Anyone else get constant eye infections with R.A. drugs?

[Knit12]

I’m on my third biologic and seem to be constantly having eye infections, never mind that they bring me out in spots all over my face. Considering I barely had a spot during my teens, this is just another nightmare thing I have to bear along with the never ending pain, swollen joints and not being able to do things. As soon as I do anything I start sweating or feel dizzy, yes these drugs have a lot to answer. As you can tell I’m not having a good week

[Hidden]

Not had a lot of eye infections but had a few. I always use cooled boiled water to wipe my eyes.

Have you told your rheumy? There are complications of the eyes in RA so worth mentioning. They will be more knowledgeable than your gp. My eyes are very dry I have to wear drops during the day and lube at night.

I've also developed acne as an adult so maybe immune suppressant related.

Mention your symptoms as you shouldn't be getting dizzy etc could you have a bug?

Take care knit 12

Kiki x

[Cal48 in reply to Hidden]

I Recently had an eye problem one of the local opticians runs an nhs emergency eye clinic .She checked my eye and got me an Emergency appointment with ophthalmology at the hospital where the corneal specialist contacted my rheumy .

My appointment with her was NHS . Please check with your gp surgery or local info. to find out if you have similar where you live and get an appointment. You do not need a gp referral for the service here.

Your eyes are important so don’t put it off. Good luck.

[springcross]

Hi Knit12. That looks awful, you really need to contact your rheumy department sooner rather than later-maybe your meds are not suitable for you. Good luck, I hope you can get it sorted. x

[oldtimer]

Are you sure that they are eye infections? Do you have rosacea - which can cause both eye inflammation and facial rash?

I once had to go to the eye outpatients urgently as I couldn't see out of my swollen shut eyes - the lofty registrar informed me that it was due to the rosacea (in very patronising tones as if I should have known that).

It's worth getting a firm diagnosis from a health professional so that you know what you are dealing with.

[StormySeas]

Hello there

If your eye hurts and is very sensitive to light, I think it’s worth going to eye A and E.

There are a few AI eye conditions that look like bacterial eye infections, so I’d get it checked out by a specialist at the eye hospital if you’re not 100% certain it is bacterial and has responded to treatment before.

Hope you get it sorted and feel better soon.

[Lizard28]

I have very dry eyes and kept getting infection after infection, after about a year of complaining to my Rheumy doctor I finally got referred to an ophthalmologist, he put the punctual plugs in and it’s made a big difference but I still get swollen eyelid and red eye just like yours. He told me I also had blepharitis. Is your eyelid swollen.? If you can get a visit to an optician they will give you an antibiotic drop for it.chemists where I live won’t give you one over the counter any more. Hope it clears up, I know how you must feel, I had a constant red eye before I knew how to treat it.

[Knit12]

Thank you everyone for the comments, I started drops yesterday, if no better by Monday I will go to optician. I contacted rheummy, she is on holiday this week, but I was advised not to take my to Tocilizumab and they will show rheummy on Monday. Since I started the drops I am having a lot of discharge matter coming out so hopefully it is doing something

[Rashford20]

I don’t have eye issues but get spots which can be annoying, on MTX not a biologic though. They seemed to start when I was taking steroid tablets.

[Gilliancheche]

I am on MTX injections and have possibly got over my 3rd bout of conjunctivitis in about 6 weeks I bathe my eyes each day, use a warm compress daily, use daily eye drops prescribed by ophthalmologist. I have been told a common side effect of RA and MTX. Also was warned to get regular checks as can develop in more complex Issues.

[Hidden]

I get lots of eye infections too and have very dry eyes. However, I was getting them many years ago long before being told I have R.A. To be honest though I think I probably had it that long ago but the doctor I had then, just didn't bother to have it all checked out. Dry eyes are definitely associated with R.A. as they are yet another auto-immune condition. They often go along with having a dry mouth and tongue as well. My eyes look like yours a lot of the time and sometimes are much worse than that. I have also suffered with quite a few burst blood vessels in the eye, but when I have them, they don't hurt at all and the hospital have told me that they are nothing to be concerned about.

You do need to show someone your eye though as I am not a doctor and we are all so different. I hope it clears up soon.