Eye pain

[Pepsimax72]

Hi everyone. Still waiting to be seen by rheumy…since August. 3 week back log on automated line. Fourth phone call. I’m scared to go anywhere or do anything in case I miss their ring back and I have to start the process again. Anyway not why I’m here today. I was just wondering if it’s common for eye problems with RA. One of my eyes is watery, red, gritty and feels like someone is digging their thumb into my socket (not that I’ve had that done 😂). It happens quite regular (maybe every couple of weeks or so) Always just one eye. Could be either eye. Only lasts for a day or two then goes again. Is this a symptom of RA or have I got something else that’s annoying? If it’s common, any ideas on how to ease it? Thanks in advance xx

[Runrig01]

I have ankylosing spondylitis and the eye condition uveitis is closely associated with it. It may also be the case with RA. It’s classed as a medical emergency, I would attend an eye hospital or even an optician urgently to assess.

[Amnesiac3637]

As Runrig says go to nearest optician, explain your condition and that you have RA and ask to be seen under the NHS. They know what to look for, will do a thorough examination and advise you what to do. You may just have a simple infection which is affecting both eyes but not worth messing about waiting for GP appointment as they would rather you got seen by the eye experts. Good luck.

[welsh12]

I have it had eyes tested and OC scan no issues found

[medway-lady]

I dont know its never got my eyes but its a question always asked by RA consultant and nurse. Have you got an Optometrist who can have a look in the meantime and put another call in and give mobile number then it doesn't matter where you are. I hope the problem sorts itself out soon. x

[LivingWithHope]

hello, sometimes you can get associated dry/painful eyes with RA. I have had it for the past year. It can be very painful. Worth going to the GP in case it is an infection which can be treated. Both my eyes get very dry and I have to use eye drops throughout the day and an ointment at night. I got referred to an eye clinic which was helpful. I’ve found that it’s one of those things that can be managed but won’t get better.

[wilbertjellyfish]

Definitely go to optician. I head a weird double vision thing recently. Got appointment same day and they contacted the hospital and got me an appointment there three days later.

Obviously by this stage the double vision had resolved but they are seeing me back in four weeks anyway.

Optician didn't charge me either

[Darciedoodles]

Good morning Pepsimax72,

Yes your eyes can be a problem with RA unfortunately so do get it checked.

It was because of the constant problems with my eyes that I got diagnosed with RA. Severe dryness in the eye .

I went to Spec Savers ( other companies available ) not for the eye test but the scan only - it was a cornea ulcer - they referred me straight to eye hospital there and then and I was seen within couple hours - steroid drops for a few weeks cleared it up along with warm compressions on the eyes every night and used Blepharitis wipes to clean them night and morning the hospital ask re dryness any other parts of body ( obviously after menopause everything dries up unfortunately)

I went private and was diagnosed with Sjorjens syndrome and RA

I was under PAH now at Addenbrooks

The pain you describe is similar to what I get when a cornea ulcer is present I have had 20 plus in the last 2 yrs

It feels like sandpaper in your eye and real shooting pains . Thankfully it is treatable but you must get it checked as depending where the ulcer is on your eye as closer to the pupil it’s more serious

I always have steroid drops prescribed when i get one . But because I know as soon as it happens - rather than go to hospital I go to Spec Savers and they check it first if it’s just the start and not near the pupil i treat it myself with the drops ( I’m not advocating anyone else should do that but I know my own problem when it occurs. )m they know me very well in the 3 closest to me 😊

I was an area manager and have been in about 15 different Spec savers for this they are amazing at checking and put my mind at ease immediately but if it needs treated at hospital they refer you

My most recent prob meant drops every hour for 2days then every 4 hrs but this was accompanied with a RA flare up and I could hardly use my hands to squeeze the drops out . Thankfully after 4 weeks my eyes have settled back to normal drops every 4 hrs. ( more if I feel dryness) but that’s every day for the rest of my life the consultant said

I don’t wear contacts as sometimes contact lenses wearers suffer from this according to my consultant?

They are on repeat prescription for me

I feel for you as there is no pain like it when it happens .

Let us know how you get on

[cyberbarn]

I went to my rheumatologist this week and on the instructions of my optometrist who said my dry eyes are now starting to cause damage, and told her about my dry eyes.

She said nothing to do with rheumatology.

Stick to your guns and make sure they take you seriously, because as many have said eye problems are part of the RA picture.

And yes, I am about to fire my rheumatologist!

[Vixen2]

Hi. I’ve had Reactive RA/Ankylosing Spondilitis since i was 21. Also what i’ve with this ‘lovely package deal’ is Iritis & a bonus of Glaucoma! Iritis is inflammation of the eye. I’ve been under Moorfields for 30yrs. Fantastic hospital. Brilliant & very caring staff! I’ve had loads of steroid injections in the eyes & cataracts removed. Lens implants injected into the eyes. Other procedures. Sometimes different organs can sort of ‘gang up’ on us.

I’ve just come off the phone to my Rheumatologist. A general check up. I’m going through the sodding, bloody menopause too. I’m ‘on the patch’. It’s been really great at getting rid of my hot flushes. But i’m still quite emotional. Find it hard to control them. Plus i wake up with dry eyes. (That’s the last thing i need with my eye crap). Plus i have such a dry mouth. That can also be a side effect of blood pressure pills!! I’ve just been put on 2 blood pressure meds! So put it this way. I never wake up bright eyed n bushy tailed. I live alone. (Apart from Sidney my lush chunky little Syrian hamster!!) I have a partner. (I love having my own space). But he’s realised i’m not a ‘morning person!!’ I think he’s nick named me grumpy. I don’t care. We all have chronic health crap on here. Some people are very lucky & probably don’t even know what their gp looks like! I’n a regular at my chemist. Again, lovely understanding staff. After all my ramblings. I’ve seen that your early 50’s. Not being nosy. But maybe your ‘menopausing?’ Or peri pausing? You should defo see an opthalmologist about your eye. Hope you’re not developing Iritis. Good bloody luck if you are!

[BMCV]

It was actually because of a serious eye problem that I was first diagnosed with RA. I had a couple of bouts of scleritis which is a serious eye condition. Very painful. And linked with RA. You should definitely see a doctor

[Lornap1]

definitely make an appointment with your optician asap. I have rheumatoid arthritis that I’m struggling to get controlled and I’ve had it 18 years. In August last year my right eye was very red and after a week I started getting pain with it so I went to my optician who diagnosed uveitis, they gave me eye drops and I was referred to the ophthalmologist. After seeing the ophthalmologist, they said I have scleritis and I’m still in severe pain and get blurry vision with it. We’ve still not got it under control as my rheumatoid arthritis is not under control

[StormySeas]

Good advice to get it checked out. In the past I’ve gone to eye A&E. There are lots of scary stories here and yours might be something completely different so don’t panic, but I’d get it looked at X

[Stills]

I have a rheumatoid condition called Stills disease. Dry eyes are a known symptom and I have them although it’s only I the last few years that it’s become an issue whereas the RA established in 1979. The optician noticed scratches in my eye from dryness and suggested night and day drops/cream which help.

[emmajj1971]

Dry eye is a common problem with RA. It feels sore, gritty, can look red, even dry skin around the eye, eyes can be watering because the wetness is not staying in the eyes. You need to see an optician and they will write to your GP and then they can refere you if needed. Try and get eye drops for dry eye preservative free and a heated eye mask. If you use a computer use glasses with lenses that have a blue tint

[Pepsimax72]

hi everyone. Thanks for the support. Had an appointment with ophthalmologist in the hospital. She said dry eye so eye drops forever but also blepharitis which becomes toxic when combined with RA. Now on 6 weeks of antibiotics, 2 weeks of antibiotic ointment and a check up again in 6 months. She said everytime my eye flares it will leave scratch scar tissue on eye as there is no protective film can cause lack of vision eventually. So now every day eye drops and a heated eye mask to massage eyes with 🤷🏻‍♀️ x