone involved).  

MSAK
New York City

[circumspect]

I am a board certified ophthalmologist but not the offical forum EyeMD who is "gearing up" for answering the questions.

You omit key information in your question. If you have had this problem 11 times and it responds to medication:  1. What is the medicine and 2. What is the working diagnosis?

Remember if you look at any physician led forum on MedHelp.org you will see that most medical problems are either "acute", "chronic", or "re-occuring". Acute means a problem comes on and after a variable amount of time goes away from either treatment or the wonderful defense mechanisms the body has, (example a cold or sore throat). Or the problem can stick around and not go away and wax and wane, chronic problems may require on-going treatment (example high blood pressure or diabetes), and finally some problems come and go. They may not need treatment when their "gone" but when they "come back" they need treatment. (examples bursitis, arthritis, asthma). Bottom line is some things can't be cured but can be controlled.

I would suggest that you see another ophthalmologist for a second opinion. To make the consultation as productive as possible be sure you create a history of when the episodes occurred, what your previous physicians have diagnosed as the cause and what medications were used for the treatment.

JCH MD board certified ophthalmologist

[less1011]

I have a recurring eye inflammation call iritis, they continually treat it with Pred-forte, and it keeps coming back.

How low can I continue to use this steriod without it damaging my health

[soreeye]

i also have iritis in left eye first time two years ago then the past six months had 13 attacks this last one lasted nine days i was in more pain then ever before ,talked to eye doctor and he suggested to see auto-immune doctor more then likely you have an underlying condition and when treated for that condition you will stop having all those atacks my sister has lupus ans had only two attacks in twenty years you really should be seen by a occular eye doctor one who specialty is iritis.and also pred forte if know one one has told you first you can go blind from just oneiritis attack or you can get glucoma from the eye drops thats why you need to find out if theres something else triggering it so your better off  treating the illness with meds then your eye please let me know how this turns out.i have just been tested for several immune illness also do you have any other things like a rash across the bridge of your nose or my get rash on arm when in the sun things like that can tell the doctor what auto-immune they are looking for

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Hello Soreeye,  steroid eye drops can have side effects but not as bad as uncontrolled iritis. You need to be under the care of an ophthalmologist that specializes in "Iritis" or "Uveitis" (the last term is what they're called.  There are not a lot of uveitis ophthalmologists. You best luck may be at a University Medical School, Department of Ophthalmology.

You also need to see a Rheumatologist for a work up to see if you have a disease causing this problem in your body. The Rheumatologist will know what to look for and what tests to do. You may also need to go on pills (immunosuppression) to prevent these attacks from reoccurring.

This is important please act on it.

JCH III MD Ophthalmologist