Treatment Suggestions

[sabeena78]

Hi! I'm a new member and first want to say thanks for all the helpful info so far. I have allergies (am doing shots, pataday), dry eye (using restasis), and blepharitis - using sterilid, hot compress (washcloth), doxycline and also use Alrex. I feel horrible and also have a cosmetic concern about dark circles under my eyes that I didn't used to have and also about not being able to wear contacts often. I have a few treatment questions...

1. Hot compress - I use a washcloth but usu only do it for two mins because it does not stay warm long and i have to keep putting hot water on it. I've seen reference to the rice baggies and wanted to hear opinions on what hot compress method works best and why. Also would the rice baggies be likely to cause less dark circles, or is that from touching my eyes?

2. Pataday - I saw reference in another post to BAK - what is that? Is there any danger in using pataday. I don't like using so much medication!

3. Doxy - is this supposed to stop the dandruff-ish blep symptoms - i feel like that is gone. Does the doxy do anything else?

4. Tranquileye goggles - I read the description but don't really get it - is this for dry eye only or also for bleph? Not sure if it is worth the expense, but I also saw reference to it helping dark circles, which would be nice...

Thank you!!

[Guest]

Sabeena

I can only advise you on items 1 and 4 as I know nothing about the other 2.

Question 1
A number of us use the Rice Baggie as it stays warmer for much longer than a warm wet cloth. There are numerous posts on making them and doing compresses. I think they are also available in the Dry Eye Shop. Put a glass of water in the microwave as you nuke the rice bag so that you don't burn the rice and it retains some moisture.

Question 4
I use tranquil eyes primarily to reduce/eliminate night time dryness.

Hope this helps.

Ian

[Rebecca Petris]

1. Hot compress - I use a washcloth but usu only do it for two mins because it does not stay warm long and i have to keep putting hot water on it. I've seen reference to the rice baggies and wanted to hear opinions on what hot compress method works best and why. Also would the rice baggies be likely to cause less dark circles, or is that from touching my eyes?

Rice has always worked best for me. Here's a link to a page that describes how to make them (or you can buy one in the Dry Eye Shop. Sorry, I don't have any answers about the dark circles....

2. Pataday - I saw reference in another post to BAK - what is that? Is there any danger in using pataday. I don't like using so much medication!

BAK = benzalkonium chloride = a very harsh preservative. Discuss this with your doctor... using a drop with BAK in it, esp. depending on concentration and frequency, can be like one step forward two steps back. Where possible it's best to get drops that are either unpreserved or have a milder preservative.

3. Doxy - is this supposed to stop the dandruff-ish blep symptoms - i feel like that is gone. Does the doxy do anything else?

It's supposed to improve flow of oil from the meibomian glands. I don't think the exact mechanism is fully understood.

4. Tranquileye goggles - I read the description but don't really get it - is this for dry eye only or also for bleph?

I think its main use is for improved comfort and - for those who experience severe overnight dryness - for protection against evaporation, erosions etc. It's not a bleph 'treatment'. But if you have night dryness symptoms, or 'sticky eyelids' when you wake up, then it may be useful no matter what the actual cause.