Adhesion

[ksamaras]

Hi all. Just responding to Mike's post following mine introducing myself. Mike, thanks for your post and kind wishes. Yes, my fixed dilated pupil is due to adhesion, which as you note is typical of sufferers from HSV1 (herpetic) iritis/uveitis.
Re the eye pain situation, I'm wondering if a dilating drop (which you note can relieve pain) would be prescribed for someone like myself whose pupil is already constantly dilated? Would it still be effective?
I was speaking to my optometrist on the phone yesterday (I see my specialist again in another couple of weeks) and she reminded me of the importance of keeping the eye well lubricated (with liquid tears), as Pred Forte dries the eye, which can obviously contribute to discomfort and pain (on top of everything else the eye is enduring). I've been doing this over the last 24 hours, and the eye does feel a bit better.
Wishing everyone quiet eyes,
Katrina

[Mike Bartolatz]

ask to try a dilating drop in the eye to see if that helps with the pain situation.

if it doesn't help and pain inside the eye continues, get a pressure check up as well as a look at the optic nerve.

try a gel type lubricating eye drop at night so that you won't have to get up to put drops in. also get some preservative free eye drops which come in single use vials as you will be using them for a very long time because of the iritis and steroid etc.

your means of dealing with the problems associated with uveitis are great BTW from your other post.

often fluorescent lights bother us and we try to get our employers to use incandescent lighting in our work areas.
you can remove light bulbs in your personal area and then use a desk lamp. you can also use a colored film placed over the computer screen to help with glare,

mike

[ksamaras]

Thanks for this, Mike.

I will ask my specialist at my next appointment about the dilating drop. I'll also ask for a pressure and optic nerve check (though fortunately at my last appointment on 20 August both were ok).

Lubricating the eye more frequently does seem to be providing relief. I've bought a 'wardrobe' of drops (all preservative free): lighter drops for work (so less vision blurring); gel for home or when I'm very uncomfortable; and ointment for overnight.

Thanks for your advice and support,
Katrina

[Mike Bartolatz]

I use theratears lubricating eyedrops during the day. the preservative in them evaporates immediately on contact with the surface of the eye so that the do not cause problems. I also use Refresh Liquidgel eyedrops at night. I stay away from the gooey stuff completely. somehow putting petroleum products in my eye doesn't thrill me.

take care,
mike

[ksamaras]

Hi Mike

Thanks for your feedback. I have been using Lacri-lube overnight, but perhaps I should stop...? (I must admit, I hate the bleary feeling.)
Other than that, I'm currently using 2 Allergan products, both of which come in preservative-free single dose vials: Optive Sensitive and Celluvisc (which feels very similar to Liquigel, which I used for a long time and really liked...but I thought Liquigel has preservatives in it?)

I didn't realise that some eye drops are ok to use as the preservatives evaporate more or less immediately. You mention Theratears, which is useful to know. I find the eye drops labelled preservative-free that come in the little vials do tend to be more expensive (at least here in Australia), so it would be good to know which ones that come in bottles are safe to use in terms of preservative evaporation. Have you seen a list anywhere of lubricating eye drops where the preservatives evaporate immediately?

Thanks for your help Mike
Katrina

[Mike Bartolatz]

no I haven't seen such a list. do you have punctal plugs implanted to close of the drains of the eyes to keep fluid on the surface of them longer before evaporation and to prevent them from going down the drains ( the puncta)?
the plugs have helped me and I no longer have my eyelids sticking to my eyes at night when I sleep. still have to get up and put a drop in a couple of times a night though.

wish you the very best,
Mike

[ksamaras]

http://www.uspharmacist.com/content/d/feature/c/20223/

Hi Mike and everyone,

I found the above article on artificial tears and dry eye treament quite helpful - it discusses the issues associated with preservatives.

Best wishes,
Katrina