Sunshine & Streaming eyes

Lovely sunshine the last couple of days but my eyes stream constantly even with sun glasses on. Is this to be expected after nearly a year on the roids? Not the worst of my ailments do any others have this too? Currently 17.5 mg pred.

[SheffieldJane]

I guess with a compromised immune system we are more prone to allergies etc. It’s probably worth seeing a doctor though. We lay a lot at Pred’s door. The pollen count has been high. My eyes are watering today too and I feel snuffley. Oddly dry eyes, which can be a side effect, can cause runny eyes, the wrong sort of tears apparently. Artificial tears can help.

[Hidden in reply to SheffieldJane]

Yes the pollen count is high Jane & that doesn't help my sinus's either. I found the actual brightness of the sunshine was almost too much even with shades on! I have an opticians appointment for my Diabetic screening next week so I'll see how it goes till then!

Looks like the weather is changing anyway & it's not such a problem when duller. Thanks.

[SheffieldJane in reply to Hidden]

I experience a certain amount of photosensitivity now. I find that good quality sunglasses that protect the eyes from ultra violet light are an essential now. I’ve got prescription ones. I also find that if the picture on a screen is too bright, flashing or sweeping around, I have to shut my eyes. It is almost painful.

This is sited as a symptom in diseases such as Lupus I notice, not PMR so much though. I also get a horrible bursting, eye strain pain if I’ve overdone screens. It is one of my most troublesome symptoms. Eye checks have shown nothing but dry eyes so far.

[Mstiles in reply to SheffieldJane]

Interesting Sheffield Jane! This photosensitivity to bright light has been with me for awhile, even before PMR/GCaA, sensitivity to “degrees of light”, always going around and adjusting blinds and curtains, etc. interesting it’s a symptom of Lupus. This sensitivity is a lot worse since PMR/GCA. Especially after reading on my phone.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Mstiles]

I had a period of severe photosensitivity quite early on in PMR - but my eyes were inflamed as well. My superhero optician couldn't work out what was causing it either. But it eventually improved - I had to give up using contacts of any sort - and improved more after getting pred. I've often wondered what it was.

[Mstiles in reply to PMRpro]

I can still wear my contacts, thank goodness, usually just when I go out, as I’m severly nearsighted, bifocals, some astigmatism, and have a strong prescription. Ive been needing new glasses for awhile, but my vision is so wonky right now, both eyes seem to change after reading, switching between contacts and glasses, bright light, and having to add the Lantanoprost for eye pressure, that seems like it doesn’t make sense to get new glasses now.

Currently on 32.5 pred down from 40. Hoping eyesight settles down.

[Telian in reply to Hidden]

I suffer with allergies and take prescribed antihistamines daily, but when the pollen count is high I take a dose or two of echinacea, 15 drops, it works for me

[GOOD_GRIEF]

You might be experiencing the effects of a late spring, with all the flowers and trees coming into bud at once.

[Hidden in reply to GOOD_GRIEF]

Thanks G-G. Quite right. Everything has burst into leaf & flower here. I do spend as much time outdoors as I can. Never feel a wasted moment there. ATB

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I have had blurred vision and squinting in the light. Some drugs have photosensitivity as side effect. Some statins and the immunosuppressant I take really make me light sensitive. For you garden perhaps the wraparound glasses for cataracts glaucoma or whatever they are primarily for might help. I am thinking about them. After I have got 30mins unsub theyeade a bit.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

On quite a few tablets myself Poop. Definitely squinting more than usual & light sensitive. I do need better shades though. I see the optician next week for my diabetic screening so will see how that goes. I feel a couple of hundred quid lighter already!!! ATB

[Slowdown]

The tree pollen count is very high at the moment, apparently we're in the middle of a 'pollen bomb' that may be the culprit. I've never seen the countryside go from bare branches to green leaf so rapidly. Antihistamine required.

[Hidden in reply to Slowdown]

Thanks Slowdown. Same here. In a couple of days everywhere is green. Stunning really. The lawn going mad too. Sedge grass pollen always an irritant for me. Hope I can get away without Antihistamine I see how it goes for the moment. ATB

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

rnib.org.uk/eye-health-eye-...

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Poop. very helpful.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

Lovely flowers!

Think it’s a combination of Pred, PMR and time of year. Get some advice from your diabetic eye test next week about best treatment.

As others have said, a really good pair of sunglasses are essential - most opticians have special offers on so go for the best you can afford. Being diabetic probably doesn’t help either, my hubby was, and he very often had streaming eyes.

[Hidden in reply to DorsetLady]

Tulips from Birmingham DL! Yes I shouldn't be such tight a*se! Think I found the ones I'm wearing!! I blame my upbringing we lived in a shoe!! ATB

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Hidden]

Great!

I know we always seem to paying out for things, but one thing I have learnt from GCA is that your eyes are very precious! And we need to care for them.

I’ve just got new specs - and whilst I don’t mind paying for the frames or the prescription lens I do baulk at paying £25 for a plain lens for my “lost” eye! 🧐 Perhaps I should go for a monocle! Maybe not!

‘Fraid I can’t make do with a found pair! 🤓😎

[S4ndy]

Me too, think its the high pollen count. I get hayfever but not every year just if I come into contact with tree pollen. Its only mild so I use moisturising eyedrops from the swiss herbal company Vogel. They contain the herb eyebright (euphrasia) and find them better than the stuff the doctor prescribes. Soothing and moisturising too.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Probably a sign of dry eye syndrome.

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

Not another syndrome surely!

[SnazzyD]

Pred should be damping the allergy bit of the immune system too. My optician said I had almost no tear film with the Pred so I have ‘false tears’ both watery ones and more goopy ones. My sensitivity has eased with this and dose reduction.