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Does Restasis stop working?
I have used Restasis for a year now and, while it did start working well after I had used it for about four months, it stopped working about three months ago. The dry eye is terribly uncomfortable, makes my vision blurry, and causes eye pain, redness and bad discomfort in general, and OTC lubricating drops don't help. I have cataracts and holes in my retinas in both eyes. One ophthalmologist said I should have the cataracts removed, and another one said it would make my dry eyes worse, partly because of the RK surgery I had about 25 years ago (I'm now 67). And they both said surgery cannot be done on the retinal holes. My vision has gotten worse over the past few months, so I don't know what to do, or which doctor's advice to take. I don't know if it's related, but I also have a very dry mouth much of the time, but that may be due to the meds I take for pain management for Interstitial Cystitis with Hunners Ulcers and lower back pain. I've been on these meds since 1999. But since the Restasis worked for a few months before it stopped working, I don't see the meds being the cause of the Restasis no longer working. I just got new glasses a few months ago, but they aren't helping as much as they did at first. It feels like they are too strong, but it took three tries just to get them even to this level (I am far sighted in one eye, near sighted in the other, and have astigmatism). What can I do, or what could be done to give me some relief and better vision?
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MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
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Thank you so much for your reply! You gave me some very useful information, and I will definitely ask my doctor about trying me on the meds you suggested. I am a bit confused on something though; you stated that I need to see an MD ophthalmologist. Are all ophthalmologists not MDs? My cataracts were diagnosed by an optometrist, who is not an MD, so she referred me to the first ophthalmologist I saw,who was the one who diagnosed the holes in my retinas, and who advised me to have my cataracts removed. And the second one I saw is the one who told me that having the cataracts removed would make my dry eye even worse, is an ophthalmologist, too. They both have "MD" after their names, so is there another kind of doctor I need to see?
Also, apropos to your statement that I need to have lab work done to test for Sjogren's Syndrome, my daughter's degree is in Clinical Laboratory Science, and she has told me several times that she believes I need to be tested for it, too, especially since I have other symptoms which indicate I may actually have it.
Again, thank you so much for your excellent advice, which actually gives me hope now that I can get some much needed relief.
Sincerely,
Joyce
Also, apropos to your statement that I need to have lab work done to test for Sjogren's Syndrome, my daughter's degree is in Clinical Laboratory Science, and she has told me several times that she believes I need to be tested for it, too, especially since I have other symptoms which indicate I may actually have it.
Again, thank you so much for your excellent advice, which actually gives me hope now that I can get some much needed relief.
Sincerely,
Joyce
In this forum and in general people often say they saw an 'eye doctor'. That does not say whether they saw a non-physician optometrist or an ophthalmologist. Opthalmologists will have either a MD or Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) degree. People often confuse optom with ophthalmologist. Saying Eye MD is something the American Academy of Ophthalmology has been doing for quite some time. Ophthalmologist often take additional training (Fellowships) in one of the many fields in Ophthalmology: Pedicatrics, Glaucoma, Neuro-ophthalmology, Retina-Viteous, Cornea-External Disease, Refractive Surgery. I would stronly suggest you see an Opthalmologist that has additional training and specializes in retina/vitreous. That Eye MD woul look at your retina holes and tell you whether they need treating and do special tests not done in a general medical eye exam. You could also ask which ever Eye MD you have the most confidence in to refer you to a retinal specialist. And do get the tests for Sjorgren's Syndrome.
Thank you so much for your excellent advice!
You are welcome and thanks for saying thanks. 95% of the posters don't.
I apologize for my late reply, but have been traveling back and forth with my husband to MD Anderson for his cancer surgeries, so I haven't kept up with my email. But after reading your comment about most people don't thank you (and other doctors) for your advice is inexcusable of them! Those of you who care enough to give your own time to help and advise others here most definitely deserve to be shown the decency and common courtesy of a "Thank you". And I very sincerely thank you for your excellent advice to me.
Thanks and best of all possible outcomes with your husbands health problem. MD Anderson is fabulous, they treated one of my relatives successfully that had been told in his community was 'hopeless'
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DRY EYE: 1. since you also have dry mouth, you need to be seeing an MD ophthalmologist. Ask them to do blood tests to be sure you do not have Sjorgren's Syndrome (often very dry mouth and eye) 2. Ask about switching to Cequa. There are 3 meds in the drugs that work like Restasis, The other 2 are Xiidra, which I have not found useful at all, and Cequa which is the same med in restasis (cyclosproin) but twice the amount and on a patented carrier that moves it deeper into the cornea. It will be more expensive as not as much med in the vial and cost usually higher than restasis. VISION: If you vision was down due to dry eyes it would clear after blinking or when you put a high quality lubriacant in the eye like Blink. There is a new type of intraocular lens out called a Light Adjusted Lens that works well in our practice for people with previous RK which leaves scars and an irregular surface on the cornea. Many surgeons are just learning to do this. Find one that has done 50 more more.