Broken blood vessels in the eyes / lupus

[ShannonB]

I know this isn’t anything to worry about generally but I’ve been getting blood spots/broken blood vessels in my eyes very regularly (at least once every two weeks?) now for the past few months. Any one know why that might be happening?

[DorsetLady]

Had same issue when on higher doses for GCA [ Giant Cell Arteritis]

Probably due to the steroids - the tiny capillaries are very easily damaged - in the eyes as well as elsewhere .

Many people suffer with bruising small spots known as Purpura and Petechiae. They occurs when small blood vessels leak blood under the skin. Purpura measure between 4 and 10 mm (millimeters) in diameter. When purpura spots are less than 4 mm in diameter, they are called petechiae.

Nothing to worry about, but a bit unsightly [especially eyes] and should clear quite quickly. Might be worth speaking to optometrist getting some eye drops in case you have dry eye as well [another side effect of Pred].

[ShannonB in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you — I’m way down on steps at the moment at only 5mg a day so it’s strange how much I’m struggling with it. Is it also a side effect of methotrexate? I need to look that up.

[DorsetLady in reply to ShannonB]

Don’t know about MTX -sorry . Never been on it..

[LesJames]

Hi, I get these quite frequently, and an on Pred and MTX 12mg and 25ml Inj. I have had them checked by my optician and Rheumy. The y have never caused me any discomfort only unsightly, especially when both of them are full of blood. I looked like Micheal Jackson Not!

[ShannonB in reply to LesJames]

Thank you for this — they are pretty unsightly! 😞 But agree it’s good they aren’t painful.

[dg70]

I used to get one eye every few weeks . Once I was diagnosed with sjogrens and started using eye drops, spray and eye mask I realised mine was dry eye. I've been bloodshot eye free for over a year. It does look awful and can be uncomfortable. I did find that opticians and ophthalmogist brushed it off as unimportant but i ended up with a cyst on my eyeball which grew exactly where my bloodshot eye would start from. At least you have some avenues of research now. I would at least bring it up with a gp or ophthalmologist as mine got more and more uncomfortable so I think it's something that needs investigating.

[ShannonB in reply to dg70]

Thank you for this insight— that’s helpful. I have dry eye too but mine doesn’t seem at its worst at the moment. You’ve definitely helped me get some ideas for questions to ask and things to explore. I appreciate it.

[dg70]

No problems I hope you get somewhere with it, it gets so irritating and if you don't wear dark glasses you look like an extra from a horror film😆