Nobody? Guess the forum's a bit dead. =(

Dry eyes (conjunctivitis) are a very common side effect with isotretinoin therapy. As is customary with Accutane's side effect profile, conjunctivitis may be permanent in a minute population -- a risk that should have been weighed by you and your medical practitioner. It's important to note that the risk is just that -- minute, and incredibly rare; though it should be considered nonetheless, the poor rate of incidence alone should, at least in part, alleviate surrounding concerns.

Liberal use of moisturizing eye drops, religious application of a cream moisturizer (Cetaphil, CeraVe, and Complex 15 are all popular choices), regular use of a thick lib balm (I've heard good thing's about Burt's Bees), and the occasional ibuprofen (Advil being a popular brand name) for arthralgia/myalgia (joint/muscle pain) should combat the worst of isotretinoin's side effects.

Good luck with your course!

You should go back to the doctor or Derm if u have concern about your eyes. You can ask to reduce the dosage.

Sorry to confuse, appointment isn't till 9th but still want to weigh the risks/benefits. I like to think of myself as the average person who handles meds well but who knows...just wanted some opinions so thanks for the responses. I don't want permanent dry eyes but the acne sucks even worse.

...What did you use? I want to know more about this side effect. Did it stay permanent? is it common? My parents are concerned that my eyes coud permanently stay dry. Acne is tearing up my face but i don't want permanent problems like that.

Anyone has some experience/advice willing to share? I am very concerned.

 

The pharmacist picked out a eye drop for moisturising. It was great. I got what turned out to be an eye infection and I had to come off accutane for 10days while I used an antibiotic. Now, I am back on it and able to use the moisturiser for the eyes. Hopefully, you do not get an infection like I did. The family clinic doctor said my eye was ulcerated eye lids. She made it sound worse then it was but, she admitted she didn't have a clue what I was doing and suggested seeing the hospital for certainty. Accutane is no joke and the verdict is still out. I have no clue if the symptoms were accutane related. I had a fever, hyper tension (possibly), vomitting, chills, and flu like symptoms. Was accutane related? I don't know. I will be back on it tomorrow. There is a chance it is unrelated and the eye infection was from pesticides due to working out in the park or something.

Guys, dry, red eyes ARE TEMPORARY!! I have experienced it for myself. Redness goes away within 3-4 months (after you take the last pill). Just be patient! Eye-drops WON'T HELP, they don't do shit! You just need to WAIT!

Believe me, redness and itchiness WILL GO AWAY! I was so worried that I wouldn't have normal eyes, but THANKS GOD, it was temporary. Here is my dosage, I had only one treatment course of accutane:

6 month - 60 mg (20-20-20)

+1 month - 50 mg (20-20-10)

+16 days - 30 mg (20-10)

TOTAL: 6*30*60+1*30*50+16*30 = 12780 mg

CUMULATIVE DOSE: 12780 mg / 68 kg = 188! (120-150 is normal).

May God help you all!

I have dry eyes and sometimes red. I went to see an optometrist and she told me to use Systane eye drops 4 times a day. I also told my derm and she kept me at 60mg this month to see if anything worsens.

I am on day 15 and my eyes are red and dry. I use eyedrops sometimes, maybe once a day if I remember. It seems to help when I do use them. I should carry them in my purse!

I also notice my vision seems a little bit worse - especially at night.

Guys, dry, red eyes ARE TEMPORARY!! I have experienced it for myself. Redness goes away within 3-4 months (after you take the last pill). Just be patient! Eye-drops WON'T HELP, they don't do shit! You just need to WAIT!

Believe me, redness and itchiness WILL GO AWAY! I was so worried that I wouldn't have normal eyes, but THANKS GOD, it was temporary. Here is my dosage, I had only one treatment course of accutane:

6 month - 60 mg (20-20-20)

+1 month - 50 mg (20-20-10)

+16 days - 30 mg (20-10)

TOTAL: 6*30*60+1*30*50+16*30 = 12780 mg

CUMULATIVE DOSE: 12780 mg / 68 kg = 188! (120-150 is normal).

May God help you all!

 

xman..unfortunately, sometimes it is permanent..i was only on accutane for one month, and it wreaked havoc on my eyes, i was only on 40mg..i had to stop and 2 months later i am still dealing with dry red eyes..im on restasis now for a little over a month..they are scrip eye drops to get the meimobiam glands..the glands in your eyes functioniong normal again..unfortunately accutane doesnt discriminate against all oil glands..therefore it does attack all oil glands in your body, including the ones in your eyes..for most people ..yes, your eyes will go back to normal..but im just here to say, yes it can be permanent..just google it...and im not here to scare anybody, bc it is NOT a common side effect..i just happen to be one of the unlucky ones..i wish more than anything i cldve stayed on accutane..it was heartbreaking to come off it..i just want to say if anyone is experiencing eye problems while on accutane..dont ignore it..it really sucks not to be able to wear eye make up..to have to do hot compresses on your eyes twice a day..besides my skin regimen now..i have an exhausting eye regimen now..and once again i want to say, this is NOT a common side effect..and most of the time the eyes do go back to normal..its just when i saw this topic it really hit home and wanted to share my experience..im not here to bad mouth accutane in anyway bc i wish i cldve finished my course and its truly been a miracle drug for so many..

Guys, dry, red eyes ARE TEMPORARY!! I have experienced it for myself. Redness goes away within 3-4 months (after you take the last pill). Just be patient! Eye-drops WON'T HELP, they don't do shit! You just need to WAIT!

Believe me, redness and itchiness WILL GO AWAY! I was so worried that I wouldn't have normal eyes, but THANKS GOD, it was temporary. Here is my dosage, I had only one treatment course of accutane:

6 month - 60 mg (20-20-20)

+1 month - 50 mg (20-20-10)

+16 days - 30 mg (20-10)

TOTAL: 6*30*60+1*30*50+16*30 = 12780 mg

CUMULATIVE DOSE: 12780 mg / 68 kg = 188! (120-150 is normal).

May God help you all!

 

xman..unfortunately, sometimes it is permanent..i was only on accutane for one month, and it wreaked havoc on my eyes, i was only on 40mg..i had to stop and 2 months later i am still dealing with dry red eyes..im on restasis now for a little over a month..they are scrip eye drops to get the meimobiam glands..the glands in your eyes functioniong normal again..unfortunately accutane doesnt discriminate against all oil glands..therefore it does attack all oil glands in your body, including the ones in your eyes..for most people ..yes, your eyes will go back to normal..but im just here to say, yes it can be permanent..just google it...and im not here to scare anybody, bc it is NOT a common side effect..i just happen to be one of the unlucky ones..i wish more than anything i cldve stayed on accutane..it was heartbreaking to come off it..i just want to say if anyone is experiencing eye problems while on accutane..dont ignore it..it really sucks not to be able to wear eye make up..to have to do hot compresses on your eyes twice a day..besides my skin regimen now..i have an exhausting eye regimen now..and once again i want to say, this is NOT a common side effect..and most of the time the eyes do go back to normal..its just when i saw this topic it really hit home and wanted to share my experience..im not here to bad mouth accutane in anyway bc i wish i cldve finished my course and its truly been a miracle drug for so many..

 

I am sorry it is happening to you now. May God help you and heal your disease. I myself had red, dry eyes for almost 10 months (while on accutane 6 months + post-accutane 3-4 months)! My eyes started to become red and dry approximately after 2 months I first took the pill.

One KEY thing I forgot to mention is that my doctor prescribed my an additional medicine - Ursodiol (Ursosan). She said it minimizes the side effects of accutane! It kinda keeps your liver safe and clean! So you might wanna ask you doctor about it, maybe it is gonna help.

I will post here my dosage of Ursosan, it may be helpful for somebody:

Ursosan 1 capsule/pill morning + 1 capsule/pill evening = 2 capsules a day x ( 8 months while on accutane + 3 months post accutane (to clean the body from various toxins)) = 2 capsules x 11 months