2yr. since shingles of face/recurring eye discomfort

[yanksgirl]

2 yrs. ago I had a bad case of facial shingles. Though my eye ball was not affected, the lid was and the nerve on the upper lid, the eyebrow and the inside area near the nose, my forehead and right side of my face and scalp.  I get frequent eye inflammations, and use Lotemax  drops once or twice a week for discomfort. Also, the lid, I was told, had a slight structural change due to the shingles virus and I have lashes that turn in and I keep them plucked out for the most part, but have to have my ophthalmologist do them for me fairly often too. My problem the last few weeks, off and on, is like something is in my eye. This weekend it's been so uncomfortable. The eyeball itself is tender---and has been since the shingles. I had cataract surgery in July and that went fine. I don't see my ophthalmologist for another 4 mos. unless I have to because of  this eye discomfort. My question is, do you know if there is an eyedrop or prescription med. that can ease the feeling of constant discomfort like something is in it, ever since I had the shingles, especially when I blink, that is available? Do I need to see a neuro opthalmologist, or can my regular eye doctor  deal with this? I use Systane about 3 or 4 times a day and it helps some. Then it will seem to be ok for hours at a time, then return and last from hours to day. A real problem. I'm 70 years old and a female. thanks.

[yanksgirl]

Dr. Feldman, thank you so much. I plan to call my opthalmologist this week to see if I can get in sometime and I'm sure I can--she is good about seeing me when I have a problem. Though this eye discomfort isn't 'severe' as in unbearable, it's what I call 'chronic' and when you have daily discomfort when you do ordinary things like 'blinking', it can reduce your quality of life for sure. This morning, my eye just felt 'strange', then began to water slightly, then had that feeling like something was in it---I checked and don't see anything. I used Systane and it has helped some, but certain directions that  I move my eye will bring on a 'sticking' sensation and of course, that causes 'pain'. As I said, it will either go on for a long time, or get better and be fine or at least not as noticeable for hours, then it's back. Thank you for your suggestion.
yanksgirl

[Sandy Feldman, MD, MS]

Dear yanksgirl,

Postherpetic neuralgia is a condition in which severe pain occurs after the episode of shingles.  There are medicines to help you and I would recommend that you seek the care of your neuro-ophthalmologist to assist you.  If he/she is not available, your eyeMD should be able to assess the cause and begin treatment to relieve the discomfort.

Dr. Feldman

Sandy T. Feldman, M.D., M.S.
ClearView Eye and Laser Medical Center
San Diego, California