Accutane induced MGD causing dry eyes-Help!

[lorca]

Hi all,

I am a new member to this site. I have been experiencing dry eyes for the past 6 months.

I was on Accutane for 5 months and stopped due to dry eyes. My dry eye symptoms have persisted after stopping the medication. It has been 6 months that I have been dealing with this situation with little relief and am very depressed. My symptoms include dry, red, sore, tired, irritated eyes. They burn and I have to constantly blink. I am currently doing warm compresses, take flax-seed omega-3 oils, and am using non-preservative eye drops during the day and Genteal gel at night and have a humidifier at work.

I have adjusted my computer level and dimmed the screen and try to consciously blink more often when using the computer or watching TV or reading.

Some days are okay but the bad days outweigh the good days greatly. I find myself crying all the time.

Any information on Accutane induced dry eyes and treatment to get my meibomian glands to function would greatly be appreciated. Is this permanent or do I just have to wait for it to get progressively and slowly better...are we talking years here? Are there others out there that had Accutane induced MGD which led to dry eyes that has resolved??

Looking forward to your comments and suggestions,
Mary

[snoek]

Accutane/MGD

Lorca - I understand what you are going through and would like to offer some advice. My recommendation is to make an appointment with an eye doctor, preferably, a corneal specialist, and request Restasis. I attribute my MGD and chronic eye(s) disorder to Accutane too. Restasis has given me considerable relief and hope for the future (knock on wood.)

Please, do not tough it out and get to an eye specialist!