Eye infection

[Emilysmarties34]

Hi all. My dad is in a care home and has deteriorated quite quickly in the past 5 months. His eyesight is getting worse, as in he has an eye infection in both eyes and every time I see him his eyes are always closed. It wasn’t so long ago that he was awake and eyes were fine, just the odd eye infection from time to time. He has eye treatment, but not sure how much help they are. The nurse said the eye infections is part of PSP. Does anyone else have that? It really sucks to see my dad suffering so much every time I see him.

[NannaB]

My husband had a couple of eye infections during the first couple of years of PSP but I discovered that if I sprayed them with a moisturiser for eyes, he avoided them. I can’t remember the name but it was one you spray on closed eyes. I found that as PSP progressed, my husband’s eyes stayed shut for longer. As he couldn’t blink, it made his eyes sore for them to be continually open. Several times friends who visited said he has fallen asleep, to which he replied, “No I haven’t”. Towards the end he rarely opened them for more than a few minutes at a time but was fully aware of what was going on and understood everything that was said so I found it important to speak to him normally, tell him funny things that I had heard and make life as interesting as possible for him. He still managed a funny humming laugh almost until the end.

XxxX

[Emilysmarties34 in reply to NannaB]

Ah thanks for the advice- will look into the moisturiser for the eyes.

[Marie_14 in reply to Emilysmarties34]

Emily it is Optrex which you spray on while he lid is closed. It helps to lubricate the eye too. I use it myself from time to time as it's very refreshing! If I have a late night it is great next day.

I agree about the compresses too. My husband had this problem and I don't hunk anyone bothered about his eyes or teeth or hair! They just waited for me to arrive!.

Marie x x

[Emilysmarties34 in reply to Marie_14]

I know, the carehome don’t really seem to brush dad’s teeth and his hair is getting quite long- we are trying to arrange a barber to come and visit. All these things my mum has to keep on top of really!

[Marie_14 in reply to Emilysmarties34]

Emily I didn't wash my husband's hair. I bought a shower cap like thing which you heat in the microwave and massage into he hair. You need to be careful it's not too hot but it made his hair look great. Sorry I can't remember the name of it but I bought it online. Anyone know the name of it??

I cut his hair myself, bathed his eyes and cleaned his teeth! It was easier to be honest! Good luck to you and your parents.

Marie x

[Hidden]

Larry gets eye ointment (94 to 97% petroleum jelly and 3% mineral oil) in each eye at bedtime and a hot compress. In the morning an eye gel and a hot compress.

When I get an eyelid infection I do hot compresses on the eye.

[Dadshelper]

I don't think the infections are part of PSP as the nurse stated but more of a side affect that may occur. There is not as much blinking happening to keep the eye clear of foreign particles like dust, pollen, etc. Plus with less blinking the eyes will tend to tear/water more since they are dry. The person may be rubbing at the eye to remove the excess tearing and causing irritation to the eye. As already stated try keeping the eyes lubricated with ointments or drops throughout the day.

Ron

[AJK2001]

Hi Mum has suffered a lot with her eyes, she either has them open and doesn't blink or shut, it varies from day to day. We went to see a cornea specialist who actually thought we were putting too many ointments into her eyes, we have been using the new regime for 7 months and though not perfect things are definitely improved. Because Mum's tearfilm was disrupted we started with a 3 week course of antibiotics - 3 pills for 3 days for 3 weeks. This helped quieten things down and can be repeated every few months if needs be. Our daily routine is Hyloforte eye drops 4 times a day, Clinitas Eye gel morning & afternoon, Xalin night time ointment at night plus Optase moist eye bag for 10 minutes everyday followed by bathing eyes with blepharasol solution. All topped up with wrap around sun glasses which help keep the humidity in and stop the eyes from drying out.

We had been using chloramphenicol ointment on quite a regular basis but haven't had to since this new regime and Mum's eye lashes have grown back too.

The eye bag I think is key, a lot of problems start because the oils that form the tear film start to build up in the eye lids and can get infected. By using a warm compress this liquiefies the oils which as you gently massage the lids as you bathe the eyes, encourages the oils to be expelled, thus removing the cause of infection.

I hope you can find something that eases your dad's discomfort.