Arthritis causing inflamation within the eyes

hayriye

Hi there,

I have had Rhuematoid Arthritis, for the last 18 years. However it has now more recently started to affect my right eye, causing inflamation, pain ect. I'm a 27 year old single mother of a very active 3 year old, who is about to start university for the first time in september.

I was wondering if anyone else has had it affect there eyes? and if so how do you cope with the condition affecting your eyes. I'm really worried about how i'm going to cope with this change.
And i'm feeling very sad and low at the mo.

woodbon

Hello, Glad you've come to the site. I have oa so can't really answer, but we've got lots of people who have RA so I'm sure they will be able to help you. Love Sue

hayriye

woodbon wrote:

Hello, Glad you've come to the site. I have oa so can't really answer, but we've got lots of people who have RA so I'm sure they will be able to help you. Love Sue

Hi thanks for ur support sue. xxxx

skezier

Hi,

Have you had your eyes looked at? If not pop into the eye casualty and get them to give them a good going over as there is a link between eyes and arthritis and you may need it treated.

I have huge problems with optic neuritis (they don't really know why) and its best you get them looked at cus sometimes you need drops and sometimes they leave then burn them selves out. Don't take chances with them.

hey welcome to the site and I have a bit of a hang up on eyes, sorry! Take care, Cris

hayriye

skezier wrote:

Hi,

Have you had your eyes looked at? If not pop into the eye casualty and get them to give them a good going over as there is a link between eyes and arthritis and you may need it treated.

I have huge problems with optic neuritis (they don't really know why) and its best you get them looked at cus sometimes you need drops and sometimes they leave then burn them selves out. Don't take chances with them.

hey welcome to the site and I have a bit of a hang up on eyes, sorry! Take care, Cris

Hi yes i have had my eye looked at, and i was gven steriod drops which i used it made no difference for the doc has given me a new lot that has a higher dose of steriods in it. But the fact that my eye is like this is scares the poo out of me.

mash65

i have oa,but ive suffered many infections,ears.nose,feet & had loads of styes in my eyes.the gp put the styes down to being run down.plus all the other infections.sorry if thats no help.(cant spell either)

skezier

Hi Hayriye,

They told me that the inflamation lasts as long with or without the drops but mine is the neuritis. Blurred vision, red and hurt with a bit of a throb behind the eyes. It has done one to the point I have an area of fog in the center of the field of vision BUT I got the first 'attack' in 1998 and since then have had it in one eye over 6 x and the right so often I no longer remember how many times and please know that I am not blind and it only very, very, very rarely does both eyes at the same time.

I know the old worry but now I just curse it for the inconvenience and blurred vision that can take hours to ware off...... but it always does. Cris

hayriye

mash65 wrote:

i have oa,but ive suffered many infections,ears.nose,feet & had loads of styes in my eyes.the gp put the styes down to being run down.plus all the other infections.sorry if thats no help.(cant spell either)

Hi yes think u may need to rest and take care of ur self a bit more.
I tend to get infections too and it also tends to be from being run down i sometimes need to take better care of my self but i tend to fall into the trap of feeling fine and thinking i can go on and on, only to burn out.

hayriye

skezier wrote:

Hi Hayriye,

They told me that the inflamation lasts as long with or without the drops but mine is the neuritis. Blurred vision, red and hurt with a bit of a throb behind the eyes. It has done one to the point I have an area of fog in the center of the field of vision BUT I got the first 'attack' in 1998 and since then have had it in one eye over 6 x and the right so often I no longer remember how many times and please know that I am not blind and it only very, very, very rarely does both eyes at the same time.

I know the old worry but now I just curse it for the inconvenience and blurred vision that can take hours to ware off...... but it always does. Cris

Hi Cris how do u cope during this time? i'm finding it real hard at the mo as its all new to me. i'm feeling a bit sorry for myself i must admit. One worry i did have was that i'd go blind.

I also have the redness in my eye and pain but the worse thing of all for me is the sensitivity to light i couldnt leave the house without sun glasses. The pain was too much to bear.

joyful164

I believe eye problems and with pain is part of the game, especially with PMR. I have had the left side of my forehead quite swollen and a throbbing (a bit like neuralgia,but worse). The focus is blurry.
There is some inflammation but this is dry eye brought on by medication. Always get eyes checked by your gp. Nevertake risks. We rub our eyes more because we are very tired. I have had conjuntivitis quite a lot this last couple of years, and apparently goes with the territory.

But you do need to see your GP.

joyful

skezier

Hi Hayriye,

I used to get very steamed up! I have had it a long time and my right eye never seems too clear, so I have got used to it. I promise you you do. The eye dept told me I was unlikely to go blind and mine is fairly aggressive so try not to worry too much. It will last round 3 months and you have a bit of problem seeing true colour, you sort of lose the richness BUT it does self right and if they control your RA well it may not happen to you too often. Know the sensitivity to light so well, and I get dancing black bits zig-zagging cross my fields of vision now as well, but thats something else and comes to some of us with age!

I do worry about not being able to drive, I don't when the vision is blurred in both eyes but they tell me I don't have to surrender my licence yet so please try not to worry. It could be ages before it happens to you again. Cris x

suzster

hi and welcome!
i just wanted to say that my eyes get dry and itchy, the sun seems to cause me more trouble, i find wearing sunglasses outside helps, but it is a worry. i hope you get it sorted soon.
sue

kathbee

Hi

Sorry to hear of your probs
having a 3 yr old as well to take care
of cant be easy.

I have RA and find the eyes get itchy
but the rheumy says its Sjorgens Syndrome
(dry eyes ) and can be just another symptom
of the RA.

Also if you are on Hydroxochlorquine, that drug
can cause eye probs.

Def go see the doc and ask about getting an
earlier rheumy appointment if thats applicable.

Hope you feel better soon.
Kath

deborahjane

i get sore eyes docs said it was to do with ra .the fluid in your joints can effect your eyes too. something like that.i usee artificial eye drops.

frogmorton

Me too
It was one of the first signs for me when I look back. I have artificial tears too
Toni x

joyous

hi all i sometimes get like a stabbin pain in my eyes like a needle been stuck in it i have only started to get it maybe sine been on enbrel i haven mentioned to the hos yet also had to start wearin glasses for reading that could be my age 43 so optician said or mayb not they do get itchy and do feel dry so could mine be the meds or just one of them things xxx

hayriye

kathbee wrote:

Hi

Sorry to hear of your probs
having a 3 yr old as well to take care
of cant be easy.

I have RA and find the eyes get itchy
but the rheumy says its Sjorgens Syndrome
(dry eyes ) and can be just another symptom
of the RA.

Also if you are on Hydroxochlorquine, that drug
can cause eye probs.

Def go see the doc and ask about getting an
earlier rheumy appointment if thats applicable.

Hope you feel better soon.
Kath

Hi Kath to be honest since using the higher dose eye drops my eye feels a lot wosre. thanks for the advice.

Hayriye. x

hayriye

skezier wrote:

Hi Hayriye,

I used to get very steamed up! I have had it a long time and my right eye never seems too clear, so I have got used to it. I promise you you do. The eye dept told me I was unlikely to go blind and mine is fairly aggressive so try not to worry too much. It will last round 3 months and you have a bit of problem seeing true colour, you sort of lose the richness BUT it does self right and if they control your RA well it may not happen to you too often. Know the sensitivity to light so well, and I get dancing black bits zig-zagging cross my fields of vision now as well, but thats something else and comes to some of us with age!

I do worry about not being able to drive, I don't when the vision is blurred in both eyes but they tell me I don't have to surrender my licence yet so please try not to worry. It could be ages before it happens to you again. Cris x

Hi sorry to keep asking questions but how do u stop the pain and discomfort. My eye feels soooo sore and itchy.

Hayriye. x

skezier

Hi Hayriye,

I think for a bit you should use the drops they have given you, it may help dampen it down.

For mine I shut the effected on and hold something warm against it till it stops banging........ Mine is neuritis and it may not work for yours. Some people are worse if its warm but mine are definitely better in the warmth then in the cold..... Winters I get far more problems with them, well mostly the right one but...... Shouldn't temp fate should I . Cris

border

hayriye wrote:

skezier wrote:

Hi Hayriye,

I used to get very steamed up! I have had it a long time and my right eye never seems too clear, so I have got used to it. I promise you you do. The eye dept told me I was unlikely to go blind and mine is fairly aggressive so try not to worry too much. It will last round 3 months and you have a bit of problem seeing true colour, you sort of lose the richness BUT it does self right and if they control your RA well it may not happen to you too often. Know the sensitivity to light so well, and I get dancing black bits zig-zagging cross my fields of vision now as well, but thats something else and comes to some of us with age!

I do worry about not being able to drive, I don't when the vision is blurred in both eyes but they tell me I don't have to surrender my licence yet so please try not to worry. It could be ages before it happens to you again. Cris x

Hi sorry to keep asking questions but how do u stop the pain and discomfort. My eye feels soooo sore and itchy.

Hayriye. x

I have developed 'dry eyes' and my optician has informed me that there is no fluid (tears) at all. I have to use the prescribed drops and be aware when I need to rest them even for a few inutes. Hoping dark glasses will help. I also have two corneal ulcers ? inflammatary arthritis. Keep on using drops and either warm cotton pads/cucumber slices. :!: Pat

orchidlady1

joyous wrote:

hi all i sometimes get like a stabbin pain in my eyes like a needle been stuck in it i have only started to get it maybe sine been on enbrel i haven mentioned to the hos yet also had to start wearin glasses for reading that could be my age 43 so optician said or mayb not they do get itchy and do feel dry so could mine be the meds or just one of them things xxx

Hi Joyous,

I have not been on the site for sometime, so I saw your message and thought I would just mention it can be linked to the enbrel.. Please check with your Rhuematolgist consultant or nurse. I developed scleritis as a result of being on enbrel, each time after an injection it got worse, it is not a common condition and needs treatment at an eye hospital and medication. If your eye goes red you must seek emergancy treatment at an eye hospital. The pain can be very painful and destructive so do not leave it. It can be a long process to find a treatment to slow things down. Sure hope this is not what is happening to you. Good luck, Rose

joyful164

kathbee wrote:

Hi

Sorry to hear of your probs
having a 3 yr old as well to take care
of cant be easy.

I have RA and find the eyes get itchy
but the rheumy says its Sjorgens Syndrome
(dry eyes ) and can be just another symptom
of the RA.

Also if you are on Hydroxochlorquine, that drug
can cause eye probs.

Def go see the doc and ask about getting an
earlier rheumy appointment if thats applicable.

Hope you feel better soon.
Kath

Hi Kath. I have just started Hydroxochlorquine so am I to expect more problems with my eyes. The existing medication causes considerable itchy eyes and I have to put drops in every day.

There is so much to think of all the time isn't there, I do miss wearing eye makeup now. It was bad enough with hayfever, but now everything is being chucked at me.

Joyful

lesleygraham

Hi
Congrats on going to uni. Make sure you tell them you have RA as there is lots of support available. A friend of mine at uni with RA had a scribe for her exams which really helped her.
I too am having eye problems, on a morning they are full of gunk and irritable. However, I didn't associate this with RA so I will be keeping a close eye on it (excuse the pun).
Take care
Les

joyous

orchidlady1 wrote:

joyous wrote:

hi all i sometimes get like a stabbin pain in my eyes like a needle been stuck in it i have only started to get it maybe sine been on enbrel i haven mentioned to the hos yet also had to start wearin glasses for reading that could be my age 43 so optician said or mayb not they do get itchy and do feel dry so could mine be the meds or just one of them things xxx

Hi Joyous,

I have not been on the site for sometime, so I saw your message and thought I would just mention it can be linked to the enbrel.. Please check with your Rhuematolgist consultant or nurse. I developed scleritis as a result of being on enbrel, each time after an injection it got worse, it is not a common condition and needs treatment at an eye hospital and medication. If your eye goes red you must seek emergancy treatment at an eye hospital. The pain can be very painful and destructive so do not leave it. It can be a long process to find a treatment to slow things down. Sure hope this is not what is happening to you. Good luck, Rose

thanks rose i will def ask in 2 wks at the hos you just never think what these drugs can do to you all the best joy xx

sharmaine

I have OA and suffer from time to time with dry eyes. I use hypermellulose drops during the day and eye ointment at night. I was told by an optician that there is a link between arthritis and eye problems. I found it quite interesting. My eyes are worse in the warm weather. My mother also has OA and has recently been diagnosed with glaucoma. My grandmother had OA and suffered with her eyes too.

hayriye wrote:

Hi there,

I have had Rhuematoid Arthritis, for the last 18 years. However it has now more recently started to affect my right eye, causing inflamation, pain ect. I'm a 27 year old single mother of a very active 3 year old, who is about to start university for the first time in september.

I was wondering if anyone else has had it affect there eyes? and if so how do you cope with the condition affecting your eyes. I'm really worried about how i'm going to cope with this change.
And i'm feeling very sad and low at the mo.

hayriye

skezier wrote:

Hi Hayriye,

I think for a bit you should use the drops they have given you, it may help dampen it down.

For mine I shut the effected on and hold something warm against it till it stops banging........ Mine is neuritis and it may not work for yours. Some people are worse if its warm but mine are definitely better in the warmth then in the cold..... Winters I get far more problems with them, well mostly the right one but...... Shouldn't temp fate should I . Cris

Ok thank you for all the advice u have given me. its been quite helpful and its nice to know i'm not so alone with my new eye problem.