GCA or Dry eye pain

[Plains]

Yesterday was the first day both my eyes hurt. I have been having dry eyes and drops are not doing too much. The pain in both eyes feel like pressure or strain pain. I am worried not knowing if it’s just dry eyes or my GCA acting up. Currently taking 10 mg if prednisone since the last GCA temple pain.

I will try and get an appointment with the eye doctor.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Difficult to say, but always wise to get it checked.

At my last eye check-up [no longer have GCA so no Pred] my optometrist suggested using an heat able eye mask followed by eye wipes twice a day initially, then to once, and then - when necessary. His comment was, always more issues in winter when central heating is on drying the air, and people are indoors more.

[Plains in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you, I have been doing warm washcloth wipes. The heat does help

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Plains]

Yes it does….😊

[Miacaro45 in reply to Plains]

You might do it a couple of times a day

[SheffieldJane]

I know exactly the sensation you are describing. My optician does thorough eye checks. I was worried about glaucoma which can be a side effect of Pred and also cataracts. Neither was found but he did diagnose very dry eyes and recommended Thealoz Duo eyedrops that I now get on prescription. I also do as DorsetLady describes if it feels bad. My eyes are often gritty but thankfully that awful eye pressure has gone as I reduce my Pred dose. The eyedrops help.

[Plains in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thank you for this information.

[Oxfordboy2]

I am not on pred but MTX.This caused me chronic dry eyes which can be very painful.Almost certain caused by meds.Eye hospital prescribed hylo forte eye drops up to 6 times a day and Xailin night gel before bed.These are on prescription from GP.Hospital advises only use products preservative free if using more than 3 times daily.

[Plains in reply to Oxfordboy2]

Thank you very much I will mention this to my doctor.

[herdysheep]

I do as DL suggests and also have treatment every 8 weeks where the glands on lower eyelids are sqeezed to remove gunge that stops them working properly. Important to try and deal with it before glands get blocked to the extent they are lost. My eyes are always worse when I am tired/stressed after a while on screens. Your optician may run a dry eye clinic via it's contact lens dept.

If it were me, I'd want a chack on the GCA situation. Hope you get an appt.

[Plains in reply to herdysheep]

Just got back from the eye doctor. He said pressure is good and did not see any problems. He put self dissolving plugs in my tear ducts for the dry eyes. He changed my eye drops and ordered a sed rate and CRP. I don’t think either one will show any inflammation as I have no other pain. I really want at pet ct at this point of my head. Too many GCA related, I think flairs. Now it’s a fight with my GP to get it. I wanted it when I having problems otherwise it may be a waste and not show anything. Oh well, I have to go back to the eye doctor tomorrow as a follow up. Have a nice holiday.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Plains]

Thanks for update ….

[Sophiestree in reply to Plains]

I think only a consultant or hospital led department can order a PET CT. If you you are on 10mg it may not show anything unfortunately. But very encouraging that your eyes have been checked.

[Grammy80]

Dry eyes can be very irritating, and I'm so glad your pressures were good. My opthalmologist had me on Xiidra for over a year and my eyelids were swelling...now I use Systane several times a day to keep them moist. I'll be interested to hear how the plugs worked. As DL said, moist warmth helps too. Take care💞

[Plains in reply to Grammy80]

The plugs worked well, my eyes feel much better this morning.

[Grammy80 in reply to Plains]

Wonderful! So glad....💞

[Tahiri]

I find colloidal silver spray on both eyelids helps a lot and seems to clean them just as well as the cloths . It also gets rid of the itch. The pressure has eased since prednisolone has been reduced. I hope this helps. Tahiri

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Tahiri]

The use of colloidal silver is disputed and not recommended. Cases of neuropathy affecting the optic nerve have been reported when higher doses are used and since such products are not subject to monitoring or regulation there is always a risk associated with buying it.

poison.org/articles/what-is...

[Tahiri in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for the advice. I am no .25 of prednisolone, and either reduction of steroids, or the colloidal silver seemed to clear up the dry eyes. I thought it was wonderful as it cleared up my eyelids. I just wanted to share , - taking into account that I had no idea of side-effects. I actually got the initial advice from my daughter who works in a hospital in Ireland. She swears by it , having seen other people benefit from using it.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Tahiri]

"I just wanted to share" - As did I because one of our mantras here is to point out if anything can have a good effect, it can also have deleterious ones! And in the case of alternative products, they aren't carefully monitored so many of the downsides don't become common knowledge. We tell everyone to check everything before taking or using it. You'd hope that your doctors would check your prescription stuff - but they don't always!

[luv2read]

I’ve been using an eye drop called Thera Tears that has a mineral oil in it which seems to help. My eyes stay blurry for a minute or two after I use them which is due to the mineral oil, but they make my eyes feel so much better. If you choose to use an eye drop, make sure it has oils in it. My doctor recommended these and I feel such a difference.

[Pameliza in reply to luv2read]

I find that yawning helps dry eyes. I yawn at least 3 times.

[Plains in reply to luv2read]

The ones he gave me are lubricanting drops. So far they feel good