Oh my oh my, my eye(s)!

Starburst

I've been diagnosed with possible Rheumatoid eye disease or perhaps a reoccurrence of the autoimmune eye disease that I had as a child. Ophthalmologist wasn't sure (which isn't overly reassuring) but there are patches on my corneas causing blurred vision. I have 4 daily eye drops out of single use pipettes. Do you think I can open the darn things? Do you think I can squeeze the steroid juice out of them? I'd laugh if I wasn't so fed up. Autoimmune disorders, the gifts that keep on giving......!

scattered

I ended up having to ask for the steroid in bottles rather than the single use pipettes. At least a bottle is easier to hold and you can get special bottle squeezes or use a nut cracker! With the single use pipettes I opened them with my teeth and attempted nut cracker technique, albeit not always successfully.

There are always fun and games to be had with RA.

dreamdaisy

Oh. I am so sorry. Starburst, this is utterly horrid and appallingly unfair. ((())) DD

LignumVitae

Oh no! That is categorically not fair, poor you. Big hugs, LV xx

mig

So sorry,sending mega hugs.(((()))) Mig

barbara12

Hello starburst
Bless that must be awful and like the others have said so blinking unfair...hopefully the drops will help..please let us know how you get on with them (((())) xx

stickywicket

The eye problem is worrying. The 'solution' turns it into pure farce. I have often wondered how I'd manage without Mr SW to squirt my steroid spray up my nose and, occasionally, stick stuff into my eyes, not to mention accessing it in the first place. I hope you can find a helping hand, Sophie. This is yet another of those utterly frustrating aspects to arthritis.

villier

Awe Sophie sorry to hear this ((((())))) I know what you mean I use eye drops and the bottle they are in the plastic is so thick that it is very hard to squeeze it, hopefully opthalmologist will be wrong.......tc................Marie xx

Starburst

Oooh good suggestion re: the nut cracker. I did consider small pliers but maybe a bit OTT! Thank you, scattered. And thank you all for the support. It makes me feel less alone. Someone opened the lid for me and I've managed the squeezing, albeit with a fair bit of effort and a few rude words. :oops: If eye drops end up being a long-term thing, I will need either an assistant or an easier method of eye drop delivery. I am meant to be using artificial tears but I've taken a break while I try the dexamethasone drops. They are sting-y little so and sos!

Have a good weekend all. xx

dreamdaisy

Ah, rude words, sometimes they make all the difference. This is so tough for you and I hope that an answer can soon be found. DD

Mat48

Sorry you are going through all this Starburst. I was scrolling down trying hard not to think about my own eyes just now and saw this thread. I was found to have dry eyes yesterday but not rheumatoid eyes at least - probably Sjogrens I think because I have this foul taste in my mouth and realised after the blink test that my mouth is always dry and I have trouble swallowing quite often.

I did wonder if my optician actually knows what to look for in that regard but he gave me a very thorough eye test a few weeks ago and I'm sure he would have found something if it was the RA that was causing my problems. I remember reading about RA and eyes and thinking how awful that sounded so I feel for you very much. I also understand the problems you are having with opening bottles and squeezing drops etc. I tried to follow my optician's advice on cleaning my tear ducts with baby shampoo and cotton buds today and what a faff! For starters I couldn't see what I was doing without my glasses on and so had to read the instructions on the leaflet he gave me about three times - spilling shampoo and losing cotton buds along the way!

I really hope this RA in your eyes clears off and finds a less delicate part to bother very soon. Mat xx