more info on eye infections and lupus

I went to the ophthalmologist this afternoon because both eyes have been infected for nearly a week and a half and the antibiotic eye drops my pcp prescribed didn't help.

He said there are several things going on:

Sjogren's has my eyes bone dry, which makes them feel like sandpaper;

I have a bacterial infection in both eyes; and

They are both inflammed bcause of an autoimmune condition.

When I asked him if lupus attacks the inside eye lids, he said "Oh yeah!" He prescribed an antibiotic ointment for the infection and steroid drops for the inflammation.

Kari, Crystal, and Babs, you guys were talking about recurrent eye infections, sinus infections, and clogged glands in the eye lids so I brought that up with him too and he confirmed it all. I'm flaring right now, so it makes sense to me that my eyes and sinuses would be inflamed just like my joints are. This explains a lot to me. The problem is, according to the ophthalmologist is that when we have lupus and these eye infections, they tend to recur. So he did give me two refills on both drops he prescribed. That gave me a huge sense of relief, because as you guys know, when you get one of these infections, you want to treat them right away and not have to wait to get into a doctor.

By the way, while I was waiting for my scripts to be filled, I found some eye gel made for people with severe eye dryness, bought it, tried it, and it helped a lot more than the liquid drops I've used in the past.

So there's nothing here that we didn't suspect, but it was good to have it confirmed by an ophthalmologist. I hope you guys all get some relief, because flaring is bad enough, but flaring with these eye problems is like pouring salt into a wound. So use your drops, take your pain meds, and rest, rest, rest.

Pat

Hi Pat,

   I hope you get some quick relief from the rx's he gave you. Thank you for asking those questions for us...((Hugs)). My Opthamologist gives me two different eye drops. One of them is Systene and I can't remember the name of the other. Sometimes I have to use them several times a day for the sandpaper feeling. I also have an rx for Gentamicin eye drops when they get infected that helps alot. I agree, staying on top of this helps.

   Take care and let us know how the rx's work for you. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

                                                                 Babs