Dark eyes

[TedTheMaineCoon]

This may sound odd ! But I keep getting dark marks around my eyes , like a bit of a black eye . It comes & goes . Not sure why , is it pmr or steroid related ? Does anyone else get this ?

[SnazzyD]

Hello, yes the wonderful Pred panda eyes. It is a Pred thing but it seems to vary between people as to how pronounced. I am naturally thin skinned so I wonder if that was my downfall. It did improve with dose but hung around for a good year after I stopped Pred, so there is room for improvement. What made it worse was any hint of salt in my diet such that the baggy bit just under the lower eyelid became fuller. I also tried those eye creams that say they get rid of eye circles, but they made it worse. I mean the creams that contain titanium that I suspect is supposed to lighten the circles. Well, all it does for me is lighten the saggy bit under the eye and the dark circle remains the same but looking worse because the contrast between the two areas has increased. Why it comes and goes I have no idea.

[TedTheMaineCoon in reply to SnazzyD]

Thank you for your reply ! Yes my skin is pale and the panda 🐼 eyes can be prominent some days ! Last week it looked as if I’d been in a fight ! Like I had 2 shiners ! 😆

[Temeraire in reply to SnazzyD]

Well I never knew Pred could affect bags/circles under eyes! Thats a revelation. I’ll try cutting salt too - see if it helps. Thanks for that.

[pata63]

I don't get Panda eyes (great name SnazzyD ), but I have had Devil eye about 5 times over the years I've been on Prednisone. The first time I thought it might have been conjunctivitis but none of the other symptoms were present . It went away after a week or so, the same way the dark blotches on my arms do (Purpura). I discussed the Devil eye with my GP and my Optician at separate times while I was in for other checks and there was a bit still showing. The Optician said if they happen too frequently I should come in and get checked out again. So far they haven't been back.

eye showing prednisone encouraged bleed

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to pata63]

Quite common, certainly on higher doses -and for same reason -tiny capillaries reacting at slightest touch.. and as long as it disappears with a week or so, no issues.

Many of us have had the Halloween 👻 look over the years….

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to pata63]

Subconjunctival haemorrhage - harmless but rather dramatic looking!

mayoclinic.org/diseases-con...

My husband had them loads - never been on pred. I have had one in my life - been on pred for 14 years. Very random.

[SnazzyD in reply to pata63]

Yes, I got that too. Eye drops really helped because some of it was caused by the tear film being inadequate. It got better as the dose reduced.

[Spartans1]

Oh my, I had no idea that the “panda eyes” are related to the prednisone. I’ve been trying all those eye creams to no avail (and sometimes making it worse) so now just hoping it gets better as I continue to taper. Thank you for asking the question and seeing the answers!!

[Alchemy8]

In Chinese medicine one of the main diagnostics for dark circles under the eyes is Kidney Qi Deficiency relating to fatigue and adrenal exhaustion.