UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

I have just recovered from an outbreak of the simplex virus in my right eye. I was told not to wear my hard lens in my eye untill the virus had gone, but during suffering this virus and now im still extreemly light sensative. My consultant says Im suffering with dry eyes and has prescribed me Optive Plus. I have tried refresh, celluvisc, visco tears and systane.
Has anyone else suffered this intollerance of light? Im going on a sunshine holiday in 6 weeks and am desperate to sort this before I go. Any help appreciated. Dawn

I am afraid that photo-phobia (or light aversion) is a common symptom of keratoconus, and that it is likely to be more prevalent with or following any other eye infection (like keratitis, conjunctivitis or an outbreak of H-Simplex.

It should subside, but in the meantime good quality sun glasses may help. I use skiing sun specs.

Andrew

Hi Dawn

Are you still taking a prescribed course of Acyclovir ? If so that would suggest that the virus is still being brought under control and it might take a little while longer to resolve this.

Even if you've completed the course, the healing process for the blister can take a fair while -- the eye heals quite slowly. I had the same infection and it wasn't a speedy recovery but it did get a little better each week.

Do you know if the consultant wants to see you again to check on how things are going ? Might be a good idea, just to make sure that the corneal blister is completely gone and you've not got any bacterial infection at the same site. If you've had issues with HSV infection, consider too asking if a preventative course of Acyclovir (e.g. 2x 400mg / day) for, say, 6 months is worth thinking about -- that way, you can enjoy your holiday safe in the knowledge that you won't have any interruptions due to a re-infection. Acyclovir is typically well tolerated with very low toxicity so a preventative dose shouldn't cause you any side effects (but do drink plenty of water !).

Sorry to hear that this has happened close to your holiday plans... why is it that things like this crop up at the worst possible time

Best wishes

Chris

Thought I would just post an update as it might help someone else out there. After an emergency visit to my local eye hospital I saw a lovely locum doctor who had time for me to explain myself by this time im nearly not able to open my eyes due to the light and the disscomfort was driving me crazy as well as feeling very low in myself.

I came out with the diagnosis of allergic conjunctivitus and prescribed prednisolone 0.3% 4 x daily for a week then reducing to 3 daily for a week, 2 x daily for a week then 1 then stop, also optive plus moisturising eye drops. Today is day 1 and im already feeling much more comfortable and the light thing hopefully is getting easier by the hour.

I had a corneal graft in June 2011 and will forever be worried about it failing, I have Kerratconus in the other eye. I do have to take 400g tablet acciclovir twice daily permantly to keep virus away although it didnt work this time. Im back to see doctor in 2 weeks so keep your fingers crossed for me. Thanks

Hi Dawn

Am so pleased you got your secondary infection diagnosed and a prescription which will sort it out. Not nice that you had to make an emergency trip though, am not surprised you are a bit down. Actually, it's probably not so much that you're down, more that the stress of dealing with everything takes it's toll. So don't worry, your reactions are perfectly normal.

As for the recurrent HSV, if the daily antivirals taken orally aren't foolproof, you can also get the same active ingredient in an eye ointment -- next time you see your consultant ask if that might be suitable for you either as an alternative to the oral dose or as a "extra measure". Here's the brand names:

http://www.moorfields.nhs.uk/portal_rep ... _final.pdf

(your GP could prescribe this also)

Keeping everything crossed you're all over the worst now and will have a great holiday

Best wishes

Chris