Finally found relief!

[faithfully]

After two years of suffering with extreme dry eyes....zeros in both on Schirmer tests I have found Lacriserts to give me much needed relief.
I have tried every drop, gel, ointment, plugs, cautery, autologus blood drops, Freshcote......out there. I read on here about Lacriserts and asked my Corneal Specialist if I could try them. They gave me all the office samples b/c they dont use them for their patients. I cant believe they are not used more. They dont burn my eyes like everything else did and they give me lasting relief.
I put them in in the morning and take them out each evening.
Hope this helps someone.
Now if I could just get relief for chronically inflammed sinuses and head inflammation caused from Sjogrens I think life might be worth living again.
Any advice in this area would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Faithfully
P.S. I still use Restasis and have been on it for almost two years. Was also on Lotemax and Altrex and different times.

[msienkiewicz]

I am so happy they are working for you. I have a question about how long you keep them in your eye. When do you put them in and out?

I too am on restasis and was wondering if I should keep at it. I will for sure exhuast my supply. You say you have been on it for two years with schermers of still 0. Is it preserving your cornea and tear film. I think it has helped keep down inflammation and protecting my tear film as well, bit I'm not sure about increasing tears.

Just curious of your thoughts,
Melissa

[eye eye]

nice to feel normal again !

Dear Faithfull

Am glad to hear of someone who has now got help with dry eyes, like you., and I hope that it continues for you.

These Lacriserts- what are they, and can they be got on a prescription in England ?..

Do they realease a moisture into the eye on a continual basis, or what ?
It would be interesting and helpful if you could let me know please.

I have been using preservative free individual Liquifilm Tears, on prescription, now, for years, and find that they have been very helpful.. I also use an eye bath, with a Sterets Normasol Solution, and this is like giving my eyes a drink ! its very soothing. These are also on prescription.

But, as stated on another thread, I find that my condition seems to be worsening, and I would be happy to try anything.

By the way, most of the remedies I read on here, I've never heard of before, and didnt realise there were so many.. I suppose alot of them are because we are all from different parts of the world, and some may not be available everywhere.

thankyou to anyone who can help


eye eye

[faithfully]

Lacriserts are these tiny little pellets of hydroxypropyl cellulose.
I put one in the pocket of my eye each morning and take it out each evening.
You can type in Lacrisert on the web and find out all about them, even how to insert them and remove them. They keep my eye lubricated all day. They are prescription only. I use one in my worst eye...my right. They are expensive so I dont put one in my left b/c though it is dry it is tolerable. My right eye has been miserable for two years. Thankfully with the Lacrisert it no longer burns.
The Restasis did bring my Schirmer tests up to a 4 and 5 which is low but better than zeros. I still do the warm compresses each morning and night.
Hope this can help someone. I know how miserable dry eyes can be. Even my Corneal Specialist said it is as "debilitating as heart disease." I was so thankful he understood and has been willing to work with me on so many different treatments. I pray this one is all I will ever need.
Faithfully