Advice Please - GCA & Eye Issues!

[Ronnie101]

I developed a very sore left eye on Thursday morning, needle like pains, very red in the left corner, felt "bruised", but vision seemed ok;

I went to A & E on advice of opthalmist, who thought it might be Scleritis, and need steroid drops. As our eye specialists (Milton Keynes) don't work weekends, the earliest appointment I could get is 5 pm Monday (tomorrow).

My GP prescibed antibiotic gel over the phone, but didn't think I needed to increase my oral pred.

Last evening I had excruciating pain on the left side of my head which subsided over night. Redness and bruised pain in eye don't seem to be subsiding in spite of antibiotics, though vision still seems ok. Dull headache comes and goes.

Any advice on whether to increase pred and to what level, just in case, until I get to see someone? I'm obviously concerned it's GCA returning.

(GCA diagnosed 2015, now on 3.5 / 4 mgs pred. Last blood test 1 month ago, CRP 10, ESR 16. ).

Many thanks.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

aao.org/eye-health/diseases...

I doubt it is the GCA - it is not painful in the eye at least. The actual site of the problem in GCA is in the brain, in the occipital region usually, in the arteries that supply the optic nerve rather than the eye itself, as if the aerial cable to the TV was damaged rather than the TV itself but you tell because there is no image.

Is there an emergency eye service anywhere within a reasonable distance? It might be worth trying 111 and see what they say.

Or call this 7 days service asap

blmkccg.nhs.uk/your-health/...

I'm surprised the hospital didn't know about this service.

[Ronnie101 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you. It was the Emergency Eye Service who thought it might be Scleritis and advised me to go to A & E in the first place (I was trying to be brief!). I'll call 111 and see what they say.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Ronnie101]

In that case - surprised THEY weren't aware of the fact the hospital only has a Mon-Fri service.

[Louiseiw in reply to PMRpro]

I have to say, GCA originally started with pain in my right eye , as well as other pains. I would give either your Rheumatologist or your local 111 or A and E a ring

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Louiseiw]

Just for info -this post was raised 11 months ago - did you realise that? and you have not replied directly to original poster but to PMRpro.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Would agree with PMRpro re unlikelihood it’s GCA but do think it needs further specialist investigation.

[keeptalking]

When same pain happened to me I went straight to Moorefields or western eye hospital in London. Morefields has a 24hr service and is impressive. I was diagnosed with Scleritis following an Zolondronic infusion. Very painful.

Hope it’s soon sorted.

[Ronnie101 in reply to keeptalking]

Thank you, how did they resolve the scleritis?

[keeptalking in reply to Ronnie101]

High dose of steroid and time. Good luck with yours