Has Restasis helped anyone?

[MNJen]

I am 4 months into my DES diagnosis. My only issue is I do not produce tears.
Although for about 3 weeks in December there was an improvement in my tear production, but now I am back to next to nothing.

So my doc wants me to try Restasis & plugs. I have read so many posts here where Restasis & plugs have not helped and I am finding myself very discouraged & hopeless.

I cannot imagine dealing with this pain for the rest of my life.

Jen

[Bonneville]

Tries Restasis yet?

Just wondering if you've been able to try Restasis yet? I used it for 3 weeks but they burned all day so quit. Had temporary plugs, once they dissolved, I really noticed a difference so will have permanent or maybe cautery soon.

Nighttime PM Ointment (I use preservative-free) helps me.

Don't give up hope! I'm on a search to find an opthamologist who is willing to take Dry Eyes seriously. Hope you have found one!

[alisonW]

MNJen -

Definitely don't give up. Both have helped me a lot. I used Restasis for two years with good results. It did take 6 mos for me to feel the improvement though. (The only reason I stopped using it was I thought it wasn't helping anymore. I'm talking to my doc this week about trying it again.) Plugs have helped me more then anything else. I have both tear ducts in my left eye plugged and the bottom in my right. I feel a significant difference. I had the upper right plugged for several weeks too but that eye was dripping down my face constantly and I couldn't stand it. I believe that a flow controller plug in that duct would solve the problem and am also going to ask my doc about this. If I were you I would absolutely give both a try. You have nothing to lose and a lot of comfort to gain. Like Bonneville I also use Refresh PM ointment at night and this lets me sleep comfortably through - no waking up to put drops in like with gels or regular drops - non of the discomfort of goggles or masks either. Good luck!

[Guest]

I agree with AlisonW... you've got nothing to lose by trying it.

I've been on Restasis since November '09 - I think it's helped a bit.

Same with the plugs/cautery - I think that has helped a bit too.

Although my eyes are still far from great, I am doing a lot better than I was before Restasis/plus etc.

Prior to Restasis/plugs, I could barely watch TV (so I would just listen to it with my eyes shut), spent several hours of each day with cold compresses on my burning eyes etc, would not have been able to work etc. Now, I no longer do cold compresses constantly, and my eyes don't burn nearly as much... plus, I can survive work!.... so that's HUGE!

I'm not sure how bad your eyes are, but especially if you're starting off from a better point than I did, you might be lucky and get a lot of relief from Restasis/plugs... it's worth a try anyhow!

Good luck!

[Aaron77]

My eyes are dry from lasik. Last summer I had plugs put in and they helped a bit, then I started on doxy and I believe it also made a difference, in the fall I started Restasis and while I'm not sure it helped I'm scared to stop. My life is still hell but the burning had been reduced by both the plugs and doxy... Restasis may be making my eyes wetter but I feel it does agitate them a bit. My docs been having trouble as of late with getting Restasis into Canada so I may find out I'll have to go without it soon, then we'll see what happens.

[SuperDave]

I have upper and lower plugs in both eyes and use restasis...It took a couple of months to kick in but I noticed when it did as I was so dry I couldnt open my eyes...also , I noticed great improvement when I start taking my time with the drops... I would be in a hurry and drop my eyes and move on....I started taking 10 minutes and drop them and tilt my head back and get a good soaking. Plus I also started useing 2 drops per eye twice a day...my bottom plugs just fell out the other day and I can tell I am nowhere close to where I used to be with out them...I have been trying to make it without them....but....I go in wend. to get more put in...

[spmcc]

Re: has restasis helped

Yes, I think restasis has helped me. I started about 5 years ago but took a break sometime in the middle. I went back on it and it has helped... not cured, but helped.

My diagnosis is ocular rosacea with MGD (Schirmer's of 0-1 in both eyes and TBUT of 5 in both eyes).