Anyone out there dealing with dry eyes?

[pinkmomagain]

The past few years my eyes are getting drier and drier. It seems to come and go...I think it is definitely worse in the winter. I do normally wear contacts, but for the past week can't even wear them because of how dry my eyes are. I've used all types of drops and ointments. Just wondering how others deal with this and if you've found anything particularly helpful. My optometrist and opthamologist have not seemed to hit on anything great. TIA!

[maestramommy]

I do have this problem. It gets worse when I'm performing, because I tend to stare at the music for long periods without blinking:p One of my optometrists told me that my eyes don't fully blink. That is, when I blink, the lid doesn't full cover the eye. And most likely, while I'm asleep. Probably so since I've seen that in my brother. He always looks like his eyes are only half closed when he's asleep. The optometrist told me to put drops in my eyes every morning and every night. Of course I've gotten out of the habit of doing that:loveeyes:

I'm currently using Refresh by Allergen for contacts wearers. But I've used all sorts of drops over the years. I due for an eye exam soon, so I should ask what might be a good product to try.

[kellij]

I have an eye disease and have to wear 2 contacts in each eye in order to see. My eyes get really dry. I use genteal eye drops during the day. Then I think it really helps to use the refresh gel at night when you sleep. There is ointment too (refresh pm), but it's kind of greasy feeling and leaves a residue so not good if you wear contacts, but probably would be really good if you don't.

[Reina]

I have extremely dry eyes. My ophthalmologist put punctal plugs in my tear ducts which helps significantly. I was at a point where my eyes were so dry that my eye sockets were hurting. I also use Bausch & Lomb drops as a supplement.

[pinkmomagain]

Thanks all for your repsonses. I did have plugs put into my ducts about 7 yrs ago and didn't find it helped me much. I do use ointment at night (and sometimes in the morning) and drops. I guess I'm trying to see if there is anything else out there I could try. I do sleep with my eyes open, so I'm thinking about getting a humidifier in my bedroom for overnight. I'm also reading about fish oil helping. I do take a supplement, but maybe I'll look into upping the dose.

[Kymberley]

I have dry eyes, and when I told my eye doctor about it, he told me to take fish oil capsules. I started those this week, no change so far, but I'm hopeful! I wear contacts, and he said when my eyes get dry, to try getting my eyelids warmed up, either by using a blow dryer pointed at them with my eyes shut, or by getting my hands warmed up and placing them on my closed eyelids. It stimulates the lids to produce the oils (for lack of a better term) and to lubricate the eyes. It works! I've never had any procedures to fix my dry eyes, or used drops, so I'm sure that my condition isn't as bad as some, but it sure it annoying!

[gamma]

I found that fish oil capsules everyday and eating walnuts everyday has helped my dry eyes.

[DebbieJ]

I have extremely dry eyes. My ophthalmologist put punctal plugs in my tear ducts which helps significantly. I was at a point where my eyes were so dry that my eye sockets were hurting. I also use Bausch & Lomb drops as a supplement.

When my hubby wore contacts he had the plugs put in and it seemed to help. Then he had LASIK and no longer wears contacts and it is no longer a problem.

[boilermakermom]

LASIK will help the problem, but not sure if that is an option for you. Fish Oil will also help, but will take some time until you see a difference. Try limiting the amount of time you wear your lenses.

Running a humidifer is a great idea. Also, make sure the eye drops you are using are preservative free. Systane makes a great one. They come in individual vials. You can use each vial for 24 hours, and then throw it away. Try putting the a few vials in the refrigerator and see if the cool drop makes a difference. The preservative free drops tend to work better on serverly dry eyes.

The Genteal gel is great right before bedtime.

Restasis is also a great drug/drop, but can be costly. Talk to you doctor about it.

Also, certain eye makeup/lotion/facewash will irritate your eyes. Try using J&J baby wash on your face.

[ecofem]

Good suggestions here... also - switching to daily disposable contact lenses helped me... I had to try out a few brands before I found one that worked...

[traciann]

My eye doctor said not to use store brand contact solution if you have dry eyes. She said store brands are old brand name formulas and to use a current brand name. I switched and its helped.