Ruptured AVM: Has anyone dealt with photophobia?

Posted by avmcbellar @avmcbellar, May 25, 2020

Has anyone dealt with photophobia?

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@sunny1971

couldnt there be some kind of contact lens to help? one thing i did not ask the doctor, but will nxt visit. I am so concerned he is an outdoorsman, and it just showed up one day, it did go away, then came back??

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@sunny1971 There can be mitigating circumstances. For me, I had photophobia prior to cataract surgery on both eyes at age 43. Shortly after cataract surgery, I had cornea transplants in both eyes. These procedures were to help or take away photophobia. Didn't happen. I continue to be highly sensitive to light, grey days are the worst. Bright, flashing lights are like daggers. I too have dry eye and my neuro Opthamologist said my blue eyes and scar tissue from my surgery were factors. Blah, blah, blah! I'm still frustrated over it but have understood that some things are simply the card we are dealt. For your husband....perhaps he continues to heal from cataract surgery, has developed dry eye and, hate to say it but, the aging process dictates. My mother (just turned 70) lives miserably with dry eye after cataracts were fixed 2 years ago and has blurry vision daily. She lives on drops. I'm hoping things settle for your husband. In the mean time some tips are:
sunglasses, hats or visors, blue light filters on all devices, tinted glasses, lubricating drops, warm wet compress, prescribed drops like Restatis. There have been many discussions on dry eye through threads on Connect. Scroll through and look for tips from others experiences. Best of luck to your husband. I feel his pain and discomfort.
Best,
Rachel

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@sunny1971

couldnt there be some kind of contact lens to help? one thing i did not ask the doctor, but will nxt visit. I am so concerned he is an outdoorsman, and it just showed up one day, it did go away, then came back??

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I am not familiar with a special contact lense for photophobia. Are you thinking glare resistant or tinted? Google away and search it out. Asking Dr. is good too but who likes to wait for the next appointment!

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@sunny1971

Hi thank you, it has been 4 weeks today, doctor says his eyes are excellent ! 20 20, he never wore glasses, or had an eye exam,until november, last year, when he found out he had a large cataract, surgery was great but just before his findings he could not go outside, we thought it was the cararact, but its worse, and doctor says now, he believes its "dry eye syndrome"? really? i cant believe it, but doc put eye plugs in and he uses gel drops, thats it, no improvement at all? thats been 1 and a half weeks now.

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Hi @sunny1971, I'd like to add my welcome. In addition to the great information and experience from @rwinney, I thought you might be interested in this information:
- How to manage dry eye from the American Optometric Association https://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-and-vision-problems/glossary-of-eye-and-vision-conditions/dry-eye

My mom also has dry eye. She uses drops and find that compresses help relieve the irritation when it gets bad. I can understand your disbelief that your husband would suddenly have dry eye, but I wonder if it was gradually starting before the cataract surgery and it became worse afterwards. I hope he sees improvement soon.

You may also be interested in these discussions in the Eye Conditions group (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/eye-conditions/):
- Dry eyes https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/dry-eyes-1/
- Xiidra (Lifitegrast ophthalmic solution) for dry eyes https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/xiidralifitegrast-ophthalmic-solution-for-dry-eyes/
- scarring after cataract surgery https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/scarring-after-cataract-surgery/

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@rwinney

@sunny1971 There can be mitigating circumstances. For me, I had photophobia prior to cataract surgery on both eyes at age 43. Shortly after cataract surgery, I had cornea transplants in both eyes. These procedures were to help or take away photophobia. Didn't happen. I continue to be highly sensitive to light, grey days are the worst. Bright, flashing lights are like daggers. I too have dry eye and my neuro Opthamologist said my blue eyes and scar tissue from my surgery were factors. Blah, blah, blah! I'm still frustrated over it but have understood that some things are simply the card we are dealt. For your husband....perhaps he continues to heal from cataract surgery, has developed dry eye and, hate to say it but, the aging process dictates. My mother (just turned 70) lives miserably with dry eye after cataracts were fixed 2 years ago and has blurry vision daily. She lives on drops. I'm hoping things settle for your husband. In the mean time some tips are:
sunglasses, hats or visors, blue light filters on all devices, tinted glasses, lubricating drops, warm wet compress, prescribed drops like Restatis. There have been many discussions on dry eye through threads on Connect. Scroll through and look for tips from others experiences. Best of luck to your husband. I feel his pain and discomfort.
Best,
Rachel

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thanks for all your input, he has been doing the all around, sunglasses doubled, hats, everything imaginable,he had the photo sensitive prior to removal of cataract, i had both done early in life in my 50's, no problems, we are both very blue eyed people, he is dark skin, i am very fair. He cant drive the car in the sunlight ! he hides in house with curtains drawn, tv on low light, cant
handle it. I gave googled away on everything, started to believe, this is a trauma to his thinking, but gonna give it some more time, then don know where we will go with it. He is a surfer, has surfed most his life, been in the sun forever, fishes, surfs, beach,
there you have it. Appt is 8/12, cant wait that long, will keep on looking for answers. Thank you again !! Marianne

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@sunny1971

thanks for all your input, he has been doing the all around, sunglasses doubled, hats, everything imaginable,he had the photo sensitive prior to removal of cataract, i had both done early in life in my 50's, no problems, we are both very blue eyed people, he is dark skin, i am very fair. He cant drive the car in the sunlight ! he hides in house with curtains drawn, tv on low light, cant
handle it. I gave googled away on everything, started to believe, this is a trauma to his thinking, but gonna give it some more time, then don know where we will go with it. He is a surfer, has surfed most his life, been in the sun forever, fishes, surfs, beach,
there you have it. Appt is 8/12, cant wait that long, will keep on looking for answers. Thank you again !! Marianne

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@sunny1971You're welcome. @colleenyoung has provided helpful info and links. It is miserable and a traumatic adjustment. I hope time heals and he is able to resume the activities he loves. Boy do your descriptions resonate with me. Its been a long battle. I gave up night driving a few years ago, have neuropathy and chronic migraine as well. I understand the pain of lifestyle change he and you (my hubby lives it with me) are going through. Stay informed, persevere and dont leave any stone unturned. Best wishes.

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