Do any blepharitis / MGD sufferers have sinus-type problems too?

[dijon84]

Hi

Just wondering if anyone else has the symptoms I describe below? The symptoms can come on at any time and often tend to correlate with how uncomfortable my eyes are feeling.
- Feels like a buildup of pressure just behind the nose. Sometimes it feels like a throbbing behind my nose. This can extend to the area behind my cheeks, down to just above my upper teeth, and into the forehead? It can often be more intense when I lie down with my eyes closed.
I've had an x-ray of the sinuses last August and an ENT doctor looked up my nose a month ago - I was given the all clear. I was told to continue using Flixonase nasal spray, if it helps. No problem with using it long term.

The GP I saw said that she has seen these type of symptoms before and the people have been tested for sinus problems and like me, also come back negative. Any insight into what might be causing it, and how to treat it would be appreciated?

Thanks
Dave

[jenny2008]

yes but i have sjogrens too so i dont know if my stuffy nose if from sjogrens and/or mgd..got both.. yeah me! lol
and yes i get all the pressure crap too. i take excedrin or aleve... rx painkillers dry my eyes sooo bad. not worth it and make
me feel drugged anyway. good luck ..wish i had more to offer u

[Joseph]

Rhinitis is a big consideration when it come to your eyes.. The inflamation in you nose does cause eyelid problems and tearduct problems

[dijon84]

Well I don't really get a stuffy nose, just these pressure sensations. I have a few theories on what it could be.
- from a search on the internet, other people who have pressure sensations behind the lower part of the nose / just above the upper lip: TMJ has been mentioned as a possible diagnosis. So I've tried to relax my jaw where possible. Will ask my GP about this next time I go.
- my ENT doc gave my nose the all clear, so I stopped taking the Flixonase nasal spray 2 weeks ago. I can't say I feel much different since I stopped taking it.
- could be related to tenseness in the face / stress. So I'm trying to relax my facial muscles where possible (by making lots of strange faces). Might be having an effect, not sure.
- if I have inflammation around the eyes, it's not too far away to imagine that other parts of the face in close proximity will also have inflammation.

[Súil Eile]

I've had sinus problems that have gotten worse since I got punctual plugs. It seems that a lack of moisture in the nasal passages can cause dirt etc to build up and reduces the natural protective mucus leading to the sinuses. I use a nasal rinse regularly which seems to help. This may not be relevant to you,but I just thought I'd add my 2 cents I also think that the pain in my eyes may be causing me to tense nearby muscles which could be contributing to the sinus pain.

[libralady]

hello dijon84 I also suffer from sinus/rhinitis type problems. Have also had a sinus scan which came back clear. I think there is a connection with dry eyes/blepharitis, but I also have rosacea ( much better now past the menopause). I suffer very dry mouth at night assume because of blocked nose.
Not sure how to treat the sinus problem. Do you take any blood pressure medications. The one I take does list rhinitis as a rare side effect, although the GP thinks not. Might take this up again. I also have hypothyroidism, asthma and ibs all seems to be linked if you read other posts. Sorry I can't help other than to suggest you look at any medication you might take. Stress is a big factor as well I think for eyes and sinus. Good luck

[Eileen510]

I have sinus problems periodically - I can wake up in the morning with the side I have slept on completely blocked with a pounding headache to boot. If the headache is bad I know I'll be stuck with it all day even with taking Advil. The pain is normally behind the checkbones and nose. My parents don't have any headache issues - but my Mom has bleph - but her belph is not as bad a mine. I think wearing contacts and using solution in my eyes for years built up a sensitivity to all the drops. Maybe with all the saline drops, etc may have drained back in the old nasal passages and hence the sinus issue. Interesting theory huh.....

[boston]

I've had sinus problems that have gotten worse since I got punctual plugs. It seems that a lack of moisture in the nasal passages can cause dirt etc to build up and reduces the natural protective mucus leading to the sinuses. I use a nasal rinse regularly which seems to help. This may not be relevant to you,but I just thought I'd add my 2 cents I also think that the pain in my eyes may be causing me to tense nearby muscles which could be contributing to the sinus pain.

Hi, I almost 100% agree with you. I also wonder about the pain being due to tensing.
And I also think they are connected. I bought a neti pot to try using for therapy and relief but just havent put it to use much yet.

How many of you are Post-Lasik DES sufferers, and have any of you come down with very dry skin under the eyes now, and subsequent wrinkling? This is bothering me. I cant tell if this is caused by post-lasik dry eye and MGD, or if its just that I'm getting older

Ben
age: 36

[adienich]

I don't have an official MGD diagnosis, nor any valid information on the connection between the sinuses and dry eye, other than that I notice a bit of a connection myself. My eyes felt really good the last time I had the flu and I was using decongestants. Even when I don't have the flu or a cold, my nose often feels really stuffy when I wake up, which is when my eyes are also at their worst. I also notice a bit of throbbing on my nose sometimes, though I'm not sure that it's similar to that described in the first post. Lately I've been using a neti pot every evening and I have noticed some improvement in the dry eye, though not complete. It is interesting, nevertheless. I will keep the neti pot routine up for a while and see what happens.

I've never had LASIK, so can't comment on that.

[sazy123]

I can only comment on the feeling better when you had a sinus infection. My eyes always feel 10 times better when im sick, it can be anything not just sinus infections.

[zuzu70]

Rhinitis is a big consideration when it come to your eyes.. The inflamation in you nose does cause eyelid problems and tearduct problems

Joseph, could you explain the rhinitis inflammation connection to the eyelid & tear duct problems? I've had rhinitis ever since I was a little girl, and only in the past 4 months got dry eye. But I'm wondering if the MGD has been brewing for years and just recently becamse noticeable.

[zuzu70]

I can only comment on the feeling better when you had a sinus infection. My eyes always feel 10 times better when im sick, it can be anything not just sinus infections.

Yeah, my eyes feel moister when I have a cold too. I think it is because the inflammation from the cold is serving as a kind of tear drainage partial blocker (I don't have a plug yet but am going to try a 30 day dissolvable in November-yay! I hope I don't go crazy in the meantime.)