artificial tears for evaporative dry eye

[redandunhappy]

Hi all,

As mentioned in a previous post, I've recently been diagnosed with blepharitis and MGD, in particular I have evaporative dry eye.

I'm experimenting with drops at the moment...haven't found anything suitable, but not sure if I'm giving them long enough..

I've read that for evaporative dry eye, the drops with an oil component are more useful. However the only ones that seem to be available are:

Refresh Endura - changed to Refresh Dry Eye Therapy - discontinued (although seemed to be very popular)

Soothe XP - the preservative free daily vials are not available in the UK. Might try the normal version (which I've found on the internet), but I'm sure it has a preservative in it.

Clarymist - I am going to try this, but it does has a preservative in it (which apparently becomes dissippated before reaching the eye - not sure I trust this to be true)

Does anyone know of any others which have this oil component? That are available in the UK?

Thanks so much for your help

[Plat]

Try Systane single vials which are preservative free.

http://www.systane.com/

[spmcc]

I like artelac SDU (single dose unit). They are not one of the oil-based drops but help me with evaporative eye problems. They are less expensive (by about half) in Ireland.

[littlemermaid]

Celluvisc 1%

Littlemermaid's sainted ophthalomologist prescribed 3 x daily at regular times Celluvisc 1% (Carmellose sodium with sodium chloride, sodium lactate, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, purified water, manufactured by Allergan) from the NHS (GP, ophthalmologist). She says it is eyeball heaven, some find it gloopy. Can buy over the counter (30 single use vials, non-preservative, paid £7 in Lloyds, £12 in Boots).

Can you push for NHS teaching hospital ophthalmology department assessment through an optometrist or GP for guidance on drops (if haven't already)? Or private £180 (make sure they know how to treat dry eye first, eg eye inflammation, corneal surface, anterior segment specialist)? I am thinking whoever diagnosed you should have given you more guidance (you have inflammation?) and prescription (doxycycline, topicals?).

Welcome to Personal Message me if littlemermaid's treatment history is useful to you.

[redandunhappy]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions..

I have actually been seen at an NHS teaching hosptial by several opthalmologists, but generally they just say go away and try these drops.....

First doc said I had blepharitis and MGD. He prescribed me fucithalmic acid for a month and celluvisc 5% and told me about eyelid hygiene, warm compresses etc...next one didn't seem to think blepharitis was any big deal, but gave me some steroid drops (Predsol min I think) and the last one told me I'm not producing enough oil and to try Vismed.....

It's only on this forum that I found out about the oil based drops for evaporative dry eye..

Can anyone help me though with the issue I raised in my previous post..that I don't seem to get on with any of the artificial tears so far. But I'm wondering if I'm allowing them long enough to settle down. i.e. are the eyes sometimes irritated by drops initially and then after a while get used to them?

I keep ruling out drops as being no good (because they actually make my eyes feel a little worse) but I haven't tried any of them for that long, thinking that I'm better off without them, but perhaps this is wrong..

Thanks again for everyone's help

[littlemermaid]

Anything useful from the lovely Andrew Matheson? If you email he replies as best he can. http://www.matheson-optometrists.com...e-products.htm Don't worry, the moustache has gone I reckon he would try to import what you wanted.

I am thinking you are looking for a lipid component rather than just mineral or vegetable oil. Sorry I don't know about tolerance. We stopped when it hurt.

There's Michel Guillon, Sloane Square, but we haven't seen him. Some of the Oxford Eye Clinic optometrists at John Radcliffe are clued up on drops. Sometimes if you are cheeky enough to approach clinicians by email or letter some kind soul writes back. The lists of the latest available drops and ingredients we need are in the professional bumf they receive.

I don't want to think how much money I have spent on 'sensitive' face products that have caused even more rosacea problems. Hope you find your eyedrops fast. http://www.agingeye.net/dryeyes/drye...gtreatment.php http://www.dryeyezone.com/encycloped...html#ListAlpha

[redandunhappy]

Hi littlemermaid,

Thanks so much for your suggestions. And a big thank you to everyone else for their kind suggestions too.

I am thinking you are looking for a lipid component rather than just mineral or vegetable oil

I am going by the list on this website that you also posted:
http://www.agingeye.net/dryeyes/drye...gtreatment.php
I am looking for an artificial tear with an emollient or oil component....lipid I guess? The list on the website above only mentions Refresh Endura (no longer available) and Soothe XP

Anything useful from the lovely Andrew Matheson? If you email he replies as best he can. http://www.matheson-optometrists.com...e-products.htm Don't worry, the moustache has gone I reckon he would try to import what you wanted.

Haven't tried him, but great suggestion - I might ask him if he can import Baush & Lomb Soothe XP in the daily preservative free vials. They are unfortunately not available over here....

Plat recommended Systane (thank you Plat) - I will try them, but unless I'm mistaken I don't think they have an oil component.

There's Michel Guillon, Sloane Square, but we haven't seen him. Some of the Oxford Eye Clinic optometrists at John Radcliffe are clued up on drops. Sometimes if you are cheeky enough to approach clinicians by email or letter some kind soul writes back. The lists of the latest available drops and ingredients we need are in the professional bumf they receive.

Great idea again, I might email them.

Many thanks again

[irish eyes]

Hi Redandunhappy

If you haven't yet tried Systane - and you would like to try before you buy, I have some vials left over. They are still in date.

I would be happy to post a few to you - just send me a pm with your details.