Came from my ophthalmologist, Blepharitis specialist just now. I learned that people with immunological problems do get dry eyes=Blepharitis. He says that when the body gets imflamed, so do the eyes. They sting, itch, you may not see well on those days. Besides the over-the-counter Systane Ultra eye drops, he prescribed Restasis. Luckily, the dr. had a coupon for a discount.
I too have dry eyes due to PsA and menopause. I use the Walmart generic for Systane as I found Systane just too expensive. I am sure there are other long lasting generic eye drops that would work as well I just shop Walmart as it is near my home. I keep eye drops in my purse and next to the bed and try to remember to use twice a day.
I just got diagnosed with this as well. Not too surprised by that. I was given drops for when it gets bad, but also told about hygiene being an important part of management. I'm already best friends with my eye doctor since I'm on plaquenil, and have had inflammation related vision loss (minor thankfully).
Good tip, Michael. I have a store nearby.
Stoney, my dr. said to wash eyes 4-6 times a day with baby shampoo. Is that what you use?
Yes Gelita, although I was told twice a day with baby shampoo, at least when it is active. Since the last episode (and the blackout), I've been getting away with just once a day. But at the first sign of a return, I will increase to twice a day. I'd like to avoid being treated needlessly with antibiotics, steroids, etc.
It's just frustrating. . . Mine seems to flare up in conjunction with other inflammation, so I would expect that in the spring I will again get it a few times unless I am careful about being proactive.
The dr. told me that when the infammation flares, the eyes will be imflamed along with the rest of the body.
I actually have the opposite issue - my eyes are 'leaky' for lack of a better term. Itchy, irritated and tearing. It is on my list of things to talk to my rheumatologist about tomorrow.
Believe it or not that can be a symptom of dry eyes. But the tearing further irritates the eye. Do discuss with your doctor but an over the counter lubricating eye drop may offer some relief until you see him/her.
An ophthalmologist can better assist than a Rheumy. That's what I did.
Some days, my eyelids feel as a grater, scratching my eyes.
I use a generic of the eye drop "Systane". I find it at Walmart next to the brand Systane. I read the active ingredients and buy the generic with the same active ingredients. Restasis will help you produce more of your own tears over time so you will need the product less. I use the generic Systane 2-4 times a day. It works for me, if I have to use them for the rest of my life it is ok with me. I keep one next to the bed for morning and night and another in my purse. It works for me.
I agree with you Mimi. I don't want to pay the co-pay for Restasis. If I use the drops 4x a day for a few days to a week then I can coast with 2x a day for quite a while. If I forget about the 2 x a day for a few days my eyes remind me. I find winter is worse than summers. Esp if I am outside for any length of time. If you are a natural red head or have very sensitive skin I would agree preservative free might be a good idea. I don't know if mine has preservatives in it or not but my eyes become much less sensitive after I have been using the drops. My eye make up irritates my eyes until I have been using the rops for awhile then they are much less sensitive. Good luck Mimi.
You are welcome mimiB. Glad to help. <3,<3
Scratchy, red, irritated eyes are almost always the first warning that I'm going into a flare. My ophthalmologist gives me samples of the over-the-counter drug GenTeal. There is a gel kind and a drop kind and I use the drops. They work for me. My ophthalmologist suggested that I try to keep my home humid, as that helps. Good luck!
Just came from my eye dr. I thought that Restasis would replace the Systane, but the dr. said both. Systane is 4-6 times a day, Restasis is 2. The coupon he gave me takes care of the copay. Also, he mentioned that if I refrigerate it right after I open it, I can use the vial twice--but I must discard it after 12 hours. This means that when the pharmacist dispenses a month's worth, I am really getting 2 months.
When the doc gives you the coupon, you need to call the number they provide to activate the card. I took it to my pharmacy and they called to confirm. No sweat!! When they tell me what my copay is, I swap the card (looks like a credit card--I think it says Visa) and the copay is paid in full. =) No complaints from me!
I have another card for Enbrel.
This is a good news for me. I have been suffering for some time and I think I finally got my eye doctos attention. I was going crazy!!
My optician recently told me I have dry eyes. They do not sting or itch but my eyesight gets blurry, rather like when you get traces of some oily product (make-up remover for example) in the eyes. Optician said that's what's happening .... I'm producing an oily substance as I should, but not enough of a watery one.
Here in the UK I buy Viscotears or Geltears for my dog who has autoimmune dry-eye, both are intended for humans. Last time I was in the supermarket I couldn't read the tiny unit price on the shelves, even with my glasses on, and feared for my shopping bill. So I bought the dog's stuff and put it in my eyes there and then - bingo! Clear vision!
My left eye has been bothering me most of the time for a few months now. It burns a little, weeps and my lid droops, but not all the time. So I told my eye doc at my yearly eye exam last week. He looks in my eye and tells me there’s nothing wrong with it. He didn’t even recommend drops of any kind, but told me next time I’m nearby and it’s doing that (drooping, weepy) come to the clinic and they’ll look at it again. Oh yeah, so I can pay for another visit?
So, the drops you’re using are OTC? I need to purchase something, but I was hoping the eye doc would have some suggestions. My boss’s eyelid was drooping and her doc gave her antibiotic drops. My husband’s eye had no symptoms and he needed antibiotic drops, too. I’m really disappointed my eye doc didn’t see that there’s something wrong with my eye so it could be treated and the annoying symptoms would go away.
I've been having eye issues too. Seems to be a combination of issues for me.
Optician said my tears were evaporating too quickly which is why they felt dry, a hot compress a couple of times a day has helped as this keeps the meiobian glands working to produce the oily substance which helps lubricate the eye and slow down evaporation. I also use Viscotears during the day and have some greasier Lacrilube for night-times. I'm also on meds which can cause dry eyes so I suspect these are implicated too!
But the itching. This has been getting worse these last few days. Always the very inner corner of the eyes. I've been using OTC allergy drops (sodium cromoglicate) which help a little. It comes and goes, I'm not convinced it is seasonal allergy but it could be.
I have always found that my local pharmacist has been a great source of information and treatment advice for mild, but annoying, eye issues. Certainly here in the UK antibacterial eyedrops are available from the pharmacist.
I get the itching in the corner, too, and just my left eye! Do you ever get a feeling like a pin prick in the corner of your eye, too? It hurts, but just for about 30 seconds and rubbing it helps. Very annoying. My eye issues are fairly recent and I'm only on Enbrel, which I don't think is the culprit. Thanks for the advice about the treatments, Jules--the hot compress sounds like a great idea, I'll start with that!