dry eye after infection?!?! help?!

[kez123]

Haven't posted before, but I figured I'd give this a shot.

A little over a year and a half ago I caught a very severe eye infection (keratoconjunctivitis) that took nearly a month to go away (or so it seemed.) After repeated visits to an opthamologist, I was still having problems with dry eye after the infection. This was dry eye to the point that I couldn't open my eyes in the morning or even glance at a computer screen without wanting to claw my eyes out. I was using artificial tears every hour. My eyes were bloodshot and it was complete agony even though the infection was "gone." The opthamologist called it "residual inflammation" and said I should just wait for it to subside with the use of a mild steroid. Six months later I went to a corneal specialist who then diagnosed me with MGD/blepharitis. I noticed that over time, my eyes were in fact getting better, but, they still weren't "normal." He perscribed fish oil, restasis, steroids. I wasn't thrilled about using MORE steroids or being (potentially) on a lifelong perscription like restasis (I'm only in my 20s, I have a lot of life left!) I just started using fish oil (3600mg/day) without restasis and steroids. It's definitely made a difference. Dry eye is continually going away, albeit very VERY slowly.

All that being said, I'm still somewhat interested in restasis because I'd like to COMFORTABLY wear contacts again. But, again, I'm not sure about using it long term. I went to another opthamologist who diagnosed me with Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (I had been having inflammation problems with my contacts.) He said to discontinue contacts until my eyes were "bright white." "Bright white" is not going to happen without a normal tear film, which I still don't have.

So, my question, who are the patients that are able to use restasis and "fix" the problem and who are the patients that are on it indefinitely? I've read some things about lasik patients being able to use it and eventually get off of it. Seeing as this dry eye problem was caused by an event (the infection) a year and a half ago, I wonder if I could use it for a few months and then taper off? Has anyone else had this dry eye problem after an infection? Also, if I stop using restasis, will my eyes revert back to the original state or a WORSE state of dryness? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

[bp77]

Haven't posted before, but I figured I'd give this a shot.

A little over a year and a half ago I caught a very severe eye infection (keratoconjunctivitis) that took nearly a month to go away (or so it seemed.) After repeated visits to an opthamologist, I was still having problems with dry eye after the infection. This was dry eye to the point that I couldn't open my eyes in the morning or even glance at a computer screen without wanting to claw my eyes out. I was using artificial tears every hour. My eyes were bloodshot and it was complete agony even though the infection was "gone." The opthamologist called it "residual inflammation" and said I should just wait for it to subside with the use of a mild steroid. Six months later I went to a corneal specialist who then diagnosed me with MGD/blepharitis. I noticed that over time, my eyes were in fact getting better, but, they still weren't "normal." He perscribed fish oil, restasis, steroids. I wasn't thrilled about using MORE steroids or being (potentially) on a lifelong perscription like restasis (I'm only in my 20s, I have a lot of life left!) I just started using fish oil (3600mg/day) without restasis and steroids. It's definitely made a difference. Dry eye is continually going away, albeit very VERY slowly.

All that being said, I'm still somewhat interested in restasis because I'd like to COMFORTABLY wear contacts again. But, again, I'm not sure about using it long term. I went to another opthamologist who diagnosed me with Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (I had been having inflammation problems with my contacts.) He said to discontinue contacts until my eyes were "bright white." "Bright white" is not going to happen without a normal tear film, which I still don't have.

So, my question, who are the patients that are able to use restasis and "fix" the problem and who are the patients that are on it indefinitely? I've read some things about lasik patients being able to use it and eventually get off of it. Seeing as this dry eye problem was caused by an event (the infection) a year and a half ago, I wonder if I could use it for a few months and then taper off? Has anyone else had this dry eye problem after an infection? Also, if I stop using restasis, will my eyes revert back to the original state or a WORSE state of dryness? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

hi, restasis is working for some people , not evryone is the same. u have to try it. also it depends how dry r u?

[avalee32]

Hi there

I have dry eyes after an infection too... thought I was the only one! I had conjunctivitis nearly a year and a half ago. Seems so similar to your situation - the infection took a long time to disappear and I was put on about three different antibiotic drops. Eventually an optometrist suggested the continued symptoms were due to the dry eye setting in and that the infection had actually gone. She thought the continued use of antibiotics actually made it a lot worse.

A year and a half later, I still suffer from dry eye and I can't wear contacts at all anymore. I had plugs put in two days ago so I'm hoping these help, haven't noticed much of a difference yet though. I'm also using fish oil, a whole heap of artificial tears and ointment when I sleep.

Sorry I'm not much help with solutions but you're not the only one with this problem! And I know how you feel about being young and having dry eye, I'm only 21 I'm glad your dry eye is slowly getting better though, makes me a bit more hopeful!

[pinksummer]

exactly the same

Haven't posted before, but I figured I'd give this a shot.

A little over a year and a half ago I caught a very severe eye infection (keratoconjunctivitis) that took nearly a month to go away (or so it seemed.) After repeated visits to an opthamologist, I was still having problems with dry eye after the infection. This was dry eye to the point that I couldn't open my eyes in the morning or even glance at a computer screen without wanting to claw my eyes out. I was using artificial tears every hour. My eyes were bloodshot and it was complete agony even though the infection was "gone." The opthamologist called it "residual inflammation" and said I should just wait for it to subside with the use of a mild steroid. Six months later I went to a corneal specialist who then diagnosed me with MGD/blepharitis. I noticed that over time, my eyes were in fact getting better, but, they still weren't "normal." He perscribed fish oil, restasis, steroids. I wasn't thrilled about using MORE steroids or being (potentially) on a lifelong perscription like restasis (I'm only in my 20s, I have a lot of life left!) I just started using fish oil (3600mg/day) without restasis and steroids. It's definitely made a difference. Dry eye is continually going away, albeit very VERY slowly.

All that being said, I'm still somewhat interested in restasis because I'd like to COMFORTABLY wear contacts again. But, again, I'm not sure about using it long term. I went to another opthamologist who diagnosed me with Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (I had been having inflammation problems with my contacts.) He said to discontinue contacts until my eyes were "bright white." "Bright white" is not going to happen without a normal tear film, which I still don't have.

So, my question, who are the patients that are able to use restasis and "fix" the problem and who are the patients that are on it indefinitely? I've read some things about lasik patients being able to use it and eventually get off of it. Seeing as this dry eye problem was caused by an event (the infection) a year and a half ago, I wonder if I could use it for a few months and then taper off? Has anyone else had this dry eye problem after an infection? Also, if I stop using restasis, will my eyes revert back to the original state or a WORSE state of dryness? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

Hi from Italy, I had exactly the same onsetting. A severe infection the origin of which is unknown which was diagnosed as keratoconjunctivitis and which left me with severe dry eye matter of months. My advise is to do not go back to contacts as I tried and things worsened alot. I tried contacts for dry eye (cooper vision) and they made my dry eye worsen in a hour. Basically dry eye is so much sensitive and you have to avoid triggering the inflammation loop process. There are a lot of fantastic frames and nowadays is completely fashionable to have eyeglasses, and you can even find ways to do sport with goggles, OTG masks etc.

[Adam22]

Kez,

As others have said I would get used to the fact that contacts are not for you anymore. I to had a hard time coming to terms with this because glasses can be such a pain and will make my trip to universal studios a little less enjoyable. But when I think about it not wearing contacts and my eyes feeling great compared to wearing them and fighting the dryness is not worth it. Glasses aren't so bad and if you want your eyes to feel better like others said you can't trigger the dryness which contacts will do.

If anything forgo the contacts a couple months to see if your eyes feel better.

[aga]

All that being said, I'm still somewhat interested in restasis because I'd like to COMFORTABLY wear contacts again. But, again, I'm not sure about using it long term. I went to another opthamologist who diagnosed me with Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (I had been having inflammation problems with my contacts.) He said to discontinue contacts until my eyes were "bright white." "Bright white" is not going to happen without a normal tear film, which I still don't have.

Try Acuvue Oasis or Purevision (there are new on a market- purevision HD2). When I had dry eyes I could wear only them with big success. I cant tolerate glasses, moreover putting drops when you have to take your glasses off and then put them on every 15 minutes is impossible when you want to lead normal life. Technology is developing so one day there will be good cure for dry eyes and great contacts for everyone. So be optimistic about contacts!!!!!

[kez123]

update

So, I have good news and bad news. Bad news first:

I began having some pain in my right eye only to flip up my top eyelid and realize that I had thin blood vessels growing into my cornea. It was very painful, and I immediately stopped contacts and started using Restasis. According to the doctor, it's called "corneal neovascularization" and can be caused by dry eyes, contact wear or both. That was late February. The moral of the story: don't wear contacts regularly with dry eye (blepharitis), or you might find yourself with corneal neovascularization.

Good news: According to my opthamologist, after two months (and now, three) on Restasis and NO contacts, the blood vessels are regressing. My eyes feel so much better on Restasis. Definitely less dry, though not 100% normal. I'm wondering if I have reached the "maximum effect" of Restasis now that I've reached the 3 month mark, but I think I have a while to go. The doctor is even confident that I'll be able to wear contacts again. We'll see...I'm not sure that I'd want to, at least, not full-time.

So, for unexplainable dry eye after an infection, Restasis might be worth a try. It's offered in the U.S. and Canada...not sure about Europe and the rest of the world.

[Holly32]

Kez123, I recently (March '11) had a severe eye infection after being ill. I have had other eye infections in the past few years mostly due to contact wear and irritation, but they all went away with antibiotic treatment. This one was different! I had a lot of swelling and my IOP was "a little" high per the eye doctor. Had optic neuritis where I thought I was going blind, but it got better with time. I also now have MGD and started noticing dry eye, even though I may have been dry for awhile due to contact wear for 10+ years and use of other prescription drugs. I am really happy that I am not the only one, though I'm sorry you have gone through this! I am on Restasis as of last week, and I am hopeful it will help me even a little. I feel like this illness just made my eyes shut down! A couple of months after the infection, I ran around to probably 4 eye doctors including one opthomologist to see if anyone could tell me why my eyes seemed to hurt all the time. No one had good answers, and just told me to do the hot compresses and I'd feel better. The redness and dryness got way worse about 2 months ago, so on to another OD. He thought I had SLK in my worst eye, but changed his mind. I have a lot of blood vessels under my left upper eyelid that creep toward my cornea. Perhaps this is the same as what you experienced. The other side just has a couple, but looks pretty normal. I hope time helps with this too, but really I'd be happy if I could just sleep at night without pain and be able to have a semi-normal life without playing with my eyes all the time, like before!! No more contacts for me, and this is a tough adjustment.

Question: have you made any progress with your MGD? I understand the tears are slowly coming back to you. In my case, I've tried Omega 3 supplements, but I don't see any difference. Though my tear production is "terrible" per my opthomologist, I think the MGD is the biggest problem. I want extra tears but am not sure how much good that will do without the MGs working properly.

Any advice appreciated, thanks!

[M@ri@]

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[mariposa]

so did somebody's eyes improve after the infection finally?its been 8montsh since my epidemic conjunctivitis and my dry eye does not go away even a little.I am devastaed because contacts are out of the question and my eyes feel tired all the time.And I work in front of the computer

[kez123]

You need to see if you can find Restasis (cyclosporine A 0.05%). This has truly been the only thing that's helped me. I suffered for such a long time after the infection, however ever since starting the medication nearly 1.5 years ago, my eyes feel about 90% better. I wouldn't say they were "normal," but I can get through the day and use a computer and do everything else. I unfortunately waited too long to get treatment (until I had corneal neovascularization), so contacts are out of the question for me, but had I started the medication sooner, I probably would be able to wear contacts now. So sad but true. Also, I've been able to go from drops twice a day, to just once a day after using Restasis a year. So, I don't think I'll be on it the rest of my life. Good luck.

[mariposa]

well..the thing is that sometimes I just dont need to use the artificial tears at all and sometimes i need them every hour..so maybe its too soon for Restatis?Wont they cause irritation or won't I get addicted?My doctor never said anything about it:/My dry eye syndrome is sometimes acceptable.what do these eyedrops do exactly?
But no contacts possible for me and thats the main problem

[mariposa]

and what corneal neovascularization has to do with dry eye syndrome?it is supposed to be caused by the lack of oxygen transmitted to the cornea (so only contacts are related to this) and dry eyes do not interfere with that(?)

[mariposa]

All that being said, I'm still somewhat interested in restasis because I'd like to COMFORTABLY wear contacts again. But, again, I'm not sure about using it long term. I went to another opthamologist who diagnosed me with Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (I had been having inflammation problems with my contacts.) He said to discontinue contacts until my eyes were "bright white." "Bright white" is not going to happen without a normal tear film, which I still don't have.

Try Acuvue Oasis or Purevision (there are new on a market- purevision HD2). When I had dry eyes I could wear only them with big success. I cant tolerate glasses, moreover putting drops when you have to take your glasses off and then put them on every 15 minutes is impossible when you want to lead normal life. Technology is developing so one day there will be good cure for dry eyes and great contacts for everyone. So be optimistic about contacts!!!!!

contacts and dry eye?that makes no sense to me.The pain of the contact lens in a dry eye is worse than taking the glasses off from time to time.If you can accept this then you dont really have a dry eye issue,only some minor dryness.

[kez123]

The tear film is responsible for delivering oxygen to the cornea. If there is a problem with the tear film AND you're wearing contacts which cause hypoxia (lack of oxygen), then there's a greater chance for corneal neovascularization. So yes, wearing contacts with dry eyes puts you at a higher risk for neovascularization.