other options...?

[jhnnygdy]

My eyes started getting really bad about a year ago. I have been using occusoft lid scrubs every night, orecea, preservative free eye drops, azasite, warm compresses and had puncutual plugs inserted. I am still having terrible eye problems which include, blepharitis, dry eye and conjunctivitis. It is effecting my work and life big time...Can anyone offer any other avenues to look into??

thanks

[bealjanier]

Hi John,

Have you been to see an opthalmologist recently? The reason I ask is because I just went to an opthalmologist a few weeks ago because I thought my blepharitis was getting worse even though I was being treated for it (I had been using Bacitracin, lid scrubs, compresses, artificial tears). The doctor told me sometimes when you're being treated for one eye condition, you can get another infection, which is what happened to me. He said I no longer have blepharitis and now have follicular conjunctivitis. He told me the lid scrubs were making my eyes much worse now and to stop using them immediately, and also to stop using the antibiotic ointment and artificial tears. He prescribed a steroid ointment (FML)) and steroid eye drops (Alrex). I just wondered if you possibly also have a secondary infection. Hope this helps!

Bealjanier

[jhnnygdy]

Hi,

I was seeing an eye dr every few weeks. Last time I went he said to keep up with the lid hygiene and that there wasnt much else he could do.So I stopped going...

[Chevlin10]

Have you tried restasis?

Even if you have adequate tear production there are many studies (you can google them online) that it actual helps people with ocular rosacea because it reduces inflammation. Plus, if you keep them in the fridge it has a nice cooling effect.


I found this with lid scrubs have stopped my eye problems.

Here is one of the articles: http://www.ophmanagement.com/article.aspx?article=86533

[jhnnygdy]

Yes I tried restasis a few months ago. It really burned my eyes and made them bloodshot for hours. I didnt put it in the fridge though. I wonder if that would make a difference...I also wonder if the burning would have stopped if I stuck with it. I quit after about 6 weeks..

[Melissa W]

I agree with bealjanier.
You might need a steroid like Alrex for a short time to get some relief and decrease inflammation. Definitely see an eye doctor to get it sorted out.

Best wishes,
Melissa

PS You need to give restasis a long while to take full effect so you also may want to reconsider that. Keeping it in the fridge is a good idea.
But you may need to get your inflammation under control with a steroid first.

[Brighteyes]

The burning from restasis will go away after a few months of use. I personally love the stuff but I've never tried keeping it in the fridge.

[jhnnygdy]

You were spot on Melissa. My doc wants me to take steroids (Lotemax) for 4 weeks and then retry the restasis. He said my eyes look better and he can't see the MGD anymore so the scrubs and flax may be helping some. I just havent felt any better yet with the constant burning and sensitivity.

[Snegovik]

My eyes started getting really bad about a year ago. I have been using occusoft lid scrubs every night, orecea, preservative free eye drops, azasite, warm compresses and had puncutual plugs inserted. I am still having terrible eye problems which include, blepharitis, dry eye and conjunctivitis. It is effecting my work and life big time...Can anyone offer any other avenues to look into??

thanks

John, have you tried tetracyclins? I would recommend it if you haven`t. It worked very well for me, but the effect did not come before 5-6 weeks. Burning and red eyes went away, and the tear production back to normal. It is no cure, but sure a nice relief for a few months.

[jhnnygdy]

Yes, I am on oreacea which is time released Doxy. I have been on it about 7 months without any improvement in occular symptoms...Then again I dont know how I would be without it...