HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Sun and eyes - ouch

Support Forums
>
Lupus
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 7/17/2008 9:25 PM (GMT 0)
I took my daughter swimming today for a while and it was so hot I decided to get into the pool for just a little bit with her (I really loaded up with sunscreen).  After getting out of the pool, my eyes have been burning really badly.  I didn't go underwater or get any chlorine in them.  The only thing I can think of is the sun's reflection off the water getting in my eyes.  I knew my skin was super sensitive to the sun, but I never thought about my eyes. I haven't had this happen before and don't know if it's a sun sensitivity lupus thing or maybe a sjogrens thing.  I'm not getting any relief yet (2hrs later).  My eyes just keep burning and tearing.  I put my liquigel tears in a few times but they haven't helped.  Anyone have any suggestions?
Posted 7/17/2008 9:34 PM (GMT 0)
Did you wash all the sunscreen off? My sunscreen actually melts a bit when on me and I nearly always get some in my eyes. When that happens I experience the burning you mentioned. Other than calling your doc about it.. I'm not sure what else you can do besides flushing them with saline.
Posted 7/17/2008 9:59 PM (GMT 0)
I don't think it's sunscreen. I've had sunscreen in my eyes and this seems different. I got an ice pack out and wrapped it in a towel and have been putting it over my eyes for a few minutes at a time, but I'm still pretty miserable. One of my best friend's husband is an optometrist so I may end up calling them to see if he has any ideas.
Posted 7/18/2008 12:08 AM (GMT 0)
It may also be a plaq thing-photosensitivity is one of its side effects. The opthamologist who did my preplaq eye exam suggested I buy prescription sunglasses. If rinsing your eyes really well with artificial tears doesn't make them feel better I would definitely see someone.
Sj
Posted 7/18/2008 12:20 AM (GMT 0)
Can't sun sensitivity to eyes just be a Lupus thing too? I wear my sunglasses all the time when its cloudly and have been accused of "trying to look cool" when actually all I'm trying to do is squint less. The sun really does a number on my eyes and lately my eyes have been so dry that I'm wondering how long I should actually be wearing my contacts everyday. I recently got more breathable ones too.
Posted 7/18/2008 1:00 AM (GMT 0)
What are you using for sunscreen? I am using sun block and even if I get into the pool I suffer miserably! for at least a week afterwards. This time around I had a rash combined with weird itching. What kind of sunscreen am I missing out on?
Posted 7/18/2008 1:33 AM (GMT 0)
I notice my eyes get really red and have a burning sensation if I'm out in the sun too long. The eye drops helps a little bit, but the sensation doesn't go away until I've been indoors and rested them for a bit.
Posted 7/18/2008 12:20 PM (GMT 0)
hippimom,

My rheumy told me when I first started on plaq. a few years ago that I needed to start wearing sunglasses because the med would make my eyes more senstive to the sun. My eye doctor just reaffirmed that to me in April when I went in for my yearly exam. He actually wanted to prescribe me special sunglasses that are darker than the ones you get in the store, but my insurance didn't cover them. I would guess that you are probably right in thinking it was the sun reflecting off the water that has irritated your eyes. Preservative free natural tear eye drops work really well for soothing sore eyes. I can't live without mine. I use the Bausch & Lomb brand.
Posted 7/18/2008 12:51 PM (GMT 0)
My eyes were already sensitive to the sun, but since starting Plaquenil they are even more so. I have to wear sunglasses all the time outside.

Hope your eyes are feeling better today.
Posted 7/18/2008 1:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hippi, I hope your eyes feel better today. I've never had that happen so don't have any idea what to tell you. It's good that you have sometone to go to if you don't get any relief.

When I get in the pool, in addition to sunscreen, and even though we have shade over the pool, I keep on my big floppy hat. I'm so paranoid of the sun and it's effects that I'll do anything to keep it off of me. I don't wear sunglasses because they drive me crazy but I know they would be a good idea. This reminds me that I'm overdue for my eye exam.

Let me know how your eyes are today.

Pat
Posted 7/18/2008 6:11 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the responses. I didn't think about the plaq, but it makes sense. I was thinking after going through all of that yesterday that I probably need prescript ion sunglasses because I really think what happened was a reaction to the sun. I ended up with an aweful headache last night because of my eyes and just went ot bed early. I have a really soothing lavender scented eye pillow that I use when I go to bed. Today my eyes are still a little sore, but nothing like yesterday. Chaya, no matter how much sunscreen I put on, I still have a really bad reaction to the sun. I just wanted to get in the pool with my daughter for a little bit and be like a "normal" person, but I pay for it even if I'm only in the sun for a few minutes. Today I have a bit of a rash and have a lot of fatigue. Do make sure you are using a sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. I use my kids' Banana Boat 50 sunscreen with UVA/AVB protection and it works the best of anything i've tried. i think you can also get prescript ion sunblock too. I usually do what Pat does and stay in the shade and protect myself the best I can. I also realized that I'm due for an eye exam, so I guess this incident helped to remind me of that.
Posted 7/18/2008 10:27 PM (GMT 0)

This topic really interrests me and so do the meds people take.

I really, really do not intend to hurt the person who wrote up their meds and added, wife and mother of three.

I laughed hoots, do you take the wife and mother of three, daily or three times daily?

Am I wicked or wha?

No, seriously,

about prescription shades.

I have prescription sunglasses and I think they are the darkest you can get.

I investigated here in London UK and was told about Addidas which are 'wrap around' and you just place the script glass into a rubber slot inside so that when the scrip changes you dont have to change the sunglasses.

But its over 300 sterling and I really cant afford that, espec if I am unsure they'd work.

What are you guys using?

I need advise.

Hey, mother of three, well done.  I never had kids and would have loved to.

I quite understand how a person would want to swim with a daughter, I have to say.

The sun and heat sents me absolutely AWOL.

xAnn

Posted 7/18/2008 11:00 PM (GMT 0)

Hippi--

I think it might be a combination of all of the above. Your eyes being really dry and irritated, the sweat and suncreen combining and getting into the corners of your eyes.  Sometimes makeup holds up better to sweating, I put sunscreen on my face, dust it with foundation powder at home to form a layer, then wear big sunglasses to cover my eyes at all times. I even wear them in the water. I have a problem with computers and my eyes tearing and have had since programming days. I've learned that wearing UV blocking sunglasses while watching TV and using the computer help a lot. The Marshall Protocol site has info on special light filtering sunglasses for people with autoimmune disease they use as part of disease treatment.

I hope you feel better and know about that eye pain. It can get worse and feel like nails driven into your eyes. You might should consider moving up you next plaquenil eye appt if it keeps up or advances. I've had it get really bad.

Posted 7/19/2008 12:34 AM (GMT 0)
Ann Ireland
I am also laughing Hoots at what you were talking about. I needed that:)
Posted 7/19/2008 1:59 AM (GMT 0)
Ann, you are funny! It's a once daily dose with time release so it lasts all day.

Being a wife and having three kids does help ease my lupus woes most days. I don't think I could handle this disease without my family. Some days, though, this family of mine overdoses me and I have to hide in my bed under a blanket and pray they don't kill me with all of their attention! ;)
Posted 7/21/2008 1:43 AM (GMT 0)
hippi--
I did it today, went out on a boat on the ocean and was out too long and even though I covered up, my eyes were red and bloodshot and sore and dry and I can't stand any light. I'm in sunglasses now in the dark typing this. My eyes hurt so bad. Restasis helped a little since it has an antiinflammatory effect. I feel like I sun burned my eyes. And even though I put strong spf 50 on my lips, they burnt again. I need to talk to the rheumie about that. I'm not sure it isn't more a reaction than a burn.

Well, I should go, they hurt!
Posted 7/21/2008 2:09 AM (GMT 0)
Marji, I'm sorry you had to go through that too, Yes, it feels like a sunburn on your eyes. I'm going to call this week for my eye appointment and to check into prescript ion sunglasses. I hope you get some relief by tomorrow.
Posted 7/21/2008 3:15 AM (GMT 0)
Just a FYI Neutragina (spelling might be off but you get the jist) makes a 85 SPF that works GREAT!!!
Posted 7/22/2008 3:48 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks IALupus, my face got burnt even with the spf 50, I'm so mad. Either that or its the rash, its hard to tell, I think its both, rash on cheeks where I got the sunscreen good and burnt around the edges. Lovely. I look like a horrible alcoholic.
Posted 7/24/2008 2:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hippi,

   I hope your eyes feel a bit better by now. I have to wear the dark wrap arounds over my rx sunglasses all the time outside. My eyes are very sensitive to the light. If I don't wear them outside, my eyes do just like yours. Lack of sleep makes it even worse.

   I know this is a miserable feeling....((Hugs)). I hope it gets alot better for you soon. Keep us updated and take care. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

                                                               Babs

Posted 7/24/2008 12:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hippie, I just had a thought. Do you have dry eyes? I wonder if the sun started a bit of a dry-eye-flare. If so, maybe the lubricant eye drops would help. Hoping your eyes are better by now. Blessings!
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply