Lifitegrast ophthalmic and Blurred Vision: What Users Say (Page 2)

• lio...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2017

"I administered these drops twice a day for 2 days. I experienced the stinging, blurriness, and metallic taste in my mouth, but that went away after about 20 minutes. On the third day, it left my right eye so, so blurred. Again, blurriness is a side effect, but it did not go away. I am on day 4, and I can't see out of my right eye. It's extremely blurry and scary, seeing as I've had both my eyes for all my life. The doctor said it's an allergic reaction and gave me artificial tears to 'flush out' the Xiidra. Basically, it's a waiting game on my vision to come back. I will be in and out of my doctor's office until I get some improvement. I guess just beware and see if there's anything milder to try first."

• Sue...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 7, 2017

"At my annual eye appointment, my Dr. officially diagnosed dry eye. I used Xiidra for a total of 5 weeks. It began providing relief to my dry eye symptoms within a week of applying 1 drop in each eye daily. It burned on initial use, but within 2 weeks, the burning subsided. I did have blurry vision for about 15 minutes, burning, and a bad taste in my mouth. All of these symptoms did not seem that bad. But I did have a serious reaction that I feel is caused by Xiidra. Within four days, I experienced a total vitreous detachment in one eye (floaters) and elevated eye pressures in both eyes. I'm in my 40s and have no history of glaucoma. After discontinuing Xiidra, my eye pressure returned to normal within 3 weeks, and I've learned to ignore the floaters."

• Ker...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 12, 2019

For Dry Eye Disease "I've been using Xiidra for a full 30 days now, and I seem to notice a difference. My eyes were so terrible that I couldn't read at night, which is my favorite thing. They hurt so bad that I could only stand about 15 minutes. I haven't noticed that problem anymore. I use the drops in the morning and at night. The only side effects I've experienced are the blurry, itchy eyes right after insertion (this only lasts for about 10 minutes) and the awful taste in my mouth. It's kind of like when I use nasal spray and it drains down the back of my throat. To me, it's well worth it. The only time I've experienced pain is when I forgot to take them one night and was about 6 hours late on my dosage."

• haw...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 17, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "Restasis had no effect other than stinging/burning and using my money. Within a couple of days using Xiidra, I noticed a difference. I did experience the blurry vision, bad taste/drainage down the back of my throat, minimal burning, white (almost fluorescent-like) discharge. However, I was using almost no daily lubricant eye drops, and things were improving so much that I now use Xiidra only before going to bed. Stinging is minimal now, I rarely need eye drops at work, but still have some of the bad taste down my throat, which I alleviate with a soft drink/juice, but totally worth it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 16, 2019

For Dry Eye Disease "I had been using Restasis for dry eye for several years, and then my insurance decided not to cover Restasis. The insurance company recommended Xiidra, and my doctor prescribed it. I had no problems with Restasis, and it worked well for me. Now, after using Xiidra for two months, my vision is extremely blurry for at least an hour after using it, and sometimes the sides of my eyes get a bit crusty. I do not recommend Xiidra if another medication is available. It is really an inconvenience to use Xiidra."

• Bar...
• January 30, 2019

For Dry Eye Disease "I was recently prescribed this medication for severe dry eyes. Within 5 days of use, my eyes are totally bright red, blurry, and burning all day long... no relief. I initially planned to use it for 2 weeks, but I will call my doctor tomorrow and request something different! I can’t tolerate this medication even for one week!!"

• Joa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 30, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "I was on Restasis for over 10 years, and my new insurance refused to continue to pay for it. Without any eye drop, I felt like there was always sand in my eyes, and making tears was nonexistent. They would pay for Xiidra, so I tried it. I also take fish oil and flaxseed oil, as well as using Thera-Tears. When any eye drops are stored in the refrigerator, the burning is less. I tried Xiidra for 2 weeks, and the side effects were too much for me to continue. The burning was too much from Xiidra, and I can only say it was like perhaps battery acid. I had 3 hours of blurry vision after using Xiidra, and the taste was horrible. I cannot use Xiidra and only wish I could go back to Restasis. My eyesight is everything to me, and I will not risk these side effects because I do not know what would happen long term."

• Eni...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 21, 2019

For Dry Eye Disease "Using Xiidra, I get a side effect of blurred vision about 1 hour after using the drops. Slightly bad taste on the back of my throat, but not so bad. My vision is better in my affected eye. 3 weeks using this medication."

• Meg...
• June 3, 2017

"I have inflammation and severe dry eye, and I have been using Xiidra for just under two weeks. I have been instructed to only wear my glasses for the first two weeks, so I haven't noticed much improvement. I go back to the eye doctor in two days to see if Xiidra is working for me. I have to use the drops once in the morning and once at night, and I have noticed the drops don't burn at all first thing in the morning. But the evening use of them burns like crazy! I'm on day 12, and this burning in the evenings is not letting up! I really hope it gets better and less painful to use the drops. I definitely experience the blurred vision after the drops and a little bit of a taste in my mouth. No nausea or headaches."

• Poo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 3, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "I had been on Restasis for years with no problems. My Dr. gave me a pamphlet, which I was supposed to get the Xiidra free the 1st month, then $10.00 thereafter. Didn't work. It cost me $95.00. I've used it for over 3 months, and my eyes stay blurred for up to an hour after instilling. Upon initial application, they burn, and the taste is horrible. My vision, after stopping this, is now much more blurred and worse than when I started. I'm glad from the reviews since people have good results; however, I would not recommend it from my experience. Now I'm stuck with an expensive product I can't use or get a refund!"

• myd...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 12, 2017

"I've been using Xiidra for 2 months. It began working immediately. It burned a little on initial use, but that has subsided. I do have blurry vision for approx 15-20 minutes and sometimes watery eyes lasting longer. I also had inflammation in my eyes and blepharitis. I clean my eyes every night with baby shampoo. The inflammation has cleared up. I also use lubricating drops during the day, which were not enough before I started on Xiidra. My eye doctor told me about the burning, itching, and bad taste, which does not affect me badly enough to worry about it. I think it's worth trying this medicine, don't give up right away as some of these side effects go away with use."

• RLa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 18, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "In preparation for Lasix surgery, I was prescribed Xiidra. My instructions were to take two drops per day... 12 hours apart for two weeks leading up to surgery and then afterward until the doctor was satisfied with healing. After taking two doses (4 drops total), I was nauseated, had slight diarrhea, had a terrible taste in my mouth, and had blurry, starry vision in one eye. After taking an additional dose (2 more drops), I went to bed and woke up vomiting with severe diarrhea. I took one more dose in the morning (2 additional drops), and continued to have severe diarrhea. I stopped the drops and called my doctor. I did not take any more drops... and had diarrhea for two more days... 72 hours total! I am four days out from the onset of all the symptoms and still feel nauseous. Clearly, this medication did not work for me."

• Yuk...
• April 6, 2017

"I used Restasis for several years, and it worked. My insurance stopped covering it, which forced me to switch to Xiidra, which they do cover. Xiidra doesn't work well and is very gooey. Makes my vision blurry for up to an hour and irritates my sinuses due to the viscousness. I think it's a placebo and a marketing scam. Does not work well. Insurance should stop practicing medicine."

• BHE...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 2, 2017

"I have been using Xiidra for about a month for chronic dry eye disease and chronic keratoconjunctivitis. I also use a steroid twice a day. The burning sensation when I first started using this has gone. I still get a little blurry vision after using, it lasts about 10 minutes. I still get the weird taste, it also lasts about 10 minutes. Overall, I'm pretty happy with the results I've had so far."

• aha...
• March 28, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "In addition to the side effects noted in these other posts-the stinging, the gooey AM discharge, the blurriness, the irritation to my throat and larynx, the cough, the inappropriate tearing on one side only, I've also experienced significant changes to my voice (a potential disaster for a singer/voice actor). When I mentioned this to my physician and expressed concern that my symptoms were beginning to mimic those of two friends who had died of esophageal cancer-and wondered aloud if the T-cell inhibitors might be going systemic-she suggested I quit and see if I noticed a difference. Five days later I am up at 3 AM with the most distressing itchy, aching, coughing, post-nasal drip I've ever experienced in my life. Unable to sleep, I came to this site to see if this might be a common withdrawal symptom or if the awful sensation in the back of my throat is just a coincidence. (I've not had a cold in decades, and my nasal tissues are not affected.)"

• Dot...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 14, 2017

"I find Xiidra very effective. My vision is briefly blurred for about 15 minutes after use, but I just plan accordingly. The biggest problem I have with Xiidra is that the delivery mechanism is difficult to use. The drops are difficult to get out, and if you shake the vial between drops, a drop comes out and is wasted. I used to use Restasis. While Xiidra is more effective for me, the Restasis vial had a far superior delivery. Perhaps the Xiidra vial opening should be slightly larger."

• Moe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 30, 2019

For Dry Eye Disease "I was prescribed Xiidra for apparent dry eye (although I'm not convinced that's what I have, as my only symptom is severe blurred vision in one eye). Anyway, this may just have been a fluke, but after a few days of using Xiidra, I noticed immediate resolve. This lasted for about a week until my eyes went right back to their usual, blurry state. So I don't really know if this medication was actually helpful or not, or if my eye just happened to have a good few days. Either way, I'll continue using it and give it more of a chance."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "I used Xiidra for the first time last night, and my eyes hurt so much because of the sting. My vision was blurry, and in general, I went to sleep with a very uncomfortable feeling. When I woke up this morning, both eyes were red and stingy. I applied again this morning, and it was very bad. I am afraid that if I continue using it, it could damage my eyes. I will not continue, and will continue with Restasis. Better safe than sorry. It was really painful to apply Xiidra."

• Fed...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 15, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "I have tried every dry eye treatment in the book - artificial tears, nightly warm soaks, coconut oil, Restasis, punctal plug lasering, etc. I agreed to try Xiidra, even after reading the terrible reviews, because I was desperate. I lasted 1 month - the amount of time my eye doctor said it would take to kick in. Every time I inserted the drops, my eyes burned. The morning drops caused white discharge in my eyes, but the night drops did not cause this. I experience blurry vision - to be expected on an eye drop for short periods of time. I also had a metallic taste in my mouth every time I used the drops - also an expected side effect. My dry eye did not improve, and it actually got even worse by the end of 1 month. My eyes are now permanently red and feel swollen and painfully dry. I was stubborn and opted to stay on this drug for the full month, in hopes that eventually it would 'kick in' and improve my condition. I just hope my eyes can recover."

• Dee...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 17, 2019

For Dry Eye Disease "I've been using Xiidra for over a year because it does help. Yes, it still burns sometimes, but it is bearable. The side effect I most suffer from is blurred vision. Not just for a while after applying, but all the time. I have had exams and consults with both ophthalmologists and optometrists. There seems to be no solution. I stopped using Xiidra, and the blurry vision went away, but the dry burning irritation returned very fast. So I'm at a loss at this point. Do I pay another $600, or become a slave to lubricants and Opcon A, which I sometimes use along with Xiidra for redness and itchiness."

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 26, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "I have - at the age of 64 - 20/15 in one eye, 20/25 in the other. For the first time, I have a dry eye problem. The doctor prescribed Xiidra. I used it ONE TIME. Never again. The burning and itching made me feel as though I poured acid in my eyes, the taste in the back of my throat was HORRIBLE - for HOURS, and I had blurry vision for about 10 minutes. Why would I do this twice a day? Why does a medicine that is supposed to make my eyes feel BETTER make them feel so much worse?"

• Rah...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 6, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "After two weeks, I started feeling tears again. I luckily don’t have the nasty taste like others. My only side effect is blurry vision for about 10 minutes, and the corners of my eyes itch a little at first. Other than that, I am really impressed-except for the price! Wow!"

• Ali...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 8, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "After Lasik, my eye doctor prescribed Xiidra for dry eyes. I took the drops 3 times, one drop in each eye. I called my doctor after taking the drops for the third time and told her my vision was becoming more blurry by the minute, it seemed. She told me to continue taking the drops over the weekend and to call her office on Monday. I did not take the drops again because I felt the drops were damaging my eyes. I went to the doctor and was advised my vision had changed. I now have to wear glasses all the time. I will be calling a lawyer."

• sen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 6, 2017

"I used Xiidra for about 5 weeks. Half the time, I only used it once a day. I experienced the blurry vision, which for me lasts about 20 minutes. I also had the bad taste - bitter is more like it. That lasts about 10 minutes. I hoped it would help, but I have not experienced any change in my dry eyes. So, if you are the lucky one that it is helping in a dramatic way, then you are one of the lucky ones. It seems to be hit or miss depending on who knows what."

• VIS...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 16, 2023

"After applying just one drop of this garbage as part of a routine pre-cataract surgery regimen, in less than 2 days, Xiidra caused complete maturation of my dad's cataract, resulting in complete vision loss out of that eye. The doctor who prescribed it denied my dad's report of itchiness, redness, excessive tearing, and blurred vision, calling them 'subjective.' Although the exam revealed complete cataract maturation, the doctor denied it was caused by Xiidra but had no other explanation. This disgusting coward refused to do my dad's surgery since we questioned 'his expert medical opinion.' The new, very experienced doctor we found who did the surgery said my dad's case was the most difficult cataract case she'd ever done due to difficulties she experienced in changing the lens. Miraculously, the vision returned completely with the new lens once the dressing came off. People, be your own advocates and research before you put anything into your bodies. Doctors get incentives for prescribing poisons."