RA-sjogrens-now scleritis | Arthritis Information

Welllll, I was just diagnosed w/scleritis yesterday. I'd been having problems w/my eyes, dryness, irritation and then redness. I saw my regular eye doc two weeks ago, and he said, yeah dry eyes, use over the counter gel and ointment. My eye improved a bit, but then got worse, getting redder and painful. I was able to get in to see an eye doc my RA doc recommended, and he diagnosed scleritis.

I wasn't prepared for such a diagnosis. I'd been having another eye problem, possibly strabismus, and was having trouble getting glasses w/the right prescription/prism -- going on my 3rd try now, so I was preoccupied w/this problem, and just thought my red eye was related to the sjogren. Wrong.

I was prescribed 1% prednisolone eye drops. I've never used these before, has anyone out there? I go back to my new eye doc this Monday for a followup.

I haven't done too much research on scleritis cuz I'm sorta bummed. I've adapted to the physical limitations caused by RA, but the thought of my vision being affected is scary and upsetting. I'll muster the courage to google scleritis so I'll have some questions for the doc when I see him, but I was wondering if anyone else has had this diagnosis.

Thanks in advance for any input.

Make sure you tell your RD. Could be AI related. Keep a diary. All strange stuff could be put together. I see my opthomalogist monthly cause of eye issues. I have had scleritis numerous times. It is directly related to my RA. I didn't have any problem with the eye drops. Don't worry. It can be serious but it does respond well to treatment.Joie - so sorry, setbacks are always tough. I just had my eye ducts cautherized shut a few weeks ago for dry eye that was causing ulcers and abrasions. It worked great. The little moisture I generate is held in, instead of draining down through the nose.

The opthamologist (MD eye dr) has me doing warm compresses every morning, an eye brow/eye/eye lash wash routine in the shower, and bathing my eyes in saline whenever possible, plus OTC drops. It's been alot better with these great suggestions. Growing old is not for sissies.

We are pulling for you. Take care and huggles ~~ Cathy

Milly, Snow, Rock, Cathy,

Thanks all for your replies. Doing better today. Those prednisolone eye drops are doing the trick, eye is now pink, no longer red, and, thank gawd, no more pain.

The opthalmologist that diagnosed scleritis is with a teaching hospital and one of the top eye docs in this area. I feel very confident in him. He explained scleritis is RA related and is treated with RA meds, so he'd be contacting my rheumatologist. I hope I never get this again, but if I do, at least I know what I'm dealing with and how to treat it. RA has limited me physically, so I could spend the whole day reading, so these ole eyeballs are very precious to me.

Cathy, I don't know about that catherizing tear ducts business, I think I'm too chicken for that, but once this scleritis clears up, I may consider having those lacrimal plugs put in. I trust this eye doc to do it.

Cathy, I agree that growing old isn't for sissies, and neither is having RA! I thought 31 years of having RA had toughened me, but this diagnosis of scleritis threw me for awhile, but I'm not the only one dealing with this, so onward and upward!!

Well hope all you ladies' lovely eyes are doing fine -- so you can watch the debate! lol Take care, be well, and thanks again for your help and support. Hugs, Joy