My Story: Rosacea, Dry Eye, and Chalazions Galore!

[regularjoe]

Hello there! I am a married 47 year old father who lives in Toronto, with one child, who works with computers. I have been a Rosacea sufferer for at least 15 years, and been having eye problems for 10 years. Unfortunately, while the Rosacea on my cheeks has gotten much better, my eye situation has only worsened over the years. I have been off work the past week while I deal with my eyes and try to get rid of a chalazion that is coming on...

These days and for a few years, I always have dry eyes, and my eyes and lids never feel comfortable. But, this is my secondary concern. My main concern are these chalazia that I get, which are occurring with increasing frequency. Since January, I have battled 3 of them. Now, my poor eyelids are permanently scarred, and I recently say an optometrist -- who knew a fair bit about dry eye, finally! -- and he said that my left eye had only 50% working Meibomian glands, and my right eye has about 60%. When I used to get chalazia they lasted for months, but now I know that through repeated hot compresses for several days, beginning as soon as I feel a tingle telling me one is coming on, I can get them to erupt like a big pimple. This means they have a much shorter lifespan, but my traumatized eye lids are showing the wear and tear of this regimen.

Because I am getting worse, I am determined to really research things and come up with a smart plan. Part of that plan is joining this community. I am hoping to learn from the wisdom of people here, many of whom will be familiar with my story, or at least parts of it. Hello, Everyone!

Here is my current regimen:
1-2 Hot Compresses Daily (with a home made rice sock)
50 mg of Doxycycline Daily

When I feel a chalazion coming on, I do multiple compresses, and more Doxy.

After seeing a Dry Eye specialist here in Toronto, who mispronounced "chalazion" and said some things I am fairly sure are incorrect, I have tweaked my regimen and am using a new prescription ointment. However, I don't want to scare people by writing too much, so I will leave it at that for now...

I welcome any comments, suggestions, questions or greetings.

Cheers!
Regular Joe

[PhoenixEyes]

Hi,

Maybe look into trying Cliradex, a lid wipe with antibacterial properties. It might help to sanitize the eyelid after eruptions. There's also other lid wipes out there like Ocusoft Plus, but for rosacea Cliradex might be worth a try.

https://www.cliradex.com/rosacea-treatment/

If oral antibiotic doxycycline stops showing a benefit, you could consider topical antibiotics like chloramphenicol and levofloxacin etc. A UK NHS page seems to suggest using them for chalazion: http://www.moorfields.nhs.uk/content...meibomian-cyst

Hopefully you're also seeing a dermatologist to get the root rosacea under control.

Hope you find relief soon.

[MGD1701]

Welcome Joe.
1) Chalazion: Does it help with multiple (rice sock) compresses?
2) drop: you dont take drops in the daytime and befor bedtime?
3) do you massage and lid scrubs after compress? - these are important after compresses/heat to remove bacteria, dirts etc.

4) compress: When you do rice sock compresses, do you feel oil secretion? If not, it is not useful.
The keys are: constant heat, 40-45C (but over 40C is bad for conera), 10-15 minutes, 2 times/day is better than once (for me)
I use Blephasteam/42.5C (many doctors recommend it) or facial steamer (eye closed) as they are most effective for me.

[Hokucat]

Hi Joe. Glad at least the compresses open the chalazions. Have you made any changes to your diet to try to address this condition?

I had thick Crisco-like oil, which led to blockage and scar tissue in almost all my glands. I had to have meibomian gland probing to open them up, and then discovered drinking fresh lemon juice in strong green tea 2x daily was what my body needed to keep my oils flowing and prevent future blockage. It was almost a complete turnaround for me, after years of suffering and spending thousands on various treatments and specialists.

I think somehow the lemon/tea (and often add crushed ginger) has antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties that helped my system function correctly and killed off bad bacteria. You might see if this helps you, given you have inflammation and oil build up, and it's something easy to try. For you it might be something else that works. It helps to keep a daily log of what you eat and drink, meds taken, regimen, hours exercise and sleep, how your eyes were that day, etc. to help figure out what makes things better.

For the 40-50% of your glands not working, if they are blocked and not yet atrophied, you may want to try probing or some other procedure to try to open them up, or you could lose those glands completely. I think probing has been more successful for patients with chalazions. But if you were not generating any oil, probing likely would not help.

[regularjoe]

Here is some more background, and then I will address what people said above. Thanks so much for your replies. *smiley icon*

Foolishly, I had never cleaned my eyelids. I thought it did not apply to "my type" of Dry Eye/Chalazia, because it was caused by Rosacea. I thought I had read that it was the inflammation of Rosacea that caused my MGD, and not bacteria. Also, an eye doctor on two occasions said my eyelids were debris-free, which surprised him.

Now I realize, I was misinformed, and likely incorrect, so I have started eyelid hygeine, with some scrubs. As well, I am on an antibiotic/anti-inflammatory. This is all new, since I saw the Dry Eye specialist.

Here is my new, 4 day old regimen:

- 50mg doxy daily
- I do the following STEPS 2 to 4 times daily
- STEP 1: warm compresses with rice sock, for 8-10 min
- STEP 2: always after rice sock I use a warm wet washcloth and wipe my eyes a few times... sometimes I do 2 min of warm wet compresses with same cloth, too
- STEP 3: either I use "i-lid n lash" wipes to clean my eyelashes/eye area or I use an eye ointment called Tobradex... Bottom line is I always use the ointment at least 1x and the the eye wipes at least 1x minimally daily

Furthermore, the eye doctor -- for the first time ever! -- did eyelid debridement! I was really happy to have someone do something "hands on", and I didn't even know it existed until it was done.

The doctor said to only do 2 compresses per day, and to follow each one with the lid wipes, and then the Tobradex ointment. Thing is, I cannot do all of this at once. The lid wipes are way messier than I expected, and I can't get a hold of my lids to squirt in a ribbon of ointment after. (The directions say "need not be rinsed off", and I figure leaving it there will help.) Furthermore, I have a chalazion (doc said hordeolum) under my left lid, and the lid scrubs say "Caution: do not use on broken or abraided skin." Well, this spot on my eyelid is both broken and abraded! I try to avoid hitting it, but it is not possibly entirely.

I am going to start a thread on Eye Hygeine, because I find it confusing...

[regularjoe]

Ok, to answer some questions...

Hopefully you're also seeing a dermatologist to get the root rosacea under control.

I do. In fact have seen several. They feel like there job is done just giving me a prescription for Doxy. What is at the root of it? I am not sure. I feel like when I read up on it before, when I had it worse in my cheeks, the jury was out on what caused it? And even if it was a dermatology thing or a vascular thing?

1) Chalazion: Does it help with multiple (rice sock) compresses?
2) drop: you dont take drops in the daytime and befor bedtime?
3) do you massage and lid scrubs after compress? - these are important after compresses/heat to remove bacteria, dirts etc.
4) compress: When you do rice sock compresses, do you feel oil secretion? If not, it is not useful.
The keys are: constant heat, 40-45C (but over 40C is bad for conera), 10-15 minutes, 2 times/day is better than once (for me)
I use Blephasteam/42.5C (many doctors recommend it) or facial steamer (eye closed) as they are most effective for me.

1) The rice sock helps to "pop" the chalazia when they are first forming.
2) By drops, do you mean to lubricate my eyes? Or anti-biotitic drops? I didn't use to take anything, but for 4 days have taken Tobradex ointment.
3) I don't massage, but I do -- as of recent -- use a wet cloth and lid scrubs to clean eye area after compresses
4) I do not feel oil secretion? Or maybe I just don't know "how" to feel it? I would love to be able to conclusively know if the oil is coming out? How can I feel that, or determine that?

Have you made any changes to your diet to try to address this condition?

...you may want to try probing or some other procedure to try to open them up, or you could lose those glands completely...

Well I live in Canada. I do not think probing exists here. Mind you, if it was the Holy Grail, I would fly wherever and pay for it. But I have read conflicting things about it? (Including injuries.) Rather try less invasive things first...

Here is some diet info:
Because I have read Rosacea sufferers can benefit from avoiding dairy, I drink only a half cup of milk per day. I used to drink much, much more. I have not noticed any impact on more or less. I eat a little better than your average adult. Your average Canadian diet, with less junk. I don't eat any fast food, but might eat Chipotle or Thai food and the like. Eat some fruits and veggies daily, and have high fibre cereal (with half coconut/half regular milk) daily to keep me regular.

I ride my bike almost daily, and go to the gym 3x a week to lift weights. I am a big guy, like a football player, with a bit of a gut.

Thanks a lot for welcoming me, taking an interest, and asking questions! *smiley icon*

[farmgirl]

HI Joe:

You want wisdom Joe, here is some grass roots wisdom. I am going to make a suggestion for you based on the fact that it has ALWAYS worked for me - no doxy involved. I don't get regular chalazions but if and when I do (I call them stys) what stops them in their tracks, (no popping involved, they just go away as quickly as they came), is to apply a poultice of plantain. You probably have never heard of plantain but it is one of the most common lawn weeds, right up there with dandelions. When you apply herbicide for dandelions it also kills the plantain. The best place to find it in the cities is to go into the unpaved alleys and look along the edges where the gravel meets the grass. It loves inhospitable conditions. The link below has a great picture of it but the easiest way to make sure you are harvesting plantain is to look at the vein structure from the back side of the leaf. IN the photo you will notice 5-7 veins running up from the stem of the leaf, there is no branching. If you follow those veins down they will all merge in the stem and follow the stem down to where it connects to the plant. No other weed has a vein structure like this with no branching. Many health food stores also carry dried plantain.

http://www.naturallivingideas.com/pl...benefits-uses/

What you do is you pick the leaf (pick lots and dry them for winter). When needed just boil a bit of water, drop the leaf in, continue to boil it for just a couple of minutes (until it is soft) being careful not to overcook it. Place the leaf on the affected part and keep it there, preferably overnight (an eye patch works well as it keeps the leaf moist so that is doesn't dry out.) Plantain will pull any infection out and kill the offending bacteria at the same time. If need be change to a new one every 12 hours or so. If I catch it early usually just one does the trick. I think that you can save the gland from destruction if caught early.

This weed is so powerful it will clear up blood poisoning (no guff, I knew of a neighbor who did just that). Seriously, this plant is nothing short of miraculous if used for the purpose of clearing up infection and pulling out - whatever, infection, slivers etc.

Give it a go next time you feel that twinge but be prepared by buying an eye patch and source your plantain ahead of time and then report back after it works....grin....F/G

[MGD1701]

Hi Joe
wise to make sure all your home regimens are correct - after more learning/experiments, I realized what my doctors said are incorrect.

compress: if you dont have oil secretion feeling, likely heat/time are inefficient.
Do you know if your oil is clear (normal), thick or like toothpasate?
My dr said 10 min, Blephasteam 42.5C - unless. I need 15 min. as my oil is thick.

20-zoom mirror helps me monitor glands status - I can see (oil) drops.

[regularjoe]

...I discovered drinking fresh lemon juice in strong green tea 2x daily was what my body needed to keep my oils flowing and prevent future blockage. It was almost a complete turnaround for me, after years of suffering and spending thousands on various treatments and specialists.

Hi Hokucat! I love the thought of curing (or at least improving!) my situation with a small diet tweak! How long did it take with you drinking lemon in green tea before you noticed results? When results happen, was it a sudden big change, or more gradual? Do you think even without the probing, possibly this little tweak could have done the trick?

For the 40-50% of your glands not working, if they are blocked and not yet atrophied, you may want to try probing or some other procedure to try to open them up, or you could lose those glands completely...

I am in Toronto, a huge city, and yet probing does not exist here, nor anywhere near here. But, if I get desperate enough, I will consider it.

You mention "trying probing or some other procedure to try to open up [my Meibomain glands]"... What other procedure are you thinking?

Thanks so much!

Joe

[Hokucat]

Hi Joe. It took about a week drinking the lemon/tea to notice a difference, and my eyes have continued to improve in the year and a half since I started it. I doubt it would have helped if I didn't do probing first, as most of my glands were blocked with scar tissue or very thick, old oil blockage.

I've also discovered other things in my diet that help my eyes or make them feel worse. In this recent post I listed them, and other factors that helped me recover and manage my condition:

http://www.dryeyezone.com/talk/forum...ccumulate-info

it sounds like you still have some glands with oils flowing, albeit thick and causing the chalazions. Since the lemon/tea is so simple to try, see if it helps reduce the number of occurrences or the severity. Perhaps take it for at least two weeks. I have no idea if it will work for you, but you won't know unless you try it.

Some other treatments to open blockages include IPL, expression, and Lipiflow, which I saw you ask about in a new thread. Seemingly IPL has worked for more people than the other two, but everyone is different so what works for one does not necessarily work for another. If your glands are blocked with scar tissue, likely only probing can clear that.

[regularjoe]

Thank you, Hokucat, for your replies here and in the other thread.

I certainly would rather help my condition with a change in diet, before trying more invasive procedures (like probing). And, in fact, at different times I have even:

- drank sparkling water with half of a squeezed lemon in it, or
- drank green tea with fresh grated ginger in it

I have never stuck with either of these two drinks for more than a few days. Nor have a tried combining the lemon with the green tea. But! The very fact that I have intuitively thought of trying them, and not because of reading about them relating to my eye conditions, tells me "there must be a reason". (Or at least: "There *may* be a reason".)

I know it is not a magic bullet, but I will try, for at least 2 weeks, Green Tea with lemon, and see if it helps.

Thanks so much!

Joe

[Hokucat]

You're welcome, Joe. And you're right to want to try less invasive things like diet before more invasive treatments. With more invasive comes more risks.

For reference, I use the Costco brand Kirkland Organic Green Tea (blend of Sencha & Matcha). I make it really strong by tapping the tea bag against the inside of the cup ~100 times while in hot water, so the tea is really green. Then I add the juice of 1/6 slice of a medium/large Meyer lemon and often crushed ginger, just before I drink it. So yes, you must have had some intuition before that this stuff was good for you!

The quality of the tea makes a difference in the potency. I heard green teas that are greenish/brown have been over processed and have less nutrients, so stay away from those.

Good luck, Joe! Keep us posted.

[Hokucat]

Farmgirl, I'm going to try making a salve out of plantain. One of my kids has a tendency to get mosquito bites, then scratches them so it gets really infected. However, I just weeded our backyard a few weeks ago for our Easter Egg hunt, so I got rid of tons of plantain! But I am sure more will quickly spout up, so will collect some then. Thanks for sharing about this, I love these natural remedies...who knew a weed could work wonders?!

[regularjoe]

Wanted to update the way my routine has evolved, based on experience and feedback:

Currently, I do warm compresses for 8-11 minutes with a rice sock (home made) and then wipe away closed eyelids/lashes with warm water. Then I either use lid scrubs ("i-lid n lash" with tea tree oil) or use eye ointment (Tobradex, a steroid and antibiotix mix), I cannot use the wipes and ointment together because it is all just too much for my eyes. So lately, it is:

Round 1 (morning): compress, wipe, lid scrubs
Round 2 (before bed): compress, wipe, ointment
* sometimes, especially on weekends, and squeeze a Round 3 in, in the afternoon (because I am not at work), and repeat round 1 again (compress/wipe/scrubs).

I cannot use the ointment before work because it makes my eyes feel funny, and vision blurry.

Also, I have bought the green tea, lemon and ginger, but have not made tea yet. It is a busy time for me, and a hard time to make so many changes. I am aiming to have the tea around 9pm starting very soon, and more on the weekends....

[farmgirl]

Oh dear, sorry you just harvested all of the good stuff. Check in the alley there will be more. Making a salve is a great idea and for sure will help with the bites but for a sty I would go all out and make the poultice. I don't know is a salve would be strong enough. You want to knock it down good at the start.