Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Help for Dry, Painful Eyes

Thank you all for responding ! So many ideas and things to try, I am so thankful for your help ! This is my first time in a web forum "family " and I must say - every time I visit I come away MUCH smarter thanks to all the wealth of knowledge from everyone here -:) And I finally belong somewhere …yay !-:)
Thanks Everyone !

Drops weren't enough for me, so I was prescribed an oral med that really has been helpful called Salagen (in Canada, and bonus - is covered by most health plans).

My doc just started me on something called Oasis Tears, drops that don't seem to be sold at drugstores. I've only found three or four reviews of it online and it was a mixed reaction, so my expectations aren't too high. Like rumble, I find the baby shampoo rinse to be helpful with blepharitis.

It's disappointing to read that Restasis can take so long to work! Oncearunner, I hope you're finding some relief.

Thanks ! I have tried several and thus far the best drops seem to be Tears Naturale II and some homeopathic ones called Occuloheel. The lid scrubs seem to be helping somewhat but I may need a systemic medication since I still only get partial relief from topical. I will be asking about Restasis and Salagen for sure !
I think I may have ocular rosacea since I have all the symptoms so will have to ask about treatment when I get my next appointment …..seems to be one thing after another !

If you do have ocular rosacea, there are other treatments beyond dry eye medications. Antibiotics, both in drop and systemic form have shown to help. Years ago, tetracycline and doxycycline were the go to drug for ocular rosacea, but recently more studies into Rifaximin and small intestine bacterial overgrowth have shown periods of remission after doses as short as 10 days. (Complete remission was only seen in people who had a dx of SIBO, however, as this was a prerequisite for participation in the study.) Antibiotic drops have also shown dramatic results in treating dry eye as well.

Personally, I was given doxycycline when I was diagnosed with OR a number of years back, but I found it difficult to keep up with long term treatment (twice a day/stomach pain, etc). Be vigilant about finding out if you have OR and if you are a candidate for antibiotic therapy because it can easily flare into iritis/uveitis. If you do get to that point, I've found John/Dragonslayer's iritis protocol pretty helpful (along with professional medical care).

Salagen -

Side Effects of Salagen (Pilocarpine Hydrochloride) ...
www.rxlist.com › home › drugs az list
- Similar to Side Effects of Salagen (Pilocarpine Hydrochloride) ...
Find a comprehensive guide to possible side effects when taking Salagen ( Pilocarpine Hydrochloride) for Professionals, Patients, and Caregivers.

Please check out the side effects of Salagen / Pilocarpine. Can effect the vision...and please check out drug interactions -

Salagen - Side Effects, Dosage, Interactions - Drugs ...
www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/salagen - Similar to Salagen - Side Effects, Dosage, Interactions - Drugs ...
Salagen - Pilocarpine is an agent that affects the nervous system. Pilocarpine increases saliva secretion in the mouth. - Pilocarpine may cause changes in vision ...

hmmm I will wait til I see the opthamologist, but looks like I need to do more research ! I hope to find out soon cause it is really painful now ….last few days nothing is relieving that darn gritty feeling
Thanks for the info !

I was prescribed Salagen, used it for a while then...checked it out ! Ho-Hum. Stopped using it.

Suggest punctal plugs if eyes really very dry. They are terrific, very effective. Must get correct fit - one of mine fell out as fit was incorrect. Really worked a treat.

Could also try using coconut oil in the eyes. Also pure organic olive oil. Also any of the better artificial tears - the one with hypromellose is good. Ensure NO preservatives. Uni-dose capsules. Keep in fridge.

Thanks Molly
I will try the coconut oil too - I will have to ask the pharmacy to order some unidoses - the only ones they had were not preservative- free ….
I wonder if there has been any info on using colloidal silver ( as antibiotic drops ) ?? Dr Google has mixed information but since it is safe orally it might be worth a try ?
I will be bugging my opthamologist to see me re ruling out (or not ) Ocular Rosacea since I am now worried about corneal ulcers !

It's the preservatives, they are assuredly not helping!

Coilloidal Silver 'should' be OK. I use it as an antibacterial - but does not work for septic throat...

Be very careful of eyes.

Take care -