Restasis and glaucoma
Common Questions and Answers about Restasis and glaucoma
restasis
t realize it until I went for my 6 week follow up and my pressure was 25 last year it was 14 and 16 and field tests looked good. So I may have drug induced glaucoma due to my family having it. I didn't see my regualar Glaucoma specialist I suppose it was over looked not to check my history as a suspect. When will I know if I have Glaucoma I used the Lotemax on 8/30 the day of my appointment. It is a good chance I will have it since my mom had it?
Your doctor would not have started you on tobradex (a steroid and antibiotic) and Timolol, a glaucoma drug. There must have been something else wrong such as inflammation or infection---the Tobradex would in most cases cover both problems. However, the steroid can also elevate your eye pressure.
Dr. O.
Your profile indicates you live in the United States. So Ivig eye drops must be used in an experimental study as it is not an FDA approved medication that a regular RX can be written for. Also it is important you understand the risks of chronic steroid eye drops which include cataracts and glaucoma. Generally speaking we do not want patients with Sjorgren's syndrome on steroids for long periods.
I would suggest a trial of cyclosporin (Restasis) as it is much safer long term because of the steroid side effects of cataracts, glaucoma and cornea infection. Not in some cases it has lasted 30-40 years and is more commin in females.
So you are probably asking for trouble continuing to wear contacts. You should place yourself under the care of an ophthalmologist Eye MD that specializes in cornea and external disease.
Have been to ophthamologist and cornea specialist, had cornea topography, glaucoma, cataract, all sorts of workup but nothing positive, no diagnosis could me made.
I also have rapid eyelid twiching, which I do not know is whether is part of the same disease or no. Initially ophthamologist told me my symptoms are from dry eyes, I have used, systane, refresh, restasis, steroids, dry eye multivitamins, fish oil, and now I have punctal plugs.
I saw an opthomologist at that time and was told I had Blepharitis and was given two Rxs, FML and Azasite. The problem then resurfaced and then I was told it was Rosacea of the eye, but I dont have Rosacea of the skin or anything like that and everything I've read about Rosacea of the eye also shows it being related to the skin condition. The problem is only in my left eye. I also get a blurring feeling in that eye.
Probably why your contacts started bothering you and lasik can make dry eyes worse. Go to my website and scroll through the blog posts and read the updated article on dry eyes. Restasis is wonderful but will take 3-6 months to begin to work. Be sure you use the vials not the multi-drop bottle which is hugely more expensive.
1. Restasis is great, go to may home page and look under Journal posts, scroll through and read the article on dry eyes. Both my wife and I are on restasis. Her for 6-7 years for eyes that watered constantly (poor quality tears) me 2 years for no tears. Restasis helps both types. Remember takes 6 months to work, definitely an act of faith. Often stings when you start but generally stop after a couple of weeks. We both use all the drops out of a single dropperette before opening a new one.
The IOP in an eye post RK is not reliable and to determine if you have glaucoma in the eye you need visual field test, optic nerve photos, corneal thickness, gonioscopy and OCT of nerve fiber layer.
your increase IOL could be due to the steroids you were on. If you IOP was elevated still then I would do a glaucoma work up.
I had cataract surgery on my right non dominant eye on 29th of June. It was a standard IOL adjusted for distance. Afterwards I was very greatful for the improvement, although it is was and is very difficult to read at present, as I have quite a large cataract in my other eye which is growing quickly now, and it is too soon to get glasses. 28 days after the op I had a few minutes of rapidly moving, flashing lights and I knew I was experiencing a PVD.
Mitomycin is a very potent drug which is used to prevent scarring in glaucoma and other surgeries. It can have some serious complications if not used appropriately. An amniotic membrane graft is used to prevent recurrence of pterygium after excision, and could conceivably be used in your case. I would see an EyeMD who is a specialist is cornea and anterior segment disease.
The dry eye is terribly uncomfortable, makes my vision blurry, and causes eye pain, redness and bad discomfort in general, and OTC lubricating drops don't help. I have cataracts and holes in my retinas in both eyes. One ophthalmologist said I should have the cataracts removed, and another one said it would make my dry eyes worse, partly because of the RK surgery I had about 25 years ago (I'm now 67). And they both said surgery cannot be done on the retinal holes.
I fully agree with you on the benefits of some type of treatment for floaters. There is a growing group of people around the world, who suffer this miserable fate. Some retina people offer FOV (floaters only vitrectomy), but there is risk, and no guarantee that floaters will not return. Some doctors will tell us that such problems with the aging eye come in groups-eg, vitreous detachments, floaters, macular problems, retinal tears, and retinal detachments.
Just diagnosed w/ all three. Doc sez to use Restasis and artificial tears w/ no preservatives. Everything I read about Fuchs sez to dry it out, even w/ a hair dryer. Doc sez eye is damaged by current dryness and he cannot do the cataract 'til tears function better in a month or so. Will the Restasis increase the moisture and worsen the Fuchs? What is the failure rate on cataract w/IOL combined w/ dry eye combined w/ Fuchs? He is concerned w/ this combo.
It is not a lubricant, it reduces inflammation on the surface of the eye and stabilizes the tear film NOTE it take Restasis 4-6 months to full become effective. My wife have been on these drops for about 7 or 8 years and don't have to use any tears. CEQUA is more concentrated, works maybe 2 months fast, however it is quite a bit more expensive. There is one other drop in this catagory Xiidra. I don't like it, have not had success with it and tell people to avoid it.
Thank you for the prompt reply. Restasis is only available in the U.S. and a prescription is necessary I was told. I am in Montreal. What exactly is in this medication that is so helpful? Can a Canadian cross the border, visit a clinic, and get such a prescription because at this point, I am ready to try just about anything.
I see the top ophthamologist at one of the hospitals in Montreal and he told me to search the net for info on SLK as the man runs he has so many patients.
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