Eyes and Neuropathy

https://www.ophthalmologytimes.com/article/neuropathic-dry-eye-when-serum-defeats-tears
https://www.reviewofophthalmology.com/article/neuropathic-pain-the-artifice-of-dry-eye

Hi Rachel @rwinney, Great timing on this new discussion. I have an appointment with my primary care doctor and I was going to ask him for a referral to Mayo Clinic Rochester for an eye exam. I had the start of cataracts when my eyes were checked in 2017 at Mayo and I tried to get another appointment in 2019 but they were booked out for the year so I had one done at local eye glasses place. They told me the cataracts would be about a 2 out of 4 level if 4 was the worst. I got new glasses then but the past 6 months or so my eyes seem to be getting worse. It's harder driving at night or when it's sunny and my eyes don't focus well when reading or using the computer even with my computer glasses which I had made specifically for wearing when using the computer.

I don't have any eye pain but there are times when the eyes are tearing up when strained.

@johnbishop Sorry to hear things are getting worse for your eyes. Both cataracts and neuropathy seem to hold true for having the ability to cause what your feeling. I've known the facts about cataracts, surmised the neurological connection with eyes but after researching a bit further on the two, I now understand the hypersensitivies as a whole from neuropathy. Once again, no chame changer on what we do about it all but definitely some more understanding of our bodies and diseases. Good luck on getting scheduled with Mayo.

Thanks Rachel, I also forgot to mention that I've been a little concerned since I had the Mayo GeneGuide test done which showed that I was increased risk for Age Related Macular Degeneration ( CFH ARMS2 gene). I was sad to see that the Mayo GeneGuide was dropped by Mayo but my data is still accessible and I have saved the reports offline.

Oh, interesting. Keep me (us) posted on your situation. So much is age related however, having a predisposition can be poor luck. 🙁

As you know Rachel, Linda has Fuchs as well as photophobia and she also has dry eye. The photophobia is getting progressively worse as is the Fuchs. Her eyesight is not great but her eye doctor has told her she should wait for the corneal transplants for the Fuchs until she needs to have her cataracts dealt with, whenever (he decides) that will be. But for the dry eye Linda takes a product called MURO 128 5 Percent SOLUTION which helps her a lot. I think she uses it once or twice per day. Thanks for the links, will take a look at them Hank.

@jesfactsmon Oh good, I'm glad she has found something that helps. I've heard the Muro drops work well for some. I'm using up my Systane now, which I prefer over Refresh, and the plan is... to go with preservative free next purchase. I found the links helpful.

HI to Linda from me!!! Hoping today is a tolerable day for her. 😁

@johnbishop @rwinney Hi guys, I am so clueless about eye problems, that I can add nothing to what you have written about your poor eyes. I just wish you luck, and it seems that Neuropathy can leave no stone unturned. Terrible. I may be writing briefer posts now, because this DRG trial is not easy. Just regaining strength from surgery itself, and still working on calibrating the electricity in the DRG wires. Not for sissies, and can make the pain even worse than how it started. But wires were calibrated again today. Feeling better again. I will post when i know more...Love to you guys, Lori

Lori - oops disregard my previous question to you. I found my answer right here. Keep the faith. You are a strong woman and will get through this. 💪🏼 My heartfelt wishes of positivity to you. 💕
Rachel

Hi Rachel. I have neuropathy but do not know if it affects my eyes. I do have a neurological disorder where the nerves cannot control my eye muscles particularly the motion looking inward and downward. Those muscles are stronger in one eye causing each eye to have a different image, hence the double vision. I have learned that eye strain can cause dry eye and photophobia. My double vision is due to the AVM. I was told at first to let my eyes settle down which I did. The distance between the images of each eye improved but they never conformed. After struggling 2 years, I developed the dry eye and photophobia. I have limited the use of sunglasses to only outdoors since total darkness for long periods of time can worsen the condition. Because of the double vision, I experience motion sickness which stops me from many activities. I am hoping to find a surgeon that can correct my eye positions to eliminate the double vision causing the motion sickness.
Sounds like you have also experienced eye strain causing the dryness and photophobia. Have you seen another ophthalmologist for a second opinion In getting any relief? How long have you been dealing with the dryness and photophobia? Did the condition worsen?
My neuro ophthalmologist discussed surgery being a possibility but there are risks involved I need to think about. I am sure you have experienced that too with your eye surgeries. Any surgical procedure to correct my eye muscles will be permanent. I don’t know if this information provided any help for you. Keep searching. I hope you will find answers to help you. Good luck and I wish you well. By the way, I received my new online glasses with the clip-ons for sunglasses. The magnification on each lens is perfect. I like the bifocal lines better because I do not get the dizziness as I did with the progressives.