RA and dry eye HELP

[Nana-8]

I feel so upset and distraught over this RA and dry eye problem.

The prescription drops don’t help. I’ve purchased copious amounts of OTC drops that hurt my budget but helps zip.

Can anyone offer something that has worked for them!

[Deeb1764]

I had awful dry eyes and when I saw my optician she noted they were sore looking and suggested asking for a referral to opthomologist and I am glad I did. She put me on Xailin0.2 eye gel and Xailin plus HA .2 and within a month they are so much better. I have tonnes of tried prescription and just nonprescription eye gels and this was a game changer for me.

[Joang in reply to Deeb1764]

Yes same here, eye specialist recommended the same drops, I get them off Amazon if that helps

[Amnesiac3637]

First get eyes checked by ophthalmologist just to rule out anything untoward. It’s also possible your dry eyes are caused by blepharitis which causes soreness and grittiness. Over here Amazon sells a product called BlephaEyebag or similar. No drugs involved but a warming filled bag for putting into the microwave, resting with it on your eyes for the amount of time the instructions show and then massaging your eyelids to encourage the oils in the sacs round your eyelids to work.

I had the same problem with dry eye and RA for years and my GP recommended this as one of his ophthalmic friends had invented it. It’s worked very well for me. The relaxation is enforced while you lie with the bag on your eyes and the soothing warmth helps with dry eye. Not a gimmick. It costs about £20 . Well worth trying and certainly as an adjunct to drops. Good luck!

[Madmusiclover]

I suffer too but a referral to an opthalmologist got me on prescription immunosuppressing drops; day and night drops/gel. I had to buy a heat mask. Please get professional help.

[Fruitandnutcase]

Agree with the others - you need professional help. Could you have Sjorgens? That causes dry eyes.

Also how often are you putting your eye drops in? You need to almost ‘overdose’. Carry them with you and put them on throughout the day not just two or three times a day. Plus you would benefit from using a ‘gunky’ ointment or gel at night.

An eyebag that you heat in the microwave is good too or you can heat a face flannel under a hot tap and hold that over your eyes ( I prefer that to my eye bag although I have both) then you can use Blepa-wipes to clean your eyes. I also take EkoPura Omega 3/DHA algae oil capsules - I take one every day and it makes a big difference to how dry my eyes get. Don’t use anything that isn’t preservative free.

[oldtimer2]

There is an article in last week's BMJ

Safir M, Twig G, Mimouni G, Dry Eye disease management. BMJ 2024;384:e077344

which gives details of how dry eyes should be managed. It sounds as if you would benefit from a more specialist opinion, although my partner found that several of them gave him contradictory advice. The main things he finds works is:

gel at night, long acting drops for dry eyes in the day applied every few hours, the heated pad over over the eyes once (at least) a day, no preservatives in what goes in the eye.

[Oshgosh]

after years suffering with dry eyes Sgjogrens disease- I asked the rheumatoid nurse helpline ,she suggested carbomer gel.

I get it on repeat,it has helped me.

I’m in the uk

[Rusticgarden]

If you also have dry mouth could be sjogrens , which I have I use hylo-forte preservative free drops works much better than the doctors standard ones

[Lizard28]

I’ve had dry eyes for many years, suffered with blepharitis, had many eye infections etc, tried all the drops. When I eventually got referred to see an ophthalmologist at the hospital and went through all the tests, he decided to put in punctual plugs in. For me it was instant relief, I still put drops in at night especially if I’m reading but they worked for me. Three years later and they are still in. I know they don’t work for everyone, the hardest bit was trying to get my Rheumy to refer me. It took six months to see him but was worth the wait.

[StormySeas_2_0]

I’m sorry you’re dealing with this. Like many others here, I suffer from this, too. Using all the usual stuff…what stood out to me from my ophthalmologist was sleeping with a mask on, in the event you don’t completely close your eyes when you sleep. Also, make sure there is no moving air from a heated or fan that helps dry your eyes out.

Gel drops before bed & a mask seem to help.

Best of luck!!

[Wispymisty]

I've had dry eyes for years - was told I had chronic blepharitis when I was 13 (40 years ago) back in 2010 my GP thought I had Sjogrens but bloods were negative and I was diagnosed fibromyalgia. I'm just waiting on repeat bloods now 🤞 they finally show something.Anyway - after reading some of the posts here I've just got a heated eye mask - what a difference! My eyes actually feel the best they have in a very long time.

As already said try to get to see an opthalmologist but do consider an eye mask too.

Good luck

[Silverpixie]

I was referred to the local eye hospital here in the UK as this was impacting my vision after midday. They cauterised my tear drainage ducts and prescribed ciclosprin drops. tests for sjorgens were negative.

[Sheila_G]

I have very dry, sore eyes. I use Blephasol to clean eyelids morning and evening, use Hycosan extra drops as many times as I need them throughout the day and have an eyebag. At the moment I don't use the eyebag because heating my eyes worries me and the wipes and drops aren't doing any good but have always done in the past. I'm wondering if I have an allergy to something maybe tree pollen, dust, cats? What I do find helps is my little humidifier. It is just a globe you fill with water, plug it in and steam comes out. Very helpful when central heating is on as that is very drying. I would advise this.

[Seatgeorge]

I use eye drops I got rom the optician called The Alozduo made in France by Thea, works for me ,also z damp flannel on each eye 2 times a day.

[stbernhard]

Hello Nana, I recently attended a "Ampersand" hosted Zoom session with the main topic

"Dry Eyes". Here are the links that resulted from all the discussions. Of course as you are in the USA these drops may not be available or trade under a different brand.

!!!!!!!!!!!You should always clear it with a doctor before applying something to your eyes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Information about Uveitis: nhs.uk/conditions/uveitis/. If you suspect uveitis, seek medical attention immediately.

Example of preservative-free eyedrops for dry eye relief: (note other brands and stockists also available!)

boots.com/hycosan-extra-pre...

boots.com/hyabak-10ml-10191799

weldricks.co.uk/products/hy...

Blepha bag - warms the eyelids to unclog the ducts of glands which add oil to tears thea-pharmaceuticals.co.uk/...

Blephaclean wipes and Blephasol to wipe the eyelids afterwards - or for blepharitis.

thea-pharmaceuticals.co.uk/...

thea-pharmaceuticals.co.uk/...

Thealoz Duo GEL drops for dry eyes thea-pharmaceuticals.co.uk/...

Hylo- is a range of moisturising eye drops which is very popular and available from your pharmacy, or Amazon. (e.g. Hylocare, Hylofresh), or possibly prescription.

hylo.de/en/dry-eyes

hylo.de/en/products

Some attendees shared home remedies that helped them such as warm tea bags and cotton pads soaked in hot water with a bit of salt. Of course, always take extra precaution when applying anything to your eyes.

[pammi2]

you need to get Theoloz Due drops from your GP, I have dry eyes from RA these help these are like tears and can use as many times as yu want

[Green230461]

optician suggested hycosan drops which work for me. Seek professional advice eyes are precious 🥰

[STILL-I-RISE26]

make sure your otc eye drops are preservative free, right on the front of the box. I use the entire little pod for both eyes daily.

[springcross]

Hi Nana-8. I've tried many dry eye drops of different descriptions but I was told by a consultant at the Uveitis clinic to use Hylo-Forte drops four times a day, more if needed and it really has worked for me. Of course, I don't know if you can get these in the US but if you can, they're worth a try if nothing else is working. Hope you find something that works for you.

[Al1954]

Best drops are done with your own blood.Plasma rico en plaquetas in spanish .i have sjogrens and tried everything here and abroad and these very expensive solved my problem

[Nana-8 in reply to Al1954]

@Al1954-Yes my eye Dr gave this option but it is not covered by insurance in the US and cost 100.00 per month if used once daily. That’s steep for my budget right now. If my car was paid off.. I sure give it a whirl!

[Hodc]

I use celluvisc preservative free drops, xailin or hilo night gel. I have blepharitis too, and the blepharitis wipes at £9.99 are brilliant . I have an eyemask to help soothe, or a hot flannel. I have to get careful, as I am allergic to the preservatives in most eye drops. But even with all these things, i have flareups

[Jackie1947]

I'm prescribed HyLo tear drops preservative free. Works for me.

[Rupert2001]

Hi,

I have had dry eyes related to my RA for many years and have had 2 episodes of episcleritis of my left eye, the first one was when lacrilube ointment was not available for a few months and the second was during the pandemic when rheumatologist tried to reduce frequency of rituximab. Personally, I find that as long as I use Hylo night preservative free eye ointment before bed, my dryness is well controlled. I do have a supply of Hylo-Forte drops to use during the day but have rarely needed these, as long as I remember the ointment.

[Tired-fed-up]

I get the red hylo-forte drops on prescription. I still get dry eyes but I don’t get the pain.

[Wannabeabago]

My opthamologist says most people, even with RA or Sjögren’s Syndrome go to her and say that they have dry eyes. She asked them how many times a day they have to use drops and for the most part people might say 3-10 times plus a gel at night.

I have to put drops in roughly every 15 minutes and it’s not enough!!

I’ve tried everything.

I’m on patient tailored serum eye drops from donated blood products too.

It seems to be my lot in life.

Good luck.