Ladies Only! Birth Control Pills and Dry Eye

[NYer]

Well, so far, it was Dr. Latkany's book that made me realize that hormones could be affecting my eyes. When I mentioned it to my Gyn, she acknowledged that they could be related. But the Gyn sort of blew off dry eye as being a big deal. Most of the opthomologists don't seem to even know too much about dry eye (as we know from this site). And even when I asked Dr. L about ocular migraines, he said I'd need to speak to a neurologist. So, I suspect that maybe an endocrinologist might be the way to go.

[curlygrl31]

I second NYer -- endocrinologist. I have thought about looking at that too. For what it's worth, I decided to get off the pill (was on Loestrin for years and had switched to Yasmin -- like Yaz -- this past year). I have been off for about 1 1/2 months with no real difference. However, I saw Dr. Latkany today (flew to NY for the day to see him for a diagnosis) and he was saying it could take a year for hormones to balance out after going off the pill.

Ah, the birth control was convenient, but the eyes are more important. Plus, can find other ways to control acne & prevent 'bebes'!

So, I guess taking away the BC pills (Yasmin) will take that out of the equation. We'll see what happens! I promise to report back with any headway!

Carrie

[NYer]

Carrie, that's funny - same pills, very similar story, and we go to the same eye doctor (although I can walk there). Birth Control pill "withdrawal" takes quite a while. You'll notice that your periods don't even go back to full flow for about 5 or 6 months. So, clearly, we can't expect our eyes to get back to normal much faster than that.

[stephgurl1986]

I've taken the pill for 6 years and stopped it one month ago to see how it affects the eyes. My gyn says that I have to wait 5-6 months in order to be able to say whether it's better or not...I'll get you updated :-)

[Marina26]

Any updates on this from anyone?

I just went off a couple weeks ago, can't see a difference yet ofcourse, but I wonder about others. . .

[acarol]

I went off the pill aswell for a few months - didn't notice any difference.

[NYer]

It's been almost 4 months for me and I haven't seen a difference.

[acarol]

Dr Latkany in his book described how one patients of his switched from a lower dose pill to a higher one to regulate her periods and she developed dry eyes, once she changed back her dry eyes disappeared.
I suspose in some cases the pill can be at fault. My own GP and Eye Specialist said they never heard of it!!

[NYer]

Yes, it was based on his book (and speaking to him when I saw him) that I decided to try going off the pill for that reason.
The fact that other doctors say they've never seen that...well, realistically, how often do you discuss your birth control pills with your eye doctor or your eyes with your gynecologist?
Although it hasn't made a bit of difference for me, there is a logic to it and it may work for some people, I'd think.

[Stanza]

Did anyone find any correlation on this?

[NYer]

My eyes actually got WORSE while off the pill. I don't know for sure that the lack of birth control pills is what CAUSED my eyes to get worse, but Dr. Latkany said that obviously going off the pill did not help my dry eye situation and that I should go back ON the pill, which I did two weeks ago, after being off for 7 months. So, clearly, it can go either way.

[acarol]

My eyes were worse when i was OFF the pill aswell.

[Stanza]

interesting stuff...

[NYer]

Stay ON the Pill

OK girls, I went to Dr. Latkany today and he said he can't believe how much better my eyes look and how much better the quality of my tear film is since I'm back on birth control pills.
So STAY ON THE PILL. Going off is not going to make your eyes better!!
(I pointed out to him that I only went off of them in the first place because of what it said in his book!!!)

[acarol]

OK girls, I went to Dr. Latkany today and he said he can't believe how much better my eyes look and how much better the quality of my tear film is since I'm back on birth control pills.
So STAY ON THE PILL. Going off is not going to make your eyes better!!
(I pointed out to him that I only went off of them in the first place because of what it said in his book!!!)

Ya i think when i changed pills and went off it for a while it caused my hormones to go off balance a bit. I am back on it now (the one i was orginally on).