Frequent styes

[Pippapot]

I know that this is not a serious symptom, but I was just wondering if anyone else keeps getting styes. I seem to get rid of one and then a week later get another. My eyes are very sore.I do all the recommended things with eye hygiene, changing makeup regularly and heat pad on my lids.

Could this be a side effect of ET or Hydroxycarbamide?

[hunter5582]

I have never heard of any direct relationship between styes and ET or HU. There may be an indirect relationship in that systemic inflammation is an issue with MPNs.

I experience blepharitis, dry eye, and conjunctivochalasis. This is unrelated to the JAK2/PV. the eye issues are treated independently of the MPN. I have been treating the dry eye with Cequa, which has made a huge difference.

Hope you find eye relief soon.

[Pippapot in reply to hunter5582]

Thank you, Perhaps I need to see an ophthalmologist.

[hunter5582 in reply to Pippapot]

Definitely see an ophthalmologist for what you are describing. Hope all goes well for managing the issue.

[ferne]

I had a female Opthamologist advise using a soap based makeup remover and to avoid the oily ones. I was also advised to take fish oil, although I don’t think that’s helped. Because they were so bothersome ( I needed oral antibiotics to clear) I started avoiding eye liner. Good luck!

[LIGEBA]

Pippapot I have PV and do therapeutic phlebotomies and take aspirin. When I was first diagnosed I did have several styes and would get in both eyes. I don't wear any makeup and had never been prone to them in the past. I used hot compresses and Occuvite wipes to get rid of them. Eventually I stopped getting them and have not had one in about 2 years.

Never thought about it being related to my PV. Now that you are mentioning it, I do wonder if it did have to do with inflammation and somehow cleared once I started on the aspirin and phlebotomies to get my numbers lower. I never did mention it to the dr.s because I had too many other symptoms to deal with at the time.

I hope you are able to figure out the root cause and get rid of them and not have them return.

[Threelions]

I have suffered with dry eyes which did lead to styes.

Saw ophthalmologist & was recommended;

Applying a heat pad over the eyes. (Heats up in microwave)

Followed by cleaning eyes with eye wipes.

I do this each morning.

Both above are available from chemist (I went to boots) without prescription. I haven’t suffered from styes since.👍

[mbr8076]

I have ET and I have experienced styes on one eye. I was told by optometrist it was due to dry eyes and to get a preservative free drop. Also, to wash my eyelids each day with no tear baby shampoo. I believe it may be due to Hydroxyurea because it makes my skin dry as well. So, perhaps not directly related to ET but perhaps treatment of.

[Pippapot]

Thank you all, I will give your recommendations a try.

[Inca]

Hi Pippapot,Check with a good ophtalmologiste,the lump like a sty «on my lower left eyelid was in fact a carcinoma,I had a good surgeon to remove it,unfortunately the day of my op the hospitals closed here due to Covid.By the time I had my op the thing had grown & was very sore.So op was much more than hoped for requiring skin grafts.My surgeon was a very famous one in Fr & did a good job ,but he warned me of carcinoma anywhere with our meds & sunlight .So best to get a good ophtalmologiste not just a basic spec sévères or similar.Good Luck.

[Cja1956]

I would definitely check that out with a good ophthalmologist. Mine turned out to be basal cell carcinoma. In the last 2 1/2 months, I’ve had three eye surgeries. My lower eyelid had to be removed and my eye was sealed shut for 6 weeks. The eye was opened up 2 weeks ago and looks fairly normal now except I have no eyelashes on the bottom of my left eye.