Hi all, I thought I would share a new product that my eye doctor just gave me to try for my dry eyes. I have it pretty well controlled on Restasis and Bepreve for allergies, but in the winter time I still struggle with some moderate dry eye. (Also take Cimzia and MTX.) There is a video on youtube that you can check out about Lacrisert. It's a little dried pellet of eye lubricant that you put in under your lower eye lid, once it gets moist it releases the gel all day. Its kind of intimidating at first but seems to work well, there is no drug in it, I'm not sure of the cost yet, I am still on the samples.
Thank you, I have been struggling with dry eyes for the last few years. I now have tear duct plugs, and using restasis and other drops all day long. Winter is rough with the inversions here in Utah. But the dry heat in the summer is just as bad. So a long lasting lubricant would be great. Does it effect your vision? I currently have double vision and my wife will not let me drive because I can not read road signs and at night I have twice as many head lights all with stars. I have a hard time reading for very long as well. I am willing to try just about anything.
Thank you for this suggestion. My dry eyes and sinuses drive me crazy. Eye drops just don't seem to cut it. Will definitely ask my Dr about this.
Thank you
Thanks! Just did a little research and found out:
Drug Interactions
Application of hydroxypropyl cellulose ophthalmic inserts to the eyes of unanesthetized rabbits immediately prior to or two hours before instilling pilocarpine, proparacaine HCl (0.5%), or phenylephrine (5%) did not markedly alter the magnitude and/or duration of the miotic, local corneal anesthetic, or mydriatic activity, respectively, of these agents. Under various treatment schedules, the anti-inflammatory effect of ocularly instilled dexamethasone (0.1%) in unanesthetized rabbits with primary uveitis was not affected by the presence of hydroxypropyl cellulose inserts.
This is good news, I think, for those of us on steroids!
An update from my experience, I think I may be sensitive to this product or its soaking up all my tears to keep this insert moist, but its made my eyes redder over the last 3 days. At first it seemed helpful, now I'm going to try going without it tomorrow to see how it goes. I took them out at lunch today after I noticed that I looked like I'd been out drinking all night.
I've heard that if you have very dry eyes, that you should use rewetting drops when using lacrisert. I think when you first put them in? Not sure. This is definitely something to look into.
I'm curious, have you had your tear ducts plugged?
Do tell what does restasis do. My allergies are out of control
Restasis is for chronic dry eye, not for allergies. The idea is that it slows down the inflammation in the eyes, and over time can theoretically increase tear production. You can find more info on the restasis website.
One thing to take note of. . . Allergy medications can be quite drying.
Stoney said:
I've heard that if you have very dry eyes, that you should use rewetting drops when using lacrisert. I think when you first put them in? Not sure. This is definitely something to look into.
I'm curious, have you had your tear ducts plugged?
I have had my tear ducts plugged. I've had some improvement overall with the MTX and Cimzia, but I used to take a steroid eye drop occasionally to help as well even with the plugs and Restasis. My eye doctor thought an allergy eye drop could help and it really does help quite a bit, in the summer I can skip restasis.
My dr. said to put it under the upper lid. He is afraid they might scratch the cornea. Must also wear contact lenses to protect the corneas.
Just bumping this thread. It seems we have a glitch in the date sotware.
So is Restasis a good drug for us with dry eyes?
I started using Restasis about a month ago. I was told that it takes about 3-6 months to actually experience the effect of the drug. My doctor recommended using Systane until then. Right now, I use Restasis twice a day and Systane probably 3-6 times depending on the day.
I have had issues with my eyes for several years. I have tried restasis twice daily, Systane 3 times daily and Caluvisic before bed. It help a little but my eyes were so bad I had double vision. I started to wear a pair of sunglasses that wrap around, they fit tight and do not let the warm summer air dry my eyes. I have not used drops for about a year now and my double vision has cleared up. That being said I also stopped Humira and Embrel treatments. I am meet with the Rh Dr to start back up. So I will see how that goes. The eye Dr recommended that I wear swimming googles at night while I sleep, I have a CPAP which when it leaks blow warm air on my eyes.