Blood in eye

[podo]

After 15 years of PMR and Pred treatment I suppose I can expect anything but this latest one was unexpected. Yesterday whilst on my way to the pool for some hot day relief, I felt a strange effect in my left eye. On looking in the mirror I found the whole of the eye (white) was filled with blood! A quick trip to my GP diagnosed "subconjunctival hemorrhage" which according to the GP, who spoke to the hospital Eye Clinic consultant, can be caused by Pred and hopefully will resolve in a week or two. Has anyone else experienced this? I'm currently on 5mg, reducing by DSNS metod to get to 4mg by later this year.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi Patrick,

Yes I had it quite a lot early days on Pred - high doses. It's quite common, so bit surprised you haven't had it before- but as you say there's always something new to keep you on your toes.

In fact had a slight episode not all that long ago, even being off Pred - that only lasted a couple of days, but previously ones were about a week I think.

Looks worse than it is, and first time a bit worrying.

Hope you're okay otherwise, take care.

[podo in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks Dorset Lady, gave me a scare at first! Generally very well but flagging in the heat.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to podo]

Yep, think that's another side effect of Pred/PMR.

Fortunately my garden has some shady spots, but if it gets too much I nip down to Weymouth for a spot of sea breeze - avoiding the busy beaches!

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

podo, yes I experienced many subconjunctival hemorrhages whilst on Pred, strangely more so at the lower doses than at my higher starting doses from 40mg. It is in all likelihood, as your eye clinic has said, due to the Pred as the latter can have a thinning effect on the blood. Like you, I sought reassurance after the first experience, especially as I had both GCA and glaucoma, following which the bouts worried others more than me. When I awoke on one occasion with both eyes affected, it did look a bit alarming - unfortunately, it wasn't Halloween! The problem completely resolved for me once off steroids, and I'm sure it will for you, too. Meanwhile, lots of good luck wishes for a smooth continuing journey to remission.

[podo in reply to Celtic]

Thank you for that, it does seem a bit scary at first sight!

[Hidden in reply to Celtic]

Would have been cool at Halloween. I had MASSIVE boil on the end of my nose two days before Xmas.. ..i had people singing at me. The songs all started with the name Rudolph ...made me feel much better 😲

[PMRandRA]

I have had several as a young adult . It began whilst straining to give birth (sorry) and that eye is prone to weakness now although not for several years. I'd better watch out and not sneeze too hard etc! 😊

thanks for the tip!

[Orchid47]

Hi podo

I had my eye full of blood 2 weeks ago and went to the emergency room at the hospital. There I was told that this is quit commen and with in 1 week it had gone.

I am also at low Prednisone.

I wasn't given any eye drops.

Orchid47

M

[Carrollee]

Hi podo. I havnt had it in a while but it seemed to appear every time I reduced. So I grew to expect it as a withdrawal symptom. It can look quite alarming but had seen it many times in my grandmothers eyes over the years I cared for her so I knew what it was and it didn't worry me. It usually starts with a sharp stinging sensation so I would always know what to expect when I looked in the mirror 🤗 All the best cc

[podo]

Thanks everybody. Looks like it's very common, I'm suprised none of my Salisbury group have mentioned it.

[maria40]

Yes. I've had this a couple of times in my 17 years on Prednisolone but interestingly not at the earlier and highest does but within the last few years.

[mega]

I am mystified by these reponses.

I was due to fly out to Chicago to visit my son and his family in Feb. 2011 and had been feeling a bit under the weather for a couple of weeks but was no way going to give up my trip. On the morning of departure though I woke up with two planet Mars for eyes, but carried on expecting it to clear within the fullness. It didn't and I did deteriorate while I was there - headaches, particularly on waking, shoulder/neck pain, ear pain and scalp tenderness.

To cut a long story short, my surgery had no idea what was ailing me - I was "a mystery" "unique" - passed to oncology with the same result after all sorts of tests, scans etc. I kept saying it's my head but I was ignored and all this time my eyes were glowing like traffic lights on red.

Eventually, I think it was the oncologist (!) came up with the suggestion that it could be GCA. I was started on 40mgs of pred straightaway and by the next day the whites of my eyes were back to normal!

How does that make sense in view of all of your experiences?

[podo in reply to mega]

That's different! Did that ever recur whilst you were on Pred? Hope you're getting off it by now.

Would be interested if any other GCA sufferers have experienced a similar episode.

My left eye (only one affected) is now starting to clear one week after the event.

[mega in reply to podo]

Hello podo,

Late to the party, once again I'm afraid but I'm the one who had traffic light eyes, UNTIL I started on pred. That was six years ago and no, it has never recurred

I hope you're making progress back to full health.