Just curious...has anyone suffering from RCE ever tried nightime lubrication with erythromycin? If so, did you find it helpful? Did it work better than Muro, Genteal gel, etc.?

When my RCE initially started I was given Erythromycin ointment to ward off any infection until the abrasion healed over. For the 1st week it held off the erosions but then the erosions started happening again. I don't think it works any better than any other lubricant. I think it just depends on how long the lubricant stays greasy on the eye during the night. Sometimes it seems to hold for hours and other times seems to disappear quickly - probably based on the frequency of the eye blinking during sleep. I continue to use the Muro ointment as it is supposed to help the epithelium to adhere to the cornea in addition to providing lubrication. I do have a little bit of the erythromycin ointment left and do use a little when I get a really bad erosion to try to prevent any infection.

Thanks, Squirrel.

I'm not sure what is going on. I was able to go for 2 and 3 months at a time without any erosions after starting the steroid/antiobiotic combo, but now, all of a sudden, I'm having mild erosions every week or two. The weird thing is that they are fairly mild (in comparison to what they used to be). You would think this would be a good sign that the eye is healing, but yet the increased frequency is puzzling.

I don't know if I should continue taking the steroids or try something else. But I don't know if there is anything else left (besides surgery).

From what I've heard and read, the surgical options don't guaranty a cure either and can actually make matters worse. Have you been on the same dosage of steroid/antibiotic constantly over the past several months? If so, could it be that the length of time has made you immune to the steroid and that is why the erosions are suddenly happening again? At least they have been mild, that is a plus, but you would think if the steroid/antibiotic combo was working that you would no longer have any problems, at least not while you are taking it.