HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Eye Problems - Thought It Was Pink Eye...

Support Forums
>
Lupus
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 12/5/2007 3:33 AM (GMT 0)
Has anyone had problems with inflammation in the eyes?  I get pink eye a couple of times a year (a risk of my school job...) and call my doctor for eye drops when this occurs.  Last Thursday I woke up and had the tell-tale pink eyes and a small amount of crusty stuff in my eyelids.  My family doc called in eye drops for me and today, after six days of drops, I went in to see the doc because my eyes, while they are better, are not completely clear.  Usually the drops work in a day and I sometimes have been known to stop the drops after about four days rather than the recommended five days.  My eyes get reddish and itchy about five hours after I use the drops and they are still a bit "crusty" in the mornings. 

My family doc now thinks it might be from inflammation (lupus related) and that I probably don't have pink eye after all.  I also kept wearing my contact lenses during the treatment (which I have always done) and the doc says I should not do that ever because it could cause lots of problems that could lead to blindness.  Yikes, I was not ever told this but I have a habit of self diagnosis of minor things since I am always at the doctor's office.  My doc usually trusts me but I really messed up this time!  Contacts with pink eye is a big no-no. nono  

Anyway, my question is has anyone ever dealt with eye problems from lupus before?  I have had a lot of inflammation in the last few weeks and had even called my rhuemy for more prednisone to help control it.  She did call me some in because I have an appointment with her on 12/18.  She lets me monitor the dose based on my previous instructions from her and even called me in 1 mg and 5 mg scripts so I could taper how I needed.  Could my eyes actually get a lupus rash?  Or is it only inflammation?  I plan to ask my rhuemy on the 18th but I was wondering if anyone here has any insight on this.

Regardless, it is glasses for me until this clears up! scool   I am also considering a call to my opthamologist, too.  I am constantly amazed at all the weird health issues we experience with this lupus!  Kinda makes me wonder when the next shoe is going to drop. confused

Posted 12/5/2007 4:19 AM (GMT 0)
I do get an similar inflammation of the eyes - red, itchy, and a bit crusty in the AM. Sometimes won't open until some warm water rinses the crust away. Mine hasn't ever really lasted very long (knock wood), and it's unclear to me whether it's supposed to be inflammation from Lupus or Sjogren's -- or even if it makes any difference at all *what* it causing the inflammation. A bit of extra pred to help the inflammation sounds right to me -- I knew about never wearing contacts when any eye problems occur (eyes heal better w/more surface area exposed to the air rather than covered by contacts) -- I've never heard of lupus rash in the eyes -- but we all know with lupus anything might be possible! You might get some topical relief from lubricant eye drops - Tears Natural is the brand my rheumy & optha both recommended & I use it almost daily. Hang in there,
Posted 12/5/2007 4:40 AM (GMT 0)
Funny lately I have some rouble with my eyes. While I never get pink eye, I do get crusty irritaed eyes daily. I use Systane eyedrops. They keep my eyes lubricated during the day, I have also started using a pm gel due to the morning problems similar but much more sever. I use this daily. There were times that my eyes were so irritated and itchy that I made the whites of my eyes sell up like ballons...I had to put ice on them to get the swelling down. Have care with the swelling and be sure to lubricate your eyes if they are consitantly crusty...it is sign of dryeyes. I am not sure if Lupus causes inflamation of  the eyes my doctor told me mine was due to Sjogren's...Dou you have that as well as Lupus?
Posted 12/5/2007 4:44 PM (GMT 0)
I also get a lot of eye infections and my ophalmologist diagnosed both superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis and blapharospasm. While no one has confirmed to me that the first is associated with lupus, it does involve inflammation. I'd recommend that you see an opthalmologist who specializes in this type of eye problems. Mine is treated with steroid drops and opthalmic antibiotics. For temporary relief, I find that cold or hot compresses help. Good luck. I know how aggravating this can be.
Posted 12/5/2007 7:47 PM (GMT 0)
I have had eye infections in the past. I suggest you go to the doctor just to be safe!
Posted 12/6/2007 2:14 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone for your responses. Your suggestions and experiences will be very helpful for me. Lupus fighter and Patty, I think I will contact my opthamologist, just to be safe. Lynnwood, I did start the prednisone and will continue the antibiotic drops for a few more days. I will also see my rhuemy on the 18th. Also, your explanation of the contact lenses preventing air from getting to my eyes makes great sense. Tahsa, I am not sure if I have sjogrens but my rhuemy suggested I use Biotene toothpaste and mouth rinse because of my complaints of dry mouth. I have noticed my eyes seem more dry in the last few months. My contacts have been noticeably more uncomfortable.

Again, thank you to everyone!
Posted 12/6/2007 2:52 AM (GMT 0)
Had this many of times during the beginning years. I hear scleroderma can cause problems with dry eye. I seem to get it a lot this time of year. I guess it is brought on by the cold weather and dry heat. Crusting like crazy lately. Don't rub the crust and press a wash cloth with warm/hot water to lossen them from your eyes so the swelling and redness doesn't get worse. Just another one of those annoying things with Lupus. I never thought to use eye drops, sounds like a good idea - Thanks and good luck - kristin
Posted 12/7/2007 3:42 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Kristen, I tried your wash cloth with warm/hot water tonight and it was very soothing. My eyes seem to slightly "ache" by evening lately and the warmth was great. The eye drops help a lot, too. I go to the opthamologist next week so I can't wait to hear what he thinks. The possiblity of scleroderma kinda scares me - to be honest. I will keep you all in my prayers and, please, keep me in yours.
Posted 12/7/2007 4:09 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Audrey,

   I also have problems with my eyes due to Sjogren's. Most of the time its one eye. It will get extremely red, burn, itch and swell. My eyes are already sensitive to light, but when they get inflammed I can't stand light.

   I hope this gets better for you soon. I agree with seeing the opthamologist. Let us know what you find out. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

                                                           Babs

Posted 12/8/2007 2:47 AM (GMT 0)
Babs - Thanks - I could shoot myself - I meant to say Sjogren's NOT Scleroderma. Sorry about that Audrey Ann. Yeah, yeah .. that's the one. Gotta love dementia :) Ah, guess it happens to us all.

The soreness does concern me, does the eye doctor know about this one? You may want to say something as inflammation can be painful (not always severe unless you have vision changes), perhaps something mild but he should know in case it is infected or something.

Again sorry for that. Take care and let us know how it goes - Kristin
Posted 12/9/2007 3:05 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much for clarifying that for me, Kristen. I completely understand the mix-up and can relate to the "dementia" issue - LOL. I'll let you know how it goes! The pain is more of a "tired aching" rather than actual pain. I still work long days and I am sure this contributes to my aches everywhere! I hope to fight this and work for as long as possible. Education is, and always has been, my passion. I just LOVE my 500 "kids"!

And Babs, thanks for your kind words. At this point the light doesn't bother me too much. I do prefer shade and dimmer lighting at home or out in the public.

Take care all!
Posted 12/9/2007 6:36 AM (GMT 0)
I have had a lot of problems with my eyes related to lupus.  As a matter of fact, a year or so before I was diagnosed with lupus, i went to my eye dr with these "blisters" in my eye.  He asked me at that time if I had lupus and I said, "Oh no"    lol    Also, lupus makes you rather susceptable for any infections and pink eye is an infection.  So it could be either the lupus, or the lupus or maybe even the lupus that is giving you the problem.      I also have sjogren's and reynalds but the optamologist did specifically ask me if I had lupus when I had the iritis.  It has caused me severe problems at least 3 different times.  He gave me some eyedrops with steroids in it and it cleared it up fairly quickly.

Rhonda

Posted 12/10/2007 5:46 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, I have had two spells with my eyes that were lupus related... It took steroid drops for several weeks to fix it...My eyeballs hurt for 13 days... I had to put hot packs on my eyes... I never missed any work... and I had a small hair salon... I went to all kinds of Dr's and finally, this eye Dr. said to me... I usually see this type of infection with people that have auto imm dieases.. Both eyes were very swollen....
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply