Meibomian Gland Dysfunction FIX

[jjzhao2468]

I did hot compress, but just get liitle of relief.

I gave up then. I just take doxycycline.

Most of eye doctors do not know what caused MGD.

[Raj]

Apparently, NAC has a long-standing medical use in thinning mucus, particularly in the respiratory system, but also elsewhere. In terms of blepharitis, a mucus-thinner presumably causes mucin to coat the cornea more evenly, very important where there are major corneal irregularities, since any raised area not coated by mucin becomes a dry area.

Well, I got mine at GNC today. Blepharitis is a constant battle.

Raj

[Raj]

By the way, Glutathione promotes lens health, and helps prevent the formation of cataracts, and since LASIK folks are at risk for forming early cataracts anyway, Glutathione is a probably a good idea long term anyway.

[jcorbett]

nac/glut

I used to notice those small blister things by my eyelashes, but never knew what they were. I would just scrape them away with my fingernail. I had blepharitis a couple times, but I wouldn't call it a major problem.
I did start using this supplements about 6 weeks ago. My eyes have improved and I really think it is due to this. I don't know how to explain it, but it seems my tears are 'thicker'. When I do feel moisture, it does not go away as quickly, so I think the evaporative rate is slower. My eyes do not look as red anymore, either. I also don't have those occasional sore spots (dry spots, I assume) anymore.
Raj, I shall be interested in hearing how you do on these supplements. And thanks for explaining why they work....I did not fully understand it.

[Raj]

According to Charles W. Leiter, Pharm.D. at Leiter's Rx Compounding, N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine can be compounded into an eyedrop, and there are lots of orders.

Raj

[Raj]

Just found this:

Cornea. 2002 Mar;21(2):164-8. Related Articles, Links
N-acetylcysteine in chronic blepharitis.
Yalcin E, Altin F, Cinhuseyinoglue F, Arslan MO.

Ophthalmology Department, SSK Okmeydani Training Hospital, Kayisdagi cad., Eston camlievler sitesi A8D17, Sahilcami, Icerenkoy 81120, Istanbul, Turkey. yalcina@renault-mais.com.tr

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in chronic posterior blepharitis. METHODS: This was a prospective randomized, controlled study that included 79 eyes of 40 patients with chronic posterior blepharitis. Routine ophthalmologic examination, Schirmer-1 test, fluorescein break-up time (FBUT), and mucous fern tests were carried out during the first visit of all patients. A topical steroid, topical antibiotic, and artificial tears were started in 36 eyes of 18 patients. The therapy group (43 eyes of 22 patients) was administered three daily doses of 100 mg oral NAC. All patients were examined weekly for 1 to 4 months (average, 24 +/- 0.7). A Schirmer-1 test and FBUT were administered at every visit, but mucous fern tests were administered every two weeks. The results of the first and last Schirmer-1 tests, FBUT, and mucous fern test were compared between the therapy and control groups. Student's t and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: FBUT was significantly increased (p < 0.0001), and the mucous fern pattern was also significantly improved (p = 0.0096) in the therapy group. CONCLUSION: NAC is thought to increase FBUT and improve mucous fern pattern by blocking lipid peroxidation in chronic blepharitis.

Publication Types:
Clinical Trial
Randomized Controlled Trial

[Raj]

Unfortunately, the researchers don't post the effect-size of the treatment. Would have been nice if they'd included pre- and post- Schirmer-1 test and FBUT times. However, the significance values were just HUGE, and given that the sample size wasn't especially large, the effect-size must have been huge as well (that's a good thing)

Moreover, note that the study doesn't compare NAC to nothing. Instead, the NAC group is compared to steroid drops, antibiotic, and artificial tears. In other words, NAC is compared to the dry eye doc's standard mantra...the one you hear over and over again, and NAC is still better.

Plus, it was ORAL NAC, not topical drops. The dosage in the study was 100 mg three times a day (300 mg per day). The dosage you get in the horse pills at GNC is 600 mg, twice that.

I get the drops early this next week.

Raj

[adam-85]

its very interesting stuff Raj!

let us know how you get on with the drops!

-Adam

[REDEYES]

Nac 660/Glutathione 100

Just wanted to let you guys know that I have been on this product for about two months. Results: in the past week and a half I have not had any blocked glands and they seem to flow freely with massage. This is very unusual for me as I have always had at least one blocked gland at any given time for the past several years. Just wanted to spread the news.

[dianat]

Great news, Redeyes! I'm glad to hear it. I had bought some when Bmore posted the good news, but haven't used it much. I'll give it a try again some day.

D

[Cindy]

I've been taking the GNC NAC/Glutathione supplement for two months and I am pleased with the result. Warm compresses and lid massages are a lot more productive. I want to have a TBUT done to confirm. My previous TBUT was a 2 (left)and a 3 (right)...I'd be willing to bet that it's better now because I can now easily express oil.

I have found that I get little blemishes since taking NAC/glutathione. Anyone else? They go away quickly but, sheesh.

[ajneedhams]

Hey REDEYES!

I know you from the Healthboards. Remember me? You said our stories sounded similar. I also just posted my story on the other thread. Take a look. I just found this board not too long ago. I love that it is ALL dry eye talk and the people here seem very informed with some of them even being Doctors. Dry eye can effect anyone, that is for sure. People like Raj, Erik, Cindy and Dianat really know their stuff!

I am encouraged by the few reports on the GNC N Acetyl L Cysteine stuff. Please everyone report in about it if you try it. Only collectively can we learn about new therapies.

Well, a big warm hello to everyone here!

Amy

[jcorbett]

blemishes

Cindy - yes, I have noticed little blemishes. I went and bought some good face soap and clarifier (Clinique) and that seemed to help. You mentioned you can express oil easier....how do you know this? I have been doing the compresses/massages for a year now, but I can't tell if I am expressing oil or not. Or maybe I don't know how to tell?
I also think my eyes are much better after using the NAC/Glut.

[ACL]

Mgd

Hi there, i am first time poster (here or to any board ever). Male 40 yrs old, athlete, healthy food, etc. I work in high functioning (and high stress) 'exec' like position and have sort of mind over mattered my way through debilitating red burning eyes for approx 2 years. Still nothing like presenting to a board looking like you are stoned... Also, in situations like that,my blink rate goes down and I come out with extremely irritated eyes and absolutely cooked mentally, not normal for Type-A me.

Having read through most posts, my story/experience/history is familiar to many of you (although no LASIK for me, thank god, Dianat and others sound like exactly me and I almost did LASIK for exact same reasons).

I have tried fish-oil, other diet changes etc. No change.
I have been taking doxycyclene 1x/day plus Blephamaide applied to lids 1x/day for almost 5 months with no noticable relief. (one anecdote, vacation in Mexico 2 mos ago I barely noticed any symptoms for 1 week - go figure - climate or stress?) I have also done warm compresses on and off. When I do them, the oils it expresses makes my eyes burn..

I visted eye specialist at UCSFMC (Dr Whitcher) today who upped dose to 2x/dayfor both drops and Doxy. He has worked with many Bleph/Mieibo patients for 30 years and proabbly the best news is 'it often burns itself out, although we don't know why'. When I asked 'how long?' he was vague, but it was years, not decades/permamnet, whcih was sort of a relief.

I also realized today that the 'Blepheritis' i have been told I have is more acurately Meibomitis. I have no 'eye dandruff', or any such crusty eyelid symptoms. He did express my lids and said the oil 'looked like toothpaste (I know, gross, sorry). I am going to research try N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine and Glutathione Supplement(), and if i decide to try will post results here. (any known side effects or reason not to take?) Doc was somewhat confident we can get ahead of this. I'll have to work out if should I try the upped doxy/blephamide 1st or try both at once (and then prob is; which one actually worked?). Sorry for fast typing/typos, I told my wife '20 mins' 1.5 hours ago. Good luck to all of you!

[ajneedhams]

Hello-
I have had meibomitis for 1 yr and I can relate to your story. I don't have much time to type this AM, but I wanted to comment on something you said. I just got back from Cozumel Mexico last month and during that time my eyes felt wonderful. Go figure. Spent lots of time on the windy beach and in the salt-water. What a pleasant surprise. Perhaps it had something to do with the distraction of a much needed vacation or just time away from the computer. In any case, I loved it.

As of last week I have started the Acetyl Cysteine/Glut stuff. I'm patiently waiting for results. Like you, I had been on Doxy for 7 months with little to no relief. My opth is a very big fan of taking Doxy long term. For me, the effect wasn't worth it.

My opth also told me that in three years I probably would forget all about this and it would be history. Wouldn't that be nice??? I can't imagine, however, ever forgetting that any of this ever happened to my eyes. This last year has been miserable. But at least he gives me hope.

Please report in with your progress with whichever route you decide to try first. In my opinion, we've all done steroids and Doxy before. I'm anxious to give this new supplement a full try.

Amy