Osteoarthritis affecting eyes

Yes Madeleine, I have had the same problem for a few years. My GP gives me ISOPTO PLAIN 0.5% EYE DROPS which you can buy over the counter at the Chemists for less than £3 to get you started.  The tiny plastic bottle holds 10 ml. (about 2 teaspoons) and they are very easy to apply yourself. They are artificial tears and don't cure the problem but do alleviate the soreness I experience.  You can use them several times a day. It might be wise to explain your problem to the Pharmacist before you buy though, especially if you wear contact lenses.

There are occasions when, on waking during the night, I have terrible difficulty in actually opening my eyes and I suspect this is when I haven't had enough liquid to drink during the day (I'm a poor drinker!!). It might not be that but it's a possibility so I try to drink a little more when I remember! The drops are the first thing I do when I wake and the last thing before I go to sleep.

Next time you visit your GP, you can ask about it.

Good luck Madeleine.

 

Hallo Madeleine!  Yes,  DO see an Opthalmologist.  I have had this trouble for several months and suffer as Sylvia does (as mentioned in her second paragraph!).  You really need a stronger eye gel for the night, but the drops are fine for the day.  Good luck!

Hello Madeleine,

  I have something called Blepharitis....it sounds very similar to what you have, I have drops, actually, I've run out, the Optician discovered it on my last eye test ealier this year, she didn't say it was connected to OA, but, it may be, I will ask the next time I go....I can't remember the name of the eye drops, I'm sorry, but, they are very good, they are INSTANT!  stops the dryness and the soreness, I use them as I need them, I also have an eye mask, and have to warm my eyes with a cream, and once again I have run out and can't remember the name of it!! Sorry!

  If ever I get around the getting some more cream and drops, I will try to remember to let you know...

I hope you get the help anyway.

 Take care,

 Chrissie.

 

Hi Madeline

Eye problems can be  because of arthritis.....not usually osteo as far as I know but there is one type.....sjornatic {pronounced sorryatic} sorry cant remember how to spell it. That is associated with eye problems.

Then of course there is blepharatis which doesnt have anything to do with arthritis as far as I know....I had bleph. for 3 years constantly.....people even stopped me in a shopping centre to ask if I was OK {they thought I was crying} it was tears/water and even if I tried to disguise it with glasses people still noticed.

Its not the sort of thing that you can cure ...any more than you can cure arthritis but you can keep it at bay.,

See an optomorist.......you need eyedrops during the day and a gel {thats what I had anyway} at night.  Bathe your eyes with a hot flannel first thing if they are crutsty or you find it hard to open them.

He told me to use a hot flannel, {about 10 mins} then clean them then put drops in.

I found a bag on line.....wheat bag....you put it in the microwave for a few seconds and instead of all the fuss of hot facecloths etc etc you just get it out of the microwave and lie down with it one for 10 mins {I think} I havent used it for a while. Much easier but still use drops etc

Love

Eileen

UK

CORRECTION

Sorry Madeline...thats not the kind of arthritis.....that has other symptons.

The one that affects the eyes is syjourns or something similar....cant spell that one either....there are over 200 types of arthritis

Possibly someone will come on and tell us which one it is LOL

Love

Eileen  UK

Thank you all so much for your replies.   I have asked my GP to refer me to an opthalmologist in the new year.

Madeleine.

Hello again Madeleine,

 Good to know your GP is sorting things out for you, I do hope you will get the answer to your problems...

 Those eye drops I couldn't remember the name of are: Systane Ultra UD, they come in individual viles,   you break one off as you need it, there are a lot of 'drops' in one file, and so easy to use.  You can buy them 'over the counter',  there are 30 viles in each packet, they cost around £10, quite expensive, but, very good!   Next time I go to see the GP, I am going to ask if I can have them on prescription!

 So, I wish you a good Christmas and a Happy New Year, and better health all round...that goes for us all....

 Take care of yourself and yours.

 Chrissie...XX

Hi Madeleine, I'm glad you have a referral and will be very interested to hear what he/she says.  

In the meantime, I wish you - and everyone on here - a happy Christmas and a healthy and peaceful 2015.  

Did you see an opthalmologist?  I think I have OA in my eye but my eyes hurt with the OA pain and they don't feel dry or water?  Going to contact my opthalmologist soon.

Thanks for your reply.  Can't figure out why I have eye pain only with I move my eye to the far right, far left, up and down.  It goes away when I look straight ahead.  Your comment at least ruled out one thing it could be.