Sjogren's Syndrome Support Group
Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disorder in which immune cells attack and destroy the exocrine glands that produce tears and saliva. It also associated with rheumatic disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, and it is rheumatoid factor positive in 90 percent of cases.
I was just wondering if any of you have experience corneal ulcerations as a result of severely dry eyes.
I woke up one day last week with severe pain in my right eye. My eye was red and swollen and I had really blurry vision. I didn't think much of it because this happens about 5 or 6 times a year.
I had an appointment with my primary doctor to check my blood pressure and thyroid and discuss my new diagnosis of diabetes. He took one look at my eye and said he was more concerned about that than my crazy lab results and the diabetes. He sent me to my ophthalmoligist immediately and I was told I had a very large corneal ulceration at about 5 o'clock. That was a week and a half ago. I have followed up with my ophthalmoligist twice a week since and he said that the ulcer is healing but not as fast as he would like it to (or that it should).
He gave me antibiotic drops that I use hourly and I am to start steroid eye drops tomorrow then Ristasis next week.
Like I said, I get these several times a year and just thought they were irritation from contacts left in too long and my eyes being really dry. He said he never wants me to wear contacts again and I have already been told I am not a candidate for Lasik surgery because of the Sjogren's. He said I have several small scars from previous infections that I did not have treated but fortunately they are not over the center of the eye so my vision is not affected that much.
Has anyone else had issues with corneal ulcerations or even abrasions?
I woke up one day last week with severe pain in my right eye. My eye was red and swollen and I had really blurry vision. I didn't think much of it because this happens about 5 or 6 times a year.
I had an appointment with my primary doctor to check my blood pressure and thyroid and discuss my new diagnosis of diabetes. He took one look at my eye and said he was more concerned about that than my crazy lab results and the diabetes. He sent me to my ophthalmoligist immediately and I was told I had a very large corneal ulceration at about 5 o'clock. That was a week and a half ago. I have followed up with my ophthalmoligist twice a week since and he said that the ulcer is healing but not as fast as he would like it to (or that it should).
He gave me antibiotic drops that I use hourly and I am to start steroid eye drops tomorrow then Ristasis next week.
Like I said, I get these several times a year and just thought they were irritation from contacts left in too long and my eyes being really dry. He said he never wants me to wear contacts again and I have already been told I am not a candidate for Lasik surgery because of the Sjogren's. He said I have several small scars from previous infections that I did not have treated but fortunately they are not over the center of the eye so my vision is not affected that much.
Has anyone else had issues with corneal ulcerations or even abrasions?
What helped me in the days before Restasis and Evoxac was seeing a dry eye specialist--his practice was 95% diabetic patients who have similar dry issues as Sjogies. He put in lower lid permanent punctal plugs so any drops I used would stick around longer. It helped me limp along until 2000 when Evoxac was introduced.
Evoxac was approved for dry mouth, but made a huge difference in the quality and quantity of tears that I made. The erosions healed and stayed away, but I still suffered with blepharitis until Restasis came along. With the combination my tear film has returned to a normal break up time, and my eye pain is almost a distant memory.
I still use Soothe, an OTC mineral oil drop on low humidity days. I'm allergic to all the ointments so it's my only option to try and keep some moisture in my eye here in the California desert.
Since your eyes are not in good shape, the Restasis can sting when you begin to use it until thing get healthier. I was told to store my Restasis in the frig, and it really does help to reduce that early stinging problem.
Good luck!!
Right now I am taking Besivance every hour while awake (it is an antibiotic). I was supposed to start the steroid eye drops yesterday but forgot to pick them up at the pharmacy. I have to go back to see the ophthalmologist this week and he said if the ulcer is improved enough he will start me a Ristasis. He did say that eventually I may be able to get contacts in my eyes but would not be able to wear them for long peroids of time like I did before.
I should probably mention here that I have had some peripheral vision loss that a neuro-ophthalmologist has determined is just changes related to aging and that there is nothing wrong with me (I am not even 40 yet!!!). I was also taken off of Plaquenil a while ago for other reasons so the issue with eye damage due to that medication is gone. Recently I was prescibed Vicodin for the pain but I really don't take it that often so I can't tell if I have issues with it causing dry eyes.
I don't think I am going to use the steroid eye drops at all but I will try the Ristasis again and will put it in the fridge and see if that helps.
Thanks!!
~tj