Swollen Retinas
 

Hi Everyone,

I'm just wondering if anybody else has had this problem. It could be because of wearing my contacts. I needed to double my muscle relaxer at night because of increased pain and so I end up sleeping when I get home from work and after I eat dinner. So, the optomologist thinks that it's because I'm falling asleep with my contacts in. But, its primarily in my left eye - which is the side with my RSD.

Has anybody else had this problem?

Thank you in advance.

Please explain more about the problem
 

Could you explain more about the problem you are having, I have eye problems but Im not sure if I understand what you mean? thanks cz

Almost 2 years ago abut 8 months after my dx of RSD/PN I developed an eye issue. Till recently I have been to 11 eye specialist,neuro,allergist,pain docs I could go on about 50 plus apts around the eyes and my pain is in the legs so those apts are seperate. I have blepheritis and dry eye but both of those don't cause the pain I am in. It has gotten better but previously through all the meds etc I was in crying pain. I have been told though by a few doctors who deal with rsd that it is not in the eyes. I know others that have had it they thought too in the eyes. I am not sure if the progress pain wise I have made is from my new meds ot just time. I was not sure if I should post this cause I don't want to scare others but from the docs I have seen it seems pretty rare case.
For you though I would let your eyes have a break from the contacts. You are not suppsed to wear them more then 8 hours a day. Some as they get older too become less tolerant or you may have an allergy or something. Feel better

I have not dealt with the eye issue and RSD. I am sorry you are having to go through such excruciating pain, any pain for that matter.
http://i40.tinypic.com/2s7uiw5.jpg

:grouphug:,

are you perhaps meaning swollen corneas?

Contacts may cause this to happen. It can be from hormone changes. Often when women become pregnant they may have to stop using contacts (more common with hard type).

Thank you to everyone who responded.

CZ, I have increased pain, headaches, blurred vision, sensitivity to light etc in my eyes - primarily my left eye. So, I went to the eye doctor. She said that I have very dry eyes and my retinas are swollen.

Daniella, Yes, I can't wear my contacts for 2 weeks. I then have another appt with my eye doctor. I also have drops for my eyes to decrease the inflammation. Hopefully things will look better. If not, I can then start to look at other possibilities. I have an appt with my pain specialist to be reprogrammed for my spinal cord stimulator so I'll ask her. I'm sure she'll say that it doesn't go to the eyes...

Dew, thank you for your response.

Mrsd, I was told that it's the swelling of the retinas - not corneas... As far as pregnancy and hormones, I'm on the depo and haven't been pregnant for 13 years. So, that's out... I'm hoping that it's because I was sleeping in my contacts. Not all night, just when I would fall asleep in front of the tv. So, I'll know more in 2 weeks.

Thank you everyone for responding. :grouphug:

About 10 yrs ago I had a right branch vein retinal occulsion.

Occlusions are typically what affect the retina and can cause
fluid to accumulate there.

Here is an article about them:
http://www.focusonretina.com/occlusns.htm

No cause was ever found for mine. I had angiograms and no cause was found. I had alot of pain in that eye and headache, and loss of night vision, but not day vision.
I have not had any other events since then.

I find this explanation about your contacts odd... But leaving contacts in too long will cause the cornea to swell, since it is deprived of oxygen.

Many years ago I wore hard contacts. When my PCOS started to become severe, I started to have swollen corneas, and had to discontinue them. I was told that birth control drugs, pregnancy or other hormone problems that cause fluid retention in the body, may make this happen. Haven't worn contacts since. They were just too much trouble, and I couldn't risk having corneal damage result.

I hope this clears it up the break and the meds for you. If you have dry eye and wear contacts it is a bad combo. I used otc drops non preservative to keep my eyes wet. I have been out of contact for 2 plus years and though better still dry but nothing like before but I also live in a humid climate now where before I did not. Also when you go back to contacts I would do a max of 8 hours. They all have said that cause your eyes need a break to breath. Hope you feel better

I had swollen retinas/corneas when I was taking Topamax. My eyelids swelled up also. Could it be a side effect from meds for you?