Inflamed under eyes

[Melissa W]

We were referring mostly to the fact that it is very difficult to avoid the eyes when applying meds on the lids and around the eyes but also that the delicate eyelid area is somewhat more sensitive generally than the rest of the face.

I personally would not apply medication in that area. There's too much risk of it creeping on to your delicate eye surface, and generally the vehicles topicals are in are not rosacea friendly.

I am glad it has helped you so much Lamarr and thanks for sharing your experience regarding rosex on your lids. I don't believe everyone could tolerate it on their lids as that area is more sensitive than other parts of the face but certainly worth a try if you can be careful enough not to let any get in the eye. I recommend for anyone trying it to only try it on small area of your lid at first. And if your eyes start tearing be very careful not to let it get in the eye.
As for the red light therapy I believe it is safe as long as your lids are closed.

Best wishes,
Melissa

[Lauren 007]

I saw a specialist last week who diagnosed me with some blepharitis as well as ocular Rosacea. I was given two eye drops - a steriod and an antibiotic. However, the steroid has been making my eyes worse, it seems. Is that normal? I'll be seeing the doc again in 1 1/2 weeks. In the meantime, I'm using warm compresses and have been cleansing my eyelids daily.

[Melissa W]

What do you mean by making your eyes worse Lauren?
And what specifically does the doctor mean by ocular rosacea?

Continue with the warm compresses and massages and cleansing for the bleph and MGD.

What antibiotic and steroid did he prescribe?

[Lauren 007]

Originally Posted by Melissa W

What do you mean by making your eyes worse Lauren?
And what specifically does the doctor mean by ocular rosacea?

Continue with the warm compresses and massages and cleansing for the bleph and MGD.

What antibiotic and steroid did he prescribe?

When I said the steroid was making my eyes worse, I meant that it was making them very bloodshot, light-sensitive, and the area around my eyes became darker and more inflamed. My ocular Rosacea symptoms consist of dryness, redness, and inflammation, especially surrounding my eyes. My eyelids are sensitive (if I put pressure on them, they'll appear red and veiny), but there's no major symptoms on the eyelid itself yet.

For warm compresses, I've been warming water and dipping a thick paper towel in it, folding it, and resting it on my eyes. However, the heat escapes so quickly with this method. Are there better ways to do this?

Thank you!

[Lauren 007]

Forgot to answer your last question - The antibiotic he prescribed is called Ofloxacin Ophthalmic Solution 0.3%. The steroid is Lotemax .5%.

[Melissa W]

Don't laugh but some people have success with using a microwaved potato (heat a potato, wrap it in a cloth and use as a hot compress) but please be very careful if you try this. It retains heat very well. Another option is the rice baggy:

http://www.dryeyezone.com/encycloped...ompresses.html


The redness and irritation increasing could be a side effect of the meds and you should call you doctor if they continue to be a problem for you.

Best wishes,
Melissa

[Alba]

Ask your doctor for Azasite eye drops they will burn at the begining but they really do help when my eyes are flaring up badly. They are expensive my copay is $50.00. but it really does help. Opthamologist are using this for very dry eyes like blepharitis.

I also apply a small amount of FML ointment when the top of my eyelids are so flared up like now they feel like my skin there is raw! its a steroid ointment but when i get this bad i use it for about 2 to 3 days. also very expesnive copay $50.

I was using vaseline on top of my eyelid at night but i stopped thinking maybe this was making my eyes worse but now i notice that it was helping so i will go back to that again once i stop the FML.

Good luck.

[Lauren 007]

Thanks for the replies. I've been continuing with oral antibiotics (50mg doxy per day) and warm compresses daily. It's been 7 months now since my eye problems started, and I have yet to see any improvements. I wish I would have started treatments sooner instead of waiting to see if they'd go away.

I've been holding off on laser treatments for my Rosacea, as I feared treating my cheeks would make my already severely inflamed under-eye area worse. I just wish I could do something for some improvement. I wanted to be able to drive/go to school again by next semester, but at the rate things are going, I fear my eyes won't be better by then.

[Snegovik]

Hello Lauren007,

Did you get the ocular problems when you was on accutane? Or did you have any symptoms before?

[Lauren 007]

Originally Posted by Snegovik

Hello Lauren007,

Did you get the ocular problems when you was on accutane? Or did you have any symptoms before?

My ocular problems began in my last month of Accutane. They're actually the reason I stopped taking the pills then, as I was supposed to go another month.