Dry eyes and Bisphosphonates

[Nanaedake]

Anyone had trouble with dry eyes when taking Bisphosphonates? Wondering if it's a common problem?

[scd2211]

I take bisphosonates and have dry eyes but I don’t think the two are linked.

[Nanaedake in reply to scd2211]

Have you found a way to manage dry eyes?

[Kaarina in reply to Nanaedake]

I have suffered with dry eyes off and on for years but have never taken bisphosonates except for three weeks, ages ago. For the past good few months my dry eye condition has been bad. I nearly always wear sun glasses now when out, obviously not in winter though!

I am prescribed Hypromellose 0.5% eye drops. I also use the same from Boots if I run out before a repeat script is due but can only find 0.3% there.

I find some days are better than others and some days the eyes feel terrible even with the drops.

I have also been diagnosed with Blepharitis and PVD (Posterior Vitreous Detachment).

Miserable, ain't it, on top of other conditions.

[Nanaedake in reply to Kaarina]

Yes, do you think it's all related to the breakdown of collagen? Wondering if there are some herbal remedies?

[Kaarina in reply to Nanaedake]

I think it is something I have collected along the way ..... my dry eyes diagnosis goes back 35 years or more. It did disappear for many years but is back now, worst luck. Hopefully it will go away again.

[Kaarina in reply to Nanaedake]

I was also prescribed Vita-Pos 5g ointment with Vitamin A to try but I prefer the Hypromellose drops - easier to use and I did not find it any more effective than the drops.

[scd2211 in reply to Nanaedake]

Eye consultants also suggest taking Flaxseed Oil to help with dry eyes.

[Kaarina in reply to scd2211]

Thank you for your reply. Much appreciated. Now my dry eyes are intermittent, thank goodness. Only in the mornings after waking and then not every day. I shall look into taking flaxseed oil. I have been taking cod liver oil capsules for years. Is flaxseed oil better than cod liver oil?

[Hidden]

Well I'm on Zoledronate, but also have RA with Sjogren's which causes dry eyes/mouth/nose etc. Used to use Hypromellose preservative free. But my optician put me on Celluvisc preservative free.

[scd2211]

I use Hylo-Forte, prescribed by my eye consultatant, (0.2% hyaluronate, preservative and phosphate free) at nighttime (I put drops in as I turn out the light) and in the morning. During the day if I need drops I use Hycosan Original which are 0.1% hyluronate which can be used with contact lenses if need be. There are various drops within the Hycosan range which was recommended by my optometrist and can be purchased in Boots.

He also advised that I use an Eye Bag MGD reusable eye compress twice a day. It treats dry eye, blepharitis and meibomian gland dysfunction. You put it in the microwave to heat then leave it over your eyes for 10 minutes before massaging your eyelids with the aim of unclogging and releasing fluid to moisturise your eyes. The cheapest places to buy is on Amazon I think.

Hope this helps. Dry eyes are very common especially associated with the menopause.

[Kaarina in reply to scd2211]

I am a patient at our local eye hospital and have been prescribed the medication as stated above by the person I saw last time for dry eyes and the other eye conditions I appear to have acquired relatively recently. The appointments are on going about twice a year. This man dismissed any eye compresses one could buy and said that, wet, bearable warm cotton wool pads placed on the eyes did exactly the same thing and he showed me exactly what to do. I suppose they all have their preferred ways of how to deal with these conditions.

[Nanaedake]

Thank-you for all your suggestions. I'll have to try them out and see what works best. I've got an opticians apt. Next week

[Titian8]

I don't take any meds but do have dry itchy eyes often and my optician recommended Hycosan drops. They last 6 months and have no preservatives. They work for me.