Red Eyes

[chapman]

I had Lasik 16 months ago and I have been diagnosed with Meibomian gland disease with secondary episcleritis. I use Restasis and Alrex drops. I was on Donycycline for months. I have really bad blood shot eyes. I was wondering if anyone out there was given anything to help get rid of some of the redness? My eye doctor told me I could use an eye allergy eye drop "Naphcon A drops",but I'm not too sure about using these.

[Cindy]

Hi chapman and welcome to Dry Eye Talk!

There has been a number of people posting here about red eyes. Red eyes can be a real bugaboo and not so easily remedied. My gut reaction is that it may be a multi-tiered process to address. You mention that you have MGD (meibomian gland dysfunction) and there's a lot you can do to relieve that. Warm compresses followed by lid massage and lid scrubs. I would recommend doing a search on this bulletin board for MGD and also "red eyes".

I don't have any personal experience with Naphcon-A. Is it a vaso-constricter?

Episcleritis is an inflammation of the membrane covering the sclera and according to Medline http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/e...cle/001019.htm it usually runs its course (untreated) in 1-2 weeks or can be treated with a corticosteroid which it seems you are already doing by using Alrex http://www.drugs.com/cons/Alrex.html

What are your symptoms (other than red eyes)? Light sensitivity? Eye fatigue? Do you use your computer a lot? Using the computer a lot or reading a lot can cause you to blink less. Ya gotta remember to blink .

[Delilah]

Naphcon A drops didn't help me

Hello Chapman I wanted to let you know that I have tried almost every sort of drop there is lol and I tried Naphcon A and all it did was burn the hell out of my poor eyes and I am sorry to hear about the MGD diagnosis, I was diagnosed with MGD and I have these horrible stringy mucus things that are always in my eyes, do you? Well the Naphcon didn't work for me, although I don't suffer from the red eye problem, but who knows what will come of this year lol. Welcome to the website Delilah

[chapman]

Red Eyes

Thanks for the reply. I have just started the warm compresses and lid scrub. I have also just got my samples of the Dakrina, Nutra Tear, and Nwelle. I'm going to give them a try. I do use the computer all day and I'm trying to remember to keep blinking. The Naphcon does sting at first but it does takes some of the blood shot look away for awhile. I also use Retasis. I read the warnings on the prescription and one of them was red eyes. I was going to stop using for a while and see if that helps. It seems like all I do all day is put drops in my eyes, but what's a girl to do. I get tire sometimes of people asking me have I been crying, or what's wrong. I'm glad I found this site at least I know I'm not alone in suffering with this.

[juninho]

I hope you get some relief Chapman. I despaired till I found this site.Up
till a year ago I didnt know "dry eye" existed,that is until I started suffering.
Regarding the lid scrubs I did those with baby shampoo and cooled bolied water but it really stung.I came across sterile supranettes and since Ive
started using them it is much more soothing.I cut them in half to save on cost,half for each eye and turn them over.
As far as drops,gels go my eye specialist asked me what Id used.I read out
the list and it was so long she took the list off me and stuck it in my records
as she said it would take too long to write it out!
Another thing I have done is completely change my diet to try to get some
semblence of relief from the condition.Ive cut out caffiene(coffe,coke -my
downfall)and eat a lot of fish now ,loads of fruit and vegetables and as
Rebecca(the boss) says drink lots of water to keep hydrated.
One thing for certain this thing gets me down but come hell or high water
it wont beat me and what a hell of a party for us all when the day comes
that they find a cure.
Best wishes to all.Graham.
(off to my hero Bill Nelsons(Be-Bop-De-Luxe)-fan
convention in York tommorrow.(anyone remember Be-Bop?)

[chapman]

Red Eyes

Thanks JUNINHO for your reply. I've also cut out caffeine out, except 1 cup of coffee in the morning. I'm like you....I'm not going to let this beat me and I pray to God that one day there will be a cure for this.....hang in there.

[kurt]

Restais gives me bloodshot eyes when I first put it in, which dissipates throughout the day.

[neil0502]

Thanks JUNINHO for your reply. I've also cut out caffeine out, except 1 cup of coffee in the morning.

(It's always tough to answer questions like this with any degree of certainty, but...)

Did it help? I do love my coffee, but not as much as I dislike my dry eyes

[juninho]

I hope im not speaking to soon neil0502 but yes i think it is helping cutting
caffiene out.Until i did this change of diet i was probably doing myself no
favours with all the "muck" i was taking in my meals,drinks.I also feel
better equipped to deal with dry-eye,blocked glands ,etc.
My advice ,try it ,cant do any harm,may do some good.Also fruit,veg. and
fish have helped replacing "fast food".
Do you take supplements also?
best of luck,Graham.