Vision Problems

[Corinth]

Hi, I was diagnosed with Seronegative arthritis in April last year. My symptoms were swollen knees and pain in other joints coupled with some numbness, burning and tingling. I was put on prednisolone for about 2 months and then Sulfasalzine and after about 4 months the swelling and pain had subsidised. However I started to notice my vision was struggling with lights and has slowly got worse. I’ve seen my rheumatologist numerous times an ophthalmologist (and also an optician), had MRIs as well and all said they couldn’t see anything and my eyes were fine. It’s getting more noticeable now we in autumn with car headlights and occasional low level sun. I think it could be some low level inflammation they couldn’t detect, or some fibromyalgia or even Sulfasalzine. Wondered if anyone else had similar problems. Any comments much appreciated. Thanks

[sylvi]

I have read your post and it confuses me too, but there has to be something wrong so try your opticians again and go from there. I can't say with any certaintity, but ask about Sjorgens and look it up and see if that gives you any answers darling,xxxxx

[zimmie]

Fibromyalgia has many demons eyes being one of them.

I can attach a sheet I have about all the possible side effects of fibromyalgia.

But you can find it on fibromyalgiaresources.com.

[Corinth in reply to zimmie]

Thanks, I’m looking online on that now.

[Corinth]

Many thanks I will ask that - it’s much appreciated

[helixhelix]

Since I developed RA my eyes have become hugely sensitive to light. I have mild Sjorgens too so they are dry which doesn’t help. Apart from the Sjorgens the opticians have found nothing and aren’t concerned, they put it down to ageing (and I’m only recently turned 60!). So I’m learning not to be either. But I can no longer drive at night at all now as the oncoming lights are impossible.

[Hidden in reply to helixhelix]

Have you had anti reflective coating on your specs. This can really help with glare. You’ve probably got it it’s pretty standard these days but thought I’d mention it . Not being able to drive makes life so much more restricted.☹️😞

[helixhelix in reply to Hidden]

I have, and it helps. The problem is that if headlights hit my eyes in the wrong way then my eyes water hugely and I can’t see a thing! So not worth the risk for anything further than local cinema.

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to helixhelix]

If your eyes are dry you need to get some good dry eye drops and use them regularly throughout the day - not just once or twice or when you remember or when your eyes hurt, then when your eyes feel better don’t stop using them, you still need them, your eyes will only be better for as long as you are using them. That should stop your dry eyes watering too, although I don’t know about with headlight glare.

My previous rheumy mentioned Sjorgens but my optometrist doesn’t think so and my mouth isn’t really dry so I think it’s probably just my eyes are really dry.

I like eye drops that are free if preservatives - HycoSan, Theolose Duo etc but for the last two years my rheumy has recommended drops called SnoTears.

No one seems to stock them although they have been around for a very long time, they are manufactured by Bauch & Lomb - so in the end I gave up and carried on as I was.

This year I decided I couldn’t turn up for a third year running and still not have tried them, so I set too and Googled and there they were - available online.

They are very cheap and best of all and much to my amazement they seem to be really good. So when I see my rheumy next week I can tell him I have followed his advice and I’m glad I did.

I have also started to use stuff called VitA POS at night, it’s very thick but I put it in before my head hits the pillow so I don’t notice.

[Kgj2112]

I suffer from uveitis often and use steroid drops. This sounds like the first signs I have when inflammation is starting to affect my eyes.

[charisma]

That is strange! Do you wear glasses? I found driving at night impossible with my glasses on from 2015, could see fine where I was without them. So I get the coating on them now, anti glare.

If not glasses, no idea. 🙂

[texaslady]

I'm Seronegative and have the same problem. I'm light sensitive and have dry eyes but tested negative for Sjogrens. I need steroid drops when I flare. I use Restasis and daily drops and it helps but doesn't fix them. I hope yours don't get worse!