finacea (azelaic acid) safe for dry eyes? Ziana & Protopic & retin a

[valene2009]

I have just got these samples from my derm..  i was told on dryeyezone that retin a can cause mgd... I only thought accutane caused that?  the dermatologist told me that topical retin a does not absorb to the level that causes the MGD... i have been on retin a since 2004 and just stopped one month ago... my opthamologist said to quit taking it... I was diagnosed with sjogrens in 1995 and so i was in remission until 2007...

anyway. i go to the derm today and he gives me finacea (azelaic acid), Ziana & Protopic(for eyelids)... he claims they are all safe for the eyes.. of course i will ask my doc first (eye doc)..
but are any of you on these meds for acne rosacea??   
also do you know if retinoids do cause MGD? topical retiniods that is?

thanks everyone!!!!
val

[mshistory]

My dermatologist Rx Elidel which is similar to Protopic for my rosacea. That and MetroGel. But nothing seems to be helping, so they've added monocycline since I'm no longer on Plaquenil. I do know the Elidel and Protopic are safe to use around the eyes (both of my daughters have eczema and one of them was rx Protopic for her facial eczema). Elidel and Protopic are CRAZY expensive though - my copay for the Elidel is going to be $200!!