Dry Eye S/O side effect?

[bassetgirl]

Started my 11th week on Sovaldi/Olysio today- for the past week I've been having a minor eye problem in one of my eyes. The eye will start burning and at other times it waters:I'm pretty sure it's not an allergy and I'm thinking it might be a dry eye condition. Since I've never experienced this before I'm wondering  if it's a side effect of the medication. I made an appointment with my eye doctor to check it out after I finish treatment, but in the meantime I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this.

[patra_]

I, too,suffer dry eyes,  My eye dr has been monitoring since cataract surgery in 2007.  He recommended Refresh or Systane (they even have an 'ultra' version).  They worked for 'normal' drynes and can be used as needed.

All that said, on one of the threads here in talking about the dehydration, dry skin, dry mouth,  dry eye issues, someone recommended IN ADDITION TO DRINKING LOTS AND LOTS OF WATER (a minimum of 1 oz of water per pound of body weight up to one half of your weight), they said they (s/he) said they had found relief for eyes with the O-T-C lubricating eye gel Genteal.  

Since my eye dr had stated that the dry eye problem can cause vision to worsen, seem distorted, etc., I tried the Genteal and it  DOES make a big difference.  I usually use it at bed time as vivion is blurry from the gel for a while, but several times, during the day, I have  used it, just stopping everything and sitting down to let it process, then vision clears up as do the symptoms.

Just a suggestion.Good luck and hang in there.  Pat

[bassetgirl]

I just found this statement while reading the linked article posted earlier today by Jimmy Mose on the" Fibrosis Stage Three Thread" on this forum: http://hepatitiscnewdrugresearch.com/chronic-hcv-symptoms.html
I will let my eye doctor know about this article when I see him, since from the statement,it seems like my Hep C and sudden Dry Eye may be related.

Visual Changes:
There are a number of visual changes that can accompany hepatitis C infection. You may find you are not seeing as clearly as you once did. Peripheral vision, that is, the ability to see things that are at the sides of your view, can also be diminished. Some people report seeing small specks called ‘floaters’ moving across their view. This can occur when the eyes are open or closed. Another symptom you may experience is dryness of the eyes, or feeling as if there is something scratchy in your eyes. All of these symptoms can come and go.  
- See more at: http://hepatitiscnewdrugresearch.com/chronic-hcv-symptoms.html#sthash.b3g4fDHC.dpuf

[WmoMitch]

Hope the sim/sof does everything it is supposed to do, and nothing that it isn't supposed to do.  SE can be perplexing and variable, but you may be onto something by considering dry eye disease (DED).  Though all the hepatologists and ophthy people I've talked with deny any link, there are sound studies that tie DED to hepatic fibrosis in general and to CHC in particular.  DED descended on me "out of the blue" years ago but in retrospect, I'll bet it was the liver disease.  As is pointed out in good forums such as the Dry Eye Zone, ophthalmologic exam often does not reveal much and patients have to try a lot of approaches.  I hope this is transient for you, but maybe remind your eye doc about the link.

[bassetgirl]

Thanks for your response! I've been drinking lots of water since I started 10 weeks ago.  Was just curious to see if anyone else has experienced this and if it might be a side effect of the medications. The only real side effect I've had with this treatment is fatigue, it's been a very easy ride.

[Dbzc2]

You need to be drinking a lot of water.  These drugs can dehydrate, or make you retain fluids in all the wrong places.  So try refresh eye drops and up the water. Also remember caffeine depletes, so you have to adjust for that.