Does anyone get eye infections?

I get repeated eye infections and am fed up with them. Wondering if it is connected to scleroderma.

[Yorky]

No I don't, but I do have sjogrens syndrome. I have had the drainage holes in each eye blocked to try and retain the moisture. I constantly use eye drops and eye oint. I also take pilocarpine tabs, given for the dry mouth, but they also help the dry eyes. I would think that your eye infections are linked if you have sjogrens.

[LynnCox]

Before I was diagnosed with limited cutaneous systemic sleroderma and Raynaud's earlier this year I went through a period of continous eye infections in both eyes. Although I was not diagnosed with Sjogrens a test on my eyes revealed I did not produce enough tears so I was given eye drops. I was surprised at how much better my eyes felt the first time I used the drops and I've started to notice how dry my eyes now get.

[Carol-C]

I get bouts of Iritis (inflammation of the iris) but it is thought this is linked to my Crohn's disease. I do get "dry" eyes and have to use eyedrops daily and put eye gel in at night (both on prescription.) When I saw the Rheumatologist he did ask if I get dry eyes; when I said yes, he seemed surprised.

[Coldtoes in reply to Carol-C]

I went thru an extremely painful iritis and was on treatment for nearly 4 months of steroids; excessive lab work up include rheumatologist and retina specialist; i am negative for any fancy diseases yet am told this iritis will reoccur. I also have been told i have macular degeneration in the unaffected eye--

i forgot to mention that i was diagnosed with Raynaud's years ago; i suffer quietly with the painful feet, hands, nose it is now moving up the calf. Dear Carol I am beginning to wonder if there may be a real possible connection between painful iritis and raynauds...will post after i check in with the doctors again.

[Angela-Lee]

I have Limited Scleroderma and have been wondering the same thing. In the past 12 months I have had repeated eye infections and am allergic to the drops you can buy from the chemist. My GP has prescribed me Ciloxan eye drops repeatedly but,like you, I am getting fed up with having so many infections. I have now got a bruised eyeball(?!) which still hasn't gone after a week. I've had Episcleritis in the past,which I know is associated with auto-immune conditions but I have not heard that infections are. I plan to bring this up at my next appointment at The Royal Free Hospital's Scleroderma clinic. I'm not aware of having dry eyes but perhaps that's the connection.

[Hidden]

thanks for all your replies. I will ask my rheumatologist at my next apt and see what he says. Never thought of mentioning it to him before so thanks. Nuala

[Coldtoes]

and to the question of eye infections...i do not get infections, rather i get iritis which comes from a chronic disease...seeking answers myself to see if this iritis may be related to Raynauds. Best to you. Coldtoes