How do you deal with dry eyes?

Posted by maryy @maryy, Jun 10, 2019

I have dry eyes due to sjogren's syndrome. Does anyone else deal with dry eyes?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Eye Conditions Support Group.

@usc94

I have chronic dry eye syndrome after multiple eye surgeries. My ophthalmologist prescribed Systane eye drops, and only Systane. I have used the preservative free drops and the regular ones. I eventually figured out you do not need to prop up the preservative free ones. The cap you twist off fits right back on. This keeps them from leaking out as well as more fresh throughout the day.

Jump to this post

Thanks! I had no idea that the cap could fit back on.

REPLY
@celia16

During my last flare of severe dry eye, my ophthalmologist recommended that I only use the Systane preservative free individual applicators. You twist off the top and use it once, then discard. There’s about 30 in a box. I normally prop it up and use throughout the day. It’s still pricey. And, night time ointment. Also, preservative free, but in a tube. Very expensive as well, imo. And, not covered by insurance. At least with my diabetic costs, I get credit for it.

Jump to this post

The part you twist off, you can close it again with that. Keeps the dust off.

REPLY

My eye doctor recommended to me Ivizia and you don't need a prescription for it.

REPLY
@sharonlynn

Hi,
I was diagnosed with dry eye syndrome with unknown cause.
I was perscribed Restasis and was on it for twelve years.
My family dr retired and now have a Nurse Practioner who is concerned to refill because she worries about the long term effect. However, it is not a steroid. It is an immunosuppressive. So I am not sure what to think.
I have an eye mask pad that I heat up in microwave for 30 seconds and leave only for 10 minutes on my eyes every morning and night .
Also I use tear gel at night because it has a thicker consistency .
Throughout the day I use hydrosense, refresh, or systane whatever I have on hand.
I find the heat eye pad mask helps.
I find it interesting from a comment above about acupuncture. I have never had this to treat dry eyes.
I do have an acupuncture treatment weekly for something else and get good relief.
I will now consider it for dry eyes.
Thanks for sharing all these wonderful ideas💕

Jump to this post

I tried acupuncture (20 treatments, twice a day for 10 days). The acupuncturist said it was a protocol developed in France to treat eye conditions. Unfortunately, it did not work, and the treatments were expensive, almost $4,000.

REPLY
@gunillac

I tried acupuncture (20 treatments, twice a day for 10 days). The acupuncturist said it was a protocol developed in France to treat eye conditions. Unfortunately, it did not work, and the treatments were expensive, almost $4,000.

Jump to this post

Oh, that’s too bad. I got mine in the US with a very gifted acupuncturist. I got one session a week for about 8 weeks. I saw a huge improvement after the second session and it only got better. It was life changing. I had almost given up on being free of the pain in my eyes. (I also have Salzmann’s nodules). I need to return soon for a tune up.

REPLY

I carry Systane eye drops with me everywhere I go. It varies how often I use them, but I get good relief and am comfortable most of the time.

REPLY

Find a doctor who specializes in dry eye. Here, I found them at Duke. Finding the right drops is a crap shoot. Also, be careful choosing lenses for cataract surgery as some make dry eye worse. There are treatments like LipiFlow and Blephex that help, though insurance doesn't usually cover these. It is fairly typical for people to lose fluid as they age. Punctal plugs might stem fluid loss. You have other issues is your Meibomium glands, which control the oil, are dysfunctional. The best supplement for dry eye is GLA, gamma linoleic acid, which is--what else--a blood thinner.

REPLY

I have dry eyes. My doctor placed punctle tubes which seemed to help one eye but not the other. Contact lenses help but expensive. My dr gave me samples for xiidra, but of course that’s not covered by insurance. I love sunny days but often times that’s when I am miserable

REPLY
@mannism

Find a doctor who specializes in dry eye. Here, I found them at Duke. Finding the right drops is a crap shoot. Also, be careful choosing lenses for cataract surgery as some make dry eye worse. There are treatments like LipiFlow and Blephex that help, though insurance doesn't usually cover these. It is fairly typical for people to lose fluid as they age. Punctal plugs might stem fluid loss. You have other issues is your Meibomium glands, which control the oil, are dysfunctional. The best supplement for dry eye is GLA, gamma linoleic acid, which is--what else--a blood thinner.

Jump to this post

That’s where I go too. I seem to be rather stable, though not as good as I was a year ago. I hope the acupuncture reboot will help. I get that from a private provider.

REPLY

Ask your doctor about serum eye drops. They work great and no side effects since they’re made from your blood.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.