Already a member? Sign in

Welcome to Inspire!

What - Inspire is a place where you can connect with people who share your health concerns and find information and advice in groups sponsored by organizations you know and trust.

Why - As a member you can use Inspire to let friends and family know how you're doing, contact others who share your health concerns, receive personalized updates and information about participating in surveys and clinical trials, and more.

How - Joining Inspire is completely free and usually takes less than a minute. Join now!

Contacts and uveiitis?

By pearlsnowflake
Posted November 7, 2009 at 1:34 pm · 7 replies
In Living with sarcoidosis
Shared with the public

Just wondering if anyone with uveitis can wear contacts. One eye doc tells me forget about it those days are over and another has told me it is not a problem when there is no inflammation present in the eye. I just do not want to do anything to aggravate the eyes any further or cause more damage. I also have dry eye. I hate wearing glasses--bad night glare and they literally give me a headache above my ears. Go figure..........Anyway, should I just find better fitting glasses or what?

Explore topics in this discussion:

Sarcoidosis Glaucoma

7 replies

Oldest first
Newest first

By IreneMarie
Posted November 7, 2009 at 10:47 pm
Report post

How can you tolerate contacts having dry eyes? It seems logical it would aggravate things. Maybe extended rest periods are an alternative?

By pippin
Posted November 8, 2009 at 9:35 am
Report post

This is just me and what I am about to say was not told to me by any medical personnel. But I have done a lot of research on the web in particular about uveitis since that is my overriding problem, and I would never, never, put anything into my eyes.
I have had chronic uveitis for years and have had numerous surgeries to help maintain my eye sight. I don't leave my house without some sort of glasses on. I wear safety glasses when I mow my grass or work in the yard. I wear sunglasses all the time even though I don't need glasses to drive. I feel as if I have more protection with glasses on.
My retinologist said my greatest danger was infection.
He even puts on a glove when he touches my face. I try never to touch my eye area and wash my hands compulsively. I have had so many steroids that I am afraid I am developing a tolerance to them and antibiotics and I want to avoid infection.
You may not have the severity with your eyes that I did but I do know that uveitis is the leading cause of blindness in young people (people still working).
I think I would just forget the contacts. It would be easier.

By pearlsnowflake
Posted November 8, 2009 at 4:56 pm
Report post

Dear IreneMarie: Actually,before I had uveitis my dry eye condition really was better wearing contacts. I wore the super soft hydrating ones and they acted almost like moist bandages. It felt really good. Since not wearing them my uveitis had been much better after pred. drops and glaucoma drops because my pressure goes way up. I am still on oral pred. too. But the dry eye has worsened to the point that I must sleep with a humidifier practically on my face and use moisture drops and gels about every hour. I guess it's time to find a nice eyewear store. Another change that Sarcoidosis has forced on my life. YUCK!

By pearlsnowflake
Posted November 8, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Report post

Dear Pippin: Thanks for the reply. I realize after reading your post that you are so right. It just is not worth it. I have uveitis that comes and goes but my eyes always feel bad. I have no damage to my retina yet and it seems I have the type in the front of the eye only for right now. Eye doc says that can change at anytime or over time. My eyes are very photo sensitive and I even wear sunglasses in store with bright overhead lighting. I have only had this for one year and have had two bouts already--no infections though--just red eyes, blurry vision, headache and high eye pressures. Before the eye condition i could say i never really looked sick from sarcoidosis but when I look at my aching eyes it is just another crappy reminder.....Oh yeah and sometimes my eyes will swell up like golf balls because my lacrimal glands have also been hit. But thank you and i will take your word for it . I listen to people who have experience. God Bless!

By IreneMarie
Posted November 8, 2009 at 6:39 pm
Report post

Hi Pearl,

I can identify with your symptoms. One unusual thing I developed after only three bouts of uveitis is unequal pupils and an oval instead of round dilation of the right pupil (my worse eye). I've had inflammation in different parts of the eye and the last time caused the iris to stick to the lens in one area, ergo: oval pupil when dialted, and unequal when constricted.

By CXN
Posted November 9, 2009 at 9:07 am
Report post

After a year of doctor appts with no diagnosis, it was actually the eye doctor that recommended for my doctor to send me for more testing for Sarcoidosis after his diagnosis of uveitis. My opthal did recommend that I wear only eyeglasses until my eye pressure and inflammation was under control. After two wks of the pred. drops, I fortunately have not had any reoccurrence. It has been eight years, I continue to see the eye doctor regularly and have no problems wearing my soft daily contacts. Note: I only wear them about 8-10 hours, than I take them off and wear my eyeglasses.

By pearlsnowflake
Posted November 9, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Report post

Thanks CXN but since i have had two severe bouts in one year and am only now feeling better, I think I better not push my luck. It is good to know I may go a long spell without it. I hope it lasts for you and maybe me. Take Care!

Add to the discussion

Help and information from FSR

Sarcoidosis is a "multiorgan" disease - meaning it almost always involves more than one organ. It's unpredictable and affects different people in different ways.

You can learn about the ways in which sarcoidosis affects the body in FSR's Sarcoidosis and the Body brochure.