Dry eyes: Another quick question. Are dry eyes... - PMRGCAuk

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Dry eyes

Hughie1951 profile image
26 Replies

Another quick question. Are dry eyes associated with PMR? I’ve been advised to use over the counter drops for this. I’ve tried a few without much success. Any help with choosing what to try next would be very gratefully received.

Of course it could just be old age …….

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Hughie1951 profile image
Hughie1951
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26 Replies
Hughie1951 profile image
Hughie1951

Just found the related posts! Answer a lot of the questions.

What I really need is information on the drops people find to be most helpful. Going to get some flax seed oil and an eye mask hot compress!

Orla1968 profile image
Orla1968 in reply toHughie1951

I use Xalin Fresh eye drops daytime and Xalin preservative free ointment at night. I have this prescribed by GP for Graves Disease/Thyroid eye disease which I have had for 6 years. Diagnosed PMR 3 months ago and no dry eyes so hopefully Xalin will keep them under control.

SnazzyD profile image
SnazzyD

The big game changer for me, other than the Pred dose dropping was a thicker ointment for use at night as well as the day. Also bear in mind there is another autoimmune condition that does this so it’s worth knowing about and then parking at the back of the brain just in case it fits.

mayoclinic.org/diseases-con...

Hughie1951 profile image
Hughie1951 in reply toSnazzyD

Parked that, thank you!

Might I ask what thicker ointment you used? So many products out there I’ve got to the stage of looking for personal recommendations rather than Google blurb!

SnazzyD profile image
SnazzyD in reply toHughie1951

I can’t remember but a pharmacist or optician will tell you I’m sure. It was prescribed rather than sold to me. I had to put it on just before sleep because I couldn’t see for a bit, it’s too goopy. The watery ones were just like any such as Hypromellose.

Tahiri profile image
Tahiri in reply toHughie1951

Halo Night was prescribed by my Dr. and I find it helpful. I also use Clinitas preservative free eye drops.

Koalajane profile image
Koalajane

I use Hycosan extra recommended by my optician

Hughie1951 profile image
Hughie1951 in reply toKoalajane

Thank you.🙂

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply toKoalajane

So do I - not Pred nor GCA related. ..and “you know who” online do a subscribe and save if you use regularly. But expect you know that!

SheffieldJane profile image
SheffieldJane

I like Thealoz Duo preservative free dry eyedrops. I managed to persuade the GP to put them on my prescription. The ones they provided were a lot cheaper but didn’t help. My dry eyes coincided with my PMR diagnosis and Pred. Tocilizumab seems to give me prickly eyes - not Blepharitis according to one GP.

Koalajane profile image
Koalajane in reply toSheffieldJane

In my area GPS don’t prescribe eye drops

TheMoaningViolet profile image
TheMoaningViolet

Hi, I have developed a bit of blepharitis which came with a few chalazia on both eyes (lower lids only), which seem to have resolved after thankfully, but my dry eyes persist. It's not as bad as it was a couple of months ago when my eye lids felt like they were glued to my eyes in the evening and upon waking. When it started, I was on 3.5mg of Pred with no active PMR symptoms; I am currently reducing to 2.5mg and my eyes are significantly better. I use VisuXL which I love. My husband who is an ophthalmologist recommended them, but then he also said that I could try different brands and see which one I like best. The key is to use them a lot during the day, and whichever type you try make sure they are preservative free (also, keep them refrigerated).

Hughie1951 profile image
Hughie1951 in reply toTheMoaningViolet

An ophthalmologists opinion is good!

Nightingales profile image
Nightingales in reply toTheMoaningViolet

Thank you for the info. I was just about to purchase them but realised they have hyaluronic acid, which I am allergic too. I am going to try the gel, which doesn’t seem to have it. I would love to find something that I don’t feel I have to put in every five minutes.

Speedbuggy profile image
Speedbuggy

I use hylo-forte 0.2% preservative free which have a thick viscosity so don't run down your face. You can't usually get them from a gp because they are too expensive for the nhs. About £15 to £17 from a pharmacist. Don't buy off dodgy Internet sites, if the price is too good to be true they are usually fake

Trulyscrumpious profile image
Trulyscrumpious in reply toSpeedbuggy

I use hylo forte too. I get them on prescription because my finger muscles were too weak to squeeze the drops out of the first one she prescribed. Hylo forte has a very good method of pressing, which l can cope with. I didn’t realise it was so expensive!

Daffodilia profile image
Daffodilia

The optician told me it is PMR - I use Thealoz Duo - she said better as no additive if using long term - from Boots or Amazon Smile - the best I have used so far

Suffererc profile image
Suffererc

I use otc drops. Just any of them. Helps a bit

Viv54 profile image
Viv54

I have this problem, it could be the Pred in my case as i never had this before . i have one lot of drops prescribed for me and another they gave me that anyone can buy over the counter in a chemist its cheaper than at the Options ! Its called HYLO FORTE. Its wonderful very soothing best ive tried . Hope this helps Viv.

Mrsd12f profile image
Mrsd12f

I use Hycosan Dual which seems to work for me. I have Sjögren’s syndrome, in addition to PMR, so I use about 3-4 times a day. It’s usually recommended to use something that’s preservative-free.

Pixix profile image
Pixix

Hycodan, recommended by optician, but I also have blepharitis, & it’s more for that that I need it!

York54 profile image
York54

I suffer with dry eyes too , the eye hospital gave me Thealoz Duo drops and they have helped enormously .

PMRnewbie2017 profile image
PMRnewbie2017

Try Hypromellose drops, generic not branded available from your pharmacy and they shouldn't be very expensive. If you have a Home Bargains store locally they sell lubricating eye drops priced at 89p to 99p which I find effective.

Suet3942 profile image
Suet3942

I swear by Flaxseed oil capsules. Cold pressed. Take a few weeks to kick in but do work.

Hughie1951 profile image
Hughie1951

Thanks everyone. Gives me something to go on.

Croft9232 profile image
Croft9232 in reply toHughie1951

I too am plagued with them… My Rheumie said it’s an add on to PMR , he said mine were very very dry , sat with a type of blotting paper on the lower lids for 15 mins at the last f2f with him, the paper was bone dry! Anyway to help I use a flaxseeded mask from the Opticians wonderful and soothing, pop in the microwave for 40 secs. Also Preservative Free drops for the day and a gel for the night. On Prescription as was in my Report to GP from Rheumie. As I’ve reduced the Pred they are more bothersome, I have to consciously reduce screen time and I have adjusted the brightness on them.

Margaret.

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