Eye pain & flashes of light in both eyes

[2johndeereboys]

Hello......I don't know if you remember me but I was dx with Pars Planitis last September and have posted a few questions here before.....anyway lol I am not on any meds for the PP (was told my inflammation is too far back to treat) I am being monitored every 6 months with a dilated exam. My next dilated exam is Sept 14.

Since the PP dx I have been seeing flashes of light in both eyes daily. I also, for about the past 6 weeks or more have been having eye pain upon first opening my eyes in the morning. I don't ever rub my eyes or even touch my face when I first wake up. I look over at my clock and while doing so notice that both my eyes are hurting. It only lasts about 30-45 seconds then it's gone. I am also seeing black dots everywhere. Sometimes to the point where I think I see something in my peripheral vision field and when I turn and look, nothing is there!

I have mentioned the eye pain and black dots to both my Rheumy & my eye Dr. My eye Dr said that it may or may not be a problem. And that is all I got. She is already aware of me seeing the flashes of light. I plan on bringing up the eye pain, black dots & refreshing her memory about me seeing the flashes of light daily at my dilation appt.

I do have Sjogren's Syndrome......no dry eyes just dry mouth, fatigue & joint pain. I just don't know what is going on anymore and sometimes I feel like I am in this fight alone. I only have one pair of eyes. And I started having problems with my eyes around age 8 and I am 42 now. I am just terrified I am going to lose my eyesight!!!

Thank you so much in advance for any insight you might be able to give me as to what might be going on.
Lisa

[2johndeereboys]

Thank you so much!! I appreciate your time!! =)

[JohnHaganMD]

Hope its helpful. Suspect it will be.

[JohnHaganMD]

Your pain on awakening is classic "exposure keratitis" due to eye drying while you are asleep.  1. Don't have a fan or AC/Heating duct blowing over your face.  2. Use a lubricating GEL at bedtime in both eye (Genteal Gel, Systane Gel, Refresh PM) and when you awake put in regular artificial tears. Has to be GEL at bedtime as regular eye drops not last all night.  Discuss flashes with your retina Eye MD.