MS and Eyes

What is driving me nuts currently is dry and itching eyes. Having seen the Neuro-Ophthalmologist recently who prescribed ‘Trehapan’ which is far superior to Optrex (drops straight into the eye rather than spraying a mist onto the eyelids). Does not seem my GP can prescribe Trepapan, or similar, under the NHS so must be bought over the counter. Anyone else have had a similar problem with prescription medication to relieve MS symptoms?

Before you settle on “Dry Eyes”, also check out “Blepharitis” as well.

Dry eyes is a shortage of tears but blepharitis is a blocking of the oil ducts in the eye lids. Tears do the washing but the oil lubricates the eye / eyelid, so does at least as much to control soreness as do the tears.

The Trehapan product looks good - or you could try products by Hycosan which are in a clever bottle. You pump out a metered dose and it effectively leaves the remainder of the contents airtight. It means the bottle has an extended use life - longer than other brands. Out of a range of different products, I’ve settled on the Hycosan Dual, supplemented overnight by Night and occasionally Shield - the latter particularly on long drives. I think the staring / lower blink rate / brightness, coupled with the air con irritate the eye surface.

Neither the dry-eye or Blepharitis are anything to do with MS, they affect lots of people as they get older.

Graeme

Hiya pink pot,

Do you suffer with nerve damage to your head/ face? Trigeminal neuralgia, as I was miss diagnosed back in December 2023, Ive now got reduced blink reflex and a very poor corneal reflex, this in turn has left me with very dry eyes, photo sensitive to lights. Each time they tell me it’s migraines but I was finally diagnosed with Trigeminal neuralgia. I’ve had several relapses and suffer daily with dry eyes. I’ve had to buy eye drops and I can recommend hycosan for dry eye. They’re around 12 pounds but give good relief. You can buy from most supermarkets, I also believe super drug sell them as well. I hope these ease your discomfort.

Thanks for both comments with the helpful advice - will try what has been suggested which can be bought from Amazon so still raises the question why relief medication is not available by prescription on the NHS

Unfortunately I have a very dismissive doctor, and my first neurologist was also dismissive and they didn’t prescribe anything for my dry eyes. I’ve tried so many different eye drops and these are the only ones that give any kind of relief. Unfortunately my doctors won’t prescribe them for me so I have to buy them, but you could try your doctor, they may well prescribe them for you.