I have recently been confirmed with SS, does anyone have any suggestions to deal with the dry eyes and difficulty focusing the eyes??

[belindab]

[Shell567 Administrator Sweet's Syndrome UK]

Hi belindab,

SS can cause inflammation of the eyes, and rarely, lesions can develop in the eyes. Dry eyes, sore eyes, blurred vision, and conjunctivitis (pink-eye) are common symptoms of SS.

As you are experiencing these symptoms it is a good idea to have your eyes checked. If your problems are directly associated with SS you might need some steroid eye-drops. You will also need some antibiotic eye-drops if any infection has occurred. Some people find soothing eye-drops & artificial tear drops helpful.

The SS medication Dapsone can also cause blurred vision.

[belindab]

Thank you Shell567 very helpful. Early days.

[freckles1]

Hi, I was on 80 mgs a day of oral prednisone. (7 months of it) I complained that my eyes were dry and blury to which my derm at the time said aging.(basically too busy to give me her eye docs name/??) (I was in my very early 30,s) I went to eye Dr (after optometrist missed it) and the steroids gave me cataracts in both eyes. Lucky that the progression slowed way down once off prednisone. I still have sweet's after 24 yrs but use potassium iodide now for many years. Steroids are a magic cure but have very pronounced side effects. I also had to get infusions of IGG every three weeks to wean off the steroids since it always flared upon tapering

[belindab]

Thanks guys for your responses. Very helpful, I thought I was imagining that my eyes were playing up but now know its not so. Will try the artificial tears and drops.

[jerrybelle]

I use Systane eye drops given to me by Optometrist who is familiar with Sweets and the eye complications that can come with it. I think they can be bought over the counter, it relieves chronic dryness and the gritty feeling.

I did have blurred vision during the worst of it. Its not entirely gone but it has improved a lot.

[Shell567 Administrator Sweet's Syndrome UK]

Thanks a lot, Jerrybelle. This is incredibly useful.