Cequa and Burning: What Users Say

• Dry...
• December 20, 2020

For Dry Eye Disease "I was on Restasis for over 10 years, which allowed me to manage my dry eye syndrome. Once I went through menopause, it was like my whole system changed, and the Restasis no longer worked. I then tried Xiidra for maybe a year or so, which also did not work. I was just getting ready to start the autologous tears when my eye doctor said a new drug had been FDA approved a week before and to give that a try. I have been on Cequa ever since, and my dry eyes have been the best they have been for many years. I am extremely happy with it. I have no burning, and I get multiple drops out of each vial. I hated Xiidra because it left an oily film, I guess, on my eyes and affected my vision, and also left a very strange metallic taste in my mouth. I have severe dry eye syndrome. At one point, I had an attack that was so bad I lay on my bed and screamed for 24 hours. So, I can't even begin to tell you how grateful I am for Cequa. I also use an external spray on my eyes twice a day."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 14, 2021

For Dry Eye Disease "I used Xiidra for about a year, and it seemed to help somewhat, but I could not justify the cost versus benefits. I just tried Cequa. It cost about $67 out of pocket. It made my eyes so much worse. I used it for a few days, thinking that maybe it would take a while to experience results, but I had constant burning and red eyes from it. It’s terrible to try to get through a workday with burning eyes. It’s difficult to focus mentally when all you want to do is lie down and close your eyes with a hot compress on them. Sadly, Cequa did not work for me."

• Sum...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 21, 2020

For Dry Eye Disease "Just started using Cequa about 1 week ago. My doctor told me to expect burning, which I have, especially at night. I had begun to notice less or no burning in the morning, which did not surprise me. I thought my eyes were closed and less subject to drying. I also noticed the closer I kept to the 12 hours between drops, the less burning, tearing, and running nose I experienced. Also, I have noticed every application I have a slight headache over my left eye. Nothing really painful and doesn’t last very long... maybe 15 minutes. After the burning and excessive tearing stops, my vision is very comfortable all day. There is more burning at night, but again, I think that is from my eyes being open and more subject to drying. I have to say I don’t like putting something in my eyes that makes them burn and water. I have samples to try, so the vote is still out on long-term use."

• Tee...
• March 4, 2020

For Dry Eye Disease "I was given Cequa to use after I stopped using Restasis because it burned/stung every time I used it. I don't really see any difference. The Cequa stings and causes my eyes to water all night long, making my nose run as well. Lately, my vision seems to have gotten really blurry, and I am wondering if this is some reaction to the Cequa. My eye doctor told me to stop using it for now."

• Jea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 3, 2021

For Dry Eye Disease "I used Restasis for a year, and it worked great. It did burn my eyes after putting drops in, but it was only about 2/3 min of burning pain that made my eyes bloodshot and tear. After a year, I didn’t need the drops anymore, but then I got the COVID vaccine, and it flared my dry eyes up immediately. Probably within the week of getting the shot, my dry eye was worse than ever. My dr told me to try Cequa. I have been using Cequa for a month, and the burning after putting the drop in my eyes at night is much more intense than Restasis ever was. I am going back to my dr to see if I should stop, but I’m willing to continue for a month or so to see if the burning gets any better. Maybe Restasis was better for me, but I guess everyone needs to just try and see what works best for them. Hope this review helps."

• RHG...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 24, 2020

For Dry Eye Disease "Used Restasis, but MD didn't see remarkable difference, so recommended Cequa. Could not tolerate drug at all. Immediate pain upon putting eye drops in, extreme redness and burning. Received coupon for one month supply, so there were no out-of-pocket expenses. Never went through the insurance process to see if drug would have been covered."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 31, 2021

For Dry Eye Disease "Was given Cequa for my dry eyes. Have been getting plugs, but haven't worked as well as I had hoped. Dr. gave me samples of Cequa to try. I have used it for about 3 weeks. I knew that they might burn at first. I really wanted them to work. So I was very diligent about 2x a day every 12 hrs. My eyes burn so bad still. I either have pain from the burning or my dry eyes. The burning seems to lessen about an hour or so before it's time for the next drops. I tried Restasis, but it didn't work for me either. I guess I will need to just stick with my Refresh Tears. They don't work very long, but they don't burn. 1 kind of pain is better than 2."

• Dar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 25, 2022

For Dry Eye Disease "I have dry eyes after Lasik surgery. This makes my eyes twitch. My ophthalmologist was so excited to prescribe Cequa to me because my insurance covered it... WHY?... $2,000.00!!!! For a prescription... of eyedrops... For $2,000, these drops better have stem cells and give me perfect vision! But, alas, that was not the case. POSITIVES: 1. No propylene glycol or polyethylene glycol 2. Smoother than regular eye drops 3. Only takes a drop or two in each eye per dose NEGATIVES: 1. Individual uses a. I either poke myself in the eye or miss my eye completely b. More than 4 drops are in each vial and are one-time uses, therefore, a lot of waste 2. They burn in the early uses until your eyes either get used to them or are less dry 3. It makes the eyelid twitch! Nowhere does it say this is a warning or side effect. It started out barely noticeable, but by week 3, my left eye was constantly twitching all day long. Stopped using drops and the twitch is gone."

• Dot...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 4, 2021

For Dry Eye Disease "I have dry eyes for many years, but the last 5 have been the worse. Burning and blurry eyes. I started the Cequa treatment 3 months ago, what an amazing difference. I use a lot fewer eye drops, no more burning eyes, and my vision is clear. But now I changed jobs, and my insurance does not cover this very expensive medication."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 6, 2022

For Dry Eye Disease "I do not like Cequa. Many people may think this is odd since it’s an eye drop, but it’s worsened my tachycardia, and I have difficulty urinating in the morning. The pain and burning in my eyes is so bad with the use of this, and it hasn’t gotten better. I am not using it anymore - not worth how expensive it is."

• KMS...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 11, 2021

For Dry Eye Disease "I was using Restasis for a year, and it was great. Expensive, but it worked. Retired and went to husband's insurance, which wouldn’t cover it. Was prescribed Cequa and have been using it for 8 months, and it’s not working for me. So disappointed. Eyes burn and are red again. Very little relief. Back to using artificial tears again in between Cequa applications. Wish I could get back to Restasis again."

• Bur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 21, 2023

For Dry Eye Disease "I have been on this eye treatment for a few weeks. It's causing my eyes to feel like they are burning, they constantly run and are red. I am going to my eye specialist in a few days, and I will tell him I am not using them again. They are also expensive at $85."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 4, 2022

For Dry Eye Disease "I started Cequa about 9 months ago, and it seems that my dry eye is worse. I kept at it for the full 9 months, hoping things would improve. But my eyes feel very gritty at night, almost like I have sand under my eyelids, and the burning after instilling the drops is not pleasant. I stopped the Cequa for about a week, and the burning and gritty feeling went away. So I guess the Cequa drops do not work for my dry eye and made things worse. I would rather have some dry eyes but not the burning and gritty feeling - the gritty feeling would wake me up and keep me awake all night, and nothing would help."

• but...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 2, 2022

For Dry Eye Disease "Dr. tried me on Cequa after another drug burned severely. Seems as though these do not burn, but after about 6 hours, my eyes start to feel as if there was grit in my eyes. Stopped using, as insurance won't cover. Expense out of pocket was extreme."

• Lor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 16, 2024

For Dry Eye Disease "It is working great for my dry eyes. No burning. My doctor told me to keep it in the refrigerator and use drops cold would keep it from burning. He was right. You do have to administer right away after removing from the refrigerator."

• Zoe...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 26, 2024

For Dry Eye Disease "I have used Cequa for over a year, and it was a miracle drug. I was told (and they were correct) that it would take 3 months for it to work. I had tried other options (Xiidra and something else) and had no relief for my terrible dry eye. It felt awful waiting for the 3 months. I will say, once it started working, it was great. I had much less issue, although nothing has been as good as before I had dry eye. It has always burned when I apply it. Some days, it can be pretty excruciating, but I realize 10-15 minutes of it compared to my dry eye all day makes it worth it. My doctor suggested putting it in the fridge, which I do, but that is minimally helpful. What does help is putting regular eye drops (Systane, in my case) in first, then about a minute later, putting the Cequa in. That really seems to lessen the sting. My only concern now is it's been a year and a half and it seems to have stopped working. I am really upset since the dry eye is terrible again. Not sure if that's normal."

• Pip...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 5, 2024

For Dry Eye Disease "One drop per eye, 12 hr apart. Easy to use. Initial combination with low steroid drops four times a day for the first month that I’ve had before for allergies. Only a few days in and the first day seemed great. Game changer. I’ve started to get blurry vision and it does sting/burn. I am also getting some headaches, which I don’t know if they’re connected. Will check back in with the optometrist."

• BGG...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 16, 2025

For Dry Eye Disease "Just been provided with a 3-month sample from the optometrist. Did not want to take OTC options, noting prevalent issues/recalls. Condition had worsened since the last exam two years ago. Packaging is a little confusing for dosage, with a significant amount left after treatment - had to confirm dosing. Burning after the first application, approximately twenty minutes after. Eyes feel 'oily' - probably just the eyelid movement being eased by the drops, but no discharge and no burning on the second dose. LIMITED exposure to two dosages and understanding not really known if beneficial for three months. Just the timing of this survey. Uncertain on most questions below. Send survey in three months."

• Deb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 1, 2023

For Dry Eye Disease "Been using it for 3 months. No change yet with severe dry eye. It burns my eyes for 30 minutes or so every time I use it. I dread using it twice a day."

• NYC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 18, 2021

For Dry Eye Disease "Using for 3 months. The burning comes and goes all day. Makes my nose run. My Dr says keep using, but I’m ready to stop."

• LJM...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 21, 2025

For Dry Eye Disease "I immediately experienced headaches, eye irritation, some burning after applied. It does help to refrigerate drops. Feels good on my eye."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2025

For Dry Eye Disease "It burns my eyes really badly. I feel like it's reduced my vision, rather than produce more tears, except while my eyes are burning."

• Mur...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 13, 2022

For Dry Eye Disease "Sometimes my eyes burn after administering the eye drops, but it works controlling my dry eyes. One drop in each eye. Easy to use."