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 …….
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!
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.
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...
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!
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.
Halo Night was prescribed by my Dr. and I find it helpful. I also use Clinitas preservative free eye drops.
I use Hycosan extra recommended by my optician
Thank you.🙂
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!
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.
In my area GPS don’t prescribe eye drops
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).
An ophthalmologists opinion is good!
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.
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
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!
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
I use otc drops. Just any of them. Helps a bit
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.
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.
Hycodan, recommended by optician, but I also have blepharitis, & it’s more for that that I need it!
I suffer with dry eyes too , the eye hospital gave me Thealoz Duo drops and they have helped enormously .
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.
I swear by Flaxseed oil capsules. Cold pressed. Take a few weeks to kick in but do work.
Thanks everyone. Gives me something to go on.
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.
Eyes
PMR, Pred or my eyes?
Steroids and high eye pressure
