Which Refresh eye drops for dry eye/also have glaucoma

Posted by pljauthor @pljauthor, Jun 22 9:21am

Hi, I'm on two types of drops for glaucoma, but I also have dry eye. Refresh has so many options. Which drops (OTC) have you found to work best and need less frequently?

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@wandagoode

At least once a day. It depends on how much sleep I get, if I am reading or on the computer too much, or if I am dealing with cold or wind. Usually I use Refresh two or three times a day. If I need to, I will use it two or three times an hour. You can use Refresh as often as you like. If your eyes are feeling dry and tired, put a drop in each eye. If they are really sore, you can flood the eye to get relief. Also, when it's sunny, I wear a good pair of fit-over sunglasses that also block light from the sides for protection. If any eye drop is irritating your eye, it's because of the preservative in the eye drop. Both of my eyes get dry because of medications I am taking. My left eye is typically more dry and irritated because of my eye medications. I try to keep this eye well lubricated.

Your situation might be different. I am dealing with dry mouth also. My dry eye issues might be worse for me than what you are experiencing. You will just have to experiment to see what works. If I am having an allergic reaction to my glaucoma drops, I will use GenTeal Gel for dry eyes. I think the Refresh gel drops would work too. Gel drops are thicker than normal artificial tears, so I generally use them at night just before I go to bed.

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Thank you for your input--very helpful!

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@wandagoode

At least once a day. It depends on how much sleep I get, if I am reading or on the computer too much, or if I am dealing with cold or wind. Usually I use Refresh two or three times a day. If I need to, I will use it two or three times an hour. You can use Refresh as often as you like. If your eyes are feeling dry and tired, put a drop in each eye. If they are really sore, you can flood the eye to get relief. Also, when it's sunny, I wear a good pair of fit-over sunglasses that also block light from the sides for protection. If any eye drop is irritating your eye, it's because of the preservative in the eye drop. Both of my eyes get dry because of medications I am taking. My left eye is typically more dry and irritated because of my eye medications. I try to keep this eye well lubricated.

Your situation might be different. I am dealing with dry mouth also. My dry eye issues might be worse for me than what you are experiencing. You will just have to experiment to see what works. If I am having an allergic reaction to my glaucoma drops, I will use GenTeal Gel for dry eyes. I think the Refresh gel drops would work too. Gel drops are thicker than normal artificial tears, so I generally use them at night just before I go to bed.

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@wandagoode you mentioned dry eyes and dry mouth, is your tongue white ? Have you been tested for Sjogren’s . I gave dry eyes ( I tore the tissue on one of my eyes) I also have a dry mouth and a white tongue, and a lot of times dry sinuses.

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I commented blow to @wandagoode with dry eyes do you have a dry mouth? White tongue? If so get tested for Sjogren’s I use refresh gel drops at night and Miebo prescription drops throughout the day

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@sbtheplumber1

@wandagoode you mentioned dry eyes and dry mouth, is your tongue white ? Have you been tested for Sjogren’s . I gave dry eyes ( I tore the tissue on one of my eyes) I also have a dry mouth and a white tongue, and a lot of times dry sinuses.

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Yes, all of the above. I will look into getting tested. Thanks!

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I have had glaucoma for many years and also dry eyes. My opthamologist recommends preservative free drops. Those with preservatives really irritate my eyes. I agree that Refresh has a wide variety. I use Refresh Liquigel lubricant eye gel and am pleased with it. Refresh also makes a salve in a small tube but it's best used at night when you keep your eyes closed because it makes your vision blurry. I really like the Refresh Liquigel for daytime use.

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I use Refresh tearsPF. They are preservative free. I have tried so many, but these work for me. I use 1drop in each eye 4x aday

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@betty41

I use Refresh tearsPF. They are preservative free. I have tried so many, but these work for me. I use 1drop in each eye 4x aday

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Thanks for your input. I finally ended up with something called Ivizia recommended by my glaucoma specialist.

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I like Systane Ultra PF(preservative free). No burning or stinging feeling). In the same type container as Restasis.

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I also like refresh pf digatal

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There seems to be about 5 or 6 different ingredients (components) to the whole mess of dry eye drop products. So, some products made by the same company just rename their product even tho the ingredients are the same and are at the very same concentration. I don't get that. They all seem to be priced about the same too, so I guess you go by what the label says the application is for (sleep versus daytime versus whatever) and which one your doctor says is the one to use. My optometrist said to try Refresh Optive Mega-3 Lubricant Eye drops enhanced with flax seed oil. The 3 basic ingredients that are repeated in many dry eye drop products are these: carboxymethylcellulose, glycerin, and poylsorbate. They don't even list the flaxseed oil. Then, Restasis (prescription only) contains one much different active ingredient which is cyclosporine. It also contains "inactives" which are glycerin, castor oil, and polysorbate 80, and a couple of other ingredients listed as inactives. So, I figure it's just confusing to know which ingredients are the most important. Worth researching more. I hate what appears to be a marketing scheme when they offer so many types which are the same with just different packaging and names.

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