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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@nac1

Thank you for the information Lori. At that price, I won't be trying Tyrvaya. I suffer greatly from Dry Eye. I use Restasis in morning and night; Systane gel at night and very often Genteal drops during day. Been using silicon plugs for a couple of years but had them removed because they irritated my eyes. Am also using warm compresses when I take a bath. Just ordered preservative-free drops and hope they help. I love to read but haven't been able to with the dry eyes.

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Never use anything with preservatives in your eye, especially benzalkonium chloride (BAK), which is in nearly every eye lubricant. BAK disrupts and inflames your ocular surface. It's used to INDUCE dry eye in animal experimentation. Go to pubmed and search benzalkonium chloride and dry eye, if you find this hard to believe. Why do ophthalmologists and optometrists continue to prescribe BAK containing drops? I sure as heck can't figure it out. Because my insurance won't pay for BAK free glaucoma medication, my doctor has sent a prescription for Zioptan (preservative free) to Eagle Pharmacy in Florida, who ship it to me. I use Purilens as my daily lubricant. Another note: I tried silicone punctal plugs many years ago. Large gross looking tumor type things grew out of the inner corners of my eyes. My ophthalmologist said I must be allergic to silicone. So I had acrylic plugs inserted, and unfortunately chose a brand that was later recalled for causing frequent infections. My doc had a heck of time trying to get all of both plugs out of my eyes, and I refused subsequent plugs. Another note: if you have rosacea and/or blephartitis , try using Zocular wipes for cleansing. I cut the wipes into smaller squares for cleansing, because the wipes are expensive. Follow this up with Derma-Care smoothed lightly over the rims of your eyelids.

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I use xiidra drops for my very dry eyes, they do work.

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@hindsight

Never use anything with preservatives in your eye, especially benzalkonium chloride (BAK), which is in nearly every eye lubricant. BAK disrupts and inflames your ocular surface. It's used to INDUCE dry eye in animal experimentation. Go to pubmed and search benzalkonium chloride and dry eye, if you find this hard to believe. Why do ophthalmologists and optometrists continue to prescribe BAK containing drops? I sure as heck can't figure it out. Because my insurance won't pay for BAK free glaucoma medication, my doctor has sent a prescription for Zioptan (preservative free) to Eagle Pharmacy in Florida, who ship it to me. I use Purilens as my daily lubricant. Another note: I tried silicone punctal plugs many years ago. Large gross looking tumor type things grew out of the inner corners of my eyes. My ophthalmologist said I must be allergic to silicone. So I had acrylic plugs inserted, and unfortunately chose a brand that was later recalled for causing frequent infections. My doc had a heck of time trying to get all of both plugs out of my eyes, and I refused subsequent plugs. Another note: if you have rosacea and/or blephartitis , try using Zocular wipes for cleansing. I cut the wipes into smaller squares for cleansing, because the wipes are expensive. Follow this up with Derma-Care smoothed lightly over the rims of your eyelids.

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Preservative free eye drops are available over the counter. I have been using Allergan's Refresh Celluvisc preservative free eye drops for years (box of 30 vials). There are other brands like Systane. Yes, pre arrival of preservative free you were stuck with benzalconium chloride which is a killer for moderate to severe dry eyes.

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@loribmt

That’s so miserable not being able to enjoy reading because of your dry eyes! I’m sorry for that. It’s a big part of my life and really tough to imagine giving up that daily enjoyment.
However, there was a period a few years ago, going through some medical issues, when I wasn’t able to hold a book or read much. A friend gave me a subscription Audio Books. That was a really great way to still enjoy my books without having to physically be involved. The only drawback, I would fall asleep pretty often while listening. 🥴 But it was pretty easy to simply back track to find where I drifted off.

Have you tried Audio books or another narrated literature APP? How about any Podcasts?

Another thing I’ve used but no longer need is the Bruder Moist Heat Eye Compress. (About $20.00) You can put it in the microwave for an even, warm heat on the eyes without having to get up and re-warm the wash cloth? Have you tried that?

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I have horrible dry eyes and was a big reader (still manage newspapers). Love audio books! Added advantage is the readers voice often puts me to 😴. Kind of like reading your child a bedtime story. The library has so many eaudiobooks.

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@loribmt

That’s so miserable not being able to enjoy reading because of your dry eyes! I’m sorry for that. It’s a big part of my life and really tough to imagine giving up that daily enjoyment.
However, there was a period a few years ago, going through some medical issues, when I wasn’t able to hold a book or read much. A friend gave me a subscription Audio Books. That was a really great way to still enjoy my books without having to physically be involved. The only drawback, I would fall asleep pretty often while listening. 🥴 But it was pretty easy to simply back track to find where I drifted off.

Have you tried Audio books or another narrated literature APP? How about any Podcasts?

Another thing I’ve used but no longer need is the Bruder Moist Heat Eye Compress. (About $20.00) You can put it in the microwave for an even, warm heat on the eyes without having to get up and re-warm the wash cloth? Have you tried that?

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Walmart has the eye masks that you can heat in the microwave. They have some kind of beads in them. Your eyes feel moistened after about 6 minutes. I bought several for $8 each a couple of years ago. They can be washed in mild water. They are in the eye drop section. They are helpful.

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I have been using Tyrvaya mist for over two months and it has done wonders for me. No more getting up during the night to apply drops!
I got it approved by my Rx card company and the cost is $70. Per instead of $621.

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@alexandraeugenia

Walmart has the eye masks that you can heat in the microwave. They have some kind of beads in them. Your eyes feel moistened after about 6 minutes. I bought several for $8 each a couple of years ago. They can be washed in mild water. They are in the eye drop section. They are helpful.

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Are they the Bruder masks?

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Yes, therapy for me was is warmed water compresses on eyes (simple white washcloths) for 5min. 2 times a day. I'm prescribed Soothe drops several times daily - and night if needed. Nothing completely works of course, although the warm compresses give nearly full relief temporarily.

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I use xiidra. Drapes work great they are rx. So suggest you ask your eye dr
Ellen307

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@daviddennis123

I have been using Tyrvaya mist for over two months and it has done wonders for me. No more getting up during the night to apply drops!
I got it approved by my Rx card company and the cost is $70. Per instead of $621.

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Which Rx card company do you use? Neither goodrx or singlecare cover it. Thanks

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