Problem using eye drops: Hi, I hope that someone can... - NRAS

NRAS

37,263 members46,132 posts

Problem using eye drops

angel-delight profile image
19 Replies

Hi, I hope that someone can advise either in the UK or in Canada where I am now living. I have both RA and Diabetes which is causing me to have dry eyes. My problem is that I am unable to squeeze the little bottles due to having RA in my both of my hands which is causing a weakness.

Thanks, Sue

Written by
angel-delight profile image
angel-delight
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
19 Replies

Ask your pharmacist. He may have some good ideas.

angel-delight profile image
angel-delight in reply to

Thank you, I did speak with the pharmacist today, My RA badly effects my hands and thought that others with RA may have the same problem.

in reply toangel-delight

I've just been diagnosed. My grandmother had it, but I'm not certain I really do. Doctor said I'm a false negative. My grandmother's fingers were badly twisted. Right now I'm dealing with overall pain and weakness. I do understand your situation. I was hoping that the pharmacist had a good idea for you but I see from your other posts that what they suggested was expensive and not sterile. If I hear of something more, I will let you know.

Angels-delight profile image
Angels-delight in reply to

Thank you. Good luck some people show zero but you probably need more tests. Everyone is different and react differently to meds.

Sue

shazbat profile image
shazbat

Hello my dear friend. I have just been on a 3 day paid seminar by the drug companies. I raised a number of issues the first being toczilimab injections that are spring loaded. Therefore if your pressing the plunger because it has a spring if you take the pressure off half way through the spring triggers and you loose the contents of the injections. It's the same with drugs in child proof tops or even the co codamol I have just got from pharmacy. With the co codamol you have to peel the paper off the plastic to get the painkillers. It took me two hours one night. Ridiculous hopefully they will eventually think of who they are prescribing these drugs for.

Hope everything is going well my friend. Regards Shazbat x x x

Angels-delight profile image
Angels-delight in reply toshazbat

Hi my friend, I hope you sorted them out. I checked all the eye drops with the help of the pharmacist he could empty the contents into another container but it wouldn't be sterile or a different dropper. All he could do was to suggest I speak to the eye specialist and see if she can provide me with a prescription.

He knows of a company here that can provide me with the above but it would be in a sterile container. He said it would be very expensive.

They just don't understand what we have to deal with. I am now on Orencia injections but not sure they are any better than the tocizumab injections. We have had a really bad winter so that hasn't helped. We are starting to get into the 20's starting Monday and as long as it isn't humid that will be great.

I will make sure I don't release the pressure when doing my injections, thanks for the information. I do check the clear vile to see it is empty. The pharmacy provided my meds with pop on/off lids but I am on blister packs for most of my meds. I have some meds 3 that are not covered and I pay for those as and when I need them.

Take care my friend hope you are keeping well.

Sue xx

Jewels94 profile image
Jewels94

This might help

amazon.co.uk/Owen-Mumford-O...

Angels-delight profile image
Angels-delight in reply toJewels94

Thank you Jewels, I will try amazon Canada and see if they have the same thing here. I appreciate your quick response.

Sue

Jewels94 profile image
Jewels94 in reply toAngels-delight

You’re welcome. I had a similar problem with my contact lens solutions. It works for the cleaner which comes in a small bottle, but not the soaking solution because the bottle is bigger.

Lomo1964 profile image
Lomo1964

I use halo forte they have a pump action I have weak hands and I can use them for my dry eyes it’s very good and I get it on prescription

hbhamrah profile image
hbhamrah

I now use Carmize drops (Carmellose sodium 0.5%) much easier. Harjinder

carol555 profile image
carol555

Hi I have the same problem as you and I use Celluvisc 0.5% Carmellose sodium which come in a box of 30 single use doses - all you do is break the top off - often use my teeth for this - and gently squeeze- very easy to use. I order about 12 boxes to keep me going and would not be without them - perfect to keep in your handbag too. I highly recommend these. I do use at lest 8 a day. Ask your GP as they are only available on prescription. Good luck. X

in reply tocarol555

I also use these, but I can hardly get any fluid out!

frog profile image
frog

Hi, optrex is a well know over the counter eye drop, it has a spray press down application.

It can be used to spray on to closed eyelids, It is for dry eyes.

Best to ask your GP, to make sure it is suitable, it may be not as effective as a prescribed eye drop, but it could help.

I use Hylo Forte. Which is very good, but not so easy to use, as it has a pump like action to dispense.

Take care, hope you can find a solution to your problem.

Best wishes, Sandy

Witness2 profile image
Witness2

Sorry, I haven't got time just now to read all the replies so may not fully understand what you're grappling with or advice you've received so far but - I am doing well on Enbrel 8+ years and counting - but it sadly doesn't help my dry eyes. I cannot use anything I have to squeeze either but nor have any of the eye drops worked for me, except homoeopathic Hypericum mixed with saline. That's a help but not always convenient. My rheumatologist recently told me to use a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda in a small glass of previously boiled warm water. I've been using this each morning and at bedtime for a month and it's the best solution (pardon the pun) EVER! And so cheap. I haven't had dry eyes nor blepharitis since and my puffy red eyelids are history. So why did it take 37 years for anyone to tell me?! I hope this is suitable and effective for you too.

5halifax profile image
5halifax in reply toWitness2

So interesting as I just read the following article last night! To clarify, you are drinking sterile water with a teaspoon of baking soda?

flip.it/vkyl7a

Angels-delight profile image
Angels-delight

Thanks everyone for responding. I will look to see if I can get a prescription or try the bicarbonate and water. I looked for the optrex spray but they only have the drops and not the spray in Canada. I will see if I can get it online though.

Thanks again everyone your advise has been very helpful.

Sue

hatshepsut profile image
hatshepsut

I use hylo forte, I have worked my way through approximately 10 different brands/types of dispenser, and this is the best. It is stiff initially, until primed...pumping 2 or 3 times to start the flow,after thhat you need much iess pressure It can be used for up to 6 months and stays sterile

At night I use lacrilube....unfortunatey difficult to source at the moment The silvery metal tube is the easiest of the lot, and I use it at night

Xailin is next best, , but I found pos5 impossible to press the tube

Hope you find what suits you

Angels-delight profile image
Angels-delight in reply tohatshepsut

Thank you for your response. Much appreciated, I had another chat with my pharmacist yesterday and I am going to try distilled water and bicarbonate of soda as well as omega 3. See if that helps. I see the eye specialist again in July and let her know about the various options I have received on here.

Everyone has been very helpful.

Thanks again take care.

Sue

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Eye drops

Hi As one of the joys of RA and aging I suffer from very dry irritable eyes. Blepharitis I'm told!...
npkb profile image

Easy squeeze eye drops

Happy and healthy new year to you lovely people. I have recently had a hand op and my other hand is...
debjw profile image

Dry eye drops/gel

Hi guys and fount of all wisdom, I am looking for advice on dry eye drops. I was prescribed...
Dayli profile image

Ankle/foot problem

Have had pain in my ankle for about 2 years, also had flares in little toes both feet which I can...
net2012 profile image

Eye experiences ?

Hi Has anyone found that either RA or Dmards have an effect on their eyes ? I have just developed...
roseyx profile image

Moderation team

See all
KateL-NRAS profile image
KateL-NRASAdministrator
Donagh-NRAS profile image
Donagh-NRASAdministrator
Nicola-NRAS profile image
Nicola-NRASAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.