From Red to Clear and Back Again...

[curlygrl31]

Does anyone experience eye redness that seems to bounce from inflammed RED to normal throughout the day... and back again? There are areas of my eye (not the entire eyeball) where the blood vessels can dilate so quickly -- hypersensitive -- and then within an hour, my eyes are back to looking clear and "normal."

Obviously, I am dealing with some environmental triggers here, but these are triggers that are impossible to avoid. I've been diagnosed with ocular rosacea and am currently on minocycline (Solodyn) and Restasis (3 1/2 weeks into treatment with no improvement).

Just wanted to see if this type of flaring/subsiding was happening to anyone else. It seems from what I have read that in ocular rosacea, the eyes will get red and stay red.

I kept thinking maybe I was reacting to an allergen, but have tried a lot of the allergy solutions (Benedryl, Claritin, Zyrtec, Pataday, Optivar, Zaditor) with no success.

Also, I should note that I have a hard time with ANY eye drops -- including all the preservative-free ones and topical steroids. They all draw out the redness. Not an option to keep lubricating.

Curlygrl

[curlygrl31]

Has anyone had eye allergy without itching? It just seems that my quick redness is an allergic reaction b/c it happens so fast (eyeball redness happens so fast when exposed to an environmental trigger - within 5 min!). No swelling or itching, however.

[alisonW]

Hi there,

It sounds like we have similar issues and I've been told by my docs that that is a symptom of "classic ocular rosacea". Just like with facial rosacea, your eyes are "flushing" (as you said "eyeball redness happens so fast when exposed to an environmental trigger ") because of the exposure to triggers. For me, stress is a huge one, and so are flourescent lights. Many years ago, before I even had any eye problems, my eyes would get red simply walking into one particular store in town. Never knew back then what I would be in for years later... nothing else bothered them then. So, you're definitely not alone in this, and what you're experiencing is very typical of someone with ocular rosacea. The problem is, there is no way to prevent it except by figuring out what triggers your eyes, and then avoiding those things if possible.

Alison

[Julie1]

Carrie,

What you're describing sounds like classic ocular rosacea. As Alison said, your eyes are "flushing" because of the triggers. I used to experience redness (dilation of vessels) and burning many years ago after being inside the mall within minutes of stepping inside then the redness and burning would clear after I left the mall, Target, wherever I had been. I'd look in the mirror while inside the store and comment to whoever I was with that "Boy, my eyes sure are red" I could never figure out why until I started experiencing more severe symptoms much more frequently years later.

It's funny because I really don't think of my eyes as really that red anymore, but I mentioned to my coworker today that I had a headache, and she commented, "Yeah, that's probably why your eyes are red around the rims." I gave her the Reader's Digest version and explained that "No, the redness of my eyes is not related to my headache... that's just how my eyes are." So, I guess the redness is still there, but I've just come to accept it. They don't really burn as much as they used to so I guess I've made some recovery.

I think the low humidity and flourescent lighting in the office, stores, etc. may be the triggers for you. I had to follow the treatments (warm compresses, massages, and fish oil/flaxseed) for about six to eight months before I really noticed that my eyes did not flare as much as a response to my environmental triggers.

I'm not sure about why you're reacting to all lubricating drops, including preservative free ones. Did you ask your doctor why that's happening? There's no preservatives in preservative free drops, so I don't know what you could be reacting to. I'm wondering if it's similar to having very dry skin or lips and the sensation of applying ANYTHING to the skin or lips causes a burning sensation simply because the skin or lips are so dry. Then, once you continue using the lotion or lip balm, your skin and lips start to feel better and don't burn as much when you apply lubricants. That's the only thing I can think of at the moment.

I hope that helps!

-Julie

[curlygrl31]

Alison,

Thanks for your response. That is kind of what I thought regarding the flushing. So, do your eyes go from calm to red and back to calm again?

Have you found anything that works for you?? When did it get worse (any initial culprit that put you over your threshold)?

Avoiding my triggers is impossible. It's not as simple as caffeine, alcohol, etc. I am triggered at work, at "big box" stores, grocery store, the gym, etc. I'd be a hermit at 31 years old if I tried to avoid the triggers!! What I am seeking is a way to stave off the flushing vs. trying avoidance (which is unrealistic). There has got to be a way to stop the reaction from happening in the first place.

Thanks again for responding!!!!!!!!
curlygrl

[Julie1]

Carrie,

I just posted a response just as you posted a response to Alison.

I hope it helps you!

-Julie

[curlygrl31]

Julie,

Thanks for your posting too! Just saw it! Did you find that antibiotics or restasis has worked for you? I'm on both, but already 4 weeks in with no improvement. Did you find ANYTHING that gave you redness relief?? Vitamin, etc.?

Warm compresses seem to make my eyes more bloodshot. I also do not have blepharitis (at least not yet, knock on wood).

I have been to see Dr. Latkany, but there really isn't a good explanation of why I react to all the lubricant drops. I can't really use them without drawing out the redness.

This is going to sound so vain, but I'm depressed about my red eyes -- I'm a single Mom really wanting to get back out there and date again, but this is killing my normally high self-esteem. The inflammation is just completely out of control.

Any other advice... bring it on!!! I'm the most compliant patient there is... aside from wearing goggles. LOL!

Carrie

[curlygrl31]

One other random thing... related to "finding" environmental triggers. When I flew to NYC to see Dr. Latkany, my eyes were fine on the plane (lowest humidity level!). They are also ok (not great, but manageable) at the office where we have flourescent overhead lights. Hmmmm.... so what is different at Target, grocery store and pharmacy (CVS, Walgreens, etc.)??? Any guesses?

curlygrl

[Julie1]

I took minocycline for about four months, and it did nothing for my eyes. It sure helped my acne. I decided that I did not want to be on antibiotics for the rest of my life.

Restasis helped me but not until at least six to eight months after I started taking it. It helps calm the inflammation and redness. Warm compresses make my eyes more red right after I do them, but I am being completely honest when I say that is the main thing that really works for me. It will take you a while before you really notice that it's helping you. I notice that if I go a few days without doing the compress that the burning and redness increase. The redness after the compress is temporary.

I know what you mean about being depressed about what your eyes look like. I was right where you are now. But, if it's any consolation, I don't think most people really think about what your eyes look like. I used to be really worried about what people thought of my red eyes, but people just passed off that my eyes are kind of red and noticed other things about me, like my hair or my smile or the nice outfit that I had on that day. My fiance doesn't even really notice it anymore. It's just more important that I deal with it and accept it because then I can move on to other things in my life.

What did Dr. Latkany say about why you react to every single drop out there? This really does remind me of a situation that I had with lip balm this past winter. I am allergic to an ingredient in Chapstick/Blistix, and my lips kept getting worse every time I used Chapstick or Blistix. I finally went to a dermatologist who advised me to stop using Chapstick and Blistix and to use straight vaseline. Well, the vaseline made my lips burn so I thought I was reacting to the Vaseline. The doctor told me that my lips had reacted to the Blistix/Chapstick and were now so dry that anything that I put on them would make them burn. Once I used the Vasoline for about a couple weeks or so, the burning started to go away and my lips are a lot better now. I don't know if that's what is happening with preservative free drops and your eyes, but that could be one explanation.

-Julie

[alisonW]

To answer your ?'s curlygrl...

"So, do your eyes go from calm to red and back to calm again?"

Yes, they do and it's quite annoying! Mainly they are some sort of red though.

"Have you found anything that works for you?? When did it get worse (any initial culprit that put you over your threshold)?"

Not really, like Julie said, compresses help a bit, and you learn to live with it. The drops that give me the most relief, with no stinging or irritation are Celluvisc vials. At night I use preservative-free Refresh PM ointment. I've tried sleeping with eye masks and goggles and reapplying regular drops & gels throughout the night, but the ointment gives me complete comfort/protection all night and allows me to get a full nights sleep.

I still struggle with depression from it (the dryness and redness) though. It has been hard to go from frequently hearing "you have such beautiful eyes" to "why are your eyes so red?".

I'm not sure what put me over the edge. I woke up one morning before going on vacation to extreme redness and they haven't ever returned to normal. (That was 4 years ago.) At that time I had to quite wearing contact lenses too which added to the difficulty/depression. After 23 years of not wearing glasses, I've had to switch to glasses full-time.

"Avoiding my triggers is impossible. It's not as simple as caffeine, alcohol, etc. I am triggered at work, at "big box" stores, grocery store, the gym, etc. I'd be a hermit at 31 years old if I tried to avoid the triggers!! What I am seeking is a way to stave off the flushing vs. trying avoidance (which is unrealistic). There has got to be a way to stop the reaction from happening in the first place."

I don't react to caffeine or alcohol, spicy foods, hot beverages, etc. either. Like you, it's just daily activities (running errands, store lighting) and "life" that affect them. (At 41 I am not willing to be a hermit either and with two busy kids, it'd be impossible for me as well.)

I am not aware of any way to stop the reaction from happening in the first place. I would be the first to try it of there was. (Keeping stress levels down through meditation and exercise helps a bit too.) I think that's the million $ question - how to stop it.

Just try experimenting with different drops, try compresses again, and keep you lids/lashes as clean as possible. (It can 't hurt and may help.) {{HUGS}}

Waves to Julie1 too. Thanks for sharing your story. It helped me as well, to know I'm not alone in this.

[curlygrl31]

Alison,

Did you try Restasis? If so, how long and did it help you?

curlygrl

[alisonW]

Restasis...

It did work a bit I think (nothing dramatic) but only after I'd been on it for 6 moths. I stayed on it for 2 years and then went off because I wasn't sure it was still helping. Also, my doc said I should take a break from it since I'd been on it so long. I am considering trying it again though. Hth!

[cocomango]

I've been tested for allergies and I'm allergic to trees, grass and ragweed. We live in a highly wooded area with lots of grass. When I wake up in the morning, my eyes are red. After I do my after shower routine- compress, QTip, eyelid scrub, my eyes look great (not perfect but great enough for me). The veins are small and I can see mostly white in my eyes. As soon as I step out of the house and into my car, I can see that the veins have gotten bigger and they pretty much stay like that the rest of the day.

I haven't noticed that food triggers anything in my eyes.
I can't really avoid my triggers right now. I'm getting weekly allergy shots so I'm just going to keep my fingers crossed that they shots help my eyes.

[T.Sykes]

I have the same eye problems as you do in stores. My eyes got so red in Sears a couple weeks ago. It could be the lack of humidity in stores or the lighting or the paint color (like the red paint in Target). I also have rosacea and Target makes me look so flushed! Floresent lights also make my eyes and face look more red!

My eyes also go through periods throughout the day of looking good, then red out of no where. It is very FRUSTRATING!!!

[Judy]

Ditto T.Sykes... Things will be going along fairly well and when I least expect it, bam, my eyes look blood red out of the blue. I can feel it when it happens. Crazy and very frustrating as you say!