photosensivity of the eyes??

[dragonfly70]

Does anyone get very sensitive to the light. I mean aside from rashes and the sunlight inducing flares. When I go outside in the sun I feel like a vampire. My eyes hurt and burn and water so bad I have to put my hand in front of my eyes. A real 'you know what' when I'm driving. I know what your thinking....wear sunglasses...I wish I could, but, they hurt the bridge of my nose so much that I'll get a headache. (man..I feel like a whiner!!) Anyhoo....it does seem worse when I'm having a flare.

I guess I was just wondering if this fell under the catagory of photosensitivity.

Thanks!

Gayle

[morenews1]

dragonfly, i have similar thing with my eyes as well.
It is very important to wear sunglasses, there is no way around it.
And also use artificial tears drops a few times a day.
It would make it easier.
You should also consult with eye doctor. He can suggest additional drops as well.

For some reason my left part of the face is more sensitive than right.
And my left eye is more sensitive.
Please take care of your eyes.

[halfpintfl]

Hi Gayle, Finally, another person that goes thru what I go thru.
I feel like such an idiot. but I do the same thing that you do, I even
suffer with the sunglasses, and it still hurts (the sun ). And yes, you
are right, it is much different and much worse, than a sun rash or the like.
I just suffer thru it, come home and put natural tears in my eyes to
wash them and just keep them closed for about ten minutes, thats all
I can do. Yep, it do hurt . Glad you brought this subject up.


Be well and keep posting.


P.S. and I live in Fla.

[angie1]

Hi Gayle,

Me too! I can't even look around outside for a minute and my eyes are running and automatically closing because they are so sensitive to the light. Sometimes if I forget my sunglasses and I'm outside, I can't look at people because I can't see them. I seem to have an automatic response to the light because my eyes don't want to stay open. I know that sound strange, but it's true. I thought I was the only one. Thank goodness for this site, otherwise I would think I'm a lunatic with all the things I go through.

Angie

[jude mack]

<span style="color:#FF99FF">Me too, I didn't think it had anything to do with Lupus though, just sensitive eyes. I get it with indoor light as well as bright day light. Your not alone.

Take Care
Jude </span>

[Joandublin]

Hi Gayle
And I too am another 'vampire!'. I can hardly go outside the door without sunglasses. I find myself automatically putting my arm across my eyes. I swear if I had a cape on I would look like an extra in a Peter Cushing movie!
For me there is no option but to wear the sunglasses. Maybe you could invest in a light pair that wouldnt sit too hard on the bridge of your nose? I even wear them inside my local shopping centre sometimes because the light in there hurts my eyes. You do get some funny looks alright. Was thinking of maybe going all out and dressing in some wierd and freaky costume just so that people might as well have something more interesting to look at!
Best of luck
Luv n stuff
Joan

[Bern2]

Hallo everyone!

Sore eyes are a problem with me as well. I can't stand the glare. Apparently it is the UV light that is the culprit. I have had the problem for years. I was having problems at work as the sunshine was streaming in making life very difficult for me. I was discussing the problem with my nephew one day when he suggested lining the windows with shaded film that could filter out most UV light. The same as the film used to protect art and expensive clothes and furniture from fading.

Work was brilliant. They contacted a company that specialised in this product. The film was applied to the windows and they had protective tubes of film for the florescent lights. This reduced the UV light and enabled me to continue working. I still have to avoid the sunshine though, but it did make things easier for me.

It was so successful that my husband did the windows at home. I also had my car screened.

So I live in bubbles of screened windows, home, car and work. It has helped me alot.

I think you can get treated windows now, as skin and the effect of the sun on it is now high profile.

Regards

Bern

[helloos]

Yes, Me too a vampire.

I was talking to my neighbor outside during the summer, tears were rolling down my face, my eyes were basically shut and she was looking at me like I am a nut. I drive with sunglasses on even when no sun, again I must look like a nut when it is raining and dark out.
I also read somewhere that Plaquenil can make you sensitive to the light. Maybe that is why. Plus the dry eyes doesn't help either and if you blue eyes, makes it worse !!!

[Clare.T]

Just a note : I have never read anywhere that Plaquenil makes your eyes sensitive to light. It is generally reckoned to slightly lower photosensitivity by all knowledgable lupus doctors in USA and UK although 'Down Under" there seems to be a different take.

Sunlight promotes cataracts too, as well as horrid squinty wrinkles, so people on Prednisone might want to take extra care since Prednisone can cause cataracts too.

Cheers
Clare

[helloos]

Here is just a fast site but my drug store print out stated that the Plaquenil can increase the glare of the sun. That is what what I meant and when I mentioned to my doctor he said yes, it can cause the glare to bother your eyes and make them sensitive to the sun.

http://www.itzarion.com/plaquenil.html

[tbunny1]

Good morning teary eyed friends! One thought on this - hats!

[Clare.T]

Interesting !

I'll try to check it out with a reliable site - she has at least one thing not up to date about Plaquenil - just for curiosity's sake since protecting the eyes needs attention anyway - a broad brimmed hat helps too from light coming from above

Cheers
Clare

[dragonfly70]

Thanks everyone for all the responses!!!

I don't feel like such light fearing freak anymore Now it has been confirmed I'm just a lupie loo!

Oh cr@p! I hope Plaquenil doesn't make mine worse....I'll be starting that tomorrow!!! I better find a really light weight pair of shades!!!

I was tested about two years ago for Sjogrens and the test came back negative, but my eyes are very dry frequently. I have permanent bloodshot eyes. Real attractive. Oh well, better for my vampire image!

Gayle

[Rose Too]

Just to add another thing to think about, I am very photosensitive and my eyes have always been sensitive to light changes and bright lights. I would even go snow blind when skiing sometimes akkk!

But, when I was diagnosed with Lupus and went for my eye exam when starting Plaquenil, the optician said not only did I have dry eyes but also chronic iritis, ( apparnetly common with lupus!) which would cause my eyes to be painful when the iris dilated or contracted in sunlight or dark and the eye would over compensate by flooding with tears. I was given some anti inflamatory eye drops and eye moisturiser and after about a week the really bad pain had gone and I had a much better experience going outside etc.

I still wear clear uv protective glasses all the time, and swop to sunglasses when I need, and it really helps. Another trigger was the bright pc and tv screen, so now i use an anti glare anti uv cover for it.

One thing my rheumy said was.. "you can't wear sunscreen on your eyes so protect them with glasses!"

[flibble]

I also have this condition. My husband coined a word for it "Draculitis." I wish you luck in finding a pair of sunglasses you can wear. They are invaluable with this condition. Laura

[dragonfly70]

Laura,

I love your husband's diagnosis! I think I'll use that! I have draculitis...that's hilarious!!!



gayle

[tink]

I was just thinking the same thing as summer is just round the corner here and the days are getting brighter ,my eyes are getting very sore again .
i had to shut the curtains today in the front room because after a few minit i was wondering what was wrong then i realised i was flaring and my head was sore .
and the other day at the shops i was walking around looking at tops to wear and and all right one mint all wrong the next bright red flushing and feeling sick then realised it was the lights get me out of here and i had my hat on as well .
and its not warm yet ???
will have to look the glasses out ,like you say it feels funny to wear sun glasses with wooly hats in the winter.
i must look a sight lol, ,i have been wearing the baker boy hats because the skip at the front helps keep the light out . best wishies tink.

[Luscinda]

Hi there,

I also suffer from extreme light sensitivity, even indoors sometimes. I asked my lupus doctor and she said it was due to the RO antibody (If I?m not mistaken, you know, my memory gets worse everyday, I?m seeing a neurologist next month). Can somebody confirm that or am I just inventing it?

By the way, Dragonfly70, I loved the term "Draculitis": ha, ha, ha My fianc? will like it too. He normally teases me a lot because I always wear sunglasses, even in wintery cloudy days . And the funny thing is that some people think you just want to look cool, but, hey, I?m light sensitive!!

Have a great day, everyone!!!

Luscinda

[morenews1]

it is correct, RO antibodies makes us very photosensitive, including eyes.

[Paulin46]

Maybe this is more my problem than anything. Light sensitivity. Yesterday the light was so bright in my family room, I wore my sunglasses indoors. I always wear them outside. What about those types of glasses that have an automatic tint to them depending on the amount of light?

Any one have a pair of those? If so, what do you think of them?