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How do you deal with dry eyes?
Eye Conditions | Last Active: Mar 6 4:57pm | Replies (691)Comment receiving replies
When I wake up of a morning sometimes my left eye is stuck, not matted and I have to use my two index fingers to gently open it, once it’s open the rest of the day is ok as far a opening. I was wondering if it could also be weak muscles in my eye. I have a blocked tear duct and a very dry eye. Also when the air hits my eye I squirt because it hurt real bad.
At symptoms or advice would greatly be appreciated. I’ve had this since the middle of January 2022 and they want to do the DCR to open up my tear duct. Not too excited about that but I need to get something done. My eye gets real filmy and sticky around my eyelids/lashes at times too. Any familiar symptoms or advice would greatly be appreciated. Thank you!
Replies to "When I wake up of a morning sometimes my left eye is stuck, not matted and..."
Hi. @tboyd5000 I also suffered with having my eye lids stuck to my eyes when I woke up. The best product I’ve found and have been using for 3 years now, is Systane Nighttime Eye Lubricant. It’s an over the counter product that comes in a small squeeze tube. Apply nightly by laying a little line of the ointment in the lower lid right before you’re ready to go to sleep.
I used it sporadically at first and found that to really be affective it needs to be done faithfully every night. I works great and my eyes even look brighter and healthier because they are no longer dry. Even my ophthalmologist remarked on the improvement. I no longer use any other eye drops during the day.
As others have suggested, using a warm washcloth daily for about 15 minutes on the lids can help restore normal tear production or the use of a Bruder heated moist eye compress can be beneficial as well.
You might try these ideas before heading off to surgery…just in case it works for you!
Have you tried warm compresses or other eye drops for relief?
I had a major issue with dry eye for about 6 months. When I checked the price for Restasis I decided the price was ridiculous-especially if it is not a guarantee that it will work- and decided to work on it on my own. I use an eye cup with saline solution-the type used for contact lenses to moisten my eyes when I get up in the morning and at night before bed. My left eye is dryer than my right so the problem is not completely cured but it is a lot better. Also, if you go outside in the wind at all, wrap around sunglasses may help. I found that being in a breeze or out in the sun will dry out my eyes so eye protection is needed.
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I am sure you do this already but need to take a washcloth and gently clean the eyelids to remove all the debris.
Also, are you using nighttime eye ointment ? Your eyes are sticking together because of dryness. Do you have a humidifier in your bedroom. I have a small one that sits on bedside table. I know this may sound strange but opthalmologist suggested this year's ago...do you have any swim goggles? If you can sleep with them, keeps so much moisture in the eye...like a moisture chamber.
As for opening the tear duct surgery, I cant provide any advice. I have one tear duct which was sealed a long time ago to see if this offered any improvement to my dry eye symptoms. I chose not to go ahead and have any other tear ducts sealed off. In the last two years, I have had side effects from the sealed duct! And my new opthalmologist (other retired) sent me to an eye surgeon to see about opening the duct. By the time of my appt the problem resolved on its own so the surgeon felt no need at this time (that was a year ago). Your situation sounds different than mine.
Again, the eye will dry out at night. Important to use drops, nightime ointment, swim goggles or safety goggles and humidifier. If you wake up in the middle of the night, put drops in. (I am a poor sleeper, so whenever I awaken, I put drops in).
Best of luck to you in solving your eye problem.