Stinging Eyes

[flemmo]

Every now and again I suffer with stinging eyes. I have to squint and blink a lot which is really frustrating. I often read about ocular rosacea causing grittiness/dryness. They do feel dry but not gritty, its more like there is a constant draft blowing in them.
Does this sound like ocular rosacea? I've tried eye drops and I'm already on antibiotics (doxycycline). Is there anything else I can do?

[sweden]

The only thing that really helps for me against my varying symptoms, one of them being ocular rosacea, is low dose accutane. Clonidine also helps alot in my case, since it takes away the flushing and blushing, which is what causes the inflammation and disfunctional blood vessels, or the other way around (works in both ways). The inflammation and fucked up blood vessels are what causes the symptoms, like ocular rosacea. So decreasing these problems (easier said than done) helps all rosacea symptoms including ocular rosacea.

[Barbara]

Flemmo,

I do have the same symtoms since, well let me think...more than 15 years now. I went to an eye specialist after this symptoms startet, he made a couple of tests and found out that I have "simply" dry eyes, which of course he said may come from rosacea. But I don't have any inflamation or other symtoms other than that. So I have to take artificial tear drops. I was told from this doc to use them daily, but I don't do this on days when my eyes feel ok. This really helps and the symtoms didn't got worse in this 15 years. But I think I better should really use them on a daily basis from now on to prevent getting this symptoms. When starting trying out different artificial tear drops they where irritating my eyes untill I found out that I can't tolerate prservatives in my eyes. So I have to use single use portions (once open it can be used for 24 hours). They are a little bit more expensive than normal once with preservative, but it has to be. The name of the drops I use here in Germany is: Lacrisic SE from the company Alcon.

Hope this helps.
Barbara

[flemmo]

Thanks Barbara. I think I'll try a different type of eye drop. I have previously only used Optrex eye drop which didn't seem to help. Still, plenty more to choose from!

[moomy]

I have dry eyes too but haven't used anything for them.

does anyone know good over the counter eye drops for this??

[phlika29]

If I remember correctly you can buy artifical tears OTC and they should be cheaper than the big branded stuff.

[Melissa W]

Hi Moomy,
I like any preservative-free rewetting drops that you can buy OTC. Refresh tears, cellufresh, etc. The preservative-free drops that come in single dose units that you throw away after each use. The advantage with these is that there is absolutely nothing in them to cause sensitivity reactions.

Best wishes,
Melissa

[redzone]

Hi flemmo,

I have the exact same thing as you have described. It always feels like my eyes are stinging and I have to squint a lot. Every eye doctor I've seen says its dry eyes, although sometimes they are itchy from allergies. I have patenol drops for when they very itchy/red from allergies.

The best drops for dry eyes that I have found are Thera Tears perservative-free drops. They come in individual vial things but this is good because you can really saturate your eyes with many drops. I put about 10 drops in each eye over 5 min period.

[flemmo]

hey RedZone,
TheraTears seems to be yet another product not available in the UK :(
I think I'll give Refresh Ophthalmic Solution a try as it comes in individual vials so should at least keep fresh.
Its amazing how behind the UK is medically. Right from the word go everyone in the UK has seemed clueless on Rosacea, good topical treatment, IPL, etc etc. I blame the NHS :lol:

[Melissa W]

Hi Flemmo,
I thought the UK was way more advanced than the US with rosacea. After all, you guys have docs like Dr. Crouch. So far, I have been unable to find anyone like him here. :?:

Best wishes,
Melissa

[flemmo]

I suppose we are lucky in that respect. Perhaps I've just been unlucky with my experiences with GPs and dermatologists? It was interesting talking with Dr Patterson (Dr who does my IPL treatment) as he asked me where I found out about IPL and he said 'I bet it wasn't through your GP or dermatologist'. I said it was though my own research. I wasn't surprised. Apparently doctors in America are much more aware of IPL?

[Melissa W]

Drs here are very much into cosmetic dermatology. I'm not sure that is the case all over, but certainly in N.Y. It is very discouraging as they cater to the aging Park Ave population (nothing against them, mind you) and seem to know very little about rosacea treatment. They do a lot of IPL and the such but to treat wrinkles, hair removal etc. I have had a very well respected NYC derm tell me point blank that Nd Yag 1064 does absolutely nothing for flushing and burning. (my main symptoms). I know this to be untrue due to all the experiences shared here, not to mention Dr Crouch's protocol!

I am seriously discouraged and my flushing is starting up again full force. It was helped a bit by Vbeam and not helped at all by KTP 532. All I know is I have over 6 weeks to wait till my next laser appt and all I want to do right now is cry.

[flemmo]

Hey Melissa, I know how you feel. We've just gotta stick at it. Yesterday I wasn't looking too bad and today BANG loads of paps have appeared for to apparent reason.
I dont get it, they have cracked the human genome, can clone animals, even humans, in theory... but they cant figure out the cause of rosacea. I suppose scientists do have more pressing things like HIV and cancer to figure out first!

[Melissa W]

Thanks Flemmo for your encouragement. You're right of course. I was just feeling a bit sorry for myself just then. I'm not going to let this get me down...for long. I'm in it (as we all are) for the long haul!

All the best,
Melissa

[flemmo]

No worries :wink:
Its good to know this forum is here for help and support. I was only initially intending on 'passing though', but I really find it helps to keep up-to-date with things.

[sazy123]

Have you tried restasis? it is supposed to be good for rosacea as it tackles inflammation in the eye and helps the eye make more of its own tears. you do need a perscription.
whereas artificial tears only replace tears.

You can buy theratears from here:

http://www.matheson-optometrists.com/Products/theratears.htm

The dry eye zone has lots of info on dry eyes

www.dryeyezone.com

[flemmo]

Cheers for the info, sazy123. I think my office job doesn't help. 9 hours staring at a computer screen each day :(