Does Restasis help with evaporative dry eye?

[redandunhappy]

Dear all, I'm confused.

I've just been reading Dr Latkany's book and the Restasis website. It seems the main feature of Restasis is that it helps patients produce more of their own tears.

From the website: "RESTASIS® is indicated to increase tear production in any patient whose tear production is presumed to be suppressed due to ocular inflammation associated with keratoconjunctivitis sicca"

So can it help people with evaporative dry eye (in my case caused by posterior blepharitis caused by ocular rosacea) i.e. people who don't have an acqueous deficiency?

Does it just generally suppress inflammation? Even if you don't need to produce any more tears.

[rooneyandfergie]

Definitely worth a try

Hi redandunhappy,

I am red and unhappy too! Restasis supposedly works by supressing ocular inflammation. It is believed to be able to help reduce inflammation of the lacrimal glands which help increase the aqueous component of your tear film, meaning more tear production. I said supposedly because its exact mechanism of action is not clear though as indicated in the below website

http://www.drugs.com/pro/restasis.html

This means that Restasis probably is unique to everyone. It could work for some with blepharitis while turn out to be a complete dud for the rest with a similar condition. However, I have seen anecdotal evidence on other sites that it has worked for some other ppl with blepharitis. My personal take on it is that since blepharitis is basically an inflammation of the oil producing glands of your eyelids, it should help improve the evaporative aspect of your tear film. If done together with warm compresses, I think it should really help.

Anyway, dry eye sufferers with evaporative problems will most likely have some form of ocular surface inflammation. I believe Restasis can help to reduce the inflammation and make the eye more comfortable. I do feel its worth a try.

I am also suffering from blepharitis, although its not really due to rosacea. I'm gonna be given Restasis during my next visit to the doctor as promised by him. I'll let u know if it helps me.

Below is a website i just found that a doctor states that he found restasis to be useful for both posterior and anterior belpharitis
http://www.ophthalmologyweb.com/Feat...pid=23&aid=459

[Plat]

This study shows that Systane alone is better than using Restasis with Refresh.

http://www.systane.co.kr/media/RestasisChart2.swf

http://webcache.googleusercontent.co...&ct=clnk&gl=ca

[Debk]

Thank you for posting these studies. I would have never guessed that an artificial tear alone (systane) would be better than Restasis and a different artificial tear (refresh)

I am contemplating trying Restasis, so I will definitely stay away from Refresh and use Systane if I need an artificial tear along with the Restasis.

[painless]

Actually, the first of those 2 links (posted by Plat) reports that Restasis along with Systane is better than Systane alone.

[Plat]

Yes,

1) Systane with Restasis is better than Refresh with Restasis and Systane alone
2) Systane alone is a lot better than Refresh with Restasis but not as good as with Systane with Restasis

So if you are using Restasis, don't use Refresh with it. It is better just to use Systane alone than using Refresh with it.

[Guest]

feel free to delete this.. I posted the same thing others just said (should have finished reading all the posts before adding in my 2 cents )

[redandunhappy]

Thanks for links and info everyone.

So it seems that Restasis can also help with posterior blepharitis/MGD which is good news. Wish I could try it

Still think that Azasite is probably a better solution for eyelid issues as it can be applied directly to the eyelids, apparently penetrates into the tissue and stays there for a good while (as has a very long half life).

All I need to do now is figure out a way to get hold of it

p.s interesting that Systane seems to very effective. Funnily enough, of all the artificial tears, I think it has been the best for me - better than Theratears I think....although I haven't tried Theratears for very long and perhaps the benefits are cumulative...????

[theresa74]

Thank you for posting these studies. I would have never guessed that an artificial tear alone (systane) would be better than Restasis and a different artificial tear (refresh)

I am contemplating trying Restasis, so I will definitely stay away from Refresh and use Systane if I need an artificial tear along with the Restasis.

Hi Deb,

I have been on the Restasis now for 6 weeks and I see improvement. I have moderate dry eye. Went to my eye doc this week and she could see a difference since I started the Restasis. I feel much better now. the only thing is in the beginning the Restasis may burn your eyes. Mine burned for about 3 weeks. I found myself using more artificial tears at first. Then, as I got used to it, I use the tears less and less. So what I have found is it gets worse before better so be patient. Also, stay away from Refresh Optive. A coupon will come in the Restasis welcome pack. That has preservatives in it and it will make the burning worse. I use TheraTears with the Restasis and it works well. Definitely give Restasis a try but be patient. It takes time to kick in. Good luck to you.

[Debk]

Hi Theresa.

I am so happy to hear that you are seeing improvement with Restasis! That is great. I know people have mixed reactions to it, so I am glad to hear it is working for you

I hope to start maybe next week. I am currently pretty red and uncomfortable. I spent 3 hours today at the pool with my daughter (chlorine+sun+wind+sunscreen on the face....yikes!) and I am not doing too well right now so I want to calm down a little bit. I wish I could wear some moisture chamber glasses, but I have a high prescription (-8.0) so I am having trouble finding them. I currently wear my glasses with clip on sunglasses (yes, we all know vanity goes out the window when you have dry eyes!) But summer is just starting, so I need to be able to manage this somehow. How can you tell a five year old "no pool" when it is the highlight of their summer I would rather be inflamed and uncomfortable.