Chronic posterior blepharitis - Help

I've been diagnosed with chronic posterior blepharitis and am running out of options to manage the redness. I have dry eyes during the night, however, the minute I wake up in the morning, the dryness goes away (but my eyes are still red). I do not feel discomfort during the day but my eyes turn red the moment I walk into ANY department store (which is strange). I don't know what is causing this redness. I also experience discomfort when I wake up in the middle of the night because my eyes are so dry. I do warm compresses before I go to bed and in the morning. I take omega-3 and flaxseed oil supplements (TheraTears product - designed especially for the eyes). There are veins (not the little ones) that seems to be growing more and more each month. I am eating a diet rich in fruit and vegetables. I don't know what's wrong with my eyes, I'm only 18 years old. Can anyone help?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Use the search option and archives to read the extensive discussions about dry eyes and blepharitis. You may need oral tetracycline for 3 months and restasis eye drops

JCH MD

[evolove]

I have discussed restasis eye drops with my optometrist and he told me that it wasn't a good idea. He also told me that he sees no signs of blepharitis and that it's probably allergies and gave me Opticrom to use (which were unsuccessful and stung my eyes and made them redder temporary -- as the side effect). He also said that the tear film over my eyes is very thin. I have called other ophthalmologists in the area and none are available to see me because they either a) don't accept new patients or b) specialize in treating cataracts only. My eyes don't look healthy at all and nobody knows exactly what is wrong as I'm getting mixed diagnosis from different doctors. :(

[evolove]

About my current treatment: warm compresses seem to dry my eyes out more than provide that soothing relief. They are not too hot or too cold, they are of perfect warm shower temperature. Eye drops such as GenTeal Artificial Tears, Similasan for Dry Eyes and Systane Ultra leave my eyes feeling drier 30 minutes after application. The overnight gels don't work either as I wake up with dry eyes and no sign of the gel residue whatsoever. I'm going to give TranquilEyes googles a try to create that humid chamber during the night -- hopefully that will work.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Okay well send your optometrist an e mail with your questions.

JCH MD