Xiidra and Itching: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Red...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 30, 2017

"I'm 56 with dry eyes since my 20s. Eyes always red like I've been crying. Been using moisture drops for 30 years. Had a reaction to the preservative in the drops, switched to preservative-free Retain, only at Walgreens, $23 for 30 vials. Helpful, not a cure, used them 6 to 8 times a day. When waking, eyes were always painfully dry. Tried EVERYTHING. Last month, I started on Xiidra. Helps a little, when I wake, I actually make a bit of tears. Eyes are still very red and irritated. Taste no problem, burns/itches a few minutes after applying, but goes away. Still use moisture drops, but not as often. Retail $585 a month, but Xiidra coupon for 1st month free and $10 a month for as long as I use them. Wouldn't use if had to pay full."

• 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."

• Sco...
• June 27, 2017

"I've always had slightly dry eyes, but it was tolerable until after I had LASIK. After a couple of months, the doctor suggested I try Xiidra. The first couple of weeks seemed okay, but I could feel no improvement. The doctor said I should continue with OTC eye drops and ointment. After about 3 weeks, though, my eyes began itching, like I have never experienced. It was intolerable. I wanted to rub my eyes out. I wasn't sure if it was the medication or allergies, so I stopped the medication. It's been a few days now, and my eyes are feeling better. Still dry, but not the crazy itching."

• All...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 20, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "I've been using Xiidra for about a week. So far, I am very disappointed. My eyes sting and itch most of the day, and my vision is blurry for a long time after application. When I wake up in the mornings, my eyes are puffy and kind of sticky. I'll try them for a little longer, but I do not feel very optimistic."

• JPR...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 7, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "After 3 months of no relief on Restasis, I was prescribed Xiidra by my ophthalmologist for chronic dry eye. Almost immediately, my eyes felt great! No more gritty feeling every day. I was advised that there would be some burning after application and a metallic taste, which has been ongoing. I also get crustiness in both eyes when I wake up every morning, but these are mild annoyances compared to the suffering I experienced 24/7 before. The only reason I can't give Xiidra a higher rating is that after 2 weeks on it, I'm waking up with red, puffy eyes and irritation (itching) under my eyes and around my eyelids. It's getting to the point that I'm now considering going off these drops. (Am I allergic to them?) Too bad because it was the only drops that worked for my dry eye, otherwise. Oh, and the cost of these drops is ridiculously expensive, even with the coupons my doctor gave to me. What's up with that????"

• CTd...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 9, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "I was using Restasis and had relief from my dry eyes, but my doctor suggested using Xiidra since it would be more effective. Along with the burning, stinging, and aftertaste, I noticed my eyes started to itch. I thought that maybe it was due to the dry air from the winter months, but now that it's spring, that isn't an issue. My eyelids are dry, flaky, itchy, red, and swollen. It seems like an allergic reaction. I've stopped taking Xiidra and will be going back to Restasis."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 17, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "Very, very bad reaction. Eyes burning, red, itchy. I have used Restasis for years and wanted to try something new. This drug made my eyes so sore and red even the next day. I will take the loss and never use this again."

• Doo...
• August 9, 2017

"My doctor diagnoses me with dry eye. Been using them 1 month. My eyes are worse. From day 1, the drops burn and make my eyes itch something terrible. Itching stops about 15 min after each use. These symptoms have not decreased in intensity in 30 days. By day 4 on the drops, I can't wear contacts. Within 2 hours of putting the contacts in (daily moist contacts), my eyes are so dry the contacts either blink out or crumble into a folded mess inside my eye and get stuck under my upper eyelid. First day of use, I waited the 15 min recommended after putting the drops in, 2nd day waited an hour, and 3rd day waited 2 hours after the drops, but nothing works."

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

For Dry Eye Disease "I've only been taking Xiidra for a few days. I have had very little side effects such as burning or itching, as other people have reported. My right eye still gets a little goopy, but that occurred before I used Xiidra. My eyes are not as bloodshot and less irritated. I will continue using Xiidra."

• ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 27, 2017

"Changed to Xiidra because I thought it was less expensive (it is not). After placing drops in eyes, there was considerable stinging, an itching causing me to rub my eyes to stop it. This burning and itching continued for at least 15 minutes. It also caused considerable blurring of vision that really limited my vision. Could not watch TV, etc. So then I would just put it in at night due to the fact that I could not see! The vials are very hard (Restasis vials are much softer), and it is very difficult to get equal amounts of product in each eye. Also, there is just enough for only ONE EYE. By the time you are to drop the product in your other eye, there is nothing left! Then what do you do, open another vial? Not a great product."

• Tim...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 29, 2021

For Dry Eye Disease "If I really wanted the itchiness, scratchiness, eye mucus production, and general agony of instilling Xiidra drops in my eyes twice a day, I could accomplish that with some dirt mixed with gasoline, and it wouldn't cost $550/month. I've been trying to stick with it for a year and a half, but I'm done."

• Sar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 13, 2021

For Dry Eye Disease "These drops were recommended to me by three ophthalmologists, making me wonder if they are getting some kind of kickback from the manufacturers of Xiidra. I have experienced stinging, blurry vision, itchiness, and actual pain, so I quit using them until advised to start again by one of my eye doctors. In the past two weeks, I have developed headaches that were at first only occasional but are now constant. I wish I had read some of these reviews first. I will definitely not be continuing their use."

• Raq...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 7, 2018

"Been on medication for 2 months now. I have cheated the system by using 1 drop in each eye in the morning and putting the same vial back in the foil pouch and getting 1 drop for each eye in the evening. The severe burning/itching is almost intolerable at first, then it dissipates. I have been doing a lot better on it except for after 2 weeks of single-digit temperatures when I started getting keratitis again. Back on steroids. Have plugs in lower lids. Also, sometimes 20-30 minutes after applying, when I am on the way to work, I notice extreme blurry vision out of nowhere. Liability?"

• Ala...
• March 29, 2021

For Dry Eye Disease "This medication does not make my eyes red. It improved my vision. Over-the-counter eye drops make my eyes blurry under bright sun. Xiidra does not make eyes blurry. I noticed lately that upon application, my eyes get itchy, which lasts for about 20 minutes."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 2, 2017

"Eyes made more blurry, scratchy, gummy. Lasted for over an hour. Used samples only, never picked up prescription because I was dissatisfied with eye drops."