shots for dry eye

[iwormser]

Ok, now I'm sure that my ignorance may show on this, but has anyone heard of getting shots in or around the eye for dry eye? I figure if it is out there someone on this site may have heard of it. Thanks in advance.

[lisiamc]

Oh, I shudder just thinking about an injection into the eye. My mother had a series of shots in her eyes for macular degeneration. She said it was absolutely horrendous, and it took every bit of her fortitude to go back after the first one (even though they helped slow the loss of sight.) I think it would have to be some kind of guaranteed miracle cure before I'd even consider it for dry eyes.

Maybe it was botox injections around the eye that you were thinking of - maybe there's a connection there with dry eyes?

Lisa

[Brighteyes]

I received a shot of steroids in my upper right eyelid to help break up a stubborn chalazion when I first got diagnosed with blepharitis. I went to the doc because I had a bout of conjunctivitis that left me with a HUGE ball in my upper eyelid. He spouted off about dry eye this and dry eye that but never made it clear to me that the chalazon and dry eye were related (didn't feel like/know I had dry eyes at the time). Anyways, he gave me the shot and it worked to break up the chalazion. I know its not terribly on point, but thought I would mention it.

[Amy09]

are you sure that these shots you are hearing about are not just botox injections? my eye doctor had me get botox injections for my upper eyelids a few years ago and it dramatically decreased the swelling in my eyelids brought on by dry eye.

[TARYN]

botox injections

Hi Amy,

Where exactly did your doctor inject the botox and how did it decrease the swelling in your eyelids? How often do you have to do the botox?

[shoebox]

I think also sometimes Botox can be used to make the eyelids droop to decrease the surface area exposed to the air....

[Amy09]

i only did the botox once. i was unable to see where he injected the shots, so i'm not quite sure of the answer to that question. it decreased swelling by slightly lifting the eyelids off the surface of my eyes (so slight i did not even notice it)... he told me that when swollen eyelids rub against irritated eyes it just keeps the eyes and eyelids irritated, but by lifting the eyelids off the eyes, if gives each a chance to "take a break from one another." sure enough, he was right. he told me that the effects of the botox lasts several months.