Anyone have severe dry eyes, so bad can hardly keep eyes open?

Posted by simplelady @simplelady, Jun 21 6:19pm

Does any one have severe dry eyes , so bad can hardly keep eyes open. Have tried prescription drops had prokera, now having IPL . Also oil glands are clogged. So far nothing has helped. Battle all day trying to keep eyes open.

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AZ | @equanimous | Jun 22 9:59am

I have had recurrent styes that are due to clogged oil glands. My dr recommended this heated eye pad which is absolutely wonderful. I highly recommend it, I am using it as a regular routine to keep my eyes healthy. The dr also recommended two more products that really help. Links are below. I hope this helps.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07LBL172C?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C2S4163L?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B013M57VZG?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Jun 22 10:17am

Hi @simplelady, Dry eyes are a chronic condition as a side effect to a medical procedure I’ve had done. To combat clogged oil glands, I use Bruder Moist Heat eye compresses. (Drug stores or Amazon order). The mask is microwaveable and it stays warmer much longer than a wet washcloth. The Bruder system worked so well, I no longer need it!

Also, at night I use Systane Nighttime Ointment. That lubricates the eye with a thin film of oil and has made a huge difference for me. Put it on last thing before you go to bed because the oil will blur your vision…several rapid blinks will return your vision. (I also put a towel on the pillow because it’s a little messy).
I no longer need any eye drops during the day now. However, if I have a rare dry eye day, Systane Gel does a better job than any eye drops I’ve used. Maybe try these to see if they help.

Are the IPL treatments helping you at all?

simplelady | @simplelady | Jun 22 10:53am

Thank you for the info I will try the ointment. I have only tried the IPL one time go back in July.

simplelady | @simplelady | Jun 22 10:57am

In reply to @equanimous "I have had recurrent styes that are due to clogged oil glands. My dr recommended this..." + (show)

Thank you for the comment,I will definitely try this.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jun 22 3:07pm

In reply to @simplelady "Thank you for the info I will try the ointment. I have only tried the IPL..." + (show)

@simplelady, I expanded the title of your discussion to reflect your question. You may also be interested in this related topic started a while back that remains active today.
- How do you deal with dry eyes?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/dry-eyes-1/
See all discussions related to dry eyes: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/eye-conditions/?search=dry%20eyes&index=discussions

simplelady | @simplelady | Jun 22 3:26pm

Thanks a bunch , very helpful. I am now using a new eye drop stronger than restasis l will comment later if it works just started it yesterday.

sbtheplumber1 | @sbtheplumber1 | Jun 22 11:16pm

Having Sjogren’s my eyes are always dry, I even woke up to a torn tissue on my right eye. I use gel drops at night and a prescription eye drops in the daytime called Miebo it’s an oily drop. Their not cheap drops about $700 a month for a 3 ml bottle luckily insurance pays 100% for me

simplelady | @simplelady | Jun 23 7:16am

Thanks for the response. I have tried those but didn’t work for me. My Dr. gave me a new drop called Vevye started 3 days ago seems to be working .

drummergirl | @drummergirl | Jun 23 7:47am

In reply to @loribmt "Hi @simplelady, Dry eyes are a chronic condition as a side effect to a medical procedure..." + (show)

Don’t the oils in your ointments clog your tear ducts?
I was told just Systane vials. I do use a heating pad on my eyes in the morning to “unclog” my ducts.
I may try Restasis. You did not mention whether you used it.

Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Jun 23 8:41am

In reply to @drummergirl "Don’t the oils in your ointments clog your tear ducts? I was told just Systane vials...." + (show)

Hi @drummergirl. I’ve not had any issues with my tear ducts clogging since I’ve started using Systane Nighttime Lubricating ointment. (It’s preservative free)
I also have a tube of Systane Gel if I need a fix during the day. But by using the nighttime ointment regularly, that’s made a huge difference. The key is to use it every night, not sporadically.

My ophthalmologist initially recommended the Systane overnight ointment as an intermediate step until we determined if my dry eyes were related to a medical procedure I had. In which case that would require eye drops made from my blood serum. But this ointment has worked so well, I don’t even use eye drops during the day anymore. I have not used Restasis.

The tube of Systane Nighttime Lubricating Ointment is $15.00-ish a tube and lasts about a month. If you try it, definitely use this right before going to bed because it will blur your vision. (Easily reversed with rapid blinking)
To apply, pull out your lower lid just a little. Then squirt a 1/4 inch of the gel in the pocket. Blink a few times and the oils melt over your eye. I use either an old pillow case or a towel on my pillow because the product can leave a residue.

I’ve also used a Bruder Moist Heat eye compress in the past to open my tear ducts. I liked the mask because I could toss it in the microwave for heating. But with the night time ointment, I’ve no longer needed the mask for my tear ducts.

Ask your eye doctor, the lubricant might be worth a try?