Protecting your eyes in Sarcoidosis

Protecting your eyes in Sarcoidosis

The eyes have a complete, self-contained, renin-angiotensin system in them. They are connected directly to your brain via the optic nerve. You cannot achieve remission from your "Neuro" symptoms unless you fastidiously protect your eyes from light.

The "Neuro" symptoms include irritability and aggressiveness, lack of concentration, transient loss of memory, and transient confusion. They start within an hour or two of exposure and persist for 24 hours or so.

This document does not set out to argue whether or not these "Neuro" symptoms actually exist, or whether they are a figment of the imagination. If you have experienced these symptoms, then the Eyeshades discussed here will help you minimize your suffering until the antibiotics can clear the microbes out of your eyes.

A Sarcoidosis patient's eyes cannot tolerate normal levels of light. In my experience, those patients who have active sarcoidosis can only keep achieve relief from the "Neuro" symptoms if they protect their eyes by using dark sunglasses and eyeshades.
You must protect the eyes from InfraRed light and Visible light, as well as from the UV rays.

By far the best lenses are the prescription grades made by Carl Zeiss. But there is a range of low cost clip-ons made by NoIR Medical Technologies that are less expensive, and can be bought off-the-shelf.

(click on image for complete data sheet)

Clip-on (Clip-over) filters from NoIR Medical technologies are available in a variety of filters for different opthalmic conditions. For Sarcoidosis you need the types that attenuate IR as well as visible and UV light

Two lenses from the "Amber" range, the 901 (10%) and the 907 (2%) are particularly useful.

I bought the 901 and 907 clip-ons and have now tested them against my trusty Zeiss prescription lenses.

The clip-ons fitted well over my prescription eyeglasses and the comfort from filtration of the IR was immediately noticeable. They were also fine when worn without eyeglasses

The 2% (907) model gave just enough protection for driving in the Californian sun, while allowing enough light through for overcast conditions. Actually, in bright sunlight, I found that the 907's let through just a bit too much light for my comfort, and that's why I mention the availability of the 908 model, which I have not yet tested

I found the clip-on style was fairly well designed. There was very little light entering from the top, and it could be eliminated by wearing a cap or hat. There was considerable light that entered the eyes from below by reflecting off shirts and cheeks, and this needed to be addressed, particularly while driving.

The 901 lenses should be worn indoors. They are about the correct tint for the average house. If yours is dimly lit, like mine, then they may be a bit dark (you should try out the 902 model) and if you use them in a brightly lit workplace with bright CRT screens they may not be dark enough. Try them and see what suits you best. As soon as you venture outside you need the darker 907 lenses.

The smaller 701 and 707 should be used if you want a strap, or if you don't need to clip them over prescription spectacles.

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