Cyclosporine Eye Drops for Dry Eye Relief

If you suffer from dry eyes, you may have heard of Restasis cyclosporine eye drops. Tests show that both generic cyclosporine eye drops and the name brand, Restasis, help your eyes to produce tears, something that simple saline eye drops don't do.

You may have dry eye syndrome and not realize it's an actual condition. You simply know that frequently your eyes water, feel like there's something in them or burn. It's ironic that watery eyes are a symptom of dry eye problems but it's also a reality. Your brain actually senses a problem with the eyes and it sends out fluid. However, in cases of chronic dry eye, the tears it sends doesn't have all the components contained in regular tears and the fluid dries to quickly causing the eye to send even more messages to the brain for tear production. It becomes a stinging painful cycle.

Your tears contain more than just water and saline. They also contain a lipid layer. This layer is oil that coats the eyelids to help provide a barrier that holds the fluid in the eye. This keeps moisture in the eye and helps prevent the eye from drying out.

There is also mucin, a mucous layer in the eye that coats the cornea. The mucous layer allows the distribution of the tears evenly. In addition, the eye produces the watery layer of tears that contains several proteins. Artificial tears may contain many of the same compounds but you must use them frequently, causing inconvenience and often don't keep the eye as protected as your own tears.

If you've had one or two experiences with watery stinging eyes, it might be environmental from too dry of air due to heating or air conditioning. Chronic dry eye is different. It occurs from a number of conditions.  Sometimes, medication causes chronic dry eye. Drugs for treating blood pressure such as diuretics can be the culprit. Antihistamines and decongestants also can create chronic dry eye problems, as well as antidepressants, birth control pills, pain relievers and acne medications.

The hormonal changes of menopause may cause dry eye problems just as certain health conditions can. If you have a vitamin A deficiency, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disorder, Sjorgren's syndrome, lupus or scleroderma, you could also suffer from chronic dry eye due to the problem.  Damage to your tear glands also creates the condition. LASIK surgery can even cause a decrease in tear production.

You'll find that cyclosporine in drop form can help you produce more tears. However, because it takes time to produce adequate amounts, you'll probably have to use artificial tears for as long as six months in addition to using the drops. Some side effects may occur. These include burning, itching and redness of the eye, heavy tearing, red eyes, pain in the eyes, an eye discharge, blurred vision or vision changes and a feeling that you have something in your eye. These symptoms often go away or are mild. However, if the side effects of the cyclosporine eye drops continue or are severe, contact your doctor.

 Cyclosporine eye drops - Generic Restsis