Eye Problems

[Guest guest]

Should've mentioned that I think at the eye center where I was examined,

they usually use the prisms for those with actual double-vision. My

double-vision was actually called blurriness, because altho I see 2

images, they're superimposed on each other - not distinctly separate.

I'm pretty sure, from what was said during my appt, that if I'd had

actual double-vision, they'd have gone w/the prisms.

Sue

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/9/00 3:09:55 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

lyme-aidegroups writes:

<< Eye problems

>>

,

I was wondering what type of eye symptoms you are having? I have had

light sensitivity since 92 shortly after I believe that I was infected. I

brought this up to my opthomologist last year when I went in for my exam, but

since he was not LL I don't think he knew anything about it....at least he

didn't say anything or give any advice. I know that I have to wear sunglasses

outside at all times and even then I still have to squint (this has done

wonders for adding to the wrinkles...lol ), but the worst part is that

everytime I go out into daylight I can feel the muscles in the back of my

eyes start to hurt or a pulling sensation on the muscles....this in turn

leads to starting some of my headaches. I know that it is worse for me during

the spring and summer because the light is so much stronger. Do you know if

anyone has actually lost their sight because of eye problems associated with

Lyme?

Your Lyme Friend,

in VA

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 06/08/2000 8:46:10 PM Eastern Daylight Timmanifestations

often requires intravenous therapy.

>>

linda.....thanks i go at the end of the month to the va for my

recheck....last year i was given bi focals thanks to lyme .....and then had

to get reexamed and new glass's in 3 months due to a rapid change in my

sight.....i will take these with me......while the va is way behind the times

on ,lyme they are open to being educated so far .....for that i am

gratefull......Reid

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I don't know of any humans that have lost their eye sight to

lyme............but I know of a couple of dogs that have.

My dx of lyme came after an eye specialist.......saw flecks of white blood

cells on the back side of my eye......I actually had to get shots of

cortisone in the eyeball......it was so painful.............that eye doesn't

focus properly, and I need glasses at times when my left eye gets too tired

to do all the work anymore.........anyway he suggested that this indicated

something else was going on in my body and to go for further testing......I

went to many Drs. before getting the correct dx of Lyme.......

Connie nwnj

[Guest guest]

Here is a continuing education article about Lyme disease found in the journal

Review of Optometry.

http://www.revoptom.com/OSC/ro0500osc.htm

If you are experiencing ANY problems with your eyes print this out and send it

to your optometrist. Or take it with you on your next visit. Doctors have a

tendency to not believe it until they read it. This will allow them to finally

read it.

Unfortunately Ophthalmoligists have a tendency to not like Optometric journals.

So if you see an Ophthalmoligist for your eyes this may not help you much, but

it's worth a try.

As for all the questions regarding what Lyme can do to your eyes, read the

article yourself. Bb can definitely do damage, but the more serious problems

are usually rare. I did say usually, so please have your eyes checked EVERY

year, more if you have concerns.

Robynn

[ ] Re: eye problems

In a message dated 6/9/00 3:09:55 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

lyme-aidegroups writes:

<< Eye problems

>>

,

I was wondering what type of eye symptoms you are having? I have had

light sensitivity since 92 shortly after I believe that I was infected. I

brought this up to my opthomologist last year when I went in for my exam, but

since he was not LL I don't think he knew anything about it....at least he

didn't say anything or give any advice. I know that I have to wear sunglasses

outside at all times and even then I still have to squint (this has done

wonders for adding to the wrinkles...lol ), but the worst part is that

everytime I go out into daylight I can feel the muscles in the back of my

eyes start to hurt or a pulling sensation on the muscles....this in turn

leads to starting some of my headaches. I know that it is worse for me during

the spring and summer because the light is so much stronger. Do you know if

anyone has actually lost their sight because of eye problems associated with

Lyme?

Your Lyme Friend,

in VA

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/9/00 9:56:43 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

lyme-aidegroups writes:

<< My dx of lyme came after an eye specialist.......saw flecks of white blood

cells on the back side of my eye......I actually had to get shots of

cortisone in the eyeball......it was so painful.............that eye doesn't

focus properly, and I need glasses at times when my left eye gets too tired

to do all the work anymore.........anyway he suggested that this indicated

something else was going on in my body and to go for further testing......I

went to many Drs. before getting the correct dx of Lyme.......

Connie nwnj >>

Hi Connie,

I am so happy that you are doing so good, I will pray for this to

continue. Thanks for the eye info....I must admit when you described the eye

injection, it brought tears to my eyes. Did you ever have one eyelid droop.

My daughters, just recently kept asking what is wrong with your eye

mom....they said that it looked like it was trying to close, but I couldn't

feel it. I just keep finding more questions than answer's.

Your Lyme Friend,

in VA

[Guest guest]

Reid - Interested in your reference to the VA. I get all my care through

the VA but have not yet been able to get treatment for LD. I'm trying to

get an evaluation and detailed treatment plan from a dr in MA that I can

give to my primary care provider. How were you able to convince your drs

to treat you? do you have to go through a specific clinic or does your

PCP take care of you? Thanks. Joanne

[Guest guest]

I've had eye problems, it usually causes a large open ulcer on the white part

of the eye, the cornea also shows some erosion. They are painful! The

ophthalmologist treats it with Prednisone eye drops, I've never had to wear a

patch. Ever since the first ulcer I've had problems with twitching eyelids.

They tell me it can be from lack of rest or stress. When in pain I feel

stressed-they twitch a lot. Aren't the little complications due to PA fun!

Ilene

[Guest guest]

Cassie -

I have noticed my vision is more often blurry than it used to be, but chalked

it up to turning 40 this year - could it be from the PA? could be.

Also, it often feels like I have something like sand in my eyes, but nothing

is there - again I thought maybe age, or makeup - never thought of the PA -

but again, could be.

[Guest guest]

--- The Beamons <cartman@...> wrote:

> Is anyone experiencing any eye problems such as

> redness, dryness,burning, just general irritated

> feeling?

Hi --

I have P on my eyelids sometimes, but not on the eye

itself. Two other autoimmune conditions that can

affect the eye are Sjogrens Syndrome and Schleroderma.

List founder A-S knows a good deal about SS,

and there is a link to the foundation that studies it

on the PA homepage, http://www.wpunj.edu/pa/ (over

10,000 hits to date!). I don't know much about

schleroderma, but I bet you can find a number of links

to it on the web.

Hope this helps -- , North Jersey Highlands

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

,

At the age of 40 I had cataracs removed from both eyes. First the left and 6

mos. later the right eye. I was broken out with P. My eye specialist told me

that in some cases P causes other problems to advance quicker than normal. In

other words it sometimes speeds up some of your aging processes like my eyes.

However, that doctor did not give me anything about that in writing. It was just

something he tossed out as we were waiting for medication to work before

surgery.

Has anyone told you anything like that?

Donna

[Guest guest]

Cassie -

I believe that most insurance companies are regulated in some fashion by the

state and they all have an appeals process. DON'T stop trying to get them to

cover the doc. you want. Follow their appeals procedure, talk to your H.R.

person at work and if need be, get the name of the insurance broker your

company uses and go to them directly. Most brokers have a good rapport with

the companies and can find out how to help you. Don't quit!! You deserve to

be able to go to the doc. you want!

[Guest guest]

Cassie, could it be Dry eyes, I live in Nevada with low humidity and wear contacts, my eyes are always as you described, dry,burning, just general irritated feeling. There are a couple of artificial tear products out there that work very well, my mom uses them. She has a terrible time with her eyes, she's even had the tear ducts lasered shut to keep her tears from draining. (yuck). They have just come out with Refresh for Contacts, this makes me very happy. Take care, Becky

[ ] Eye problems

Is anyone experiencing any eye problems such as redness, dryness,burning, just general irritated feeling? It usually goes away after being up awhile but not today. Not sure if it's an allergy or something else going on. They just keep burning. They are also very swollen everytime I wake up and that doesn't go away for hours. Cassie

[Guest guest]

IiHi

I often experience the itchiness and I use a weak solution of rose water

mixed with some mineral water just use a dropper and let it run over the

eyeballs. This helped once when I had conjunctivitis and it helps with most

eye infections. I also use the rose water in my bath water....it has a

cooling effect on my skin.

good luck

Soraya

[ ] Eye problems

Is anyone experiencing any eye problems such as redness, dryness,burning,

just general irritated feeling? It usually goes away after being up awhile

but not today. Not sure if it's an allergy or something else going on.

They just keep burning. They are also very swollen everytime I wake up and

that doesn't go away for hours. Cassie

_____

[Guest guest]

To the Beamons:

I have terrible problems with dry eyes at night. During the day they

seem to be okay. I do use a hot washcloth on them ocassionally. At

night if I wake up startled and my eyes fly open without my thinking

about it, I'm in terrible pain. It just feels like my cornea is

being cut again.

A couple of years ago my granddaughter dropped a book in my eye and

my cornea was cut. I guess I don't make the tears at night that I

make during the day and it is sheer misery. I keep my eye drops at

the exact same location, always so I can find them with my eyes

closed. If they get moved, I panic.

My optomotrist says some drops will cause more dryness and will only

reommend that I buy the following brands: Aquasite; Genteal, Refresh,

Ocucoat, Tears II. Of course the $1.98 brands won't work - I have to

buy the $10.00 brand! Isn't that they way it goes?

Hope this helps.

[Guest guest]

you might want to try taking cod liver oil pills for help with this eye

dryness

cathy from mass

[Guest guest]

A very good thing to use at night for dry eyes is a lubricant rather than a

drop. It is rather oily so only use it right before sleep or in the middle

of the night as it will make your vision blurry. I know of a two that I

have tried that are good: Lacrilube ointment & Refresh P.M. They really do

help.

Debbie

[Guest guest]

I have been had extreme ulceration of the eye as a result of the dry eyed

inflammation caused by PA. I have 3 bad bouts of it, one just recent, where

I have had to take strong pain killers, wear a patch and lie down for a week

at a time.

If you have this problem you should take extreme care, as even mild

ulceration can result in scaring. I luckily have only mild scaring.

Currently I point eye ointment in my eye every night - it's like a think gel

and you can by it at the chemist. I have to do this for 3 months and then

go back to my specialist to have my eye tear ducks tested.

I really sympathise when anyone who has this problem - as it is

excruciating. Just another one of those PA problems!!!

Kate

[Guest guest]

> you might want to try taking cod liver oil pills for help with this

eye

> dryness

> cathy from mass

,

I just have one question: How does that pill know to go North to my

eyes and not South where it is not needed?????? Sorry, just couldn't

resist the comment, ha.

Granny Patty/Missouri

[Guest guest]

Hi Kate,

I too have dry eyes but not to the extent yours are. BUT I have had cataracts removed from both eyes before the age of 40. So I do understand how.....upset you can feel. And the HO HUM what's going to go next thoughts. At the time I had the surgery the left then 3 mos later the right....I was told because of the P a lot of things get speeded up. Now don't go in a panic here...it does not happen to everybody. I was just one of the few that it does happen to.

I told you that not to scare the hell out of you but to let you know that we do understand how you are feeling to day. Go ahead and have a pity party...we're allowed.

I hope tomorrow will be a better day.

Donna

Kate Steinfort <KateSteinfort@...> wrote:

Hi All,I have mention to the group in the past the problem with my eyes, inparticularly the left. I have had issues with errosions and extreme pain atnight.... This morning I had tests down on my tear production and it hasended up that I have extremely dry eyes.Barry talk about this in the past....tears produced. This can be a normal finding after age 50 or can berelated to the inflammatory condition. Symptoms are the same as for theconjunctivitis only little or no redness. Treatment is lubrication usingtear replacements (not eye drops that " get the red out " , they will makeit worse). If the symptoms are significant or if it is accompanied bysharp pain when opening the eyes in the AM (pain subsides in about twohours), there is a relatively simple in-office procedure your Optometristcan perform in which a " plug " is placed in the drainage canals (punctum)to reduce the outflow. Painless, very effective and covered byinsurance.>My specialist agrees and believes that it is related to having an autoimmune problem in general - not necessarily the PA. I have extreme pain ifI wake with a start or in the morning and constant eye pain throughout theday when it is bad. I have for last 3 months been lubricating at night witha replacement tear gell and using drops during the day. It would appearthat I might have to continue to do this (lubricate) for ever, as I have hadit for over 5 years now. If I don't I will cause more errosions andpotentially blindness later. I am going to go back in a month to see if Ineed the 'plugs'.I must admit that I felt a little upset over all of it this morning....Iknow it's manageable, now I know what the problem is...but it is justanother thing to look after with my health.Years ago if you had told me that arthritis can cause so many problems, atsuch a young age, I would have laughed.......sorry I sound a bit selfpitying...I guess you all know how bad it can be....and this isn't even thatbad.I had to tell someone, thanks for listening.Kate--------------------------------------------------------------------GET A NEXTCARD VISA, in 30 seconds! Get ratesof 2.9% Intro or 9.9% Ongoing APR* and no annual fee!Apply NOW!1/7872/4/_/494167/_/966435335/--------------------------------------------------------------------|e>-Please visit our new web page at:http://www.wpunj.edu/icip/paWe are currently discussing new chat times. moderates a chat on arthritis atwww.about.com on Thursday evenings, so check thatout in the meantime! E mail at RA@... for details.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/11/2005 5:53:48 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,Tawny writes:

eye problems

Hi Tawny ... I was on Plaquenil and had limited success with it. I did

experience some blurry vision that came and went. I also became exhausted

because it kept making my white blood cell count drop low. That will make you

feel

as though you've run a marathon!!! DO get checked out -- sounds like it

either needs to be adjusted or discontinued.

Thanks for the nice comment on my new blog. I've been a published writer

quite a bit and I am submitting it to several magazines -- we'll see.

Feel better!!!

Love and Prayers,

Beth

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Read my blog at _www.ThinkBigAboutHealing.blogspot.com_

(http://www.thinkbigabouthealing.blogspot.com/)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

[Guest guest]

Good luck on your writing, never give up on something you like to

do. I will keep my fingers crossed for you, keep us posted.

I was fatiqued and feeling bad before the Plaquenil. I was on

humira, and when my lab work came back, he told me to stop taking

it, that he thought it was causing problems.

This is why I have to go back so soon, more lab work, yuck. But, at

least he's taking care of the problem, and not putting it on the

back burner. Will let you know how it all goes,T

>

> In a message dated 6/11/2005 5:53:48 A.M. Eastern Daylight

Time,Tawny writes:

>

> eye problems

> Hi Tawny ... I was on Plaquenil and had limited success with it.

I did

> experience some blurry vision that came and went. I also became

exhausted

> because it kept making my white blood cell count drop low. That

will make you feel

> as though you've run a marathon!!! DO get checked out -- sounds

like it

> either needs to be adjusted or discontinued.

>

> Thanks for the nice comment on my new blog. I've been a

published writer

> quite a bit and I am submitting it to several magazines -- we'll

see.

>

> Feel better!!!

>

>

>

> Love and Prayers,

> Beth

>

> ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

> Read my blog at _www.ThinkBigAboutHealing.blogspot.com_

> (http://www.thinkbigabouthealing.blogspot.com/)

>

> ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Could you be developing Sjogrens? My vision does that too. Sometimes

I have to turn off the computer because I get sooo blurry I can't read

anything on the screen. I hope you get to feeling better. Let us

know what the eye doc thinks....Marina

> I have been on Plaquenil almost 5 weeks now. After about 2-3 weeks,

> started getting blurred vision, and dizziness. I'm thinking it could

> be the side effects of the drug, and I need to get use to it. I

> haven't been feeling well, I am so fatiqued that I can't hardly get

> around. I'm having a lot of pain in my hip, so it's just everything

> bothering me. I am running a slight fever today also.

> I did call, and made an appointment at the eye doctor. So, hopefully

> we can find out what's going on. I sure wanted to stay on the

> Plaquenil for awhile. T

[Guest guest]

Marina,

I was dx with Sjogrens a couple of years ago. That could be possible,

will need to check into that. I will also talk to my new rheumy about

it. I will keep you posted, thanks T

> > I have been on Plaquenil almost 5 weeks now. After about 2-3

weeks,

> > started getting blurred vision, and dizziness. I'm thinking it

could

> > be the side effects of the drug, and I need to get use to it. I

> > haven't been feeling well, I am so fatiqued that I can't hardly

get

> > around. I'm having a lot of pain in my hip, so it's just

everything

> > bothering me. I am running a slight fever today also.

> > I did call, and made an appointment at the eye doctor. So,

hopefully

> > we can find out what's going on. I sure wanted to stay on the

> > Plaquenil for awhile. T

[Guest guest]

To the person who's describing floaters as looking like spirochetes:

Youve hit the jackpot! I agree, they look like bacteria. Listen to this.

In my encylopedia recently reading with my child, it described how to make your

own science project of a microscope by using a DROP OF WATER. A drop of water

can actually be used as a primitive microscope, and the light source factor when

we see these floaters is creating a mirror surface on the water in our

eyes...just like a real microscope does....you never see THRU the glass slide,

i.e. looking at a closeup of your table or desk, because of this mirror factor

with the light on the scope, or daylight itself viewing a slide...

SO...I think, because of the water drop in our eyes (do our eyes not water in

bright light? this is part of this phenomenon of seeing the spirochetes

(floaters " " " )....and the light together, our eyes are temporarily transformed

into a microscope. You tend to stare when the light blinds you, removing focus

involuntarily.....this is why we see them. (You could never VOLUNTARILY focus

that close, but by removing control blinded in the light, it works out perfect).

Make sense? Thanks for your thought provoking comments. Now, of us that see

them, if we're seeing this creature like a scope with our eyes, there should be

no more worrying when told by a new illiterate doc etc, " theyre not sure " we

have it, still have it, are in remission, are having a " ghost reaction " after

treatment, etc. Seeing is believing! Wowwww.

julierb84 <julierb@...> wrote:

Hi Greg and deafiegb (sorry, don't know what to call you),

I just wanted to let you know that I'm finding this eye thing to be

vert common, unfortunately. The blurriness started for me about 3 1/2

years before I was DX with Lyme. Before that I was told it was CFS

and Fibromyalgia and there wasn't anything they could do for me except

try to keep me comfortable. So far I've had very understanding,

sympathetic and kind Dr's, I don't blame them for misdiagnosing me

because when I got the DX it was still the very early stages of Lyme

even having a name.

The floaters for me are mostly when I close my eyes and mostly in one

eye and not the other. They actually look like a picture I've seen of

live spirochettes!! Also, I do have black spots that I've basically

gotten used to. I was told once that the spot that is black is the

spot on the lens? that has died, or something like that, and it cannot

see color anymore. Don't know if that is true or not, but I thought

I'd share it with you, it may make sense to one of you and fit

together with something else that you already know. If it does, could

you let me know please?