Vasoconstrictor Rebound Redness

[RedEyeGuy]

I have two problems with my eyes. The first being my eyes are very dry. I think it was probably caused by overuse of contact lenses even though I rarely wore them over the recommended usage per day. On the other hand it could have been caused by sitting in front of the computer for too long when I was in my early teens. I could do 16 hours a day easily. Anyway, after years of having that dry, burning sensation, a large dose of omega 3 and flaxseed everyday have helped massively. I rarely get that dry sensation anymore.

Now onto the second problem. Because of my dry eyes, they got very red very easily. I used to take Visine twice a day, 5 days a week at work. Actually, I worked night shifts so I took them at around 1am and 4am religiously. I used them for 2 years until I quit that job to go travelling. Now fast forward one year and my eyes always get red at around 8pm, then all through the night they'll be bloodshot red. During the day they're fine, slightly red, but not deep red like they are on the night.

I'm guessing I'm getting rebound redness from the Visine I use to take every night. That's the only explanation I can think of because my eyes only get red at night. I'm temporarily working night shifts now (only 1 month left!) and I notice people taking double takes at me because my eyes are SO red.

I've read something about steroid drops helping to 'heal' the inflamed veins. Something like Pataday or Lastacaft. Can anyone shine any light on this? I'm going to the eye hospital in a few days. There's a 3 month waiting list so happy to finally get there. Anything I should ask the doctor? Is there any success stories on vasocontrictor rebounds?

[RedEyeGuy]

I went to the eye doctor today. Good and bad news. The good news is that she said there's very little signs of blepharitis and dry eyes compared to my last visit. So basically the omega and flaxseed are helping considerably. The bad news - she said she doesn't know why my eyes go red at night. She gave me some eye drops to use but I've used them before and they don't help much.

Really don't know where to go from here? Maybe go private? Probably going to have to quit my job soon and find a job that do day shifts only :/

[Faith1989]

I used to use visine daily for like 5 years. When I went through my "rebound" doctors said it shouldn't last long but I used visine for sooo long that I knew it would take way longer. It took years but my eyes aren't red anymore. So good news it does get better but bad news it took me a long time. Steroids do help at the beginning but you can get a rebound from those to so be sure to ask your doctor how to use them properly.

Also, how's your diet?

[RedEyeGuy]

I used to use visine daily for like 5 years. When I went through my "rebound" doctors said it shouldn't last long but I used visine for sooo long that I knew it would take way longer. It took years but my eyes aren't red anymore. So good news it does get better but bad news it took me a long time. Steroids do help at the beginning but you can get a rebound from those to so be sure to ask your doctor how to use them properly.

Also, how's your diet?

Thanks so much for reply. I don't need to tell you guys how hard it is to stay positive with this condition so it's really good to hear of results with a positive outcome.

I explained to my eye doctor about the Visine and she stared at me blankly. I asked her if she knows about the 'get the red out' drops and she nodded but I'm not sure whether I believe her. Using Visine for 2 years is a big thing, but it's almost as if she ignored it or was ignorant to it.

Faith1989, how many years did it take for your eyes to go back to normal? So far for me it's approaching 1 year but I'm seeing no improvements so far.

Also my diet is pretty good. I very rarely eat junk. I do however have quite a high sugar intake, whether it's over the RDA or not I don't know. It's not chocolate or anything like that, I love my fruit and yoghurts.

[DryLondoner]

RedEyeGuy,

My ophthalmologists actually told me to use an antihistamine drop with a vasoconstrictor 4 times a day for a month and because I was naive and ignorant I did. It's been 5 months and I still have redness (I also have AD and a dustmite allergy so my situation isn't as clear cut as yours. I have small red veins growing towards my iris and some days they seem to fade completely, other days they are much more prominent. If I rest my eyes, don't overuse the PC, and keep hydrated I see a massive difference.

All the doctors I've seen (3 so far) have said that with time, and if I get the inflammation under control, the red should fade. I've heard anxiety can also make redness worse, don't know if that's an issue for you. I've noticed that when I'm out with friends my eyes look much better. If I'm work, where I think about my eyes all the time, they progressively get worse.

Good luck!

[DryLondoner]

RedEyeGuy - just read your post again - it might be the light your looking at them in. Do you think the light in your bedroom could make them look redder? I know mine look much better in the day, and in my room there is a very yellow light, they look much yellower and bloodshot!