Radioactive iodine and watery eyes

[ajgsyracuse]

I have seen others post questions regarding receiving radioactive iodine and then having eye problems.  I am experiencing watery eyes -- they just run constantly and then become infected.  First one started, then the other.  I have been seing opthamologists for 6 months.  They cannot flush the tears with injections.  They are planning to "balloon" the tear duct (lacrimal duct/sac).  Noone in the medical field is agreeing of the connection between this issue and radioactive iodine.  Any advice?

[wulby]

Hello~ I am curious to what route of treatment you pursued. Have you received any help? I had 2 bouts with cancer and RAI 11 years ago. My eyes "stream" so badly that I'm getting wrinkles under my eyes and look much older than I am. I haven't received any answers from any doctor I have asked. The neuro ophthalmologist couldn't get anything to drain in any tear duct. If I have dye placed in my eye it remains the entire day. I need help!

[wulby]

Hello~ I am curious to what route of treatment you pursued. Have you received any help? I had 2 bouts with cancer and RAI 11 years ago. My eyes "stream" so badly that I'm getting wrinkles under my eyes and look much older than I am. I haven't received any answers from any doctor I have asked. The neuro ophthalmologist couldn't get anything to drain in any tear duct. If I have dye placed in my eye it remains the entire day. I need help!

[Smilerdeb]

I had the 'dry eye' where the eyes would 'stream'.
Mine has since subsided and I havent had it for many months now and its been nearly 15 months since RAI.
I think it will settle down personally.

[tribZ4]

This is interesting.  I had RAI in 2004.  In 2006 I had lacrimal surgery on my left eye.  The right eye was also blocked but not as bad so I waited until last week when I had the same surgery on my right eye.  My doctors did not say that it was from the RAI, but I believe it was.

[ajgsyracuse]

Just thought I would mention to everyone - i got a call today from my nuclear medicine doctor and her studies have shown that there is a connection between RAI and blocked ducts.  she said that the cells can become damaged and start to slough off, if they do not clear out naturally through the ducts, they may start to slowly cause a blockage.  she said it is rare, but she has had several cases.  this was her experience, so i just thought i would pass it on.  it was helpful to me to help me determine what procedure to choose.  mine has gone on for 6 months without any relief - so i am going to pursue treatment.   thanks for all of your input and sharing.  i am new to this forum, but it is so hepful to me to read everyone else's issues and realize that i am not alone.  thanks!
Amy (#2)  

[amela321]

Tear duct problems are often discussed as a side effect of RAI.  I myself had issues for about 2 months after my last RAI, but it seems to have gotten better.  My eyes would water all the time as well.  Now it only seems to happen if I get overly tired.  Hopefully, it will go away completely with time.

Take care,

Amy

[Smilerdeb]

As I said...I had the watery eyes BEFORE RAI and have it since summer has started here in Australia.
But also went to the Dentist last year for an extraction, she x-rayed my teeth and told me my sinus's were blocked.
Since then...had it on and off but more ON the last 2 weeks.
I brought an OTC nasal spary and that helps but am going to see my Doc about it tomorrow and ask for a referral to an ENT specialist as I also suffer with severe mouth ulcers when thyroxin level is too high.
This problem I had too before RAI......
These problems are only since I was diagnosed with Graves and Hyperthyroidism.
Strange coincidence.

[ajgsyracuse]

that is interesting.  thanks for sharing.  i  have never had sinus problems or allergies, and this came on kind of suddenly right after my last scan (which was also the first time i had the thyro shots)  it has been such a nuisance.  they are going to do a balloon procedure on me to see if they can open it up.  i was trying to figure out the connection - to see if i was choosing the right procedure.  i did have a lot of nose bleeds and scabbing inside the nose after RAI and so i thought maybe someone else had gone through this.  thanks for your input!  a

[Smilerdeb]

Forgot to mention...I had RAI last June 2008 and the teary eyes still continue here and there.
Personally I dont think it has anything to do with RAI.

[Smilerdeb]

I have had teary eyes on and off since diagnosis of Graves and Hypert.
BUT........I have also suffered with sinus probs (which Ive never had before in my life!) while this was going on too.
Food for thought?

[ajgsyracuse]

what did they do? that sounds serious.

[juliefoxy]

I had a similar issue with my left eye post R.A.I.  My doctor was sure the tear duct was blocked and i had a painful injection which did nothing.  It turned out i had erosion of the cornea in my eye, and it was totally unrelated.  Hopefully, you have gained insight into the issue by now.  goodluck, i know how difficult and painful those injections can be.