mrego

See an ophthalmologist. If you are in pain and light sensitive, it could be iritis and they'll probably prescribe prednisone (a steroid).

dmd77

The optometrist/opthalmologist difference varies from state to state. In some states, optometrists do more than in other states. When we lived in MA, I saw an opth for everything; here in WA I see an opto for everything.

VeryHappy

Missypie: Any news? How are you??

missypie

It's very thoughtful of you to ask, VeryHappy. After taking the eye drops for three days, I developed almost every side effect on the list. So now, I'm off the drops, my eyes make me look like a ghoul (there's only so much I can do witih makeup!) and I'm dealing with the side effects. I was covered in hives all weekend, which makes me think "autoimmune issue" all the more. And of course, I've gotten very busy at work and there are so many meetings at school due to the time of year. But other than that, I'm perfect.

VeryHappy

Well, you know what we're all going to tell you to do . . . It is your eyes, after all.

nervedoctor

Not to alarm you as many of these instances are self limited and not genetic, but one of my colleagues has a mother with autoimmune disease, sister with iritis and developed scleritis--this cleared when she went back to using glasses instead of contact. Suggest that you visit a rheumatologist as well as an academic opthalmologist. that way you have all of the bases covered in case of a flare.

Jolynne Smyth

I had similar symptoms several times last summer. Went to an eye doc, who gave me a cream/drops (no contacts for 2 weeks).

I pretty much pinpointed it to my high spf sunscreen (or if I use a lot of moisturizer around my eyes). What I found really helps (& this was recommended by the eye doctor): at night, I wash my eyes with a little bit of Johnson's baby shampoo on a face cloth. Then rinse well.

If I have the beginnings of irritation now, I immediately do this and it disappears.

Good luck.