Anyone else w/filamentary keratitis? | Arthritis Information

I was dx'd with that more than a year ago and it has been a daily thing pulling this stuff out of my eyes. I was placed on Rostasis and told to use the drops which are very pricy and OTC (over-the-counter) so not covered on the insurance. Still no relief. You pretty much use your eyes for everything, TV, reading, working, etc.

Anyone else with this filamentary keratitis? and are you bothered by i daily? Have you found help with it? Would really love to have my eyes back.

I haven't ... my ex did? does? IDK... he had to do the drops and did have positive results while we were together... I hope that is helpful to you.

I've had alot of issues w/ my eyes already on this trip... but thus far not that.

sorry you suffer w/ that additional ailment.

I've had RA for nearly 32 years now, and was diagnosed with sjogren's syndrone (dry eyes) about 18 years ago. This year I've had a lot of problems with my eyes.

The first was scleritis, an inflammation of the sclera, part of the eye. I've been on steroid drops since September. I tapered off the steroid drops, and it reflared, so back on the drops. The drops have increased eye pressure, which can lead to earlier development of cataracts. I see the Dr. M. for a followup this next week.

Prior to the scleritis developing, I had been having problems with focusing, an overlapping, kind of double vision. Because of the scleritis, I had to delay seeing a specialist for this problem until recently. I've since learned it is "fourth nerve palsy," which can be caused by several things, one being rheumatoid arthritis. I will be having a MRI, a MRA, and bloodwork, to try and isolate the cause, which will determine how this eye problem will be treated. Right now, in order to read, I have to close one eye to keep things in focus. Glasses, with prisms, have been of no help.

RA can affect more than just one's joints. Its important to have regular eye exams, I did, but my previous opthalmologist did not accurately diagnosis my problems. Make sure you are seeing a competent eye doctor, get a recommendation if possible.

As for your question Shelly, yes I would love to have my normal vision back, reading is one my few pleasures.

To deal with the sjogrens, I use Genteal drops for severe dry eyes several times throughout the day. It's an over the counter eye drop. I also use a humidifier, to moisturize dry air. Restasis is often prescribed for dry eyes, but it is not an inexpensive med, even with insurance.

Good luck to you, I can empathize with your situation. Take care.

SnowOwl,

Thanks for responding. I am on lots of drops. I go through quickly. They are a box. I get the individual ones. I also have some nighttime ointment I use, and Restasis. The key thing is getting control of the RA/sjogren's like you said which I keep forgetting. That hasn't been done yet. Hopefully, the rituxan will eventually work for me.

but iritis and scleritis sounds painful too and wouldn't be surprised if that isn't included with mine. anything to do with the yes is pain, IMO.

thanks.

Thanks Babs10,

It definitely puts a damper on things. Some days are worse than others but it is always there.

Sorry you too have had to deal with eye problems. It is not any fun at all.

Joie,

Thirty-two years! That is a long time. It has been 14 years for me which feels like a life time. I missed my entire 30s and now am 45.

I do have an ophthalmologist. I need to see more often. I am on the restasis, the OTC moisture drops. off and on with the steroid drops. The filaments have been removed at times but they come right back the next day or next week. there is pain to light, sunlight, car headlights, etc. at times. Of course the blurred vision when the filaments block my vision. The docs have used bandaid contact lenses to help and they helped as long as they were on there.

Fourth nerve palsy, sounds scary to me. I wonder if this is very common in RA but then ra has thrown the book at me symptom-wise. I do hope they find the cause and it is treatable.

And like you I don't have many pleasures in life but reading is one of them. Reading has been my form of meditation and was a way to escape whatever uncomfortable environment I had to endure when I was a child. So I developed a habit of reading to calm myself. These days however, reading is not that easy. However, I just received a book by Maya Angelou, "letter to my daughter." I am going to find a way to enjoy it.

The humidifier is an excellent idea. Something I have wondered about but usually use it for when I have a cold. I will pull that out for the eyes as well.

Thanks so much and good luck to you also.:)