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Shannon, my ophthalmologists seem to accept it as part of the
Graves’ eye disease. My eyes measure 19 and 21, with some lid
retraction (worse in the eye pushed out farther). Some days I
have more puffiness, other days less. I still am very sensitive
to light, and still experience irritation in my eyes. They tear
in the mornings, but not all day (as at first). Some days they
look all red, other days clear. Cold or dry weather (or air
conditioners) make it worse. And, of course, stress really
seems to settle in my eyes now.What are your eyes like? I had a lot of muscle constriction last
year and had Botox injections to loosen them up. It worked
great. I’m beginning to notice a little double vision again,
but not enough to go back for injections. I’m in a wait and see
pattern. Will have to decide about Botox one day, and then surgery
for the lid retraction. Keep putting it off.I’ve read here about people knowing their eye pressure readings,
but I’ve never had a doc tell me mine. Have you?Blynn
Blynn,
My last eye measurement was at 19/19 which was down from
a previous reading of 20/21. I had lid surgery done
a couple of years ago. This pressure that I feel behind
the eye always scares me because it feels as like
my eyes are being pushed out, even though they don’t
appear to be.
Your experience with your eyes sounds very much like
my own, sensitivity, tearing at times etc. I have never
heard of Borox, what exactly does it do?
I haven’t had an eye pressure reading either. Do you also
get a slight headachy feeling when you feel pressure in
the eye area? and did your doctor mention that this problem
will be long lasting?Thanks again,
Shannon.
Jake asked me to tell you that, yes, he had that. It could last a few days up to 6 months or longer. Hope this helps you. E-mail us if you need to.
Hugs,
JANBlynn have you ever spoken to an Opthomalogist
about the eye pressure, if so what did h/she say
about it? there isn’t any Optho here and I was
wondering how “normal” this pressure is. I find that
stress can make it worse also.Take care,
Shannon.I want to learn one more thing. What is Botex injections? When is it used, Is it in place of strabimus surgery? Please let me know.
Fran H
Shannon,
It’s nice to compare notes. Yes, I get headachy with the eye
pressure. Kinda like a sinus headache, but directly behind the
eye, or to the top, inside part of my eye. Botox is botulism
toxin. It paralyzes the muscle. So, since my eyes were being
pulled down and inward, the ophthalmologist injected it into the
lower muscles from the inside (near my nose), so those muscles
would relax. Then the upper muscles would be able to pull and
theoretically stretch the lower muscles. The effect lasts about
three months, during which time I had worse double vision. But,
when it wore off, I had much greater eye movement. It’s been about
a year, and so far my eyes have only slightly returned to feeling
constricted. I’m waiting to see what happens before making the
decision to do it again. It’s not usually considered a permanent
solution, buy my doctor feels that if it’s used early enough, it
may actually be a long-term solution.Were your eyes much worse, in all the symptoms, and have they now
“burned out?” I’m curious about future flare-ups. I’ve heard both
that once they burn out they usually don’t come back, and that it
will always be an unknown–able come flare up at any time.I’d also love to hear about your lid surgery. My husband is adamant
that they not cut on my eyes, and I’d like to look like myself
again. My “stare” isn’t as bad as some photos I’ve seen, but it
bothers me. And, my more “buggy” eye does suffer more irritation
due to exposure.Take care, and thanks for sharing,
BLynnHi again Blynn,
I have had the eye disease since 1992, when I developed
Graves.
My main symptoms were dryness, tearing, sensitivity toward bright
light, especially florescent. I did experience alot
of pressure on the muscle at one time.
I’ve always had large eyes and they’ve always been
quite sensitive. Getting the eye disease made things worse
though. I had some lid retraction that’s why I decided
on the surgery. I felt a lot better after it was done.
Where you decribed the pressure on your eyes is where
I find it also. This really scares me. I know I’m pass
the burn out point, but after hearing that the eyes can
get bad again, even years down the road is very much a worry.
The pressure I had been feeling is gone now. I never know
when it may come back. I’m just hoping it does not return!
Did your Optho indicate that the pressure could mean
the eyes are getting worse?Thanks again,
Shannon.
I also have the same eye pressure and aching as all of you described. I asked my Optho if it meant my eye was getting worse. He told me to expect that kind of pain with Grave’s Eye Disease, as long as it only last for a couple of days at a time. If the pain continues without any relief it cold mean the eyes are changing. He also told me that it could be related to fluid retention. I tend to retain fluid and take a diuretic for it, it seems to help me.
For those with fluid retention and eye problems, may I suggest you sleep on a couple of pillows at night as opposed to lying flat? This will definitely help the swelling.
JAN
No, Shannon. He’s not worried at all. I guess they go by the
proptosis readings. One thing that did help me with the sensitivity
to bright lights (including flourescents) indoors was to purchase
glasses with shading on the top half. I don’t need a prescription
for vision, but these help a lot. I keep them and a pair of very
dark glasses for outdoors with me almost all the time. The indoor
glasses also make me feel a little less conspicuous when my eyes are
red and tearing. I think it makes it a little easier for people
to look at me.My Graves’ Disease was diagnosed in late 1994, and my eye disease about
a year later. I’d been complaining of eye symptoms for a very long
time, though. My original eye doctor told me it was just allergies.I hope your eyes stay put! Hearing your report may help me decide
to finally get the lid retraction surgery. Now, if I can just convince
my husband!Blynn
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