Aqueous Shunts and dry eye ointment.

[muddledme]

I have had two shunts and the last one was March 23 rd this year.

Although Hyabak eye drops do help with the symptoms of dry eye in the first eye ( operated on last December) usually by 4 or 5 pm that eye is quite sore despite the drops.

A few evenings ago I started using Hycosan night ointment, this does seem to help.I just wondered, because it is a thick substance, if it could harm the shunt. Has anyone been prescribed dry eye ointments following shunt surgery ? I bought my ointment in the chemist.

I should be very grateful for any advice or thoughts. Thank you.

[Euphor]

👋🏻 hi Muddledme, not sure if this is helpful but I take Hycosan drops for my dry eyes. I had a Baerveldt implant at the end of last May and my consultant said these drops were fine to take, even in combination with my prescribed eye drops- So I’ve continued to take it when needed and there are no adverse effects 🙂

[muddledme in reply to Euphor]

Thank you , glad you are OK with your implant and eye drops. It was the idea of the thick , sticky ointment ( Hycosan night ) in my eyes that made me wonder about any interaction with the drainage tubes over time. I did ask the consultant and he did not think ointment would help , but did not say definitely do not use. I suppose it is difficult for them to know what we are describing.

If it was just now and then it would not be such a problem , but the fact that it is every day. Hopefully like most things it will get sorted eventually.

[Longwalks3]

Hi Muddleme, I too have very dry eyes after surgery. I also find that the Tiopex drops I am using to control pressure in my left eye have a very drying effect. I have been told that this is because it is a beta blocker and it is common for this group of drugs to have a drying effect in the eye. Anyway, I have recently been prescribed a dry eye drop called Thealoz Duo which I use 6 times a day at the moment and it seems to be helping. I also do a hot compress at least once a day, sometimes twice depending on how my eyes are feeling. The Thealoz duo is available to buy from chemists without a prescription if you wanted to try it and I’m pretty sure it wouldnt interfere with glaucoma meds but of course you should check with your own doctor. Hope this helps.

[muddledme in reply to Longwalks3]

Thank you for your helpful suggestions. I might try the Thealoz duo, as luckily I am no longer on any glaucoma medication , only the dry eye drops when needed. Yes, I also use the hot compress, but maybe could use it more when eyes are very sore.

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

Hello. Hycosan will not harm the shunt, Any dry eye treatment hydrates and lubricates the eye and will not interfere with your glaucoma or treatment. Any concerns you have should be discussed with your consultant.

[muddledme in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

Thank you Trish, that is reassuring to know.

It is also always interesting to discover if other glaucoma patients may have experienced problems with eye medications. The G.P has agreed to give me some regular eye ointment on prescription , I think it is not an over the counter one.