Xiidra (Lifitegrast ophthalmic solution) for dry eyes

Posted by sue225 @sue225, Jun 18, 2019

I am a longtime dry eye sufferer. Just received prescription for Xiidra. Interested to hear from Xiidra users and their experiences with this medication.

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Feels like something is in left eye, using xiidra drops BIB tobredex ointment, systane drops any suggestions opps warm compresses painful

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@ellen307

Feels like something is in left eye, using xiidra drops BIB tobredex ointment, systane drops any suggestions opps warm compresses painful

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Hi @ellen307, I moved your message to this existing discussion about dry eyes and Xiidra where you are in conversation with @annieoh @lioness @sue225 @wisfloj @susan2018 and others.

Is this feeling like something is in your left eye a new feeling? Have you tried cold compresses?

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@ellen307

Feels like something is in left eye, using xiidra drops BIB tobredex ointment, systane drops any suggestions opps warm compresses painful

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Might be a good idea to have your optometrist or opthalmologist examine your eye. Lots of pain in the eye may just come from the eye being very dry. Is tobredex a steroid? If so, it may reduce the inflammation and get rid of the pain. (How long have you been using it?). I keep putting off starting Xiidra but one of the side effects is stinging. Too hard to guess what the cause is. Phone your optometrist's (or opthalmologist's office. I find it very reassuring to have my eye looked at and to know that my eye pain is just pain and that there is no damage to my cornea.

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@sue225

The drops are in the medicine cabinet unopened. I was also given a script for Lotomax (a steroid) to take along with the Xiidra for the first two weeks. Right now I am dealing with another health problem and I dont feel motivated to start yet. Having had the bad experience with Restasis and having just read your message, I am feeling even less motivated.
I dont know what kind of dry eye problem. My eyes stopped producing enough tears about 40 years ago (Schirrmer's test). My first cousin has Sjogren's and there are other relatives with the dry eye problem and other autoimmune conditions. Will let you know if I begin using the Xiidra.

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I have been using Restasis for sbout12 years now. I find that it makes my eyes blurry after placing the meds in my eye. I think it comes from its make up an oily feel. I tried Xiidra a few weeks ago in a sample pack and it improved my eye sight over all. Only issue I had was most of the vials in that sample pack did not contain enough product. Some only had enough for 1 eye, Contacting them to let them know was even much more painful . 🙂 I am going to switch to Xiidra for a longer term and evaluate as needed. Good luck to all. Stay Safe.

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@azpowells

I have been using Restasis for sbout12 years now. I find that it makes my eyes blurry after placing the meds in my eye. I think it comes from its make up an oily feel. I tried Xiidra a few weeks ago in a sample pack and it improved my eye sight over all. Only issue I had was most of the vials in that sample pack did not contain enough product. Some only had enough for 1 eye, Contacting them to let them know was even much more painful . 🙂 I am going to switch to Xiidra for a longer term and evaluate as needed. Good luck to all. Stay Safe.

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@sue225 Hi Sue I just started Restasis and found my eyes water more I,ll have to notice the blurriness. Xaiidra is more expensive I,ll have to check with my Insurance about this Did you have teary eyes with Restasis?

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@sue225

Might be a good idea to have your optometrist or opthalmologist examine your eye. Lots of pain in the eye may just come from the eye being very dry. Is tobredex a steroid? If so, it may reduce the inflammation and get rid of the pain. (How long have you been using it?). I keep putting off starting Xiidra but one of the side effects is stinging. Too hard to guess what the cause is. Phone your optometrist's (or opthalmologist's office. I find it very reassuring to have my eye looked at and to know that my eye pain is just pain and that there is no damage to my cornea.

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@sue225 I also find Xiidra to be a better medication. To stop the stinging just keep the vials in the refrigerator. I also find that I get two doses out of one vial pretty easily. And finally, please do not scrape the vial edge across your eye. I tore my cornea and it was a pretty painful experience.

Sometimes I forget to read the pamphlet that comes with a medication so I miss the warnings. Good luck with doing it the right way. You would think I might know better at this age.

Be safe and protected from inner and outer harm.
Chris

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@artscaping

@sue225 I also find Xiidra to be a better medication. To stop the stinging just keep the vials in the refrigerator. I also find that I get two doses out of one vial pretty easily. And finally, please do not scrape the vial edge across your eye. I tore my cornea and it was a pretty painful experience.

Sometimes I forget to read the pamphlet that comes with a medication so I miss the warnings. Good luck with doing it the right way. You would think I might know better at this age.

Be safe and protected from inner and outer harm.
Chris

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@artscaping Ouch, I can feel that pain! Maybe I'll retrieve my script for Xiidra and give it a try. Thanks Chris.

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@lioness

@sue225 Hi Sue I just started Restasis and found my eyes water more I,ll have to notice the blurriness. Xaiidra is more expensive I,ll have to check with my Insurance about this Did you have teary eyes with Restasis?

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I had a fair bit of burning and stinging with Restasis that persisted for hours and hours. My normal level of discomfort was preferable. There was no way I could tolerate it long enough to see if it would have caused improvement. It takes a couple of months to know if it's working for you (or not).

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As Chris previously stated keep Restasis in refrigerator, the pain will eventually subside

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My degree of pain fell into the intolerable category. Apparently 15% of users cant tolerate Restasis. Maybe I will have better luck with chilled Xiidra.

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