Am wondering If punctal plugs are an option to help the extreme dry eye for blepharitis sufferers or would they make it worse? What are the complications and are there any other possible alternatives?
There is one other thing - demodex follicularis - which are little mites in the eyelash follicles. They can cause terrible blepharitis in some people and the doctor needs to look for that. He may not see them unless he has a 25x magnification slit lamp and knows what to look for.
I have had severe dry eye and blepharospasms since June 2008. I have been on Lotemax & Restasis for at least 6 mos. After I lubricate my eyes, why do they close? I need to work and how much longer until the blepharospasms go away? I have been to many doctors and stopped all medications I was taking over 2 mos. ago. The blepharitis is mild now.
I then tried Restasis for 3 months.and all it did was burn, so I stopped. If you read the fine print, Restasis only works in 15% of the people.
I found that liquid eye drops can aggravate the situation because they don't seem to contain the "oily" tears that are needed to protect the eye from drying. Often I would get headaches that started with my eyes hurting.
I finally found that eye ointments works and Genteal PM was the best.
I have discussed restasis eye drops with my optometrist and he told me that it wasn't a good idea. He also told me that he sees no signs of blepharitis and that it's probably allergies and gave me Opticrom to use (which were unsuccessful and stung my eyes and made them redder temporary -- as the side effect). He also said that the tear film over my eyes is very thin.
After 2 steroid drops, Sooth XP, Freshtears gel at night, and now finally Restasis and Lotemax, I see no improvment. I have been taking the Restasis for 5 months now. If it was going to work, would it have worked by now? I show no signs of improvment. After spending lots of money that is hard for me to come up with, I am at my wits end. Any other suggestions?
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.
I also had an infection in the left eye which cleared up with an antibiotic/antiflammatory drug and the Ophthalmalogist then started me on Restasis. The left eye still has pain. Can you still have dry eye with Restasis? Maybe this is the cause of the pain. Also the floaters are still in the left eye. Can the floaters cause pain also?
We have been on Restasis with spectacular results for over 8 years. There are two other drops like Restasis, xiidra which patients do not like and is very expensive and Cequa which is same medicine as restasis but stronger concentration. Ask you ophthalmologist about Restasis (cyclosporin) think it just became available as generic.
Look into all possible remedies including dietary supplements like flax and fish oil and punctul plugs, restasis, and also look very closely for lid margin disease. Secondly, I'm ver surprised that botox didn't help and it makes me wonder how much experience that doc has with botox for that problem. Suggest you see oculoplastic surgeon who has experience in botox for blepharospasm. In the end it may be a combination of all 3 problems.
Thank you very much for your response. I have use Steralid, after while it caused eye irritation. Fish oil made me sick to my stomach. I did ask my eye doctor for antibiotics and his nurse told me he declined that and also restasis. The only two left are the minocycline or deoxycycline and the restasis. So, should I beg the guy, I went to high school with him 30 years ago.
In early Oct. 08 it felt like something was in my eye. I flushed it, used drops that may have been expired for some time as we just moved & did not through out all meds. I then flushed it under the tub faucet and it burned for 15-20 secs. I did not feel anything after that, but it has never looked the same. The left eye is redder most of the time and burns & itches from time to time. I'm on Restasis and 50mg of Doxy. I'm 42 yr old male.
While there discuss with him/her going on long term restasis and using a topical steroid such as lotemax for the first couple of weeks to reduce the stinging you likely will have. The use of restasis for long term eye for surface eye inflammation is a very promising new use.
Another very promiscing drug that might benefit you is Azasite which is an eyedrop that has emerged as the favorite for resistant and chronic blepharitis.
For the last few years I have been suffering from dry eye problems. I would wake up in the middle of the night with blurred vision, scratchy, hard to focus, and sensitivity to light. I also wake up in the morning with this. I have been putting perservative free eye drops in my eyes but it doesn't seem to be helping. I was told that taking fish oil & flasx seed supplements helps with dry eye. Is this true? If so how many milligrams should I take and how many a day?
Thank you.
I am hoping to narrow down the possibilities because I have spent a decent amount of money and have not been able to get the proper answer to solve the problem. The red eyes has lasted for a month or so, my eyes are white through out the day but red/pink when I wake up.
THE THING for blepharitis control (not cure-its a chronic disease) is TheraTears SteriLid eyelid cleaner available over the counter.
Also use the search, archives and health topic features here to read the many references to blepharitis.
My Eye Doctor suggested I keep Restasis in the fridge to make more comfortable and reduce the burning and to keep using ir for 2 days. Does Restasis lose its effectiveness when placed in the fridge. Also when are results typically seen? I have a TBUT of 5 and hoping to see an increase if ues consistently.
1 % ointment turns out to be an excellent therapeutic option for treatment of severe atopic blepharitis. Long-term efficacy and safety have to be evaluated in long-term follow-up studies.
1% for blepharitis aka Topical FK 506 Ointment 0.1%. I have blepharitis many years and used many treatments most short lived and then back on the rollercoaser with red eyes + inflamed lids crusting etc .
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