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?
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.