Eye pain and fibromyalgia

[JanHass]

I've got dry eyes. The consultant describes it as moderate. I'm having terrible trouble with eye pain. I can't really watch television and my weekly trips to the cinema are now impossible. Don't know if the problem is dry eye pain being amplified by fibro or maybe it's dry eye and photosensitivity. Anyone else had anything similar?

[MichelleButterfly]

I've read many people get dry eyes and also have fibro. I do get it but not very bad. Maybe ask if there is an eye wash or something you can do to minimise the issues.

[Hidden]

Had dry eyes for several years and during the sunny weather over Easter I could even have worn sunglasses indoors. I get Hylo Forte eye drops on prescription. Recently developed dry mouth too, GP prescribed tablets but not seen a dr yet so don’t know if it’s sjorens syndrome or not.

[Broomhill2016]

Absolutely I have pain and been for eye test , very dry eyes I need drops 6 times A day , I have drops for my ears too 😬

[Bobbassett]

Hi Jan,

Weirdly, I had dry eye in my right eye and it used to stream.

I didn’t get why it was called ‘dry’ when it was constantly watering.

The pharmacist explained that it was overcompensating and advised some drops which were very helpful.

However, several months ago I was prescribed vitamin D : one a month and surprisingly, no more watering eyes.

Coincidence? I don’t know.

I also have to wear sunglasses outdoors , especially if I’m driving, even in winter. I’m very sensitive to strong light.

I count myself lucky that I don’t suffer pain in my eyes and I’m sorry that you have this problem on top of everything else.

Take care,

Jan xx

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

I've dry eyes and photosensitivity... Have eye drops on prescription and wear tinted glasses. Seems to be another condition that's very common in people with fibro xxx

[JanHass]

I am using all the eye drops and heat packs and have been referred to hospital because they're not working and the pain is far to bad for moderate dry eye. There is no one to ask if this atypical reaction could be because of fibro. The eye consultant says he gets quite a few people with fibro but he knows nothing about fibro. I just want to know if my unusual extreme pain because of moderate dry eye could be fibro amplifying pain and what role photosensitivity might play. And has this happened to anyone else with fibro

[Pam194545]

Hi JanHass I have had the same symptoms for a few months, All was well at the opticians, I was hoping he would find a solution, but no, I have had got tear drops from my GP, but they make my eyes sting and are blurred, sorry I can't help you love Pammie 71☺

[Nessie87 in reply to Pam194545]

Hylo forte are excellent. No stinging and keep eyes feeling comfortable. They also do an ointment than you could also use at nighttime. This is what I was given by an ophthalmologist. I also have fibro as well as the dry eyes. See if your doctor can give you a prescription.

[Roselil]

So sorry, Jan, you have eye pain. I have had eye troubles for years. First, it was dry-eye, then blocked ducts which could not be released, then Bletharitis for the last 3-4 years or so, and cataracts now in both eyes. Dry-eyes can easily be corrected, through drops. I used to use drops from a prescription, but more recently, have used an eye spray on the lids which is much better. it has been a great struggle for years to keep going on the computer, but being so ill with ME and Fibro, and other issues, and disabled as well, I so need the fellowship. You can also get a most soothing eye wash from the chemists which will help you., sincerely, Roselil

[JanHass in reply to Roselil]

What's the eye wash called?

[Roselil in reply to JanHass]

For dry-eye I use Boots Eye Mist for dry and irritated eyes preservative free and for an eye wash, I use Superdrug their own Eye wash and Eye bath solution made with natural plant extracts. Hope they help. sincerely, Roselil

[JanHass in reply to Roselil]

Thanks. I'll try them

[JanHass in reply to JanHass]

I've tried. 5 different sorts of eye drops and warm compresses. Help for about half an hour. Need drops about every hour. Can't watch telly for more than an hour a day. Just spent £73 on a blue light filter that clips on the front of the telly but I don't think it's made any difference.

[Heloise]

Hi Jan, often it is the glands by the eyelash that are plugged and don't lubricate your eyes. One of the ingredients in those dry eye drops is castor oil. I bought pure castor oil at the pharmacy and use warm compresses before bed as it might make sight a little blurry. Another reason for dry eyes has been said to be a vitamin A deficiency.

[WeeFi]

Jan I have dry eyes and light sensitivity with my fibro. My doctor prescribed me Carbomer 0.2% eye drops. They helped, but it was still a problem. My optician gave me Hycosan extra eye drops. They've been great. They're not on the prescriptions list, but a bottle costs £10 and can be used up to 6 months after opening. They don't need to be refrigerated and have no preservatives in them. You can also buy them in Boots. I also got visors from my optician free through RNIB and they really help with the light sensitivity.

[JanHass in reply to WeeFi]

What do you mean by visors?

[JanHass]

Yes because I was using eye gel (not drops) 6 or 7 times a day and warm compresses and my eyes still hurt a lot. What is puzzling is he says my dry eye is only moderate so I wonder about photosensitivity. I can't watch telly. It's annoying

[Chance15]

Hi jan I also have like shooting pains in my eyes dry gritty eyes.I also ware glasses with a tint.My Optictian has put me down as eye test every year instead of two. I take 10ml hypromlose which I take wen I need to.

[HBpencil]

Oh yes Jan. I was at the optician for the third time this year only this week. The photophobia thing is awful isn't it? I used to love the sun but now have to don a peaked cap,and over sunglasses (make me look like Roy Orbison) every time l leave the house. Even if it's not that bright. I end up with eye pain, headache and feeling sick if exposed too long. Same goes for anywhere with florescent lights like supermarkets.....

The optician reckons if l get the dry eye under control the light sensitivity will improve. I use preservative free drops and Xailin night gel. Helped the headaches a little but l am still light sensitive,..

I think one if the causes is the drugs used for fibromyalgia. Especially tryclilics like amitriptyline. I know they can cause glaucoma.

I know how frustrating it can be Jan. I was told mine was severe by an opthalmologist. The optician can only see so much of the eye where as a consultant can have a proper look at the back with better equipment. Not sure if you've seen a specialist or not,

I do find this is one of the worst things to deal with out of the numerous things fibromyalgia throws at us. But I will persevere and try to get on top of it.

I hope you can too.

Hazel

[Nessie87 in reply to HBpencil]

Opticians can use special drops to make your pupils dilate, then they can look at back of eye very carefully too. To can’t drive if you’re having this done BTW

[Frankiebeee]

I have dry eye tov and my doc prescribes viscotears for mine. I have found thiugh since getting a smartphone 2 yeaes ago that has also made my eyes dry too so use tge gel more often than I used to. If you are having problems you may need to see someone

[Violetta70]

Another one here with dry eyes. I have prescribed eye drops that I use at least four times a day, which do help. I did have blepharitis for about 18 months also, which was awful, but since I've been on a regime of cleaning my eyelids and using the eye drops it has improved greatly.

[Country-gal]

Hello. I have bad eye pain. But I don't know if it's related to Fibro or not. I have what's called Optical Neritis. It's very painful. I would get it checked if I was you as some eye pain isn't normal.

[amesburyarcher in reply to Country-gal]

Optic neuritis is very serious, it can be associated with MS, serious infections and so on. I had it in both eyes 17 years ago when my health problems began. Lost quite a bit of of my vision, which fortunately came back in a few months

[zepo]

I have used Celluvisc drops for years, which take the edge off a little. One Consultant thought I had Bletharitis. I do find it helps to go along my eye lids every day with a wet cotton bud, even though it does not look like there is anything on them. Good luck.

[Karenlg51]

I got diagnosed with blepharitus at the eye clinic at hospital, my gp sent me as an urgent case as I felt like I’d been punched in one eye and it wasn’t responding so after a day of tests I found out what it was. I have minorvflares with it but this past week has be dreadful pain, I have drops and I bought an eye mask for blepharitus that you warm in the microwave and lay with it in for 8 minutes then you massage your eyes after and it does help xx

[Erica50]

Mines have just been diagnosed with dry eye by the optician, attended most days for 4week,to do tests had to get esr bloods done the optician, is looking at giant cell arteries, I have terrible pain come up from side of neck and hits the big bone at back of ear like electric shocks then goes across into my left eye, the pain in my eye is horrendous, but the g.p doesn’t think that’s what it is, so I’m going to have to go down the route of the breast clinic, I’ve to phone them and tell them I have symptoms like before headaches breathlessness fatigue pains in my head , and they will scan my head, due to having breast cancer before, giant cell arteries can cause loss of vision if not dealt with and the optician due to my results feels I need seen too, I feel I’m in limbo, got xailian night gel, I’ve to wear every night and drops for day 4 times daily. I just feel, like running away cause the pain the blurry, the constant pain in my head, but I will see what tomorrow brings cause I’m going to phone my breast nurse and hopefully I will get scan xxx

[Dee-ivy06]

I suffer with blepharitis, which is dry eyes I get ulcers on my cornea too herpes virus, been suffering with it since 2003 just after my dad died long before fibromyalgia,hope you get it sorted xx

[Littleman28]

Yes I have dry eyes blurred vision and double vision

[Ladybex]

I have dry eyes and not sure if I have fibromyalgia but also have had the skin around my eyes go dry and red and very itchy ... this has just come on the past few days ... fortunately I don’t get pain .. just soreness so have been using Vaseline ... dry mouth too so wondering if I have SS

[Aliblue]

Have you tried taking omega 7 (sea buckthorn capsules, also rich in omegas 3,6,9 too) daily? If not we’ll worth a try. I have seen a lot of people benefit from it. It’s especially good for lining of the eyes, nose, mouth and vagina and helps greatly to eliminate dryness in those areas. Pharma Nord is probably the best - take two capsules morning and evening for two weeks to “load” and then 1 twice daily. Coconut oil in the eye as you go to bed (not day time it’s too smeary) can be helpful too. Hope you get some relief 💜