Rebound Hyperemia (Eye Redness)

A few years ago I started using Visine/clear eyes/opcon A to treat minor eye redness. I did not realize the harmful effects that these products had on your eyes, and I used them regularly for about 2-3 years. Now I am suffering from Rebound Hyperemia or Rebound effect. My eyes are bloodshot all the time unless I use these drops. Almost a month ago I stopped using the redness reliever drops cold turkey. Today, my eyes look a little better......but there are still red veins in my eyes. The red veins are still visible, but are not as red as they used to be. Is there any way to get rid of them completely.....or is there any way to get treatment to help my eyes return to the way they were before I started using these drops?

I also believe I have developed a dryness problem from these drops. My eyes are unbearably dry and scratchy feeling in the morning when I wake up. The only way I can get this to go away is with artificial tear drops. I find myself using artificial tears almost every 2-3 hours becuase my eyes burn very easily now. I find myself blinking more than normal now because my eyes start to burn after only a few seconds of not blinking. Does anyone know if theres help for this situation I have gotten myself into? Has anyone ever heard of a similiar situation? I have read that the best thing to do is to just stop using the redness relievers, but its been almost a month now since i've used them last, and my eyes are still red every day :(

[bryan9182]

I have read that prescription drops such as Lotemax can help eye redness and inflammation. Will these drops help me in my situatuation? I have an apt. with an eye doctor this upcoming tuesday, should I ask him about Lotemax?

Also, is it possible my eyes can be like this permanently? Is it possible that there is no treatment for my condition and that my eyes will not be able to return to normal?

[bryan9182]

anyone?

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

Rebound hypermia is not a condition that lasts months and months. if your eyes remain red there is likely another cause. Far and away the most common is dry eyes, followed by allergy followed by blepharitis followed by a number of others.


After you have had a complete medical exam by an Ophthalmologist you can discuss treatment.

JCH MD

[bryan9182]

It hasnt been months and months yet. It's been almost a month or maybe a whole month.

However, I do believe I have a slight case of dryness as well. Hopefully this eye doctor can help me out

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

Restasis would likely help if you're patient (3-4 months before starts to work). It is safe, reduces inflammation on the eye and improves tear quality and quantity.

JCH MD

[bryan9182]

I think I am going to try using no drops at all until my apt. with the doc in a week. I havent used my lubricant drops yet today and my eyes actually feel fine right now, but theres still redness in the corners of my eyes. I have a feeling the preservatives in the lubricant drops might be aggrivating them a little bit

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

Perservative artificial tears are widely available.

JCH MD

[bryan9182]

Yeah I know I can get preservative free ones, and I have before, but I found that I went through them very quickly. I used to have to use an entire box of the single use vials in a weeks time. It was bad, I was spending so much money on them it wasnt even worth it.

Like I said, im gonna try using nothing at all for a little while and see how that works....it's basically the only thing I havent tried yet (besides prescription drops obv.) Is there a chance that my eyes will be permanently red from the overuse of vasoconstrictors?

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

No

JCH MD