Eyes and Neuropathy
I would love to hear from folks who have peripheral neuropathy and eyes problems such as worsening dry eye and photophobia (light sensitivity). Has anyone been to a neuro opthamologist for this and been advised of the correlation? What did you learn?
My eyes have mitigating circumstances.... beginning with Fuchs Dystrophy (cornea disease) requiring cataract and cornea transplants, intractable migraine and Small Fiber Polyneuropathy...all of which play off each other. Photophobia, for me, has been constant since prior to eye surgeries and increasingly worse after. Migraines create photophobia and vice versa. SFN is nerve damage/dysfunction which for me has created hyperalgesia (overactive and hyper sensitivity). The cornea contains the highest number of small fibers in your entire body. My ongoing dry eye is developing along with intense flares of light sensitivity. I feel like a vampire...it puts me down, to bed, in hiding. As I explore how to tackle worsening dry eye, I came across this link that opened my mind further and thought maybe it might help some of you who have dry eye and neuropathy.
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Eye Conditions Support Group.
@rnlorena I am truly sorry for all that you are going through and understand how it is draining, confusing and frustrating.
There is no way to know if Mayo would turn you down. Given your plethora of symptoms, I suggest you get the ball rolling and apply to Mayo. Here is a link to apply:
- http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63
If you are not settled in your mind on your current diagnoses by your current doctors, and feel you still need to be evaluated by medical doctors at Mayo, then go for it and apply.
If they deny you, for whatever reasons, and do not feel they can further assist you, then you can apply to Mayo's Pain Rehabilitation Center's 3 week outpatient rehab program. Here are links about the program and a discussion about my experience:
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/pain-rehabilitation-center/sections/request-appointment/ptc-20481913
- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-pain-rehabilitation-program/
Mayo PRC teaches folks who have chronic conditions to better live with those conditions, physically, emotionally and behaviorally. If you take opiates or other chemicals they will wean you off safely. Keep in mind that opiates can cause hyperalgesia which means they actually induce pain. This is why opiates are meant for cancer patients and acute conditions only. PRC turned my life around and I highly recommend it.
I hope I've helped and given you food for thought. Advocate for yourself. Work on a plan of action and decide how you can enjoy life and learn ways to get the most out of yourself. Keep your chin up and keep hope alive! What might you do next? What is your next move?
I am extremely sensitive to light. A fog grows more dense the longer I am exposed to light. I am having difficulty reading this screen due to the light background of the black letters. The longer I look at it the worse it becomes.
I had Covid in October 2021. This is when the problem exacerbated. It started immediately after cataract surgery December 2020. I was not warned of this effect or I would not have had the surgery.
Dry eyes were sever, but much better using Tyrvaya nos spray. It works for me!
My ophthalmologist says there is nothing wrong with my eyes. I tell him it is in my brain and I want a referral to a neuro-opthomologist. He said he would see if he could find one. Have not heard from him in over a month.
Help! I am at wits end.
Hi @daviddennis123, Sorry to hear about your vision problem. You mentioned that it started after your cataract surgery. You might want to contact the surgeon who did your cataract surgery. I think blurry vision is a fairly common occurrence after cataract surgery with 15 to 20% of people who had the surgery. I had the problem with my right eye a year or so after my cataract surgery and the surgeon performed a YAG capsulotomy which correct the vision problem. Here's some information on the topic:
-- Blurred Vision After Cataract Surgery: What’s Normal and What’s Not?
https://www.healthline.com/health/eye-health/blurred-vision-after-cataract-surgery
Vision is foggy, not blurred. There is a difference. Blurred will improve by squinting, not so with foggy.
Laser was not indicated. It was discussed. My problem is in my brain, not my eye.
Light makes it worse to the point I cannot read or see to put drops in my eyes. I have to feel the liquid touch my lid or eyeball.
Did your ophthalmologist do your cataract surgery? Blurry, foggy, cloudy can pretty mean the same thing and I was also sensitive to light.
" The most common reason for performing an Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy is when significant fibrosis, wrinkling, or opacification of the posterior capsule occurs. When PCO causes decreased vision, glare, or difficulties with visual function, a laser capsulotomy is indicated."
-- When To YAG and When Not To: https://crstoday.com/articles/may-2021/when-to-yag-and-when-not-to
Thanks for the info. I read it.
My doc assured me there is nothing wrong with my eye.
From what I have read it is caused as the result of Long Covid syndrome.
My doc is at a loss how to treat it. He is frustrated as I am.
I want to see a neuro- opthomologist, but he does not know where there is one. He said last month he would look into it. Have not heard from him.
I would start by seeing a neurologist. I'm not sure a neuro-optic doc exists. I have struggled with uveitis for six months now, caused by my small fiber neuropathy. Even my eye doc is frustrated trying to figure out best treatment; either with my rheumatologist or my neurologist assistance.
I have retinopathy and get injects once a month. Note that I have neuropathy in my legs and have diabetes
yes some drugs taking cause dry eye sun burn easy
I am in process of getting some answers about the type of debilitating small
fiber type, sub type etc of this two yr. nightmare.
I too have extremely dry eyes. Someone mentioned maybe Accutane at 40 yr s old was a contributing factor. Recently also diagnosed with glaucoma.
My eyes also do not close completely when I sleep. Also a contributing factor.
I've been to so many eye doctors, an ocular plastics person. Some say, thyroid eyes, others just make light of it. I feel for you and your suffering. The expense of over the counter eye drops, the restasis, eye washes. It is ceaseless.
Don't know if SFN is connected, but I suspect if autonomic in nature, it is.
The look of bleeding in eyes is a constant battle.
I have been seeking help for dry eyes since 2014.
Hope you get some relief