Eye Pain

[builder91]

After left eye enucleation in November 2008 I have been experiencing extreme pain in the muscles around my left eye when I do anything requiring focusing. I have tried drugs for phantom pain which did not work, have had the implant checked three times by different surgeons, and everything looks good.  Pain medication does not help.  The use of a muscle relaxer such as Soma is the only thing that helps. The pain stops about one week after I quit doing anything that requires focusing.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Well they are all good places. If it was something serious they should have found it. I have never had a patient have that problem except for drug addicts and people with psychological problems. Sorry, not saying that's what you have, that's just my experience.

The muscles that are attached to the implant have 100 times the strength it takes to move the eye so you will not overuse them. You do not have a focus muscle inside the eye (ciliary body).

That's all I can add

JCH MD

[builder91]

I have been to University of Iowa Eye Clinic, Wolf Eye Clinic, and Mayo Clinic.  All say the implant looks good but will not acknowledge the fact that the muscles attached to the implant can cause pain if over used.  If I spend a lot of time on paperwork my eye will even start to bleed.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Yes head for a world class tertiary medical center such as The Wilmer Institute of John Hopkins U, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute of U of Miami, Mayo Clinic, etc.

Yes I think you need a trial of retrobulbar injection of long acting anesthetic. If that relieves pain then discuss injection of retrobulbar absolute ehtanol (which can numb pain fibers for 6 months0

JCHMD

[builder91]

I have been to three surgeons and two pain management specialists.  The surgeons say that it is impossible to have pain in the muscles around my eye and the pain management only want to give me drugs.  Any other solution?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Protecting your good eye from injury and disease is your first priority.

Second I have seen some people become drug addicted from this type of problem. Third I have seen several drug addicts with one eye that used this as an excuse to go from doctor to doctor getting narcotics and tranquilizers.

Suggest you see a pain management specialist and second an oculoplastic surgeon.

It this is totally out of control then a retroprosthesis injection of a long acting anesthetic should stop the pain completely.

JCHMD