Feeling pessimistic. Would appreciate supportive words, optimism, and/or advice.

[oopsiedaisy]

Hi,

People keep telling me, basically, that no matter what I do my eyes are going to get worse.

I have had ocular rosacea for only a month and wasn't even diagnosed until 2 weeks ago. This, after 7 years of dealing with facial rosacea. I have been swift and diligent in seeking treatment for my eyes. I do warm compresses twice daily and gentle lid scrubs with plain water (for mild blepharitis).*** I have not worn my contact lenses in a month. I am currently on day 6 of a month-long regimen of Doxycycline hyclate (100mg 2x daily) prescribed by my derm. Today, I saw my primary care physician, who visually inspected my eyes and eyelids and said that the insides of the lids actually look healthy and normal (no obviously clogged meibomian glands or anything like that).

Although I initially presented with recurrent styes (in my left eye) and mild bleph (in my right), I've managed, through the gentle regimen described above, to keep the styes at bay and reduce the severity of the bleph (which was already mild to begin with). My eyes are not bloodshot, irritated, or dry. They look "normal" except for the little bit of "eyelash dandruff" (bleph) which no one but me likely even notices.

In short, I was feeling optimistic.

Yet some people in some online forums basically keep telling me, in spite of this, that it's just going to get worse.

Does it inevitably HAVE to get WORSE??

I mean: I caught this within 2 weeks of onset, unlike my facial rosacea, which went undiagnosed for the first 2 years, and then not properly treated for a year after that.

I feel like people are ripping away any hope I have. I don't expect to be "cured"; I know this is chronic, just like my facial rosacea. But to just hear everyone say "You have no choice. It will get worse" is awful and demoralizing.

Please---if anyone has any words of encouragement to offer, or has lived with ocular for awhile and managed to keep it more or less "stable," I would appreciate it.

Thank you.

---

***I tried baby shampoo lid scrubs the 1st week, but these proved too harsh and gave me bloodshot/irritated/dry eyes, so I discontinued that and now, on the advice of my PCP, use just plain water.

[Brady Barrows]

There aren't any clinical papers I am aware of that with treatment Ocular Rosacea gets worse. In fact, the opposite is usually the case, that you will usually see improvement. You might want to ask your physician about Topical Cyclosporine or Avermectin Milbemycin Eyewash. For more info click here.

[Judworth]

Hi,

People keep telling me, basically, that no matter what I do my eyes are going to get worse.

I have had ocular rosacea for only a month and wasn't even diagnosed until 2 weeks ago. This, after 7 years of dealing with facial rosacea. I have been swift and diligent in seeking treatment for my eyes. I do warm compresses twice daily and gentle lid scrubs with plain water (for mild blepharitis).*** I have not worn my contact lenses in a month. I am currently on day 6 of a month-long regimen of Doxycycline hyclate (100mg 2x daily) prescribed by my derm. Today, I saw my primary care physician, who visually inspected my eyes and eyelids and said that the insides of the lids actually look healthy and normal (no obviously clogged meibomian glands or anything like that).

Although I initially presented with recurrent styes (in my left eye) and mild bleph (in my right), I've managed, through the gentle regimen described above, to keep the styes at bay and reduce the severity of the bleph (which was already mild to begin with). My eyes are not bloodshot, irritated, or dry. They look "normal" except for the little bit of "eyelash dandruff" (bleph) which no one but me likely even notices.

In short, I was feeling optimistic.

Yet some people in some online forums basically keep telling me, in spite of this, that it's just going to get worse.

Does it inevitably HAVE to get WORSE??

I mean: I caught this within 2 weeks of onset, unlike my facial rosacea, which went undiagnosed for the first 2 years, and then not properly treated for a year after that.

I feel like people are ripping away any hope I have. I don't expect to be "cured"; I know this is chronic, just like my facial rosacea. But to just hear everyone say "You have no choice. It will get worse" is awful and demoralizing.

Please---if anyone has any words of encouragement to offer, or has lived with ocular for awhile and managed to keep it more or less "stable," I would appreciate it.

Thank you.

---

***I tried baby shampoo lid scrubs the 1st week, but these proved too harsh and gave me bloodshot/irritated/dry eyes, so I discontinued that and now, on the advice of my PCP, use just plain water.

Hello and hugs!


I had MGD and my eyes were tearing, bloodshot, red, gritty and I was losing eyelashes!

I do eyelid scrubs using LIDCARE pre-moistened pads by Norvartis twice a day and use quite warm eyelid compresses.

I used to use thera tears artificial tears when my eyes felt very sore and they were great!

My eyes feel fine now( although I have continued treatment) and my eyelashes have returned.

Ocular roascea CAN be controlled...........I also take thera tears omega supplements.

Good luck!

J

[oopsiedaisy]

Hello and hugs!


I had MGD and my eyes were tearing, bloodshot, red, gritty and I was losing eyelashes!

I do eyelid scrubs using LIDCARE pre-moistened pads by Norvartis twice a day and use quite warm eyelid compresses.

I used to use thera tears artificial tears when my eyes felt very sore and they were great!

My eyes feel fine now( although I have continued treatment) and my eyelashes have returned.

Ocular roascea CAN be controlled...........I also take thera tears omega supplements.

Good luck!

J

Thank you!!!

I saw my eye doc yesterday, and she recommended that I continue with warm compresses and lid scrubs (using plain water, as I seem to be very sensitive to cleansers) 2x daily. She also recommended Theratears, so it's nice to see that you've had some success with their products.

I really appreciate your encouragement and the ray of light/hope you've offered me.

Thank you again!!!!

[Judworth]

Thank you!!!

I saw my eye doc yesterday, and she recommended that I continue with warm compresses and lid scrubs (using plain water, as I seem to be very sensitive to cleansers) 2x daily. She also recommended Theratears, so it's nice to see that you've had some success with their products.

I really appreciate your encouragement and the ray of light/hope you've offered me.

Thank you again!!!!

That's wonderful news!

right back & here's to continued success!

Judy

[drsbollinger5]

Hi,

People keep telling me, basically, that no matter what I do my eyes are going to get worse.

I have had ocular rosacea for only a month and wasn't even diagnosed until 2 weeks ago. This, after 7 years of dealing with facial rosacea. I have been swift and diligent in seeking treatment for my eyes. I do warm compresses twice daily and gentle lid scrubs with plain water (for mild blepharitis).*** I have not worn my contact lenses in a month. I am currently on day 6 of a month-long regimen of Doxycycline hyclate (100mg 2x daily) prescribed by my derm. Today, I saw my primary care physician, who visually inspected my eyes and eyelids and said that the insides of the lids actually look healthy and normal (no obviously clogged meibomian glands or anything like that).

Although I initially presented with recurrent styes (in my left eye) and mild bleph (in my right), I've managed, through the gentle regimen described above, to keep the styes at bay and reduce the severity of the bleph (which was already mild to begin with). My eyes are not bloodshot, irritated, or dry. They look "normal" except for the little bit of "eyelash dandruff" (bleph) which no one but me likely even notices.

In short, I was feeling optimistic.

Yet some people in some online forums basically keep telling me, in spite of this, that it's just going to get worse.

Does it inevitably HAVE to get WORSE??

I mean: I caught this within 2 weeks of onset, unlike my facial rosacea, which went undiagnosed for the first 2 years, and then not properly treated for a year after that.

I feel like people are ripping away any hope I have. I don't expect to be "cured"; I know this is chronic, just like my facial rosacea. But to just hear everyone say "You have no choice. It will get worse" is awful and demoralizing.

Please---if anyone has any words of encouragement to offer, or has lived with ocular for awhile and managed to keep it more or less "stable," I would appreciate it.

Thank you.

---

***I tried baby shampoo lid scrubs the 1st week, but these proved too harsh and gave me bloodshot/irritated/dry eyes, so I discontinued that and now, on the advice of my PCP, use just plain water.

[drsbollinger5]

A histamine free diet works wonders for me. When I cheat, It show in 2-3 days--not the next day-- I flare up for weeks. It really restricts you, but it works.

After awhile of compliance and on rare occaisions, I will have a little of my favorite food--like one piece of pumkin pie. I was okay 'til I had another piece later on the week.

Try it. it may take 3 weeks. But once your last flare up passes, you'll be home free 'til you cheat.

Don't stop your doxy or topical stuff you do.

[oopsiedaisy]

A histamine free diet works wonders for me. When I cheat, It show in 2-3 days--not the next day-- I flare up for weeks. It really restricts you, but it works.

After awhile of compliance and on rare occaisions, I will have a little of my favorite food--like one piece of pumkin pie. I was okay 'til I had another piece later on the week.

Try it. it may take 3 weeks. But once your last flare up passes, you'll be home free 'til you cheat.

Don't stop your doxy or topical stuff you do.

Hi,

Thank you for the suggestion. I just might give this a try. Are there any guidelines online for foods with histamine? (There are quite a few, no?)

[Bloem]

http://www.urticaria.thunderworksinc...whistamine.htm

I don't have oculair rosacea, so I don;t have any helpful advice, hope you get rid of it. Soon.

[Judworth]

Thank you!!!

I saw my eye doc yesterday, and she recommended that I continue with warm compresses and lid scrubs (using plain water, as I seem to be very sensitive to cleansers) 2x daily. She also recommended Theratears, so it's nice to see that you've had some success with their products.

I really appreciate your encouragement and the ray of light/hope you've offered me.

Thank you again!!!!

Just wondered how things are going with your eyes?

J