Not diagnosed yet--hopefully it's not permanent

[yanksgirl]

Hi,
I had facial shingles a year ago--next month. It has caused inflammation of my eye to occur off and on and I've been seeing 3 different specialists. I have inturned eyelashes all due to the shingles and it's having been around the eye and lid. I've been on 3 different anti-inflammatory drops, which cause the pressure to rise---then was put on anti pressure drops. Now I'm off all drops--as of this past week. I'm discontinuing the anti inflammatory drops tomorrow. I'm hoping my symptoms will improve when all the drops are stopped. My eye has a 'pulling sensation' that is very uncomfortable. It began with the shingles. I still have occasional painful stabbing pains and bad itching episodes. These I can live with, but the inturned lashes and this feeling like my eye is 'sticking' and has something in it, really drives me crazy sometimes. I found this site in wondering if I had 'dry eye' developing. Is there a specific test you have to have to be diagnosed? It hasn't been mentioned to me as yet. I use systane drops daily about 4 or 5 times. This helps, but this past week, I tell you, my eye is very uncomfortable. I have gotten lashes out and everytime I see my eye doctor (every 4 to 6 weeks), her or she gets 2 or 3 out. Do my symptoms sound like dry eye or just a side effect of shingles? Has anyone here also had shingles of the eye? thanks.
Yanksgirl

[Silverlady]

Herpes Zoster of the eye

If I understand correctly what you are saying then this might describe what is going on. http://gmtv.medicdirect.co.uk/diseas...step=4&pid=888

Have you seen an opthalmologist for this? Opthal. are medical doctor's specializing in treatment of problems with the eye. Optometrists prescribe glasses. I would think you need to see an Opthal. for something this serious.

The eyelash thing may be scarring, or it could still be some inflammation. I'd sure see a good eye doctor.

Billye

[yanksgirl]

Your website was very informative

However, I have gotten all that info on several of the websites here in the U.S. It's good to know they agree.
Now if they can come up with better treatment for the after effects of eye shingles.
I have been under the care of 3 eye specialists( a corneal/ neuro and glaucoma specialist). I've seen one or the other every 4 to 6 weeks since last July. I've been on several anti inflammatory medical eye drops, some for pressure and of course, the original oral meds for the virus itself and the pain.
My question is---'Is my eye now having dry eye symptoms' or is this just part of the 'post herpeutic' pain from shingles making it feel like somethings in it constantly and causing my lashes (a few) to turn inward. The doctors say it takes time and they're very attentive and I think 'puzzled' a bit as to just how best to treat it. I've been told I can have a 'plastics ophthalmologis' cauterize the problem lashes if it becomes necessary. However, if it turns out I have dry eye--which I plan to inquire more about next visit--then the cauterization wouldn't help and might even aggavate the condition. I know my eye is not better---but is getting more nervewracking and painful and uncomfortable with each day---though some parts of each day, it does get better, and I think---aaah!!That doesn't last too long. Two weeks ago I had a good week---then back to this!

[Silverlady]

So sorry

I'm sorry I wasn't more help. It does seem as if you are getting good care. I can't really answer your question. Hopefully, your doctors will come up with an answer.

Billye

[Rebecca Petris]

I've been on 3 different anti-inflammatory drops, which cause the pressure to rise---then was put on anti pressure drops. Now I'm off all drops--as of this past week.

How long were you on all those things?

I still have occasional painful stabbing pains and bad itching episodes.

I don't know anything about shingles. You may want to post in the Q&A forum below when Dr. Latkany returns.

Itching usually points to allergy, but allergy symptoms can also be more common in the presence of dry eyes...

Is there a specific test you have to have to be diagnosed? It hasn't been mentioned to me as yet.

Two common tests for dry eye are:

Schirmer, which is intended to measure aqueous tear production (usually not terribly low unless there is something like auto-immune disease)

TBUT, which measures the quality of your tears by seeing how quickly they evaporate.

Of the two, TBUT is more reliable and also often the most relevant because "evaporative dry eye", where there is inadequate oil production so tears evaporate too quickly, is the most common type.

For more information I'd suggest checking out our recommended links, here

[yanksgirl]

shingles related eye problem

thanks for all the replies. I did post on the ask the doctor side---didn't see my post so I hope it went thru. Will the doctor be back soon?
I was on Tinolol and Alphagan P for pressure, and Tobradex and then Lotemax for inflammation. Not all at the same time---except for the two pressure meds. My pressure had gone up so I was on them for about 4 weeks. I'm off all of that now and today was the last day for the Lotemax. I'm hoping being off all these will help too.