Anybody have bad reaction across face and down behind ears to their glasses and mask elastic?

[DiamondCake]

GP, Specsavers not heard of this. Nickel allergy in arms produces rash. Don't have rash. Had a pr of Titanium made up. Same reaction. Consulted a GP specialising in allergies, says its not the glasses. Thought about PMR or GCA. Not quite fitting the symptoms other than tenderness temples and side of eyes plus some double vision. Normal inflammatory markers tests CRP and ESR. Within minutes of putting on glasses low grade pain across face and down back of ears where glasses touch and discomfort in eyes as well. Have written to a private hospital to see if anybody has heard of this. Very upsetting can no longer wear my glasses. Hobbies, silver jewellery making, sewing, reading, computer, driving and all close up work. Varifocal wearer.

Would love to hear if anybody has heard of this. Best wishes, Rosie Allsop

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Sorry cannot help….although you may require more investigation into GCA and/or why pressure to head is causing issues. Does your head feel swollen where the glasses touch your skin?

..and for safety/privacy reasons you shouldn’t put your full name on forum, that’s why you select a profile name.

[DiamondCake in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks for your reply and advice.. No swelling or bruising.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to DiamondCake]

How odd -and very frustrating for you.

So I’d go back to original thought, as others also mentioned, have you been fully investigated for GCA -and don’t be sidetracked by normal inflammation markers -between 7-20% of patients don’t (depend what studies you read)

[DiamondCake in reply to DorsetLady]

Dear Dorset lady (am also in Dorset) will take your advice. Thanks

[PMRpro Ambassador]

There are GCA patients whose only pain is when wearing glasses which put some pressure on the arteries around the temple.

What doesn't fit with PMR/GCA? There is a form of GCA called occult GCA where the patient has no symptoms before sudden loss of vision. A chap called Hayreh did a lot of work on it. He does go on about raised CRP but even that isn't always the case.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/955...

[DiamondCake in reply to PMRpro]

Terrifying thought. Thanks for letting me know.

[SnazzyD]

One of my early signs of GCA brewing was finding wearing glasses uncomfortable in the way you describe. It just got worse. Then my pillow felt like concrete and then the wind on my face (winter) and it built up. It is difficult to get doctors to take things seriously when it doesn’t fit in with their world view.

[DiamondCake in reply to SnazzyD]

Thanks. Current waiting list for appt. with NHS Opthalmologist 1 year

[Stills]

note my diagnosis is Stills Disease which for me manifests as rheumatoid disease. It’s rare but has overlaps with PMR and Lupus hence my use of this site.

Yes, I get sore from my metal glasses but not plastic and only on one side of my head and it’s the same side gets the weepy eye, sore throats, ear ache and boils etc. never found a reason or remedy and often can’t wear my glasses when it’s sore. I have a friend who scuba dives and has his varifocal prescription put into the glass of a diving mask. A bit extreme for everyday but a possible solution of sorts….

[DiamondCake in reply to Stills]

Thanks. All useful info

[Cirrostratus]

Hello Diamond, you asked about mask elastic too, an allergic reaction to that could well be a reaction to latex - I think it’s often a component of elastic things. By chance I wonder if the little plastic whatnots that support the glasses on your nose have a latex component? I had to have some glasses altered for that reason. Hope you are able to find the solution, best wishes

[DiamondCake in reply to Cirrostratus]

Thanks forreplying. Have tried both sillicon and arylic nosepads. Bridge of of nose also uncomfortable. Not wearing masks any more of course so not contributing to the picture. Ifyou talk aout allergies Doctors want to see a rash which I don't have.

[Sangu1]

Are the glasses arms appropriate length for the distance between ears and face? Even just a smidgen short- it puts pressure on the sensitive areas on top of the ear which then progress to eye pain etc No rash necessary- check the length of the arm is appropriate for your facial structure with an optician.

I have experienced this when I changed my glasses recently- optician just slightly adjusted the back of the arm which sits in the ear- problem solved.

Hope yours is something simple and not to complicated.

[DiamondCake in reply to Sangu1]

Have had at least 7 prs of glasses adjusted at Specsavers for head positioning and to avoid sore areas on skin at back of ears. I have stopped wearing glasses now and rely on font sizing and magnifiers. Rather a desparate solution for a glasses wearer. Thanks for writing