anyone had eye problems with Rheumatoid Arthritis/

[judyginn]

[Hidden]

Mine sting when watching TV or using laptop. which is irritating

Or do you think is medication which is causing you problems? Hydroxychloroquinne can cause eye problems.

Caroline x

[sylvi]

Judy,yes i've had problems with my eyes. Mine got so bad i had the tear ducts cauterised. That is due to dry eyes caused by the ra and drugs. My optician says my eyes are clearer than he has seen them for a long time. I also think i've got a lot of water round my eyes as well and i've to see my gp about that.

Sylvi. x

[Hidden]

Hello Judy,

I have suffered with bouts of Chronic Iritis for about the last 10-15yrs, My eyes become very painful, inflamed, red and sore. They weep and I can not stand the light.

My Dad also had the same condition.

Through the years I've had lots of comments regarding whether or not this is hereditory and whether or not it is related to RA. There seems to be divided opinion!

Not sure this is what you meant though.

On the other hand I occasionally wear contact lenses, and have found my eyes get quite dry since the RA over the last few months and I can't wear them for more than a couple of hours before my eyes become dry and irritated.

Suzxx

[Beth58]

Hi Judy, I have chronic dry eye and nasal passages. My optician advised I get fake tears prescribed by my doctor on my monthly prescription, these really help. I've just had another visit to the optician and she's said the condition has got much worse to the point where I can't wear contacts for more than an hour or so.

I saw her again this week and she's advised I get a gel which is put in my eyes overnight, I did buy some and it's really made a difference.

You can buy both of these over the counter from the chemists and only cost a few pounds.

They are: Viscous Tears (gel) use overnight or

Lacrilube (gel) use overnight

and

Systane artificial tears for daily use or

Hypromellose artificial tears daily use

I use a gel overnight and tears for daily use, they have made a difference.

Beth xx

[gerri-1966]

Hi judy

I have problems with my eye s, seems wen ever i have flare up with my RA few days later my eye s go very dry sting and itch like mad, i do use the artificial tears but dont seem to help much.

gerri-1966

[Hidden]

Hello Judy

I always have dry eyes now. Li ke Caroline when i watch tv ,read or use my laptop they really sting. I use an eye gell but it does'nt make a lot of difference .

[Hidden]

I have dry eyes too.

I use lacrilube every night and Celluvisc eye drops 4 or 5 times a day. They have made a big difference. I try to put them in regularly rather than react to dry stinging eyes.Especially before reading or using my PC.

Taking fish oil capsules can help too.

[Tinwoman2]

Hi Judy, I've had dry eyes since I was a child, they feel like I have several eyelashes in each eye. I have Sjogrens, diagnosed about 6 years ago, it affects my eyes & mouth. I also have been experiencing extreme sensitivity to sunlight for about 2 years now. I have to wear sunglasses while driving or wear a ball-cap for shade.

I take Pilocarpine now, it is supposedly cheaper than the Evoxac that I took for years. Both are quite expensive in the US. I tried going off of them, but could hardly swallow food-I was so dry, so I'm back on them again.

I hope you find a solution.

Christine