My husband who has PV has had sore, itchy eyes for a couple of weeks, with painful spots appearing on the edges of his eye lids. He went to the GP 2 weeks ago and was given a couple of different eye ointments (an antibiotic and a lubricant). However, the problems haven’t gone away so I’ve persuaded him to go back to the doc tomorrow and suggested he ask if this could be connected to his PV? Has anyone else had similar issues with eyes? I’ve tried searching the internet but nothing concrete except some very scientific studies that were a bit baffling so I would very much appreciate any responses which might link MPNs to eyes!
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MarybellM
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That does not sound like any PV eye issues I have ever heard of. Usually these would involve retinal issues (blood vessels), double vision, blind spots. visual/ocular migraines, etc. There are some meds that can have various side effects that involve the eyes.
There may be an indirect link in that the JAK2 mutation increases inflammatory response in the body. However, this sounds like more. I would be wondering about things like blepharitis and dry eye, both of which I experience. It could be an infection or allergies as well. I would suggest consultation with an ophthalmologist. This may be beyond the scope of a GP to treat.
Hi MarybellM As Hunter has said it doesn't sound like it is linked to PV.
It sounds to me like Blepharitis - Which I suffer from, and it can be very irritating and uncomfortable. I use a diluted baby shampoo daily to clean mine and a flannel warmed in water as a compress, which I put on my eyelids for 10 minutes.
Heavens. Make an appointment straight away to see an ophthalmic consultant you ll have to go privately to get in soon - I started with dry itchy very uncomfortable eyes about two months ago and was diagnosed with meibomian gland dysfunction. We have tiny tiny glands in our lower and upper eye lids which can become blocked. They shoot an oily layer over our eyes for lubrication. Nothing serious but very uncomfortable. Happens to lots of people. Gps sadly are not eye experts or indeed experts in anything which is why they hold the dubious title of general practitioner, and have little training in ophthalmic stuff - always go to the experts in the field I say.
Meanwhile tell him to bath his eyelids every morning and night, using a clean face cloth, under as hot running water as he can stand, massaging lids as he goes. Helped me enormously.
Eyes are incredibly precious and you need to make him an appointment pronto. It won’t be anything serious I m sure but an Opthalmic chap rather than an optician is your best bet. He ll probably be prescribed some decent lubricating creams.
So right Louise,part of my diagnosis was red itchy eyes along with red hands.I have a highly qualified ophthalmologists here who tests my eyes each year& discovered the tiny blocked gland which was actually carcinogenic & needed removing.The op was annulled when Covid broke out...by the time I had the op I needed a big op & skin grafts,fortunately an eminent eye surgeon who did an amazing job,it should have been massively expensive but I did not pay as here they regard skin cancers as part of our MP N & the meds we are taking.I would say to anyone,see an ophthalmologist with any eye lid problems.An optician is not as qualified.Here in France they only provide our spectacles that the Opthalmologiste decides we need.Certainly they are great too ,but I was in U K just before Covid ,had my eyes tested at the optician I had there for years....they did not pick up the gland or the pression in my eyes,On my return here,my G P sent me to the Opthalmologiste as by the the lid was red & swollen.,was diagnosed with the carcinoma just 2 weeks after my previous eye test.So I feel I must write to say my about experience.Been without internet for a while & back in hospital so perhaps I should have posted a warning.Just saw the post today as just back on line today.Best to you Louise & yours was good advice.
Hi SallyCrikey you have been through the mill you poor thing. Hope everything ok now.
Honestly you absolutely have to be on top of things.
I m somewhat cross with a dermatologist at the Christie I saw 7 months about red marks on my face. She told me it was just me!
I saw a private dermatologist a week ago because I wasn’t happy ( super chap called Dr Faisal Ali ) who told me I have actinic ketoses ( pre cancerous growths. )This could have been sorted months ago if the lady I saw had known what she was talking about!!
Look after yourself, keep on top of things - because no one else will to the same extent.
Ps Claire has had a little girl. Non ivf this time.
Oh fantastic Louise,lovely pic.So pleased you got your face sorted,I had those on my shoulder ,legs & chest ,fortunately spotted before becoming carcinoma.Its crazy,I have never been a sun bather,although like you my life has been out doors the most part in northern U K .Tests I had here showed nil sun damage,so it’s got to be our maladies & meds .I have read on here of others suffering horrendous skin lesions & cancers.
We must as you say be on top of things ourselves.If that little girl looks like the boys soon she will be a stunner.Delighted for you all.
Hi Marybell, I have had PV for 18 years, have been on aspirin/venesections for all this time. I've had Blepharitis for years which has included styes and eye infections. I've tryed everything for this condition. Currently am using an ointment on my left lower lid as I've had an on-going eye infection for years. I believe PV and the inflammation associated just exasperates the problem. My optician is not experienced enough so I'm heading to an ophthalmologist next. Its a very frustrating condition. I take Doxy (antibiotic) when completely infected, use eye scrubs, hot compresses and now the eye ointment. UGH! Kerry
That’s a shame that you are also having these very annoying issues with your eyes. My husband was given 2 different eye ointments and I was convinced that they were making his eyes worse instead of better. If the antibiotic tablets don’t work I’m definitely going to persuade him to go to the ophthalmologist. We have a very good one here. Good luck to yourself and I really hope you’ll get it sorted once and for all. Thank you for your reply. X
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