Recurrent Corneal Erosions - Cures and Questions

[Tempestuous]

I've just remembered something...
At the end of the first year I changed specialists to my current one. At that time he found that my eyes were infected, inflamed, certain layers of the eye had thickened and bulged out, both eyes were always very red and I had thick blood vessels running through both eyes.
I seem to recall a sense of pressure at that time.
I believe the treatment was doxycycline, chloramphenicol, vismed, simple and a fairly strong dose of prednisolone.


One other experience I have had which may or may not be a factor...
Up to a few days after a minor rip where everything seems to have settled down, the pain gradually mounts with stabbing sensations at the front and culminating in a rip like pain yet without the classical morning stick-rip experience. What essentially happens is that the initial injury partially dislodges a flap of the epithelium which eventually gives way and exposes the raw nerves. So perhaps that could account for your growing pain and rip without a rip sensation.

And yet another point I'm just discovering is that as the condition of the eyes changes, the type of lubricant may need changed also. But for that you really need to speak to a good specialist so you dont get one that does more harm than good for your particular eyes.

If I remember any other possibilities from my experience I'll let you know.

Good luck.

[Rebecca Petris]

Hi Mike & welcome.

I think a number of people get RCEs even without eyelid movement. I don't really know about the mechanism that causes it. Hope you'll find some useful information about additional treatment options here - there are a lot of RCE patients and many with great blogs.

Are you dry in addition to having RCEs?

[Tempestuous]

Hi Mike.

I'm new here myself but have had rce, dry eye, ebmd and Meibomian gland dysfunction. So now you know me heres my thoughts & experiences with what you have said...

I regularly get rips whilst my eyelids are still stuck shut from the dried out lubricant. This typically happens when I enter REM sleep about 3 hours in so I am clearly unaware of my eyes moving.
Could this be whats happening to you?

I also used to be on a lubricant which didnt work for me as it was unable to keep my eyes lubricated overnight. At times I would feel my eyes sticking to the lids whilst I was still trying to go to sleep. Changing the lubricant I used for overnight use fixed this problem.

With regards to the pressure build up you mention I'm not familiar with that sensation. Certainly after the eye has ripped, anything - including eyelids - touching the eye for up to 48 hours do cause pain and when sometimes trying to keep them open can help. It may also be worthwhile getting the underside of your eyelid checked for damage. I had a rough patch on the underside of mine which caused me some problems.

Sorry I cant be of more help.
Keep us posted if you find out anything more and good luck.

[mike1222]

Hello - I'm new here at the DEZ and have comments and questions.

For about four years was was able to avoid corneal erosions all the time with a simple technique. My RCES was set off by a accidental finger poke in my right eye. I learned that when I awaken in the morning (or at night) and I simply grab the artificial tears before moving my eyelids and lay onto my back and put a few drops at the corner of my nose and eyes directly in the spot so that the artificial tear bottle gently touches the scalera. This worked fantastically well since it lubricated my eye before I would move my eyelid in the morning. It requires some self discipline but classical conditioning sets in quick and anyone can learn to do this.

About a year ago things "took a a turn for the worse." Something very different has started to happen. I always thought that only "eyelid movement" usually upon awakening caused erosions. Now, it seems that my erosions are happening with my eyelids closed even without any real eyelid movement and I'm wondering if someone can shed some light on this. It seems that some kind of "pressure build up" when my eyes are closed can cause erosions. I've read about oncotic pressure and tearlid evaporation although I don't fully understand all the details but I'm wondering if this is related to my new problem. I have sometimes noticed when I'm about to "drift off" to sleep or when I have just awakened and close my eyes for a while to relax while conscious and awake but with my eyes closed suddenly and slowly pain/pressure will start to build up in my right eye unless I open my eyes. Can anyone explain this? It's like a balloon that is about to burst but is completely avoided once I open my eyes. The problem is this happens when I'm asleep and at present I'm totally helpless to avoid this.

When this started a year ago - I would awaken in excruciating pain night after night (sometimes several times a night) and it was a stabbing pain for about 15 minutes (I think you all can relate). It reminded me of my RCES when it started back in 2004 but I had that under control by just applying the artificial tears until this started. I had already been through the usual routines including Muro 128 drops, doxycycline, etc. But this was real crisis so I had the epithelial scrape done which put the immediate problem at bay ...for about 3 weeks and then I went in for PTK which again put the problem at bay for about another 4 weeks and then I went on the Dextran drops and that put the problem at bay for a short time but I still have these erosions every 2-3 weeks or so and sometimes more intense than others.

The problem I'm having is in understanding these erosions as they are NOT caused by eyelid movement and seem to be caused by "pressure buildup" perhaps of the moisture under the cornea and they just happen spontaneously when my eyes are closed. It's very strange because sometimes they will not happen at all and I could be in remission for months and then other times they come on minor every few weeks and then other times they really come on strong with a vengeance.

All insight would be greatly appreciated as I'm at crossroads with my RCES and not sure what to do at this time to best control it.

Thanks,
Mike