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Suggest Treatment For Severe Dry Eye, Restasis And Swollen Eye

Posted on Fri, 12 Jun 2015

Question: I was told I have severe dry eye. I have been on restasis for 2 months. My eyelids are getting more swollen to the point where I look Chinese. My eyes burn, can't handle bright light, and they burn. They constantly leek and I get headaches in my eyes. Is this really dry eye?

Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
These symptoms indicate dry eyes.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to Health care Magic

I am Dr. Dadapeer K, an ophthalmologist and I will be answering your question.

I reviewed your history.
The symptoms mentioned by you in the form of swollen eye lids, burning of the eyes, sensitivity to bright light indicate dry eyes.
Restasis is used for treatment of dry eyes. I would add artificial tear drops like refresh tear drops along with restasis for better symptom relief. Check with your doctor.

Hence the symptoms you have mentioned and the treatment you are using are both for dry eyes.

Hope this answers your question and the information is helpful to you.

Thank you
With regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dadapeer K (34 minutes later)

After two months of being on restasis shouldn't I be be getting better not worse

Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes it should have responded but it will take time.

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thank you for the follow up question.

I reviewed your history.
Dry eyes is usually a chronic problem and takes time to respond to treatment.
Restasis also takes time to act with an average time of 6-8 weeks.

The concurrent use of artificial tears eye drops like Refresh tears will provide symptomatic relief.

If possible do send me a photo of the affected eye so that I can confirm the diagnosis and advice you accordingly.

Hope this information is helpful to you.

Thank you

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dadapeer K (5 hours later)

look at my right eye

Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
The photo is showing acute inflammatory symptoms which are rare in dry eyes

Detailed Answer:
Hello Madam

I reviewed the photo attached with the question.
The photo shows lid edema and signs of acute inflammation.

These acute inflammatory symptoms are unlikely to be seen in dry eyes.
This can be either because of secondary inflammation or because of reaction to Restasis.
Since I cannot perform clinical examination with the photo I would like to start with anti-inflammatory eye drops like Nepafenac eye drops and would like to stop Restasis eye drops till the symptoms are resolved.
Till then I would like to continue treatment with artificial tears eye drops for dry eyes.

Hence I would like to suggest you to discuss with your doctor regarding these aspects.

Hope this information is helpful to you.

Thank you

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta

Follow up: Dr. Dadapeer K (3 days later)

saw my eye dr today and she has no idea what's going on. she prescribed a steroid eye drop and to see her in a week. she says my tear ducts are not clogged. So confused

Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (52 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Steroid eye drops will treat your inflammation.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to Health care Magic

Thank you for the follow up question.

Steroid eye drops are essential and will be of help in your case to decrease the inflammation. These are more efficient then the anti-inflammatory eye drops which I mentioned in my previous answer.
However you need to be on regular follow up while using the steroid eye drops to avoid any of the steroid induced side effects.

Once the inflammation comes down with steroid eye drops you can go for reassessment or second opinion with another ophthalmologist.

Hope this answers your question.
Do write back to me for further questions.

Thank you
With regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar