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How are you dealing with dry eyes?
Eye Conditions | Last Active: Feb 13 7:27am | Replies (58)Comment receiving replies
Thank you to all who submitted what you do for dry eyes. I made a list of all of your suggestions and gave to my eye doctor (because I could not tolerate Xiidra). He prescribed Vevye (He ordered it online and it was mailed to me by PhilRX) and I purchased a mask called "Oasis Rest Relief" at his office. I am to use that (after heating in the microwave) for 5 minutes morning and evening or more if I wish. My doctor told me to be patient and it sometimes takes 12 weeks to improve dry eyes. I presume when I no longer feel the need for this, I will discontinue. In the meantime, I am also using CVS preservation free eye drops. It feels fine and since my doctor said all of the OTC products only mask the situation, I feel I can do no harm. Again, I thank all of you for contributing. With all good wishes, @joybringer1
Replies to "Thank you to all who submitted what you do for dry eyes. I made a list..."
@joybringer1
I have recently discovered that certain sunscreen ingredients can aggravate eyes, including Octinoxate, which is in the sunscreen I have been using for several years at the recommendation of my dermatologists, the EltaMD UV Clear SPF46 (clear or tinted) for sensitive skin and rosacea-prone skin. The sunscreen has Zinc Oxide and Octinoxate. I stopped using it and my eyes feel quite different! MUCH BETTER! I think that some of the dry eye and/or seasonal pollen allergy characteristics I have had were instead octinoxate allergic aggravation symptoms. The sunscreen is listed as hypoallergenic, but perhaps they only mean that in relation to the skin, not the eyes? I did not put it on the eyelids or skin just below the eyes, but had it everywhere else on my face--close enough to aggravate my eyes obviously. I am now using either Neutrogena SPF70 or Eucerin SPF50 MINERAL sunscreens. When my eyes were first aggravated, my eye dr said to ask my allergist and my allergist said to ask my eye dr. Sigh. Clearly, getting the Vivity EDOF lenses and having the astigmatism corrected, were significant improvements. Both the opthamologist and the cataract surgeon said my eyes didn't show dry eye symptoms to warrant prescription dry eye drops. So I think I have figured out the "sometimes" aggravation symptoms on my own? I now use just IVIZIA or Refresh Plus, both preservative-free, a few times a day/as needed. The Safari online search I did listed Oxybenzone, Avobensone, Octinoxate, and Homosalate as "main culprits" for eye aggravation. I hope this helps!
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@joybringer1
Glad you are finding some relief! I have been using a microwave warmed eye mask for quite a while now, morning and early evening. I do this faithfully - every day. I do not think it's advisable to stop using it. My eye mask is from Warmies, and I love it. Also be faithful to the use of lubricating eye drops. If you are doing better, you can reduce the number of times per day that you use eye drops, but you should not stop altogether. Keeping this regimen is very important.