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?

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@wisfloj

To clarify my previous post. Bruder makes the Thermalon mask, says so on the attached label! 'Bruder Healthcare Company'

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Hi all, I am new to this topic, I’ve been active in the SFN group for a while. My Sjögren’s symptoms are relatively new and I’ve been trying to learn all I can. It doesn’t seem like this topic is discussed any more; any new info or suggestions for a newbie? 🤗😁 Helen

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I have dry eyes with Sjogrens symptoms, but not specifically diagnosed. I have MCTD. I gently scrub eye lids with water to activate tear ducts. I use Systane liquid tears for anytime my vision is blurry or there seems to be something in my eye. At night, on days where they feel gritty, I use a PM ointment, which helps overnight. My ophthalmologist prescribes Pataday for when I need more than Systane. I wear sunglasses in wind. I also have dry mouth, which can affect your gum and tooth health. I brush 2X/day and use waterpik. Twice yearly cleaning and gum inspection at dentist. Most teeth I had fillings in have now been crowned due to cracking. I have a mouthguard to protect against clenching. You can use Biotene, xylimelts to keep moisture going, too. I chew gum to help with salivary gland/eustachion tubes to avoid infection. If you get a stone there, warm compresses and gentle massage in the area. For skin, I take hair/skin gummies that have biotin. CeraV and Eucerin creams are great; lotions not so much. Hope this helps!

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@marye2

I have dry eyes with Sjogrens symptoms, but not specifically diagnosed. I have MCTD. I gently scrub eye lids with water to activate tear ducts. I use Systane liquid tears for anytime my vision is blurry or there seems to be something in my eye. At night, on days where they feel gritty, I use a PM ointment, which helps overnight. My ophthalmologist prescribes Pataday for when I need more than Systane. I wear sunglasses in wind. I also have dry mouth, which can affect your gum and tooth health. I brush 2X/day and use waterpik. Twice yearly cleaning and gum inspection at dentist. Most teeth I had fillings in have now been crowned due to cracking. I have a mouthguard to protect against clenching. You can use Biotene, xylimelts to keep moisture going, too. I chew gum to help with salivary gland/eustachion tubes to avoid infection. If you get a stone there, warm compresses and gentle massage in the area. For skin, I take hair/skin gummies that have biotin. CeraV and Eucerin creams are great; lotions not so much. Hope this helps!

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marye2, thanks for your reply. I use the moisturizer creams and biotin. I have found “Stoppers” dry mouth spray works better, have been taking Thera Tears eye nutrition capsules and using Refresh Optive Mega 3 eye drops w/flaxseed and castor oil, I use Aquafor around my nostrils. I would like to see a rheumatologist as sjögren’s has not been officially diagnosed. I think this was caused by my SFN which I’ve had for 3 yrs. Helen

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@helennicola

Hi all, I am new to this topic, I’ve been active in the SFN group for a while. My Sjögren’s symptoms are relatively new and I’ve been trying to learn all I can. It doesn’t seem like this topic is discussed any more; any new info or suggestions for a newbie? 🤗😁 Helen

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@helennicola Hi Helen I too have all dry ,eyes,nose,mouth I believe mine started after I had my fracture and nerve problems Dr never diagnosed me but think this is when it happened I use Act mouthwash Dr recommended,Vaseline for nose at night during day I have a humidifier running it's dry humidity here For eyes I use Refresh tears and take all around vitamins for eyes At night a gel which really helps for night

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@helennicola

marye2, thanks for your reply. I use the moisturizer creams and biotin. I have found “Stoppers” dry mouth spray works better, have been taking Thera Tears eye nutrition capsules and using Refresh Optive Mega 3 eye drops w/flaxseed and castor oil, I use Aquafor around my nostrils. I would like to see a rheumatologist as sjögren’s has not been officially diagnosed. I think this was caused by my SFN which I’ve had for 3 yrs. Helen

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@helennicola hi Helen, why this particular Refresh eye drop? I have a pretty bad dry eye problem (forty years now) and have been using Refresh Celluvisc for ages but have reached a stage where it is no longer as effective. I for some reason have been reluctant to use the prescription drop, Xiidra. Did your ophthalmologist recommend it and have you found your dry eyes feel a lot better when you use them? I can order a box on Amazon as the drop is not available in Canada yet.

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@sue225

@helennicola hi Helen, why this particular Refresh eye drop? I have a pretty bad dry eye problem (forty years now) and have been using Refresh Celluvisc for ages but have reached a stage where it is no longer as effective. I for some reason have been reluctant to use the prescription drop, Xiidra. Did your ophthalmologist recommend it and have you found your dry eyes feel a lot better when you use them? I can order a box on Amazon as the drop is not available in Canada yet.

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Hi Sue, I have tried about 4-5 different brands, I tried these because I thought the omega 3 (flaxseed and castor oil) would be helpful and they seem to last longer. I switch off with Thera Tears which I like too. Both are preservative free. I usually do research to see what may work best. My eye doc suggested the prescription drops but these are working for now. Please let me know what you think if you decide to try them. I get them in Target but Amazon has them also. (same price) Helen

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@helennicola

Hi Sue, I have tried about 4-5 different brands, I tried these because I thought the omega 3 (flaxseed and castor oil) would be helpful and they seem to last longer. I switch off with Thera Tears which I like too. Both are preservative free. I usually do research to see what may work best. My eye doc suggested the prescription drops but these are working for now. Please let me know what you think if you decide to try them. I get them in Target but Amazon has them also. (same price) Helen

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@helennicola Several years ago, my since-retired ophthalmologist suggested flaxseed oil orally (which I didn't try) but the combination of the oils in this Refresh eye drop does sound appealing. Good to know that Amazon's price is the same as Target's. Will let you know if I try them. Thanks for sharing.

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you’re welcome! 😁

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@helennicola

Hi Sue, I have tried about 4-5 different brands, I tried these because I thought the omega 3 (flaxseed and castor oil) would be helpful and they seem to last longer. I switch off with Thera Tears which I like too. Both are preservative free. I usually do research to see what may work best. My eye doc suggested the prescription drops but these are working for now. Please let me know what you think if you decide to try them. I get them in Target but Amazon has them also. (same price) Helen

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I use the Systane drops through the day; sometimes wash my face often to rinse eyes. For horrid days, I use the prescription drops (Pataday), and PM ointment at night. I've noticed that eyemask is helpful at night and sunglasses outside. I have eye drops all around the house and in purse and car!

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I also have had dry eye for about 40 years. Restasis works better for me than Xiidra. For a while my insurance refused to cover Retasis, which I had been on for so many years. I found a different opthamologist who was able to write a valid reason for my need for Restasis versus Xiidra based on a specific diagnosis.I have secondary Sjogrens related to Hashimoto's and RA. Over the counter preservative free is the wat to go for additional help. I can't afford the Thera tears with flax but used one box and felt it was better than the regular Thera I always use and buy at Sam's Club.

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