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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@lioness

I@peach414144 tryanoyhrt opyhamalpgist pus isn't suppose to come out of your eyes

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Hi Lionness: I really do not think the doctors have the time to care especially because when I am waiting for my turn to be seen it becomes apparent: They are seeing about twenty or more patients an hour and in between this the interruptions, calls, etc. I might be wrong but my interpretation as to the quality of the doctors knowledge is only as good as their training (as well as their experience and attitude). And is their training as good as it should be? And is there any kind of enough experimental research going on in this area? What about the many persons who are slowly going blind. Also quite important: The hospitals here do not have an attending opthamalogists or on call. (Example: A patient arrives at the emergency room on a Saturday with a slashed eyeball in great pain and the hospital sends the patient away (without doing a thing for the patient) to see their opthamologist on Monday. (I know this is true as I was there). I wonder, is this the way it is handled all over the country? I meet with other elder's and as we talk together they talk of their problems with their eyes and not having the problems attended to. Waiting many months or more to remove cataracts, etc. I do care for myself and the other persons in need but when I see how really bad it is in other countries I sort of slow down and stop. Thinking of you, Peach

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@peach414144

Hi Lionness: I really do not think the doctors have the time to care especially because when I am waiting for my turn to be seen it becomes apparent: They are seeing about twenty or more patients an hour and in between this the interruptions, calls, etc. I might be wrong but my interpretation as to the quality of the doctors knowledge is only as good as their training (as well as their experience and attitude). And is their training as good as it should be? And is there any kind of enough experimental research going on in this area? What about the many persons who are slowly going blind. Also quite important: The hospitals here do not have an attending opthamalogists or on call. (Example: A patient arrives at the emergency room on a Saturday with a slashed eyeball in great pain and the hospital sends the patient away (without doing a thing for the patient) to see their opthamologist on Monday. (I know this is true as I was there). I wonder, is this the way it is handled all over the country? I meet with other elder's and as we talk together they talk of their problems with their eyes and not having the problems attended to. Waiting many months or more to remove cataracts, etc. I do care for myself and the other persons in need but when I see how really bad it is in other countries I sort of slow down and stop. Thinking of you, Peach

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@peach414144 The Dr. should be able to give you an antibiotic for this pus or infection. I think just a GP can but even a optemitrist can is there anyway you can even ask you insurance to recommend someone for you? I hate to hear about your problem with pus when it can be taken care of . Better days ahead fingers crossed for you

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@wisfloj

My tip re: Bruder mask for MGD. I order a cheaper brand that they make from Amazon, it is only nine dollars and called Thermalon. I also cut off the straps so I can lay back and press/mold the beads right onto every bit of my eyelid. The last Eye Dr. I went to seemed quite impressed and agreed this was a good method and kind of implied she would be passing it on to her patients. When they put one on me at the office, strapping it to the back of my head, it seemed to mainly heat my cheekbones more than anything because the beads tend to settle downwards, I prefer to lay almost flat on my couch. I use this one to two times per day, but definitely not a cure all. Plus omega-3, plus drops, plus blink exercises…

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Thanks for mentioning eye blink exercises. Sometimes when I do not have dry eye med with me and I get a "dry eye" attack (?) I resort to eye blinks and feel they help when in a jam (excessive tearing). It can take up to 5/ 10 minutes before I can open/use my eyes again. Dr. said I need to take drops EVERY DAY - SEVERAL TIMES PERHAPS to prevent this excessive tearing. My approach w/ meds is usually 'less is more' - but I think I am wrong about that. My situation is improved since I use drops (no preservatives) daily now. But if I use too many drops they sting and it takes several minutes to clear up. Lots of management with dry eye. QUESTION: DR. SAYS USE AS MANY DROPS AS I WANT. WOULDN'T THIS SOMEHOW CAUSE PERMANENT DAMAGE TO EYES? DO THE EYES BECOME DEPENDENT ON DROPS?

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@libertyusa

Thanks for mentioning eye blink exercises. Sometimes when I do not have dry eye med with me and I get a "dry eye" attack (?) I resort to eye blinks and feel they help when in a jam (excessive tearing). It can take up to 5/ 10 minutes before I can open/use my eyes again. Dr. said I need to take drops EVERY DAY - SEVERAL TIMES PERHAPS to prevent this excessive tearing. My approach w/ meds is usually 'less is more' - but I think I am wrong about that. My situation is improved since I use drops (no preservatives) daily now. But if I use too many drops they sting and it takes several minutes to clear up. Lots of management with dry eye. QUESTION: DR. SAYS USE AS MANY DROPS AS I WANT. WOULDN'T THIS SOMEHOW CAUSE PERMANENT DAMAGE TO EYES? DO THE EYES BECOME DEPENDENT ON DROPS?

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@tennisgolf As someone with dry eyes I really enjoyed your posts. Yes, my eye doctor says the same thing, use as many drops as you need. I doubt that there is any dependence on them but you could ask your doctor about that. Dry eyes are the most painful, irritating problems. I use the new lid wipes as well as the no-preservative drops as well.

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@sue225

Yes, I have been dealing with dry eyes for 40 years! I use Allergan's Refresh Celluvisc preservative free eye drops (artificial tears) many times during the day and night time ointment at night. Years ago, I tried Restasis which I discontinued because of severe stinging and burning. Just had an appointment with my over 80 now retiring ophthalmologist who recommended trying Xiidra (lifitegrast ophthalmic solution) which recently became available in Canada. Was just about to start a discussion group to get feedback on Xiidra.

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Good afternoon @sue225, I know this is an older post. However, I did not see it because I wasn't monitoring eyes at that time. I have now been on Xiidra for over a year. I guess I will find out how effective it has been.....I go today for my annual check-up. I do find that keeping these products in the refrigerator helps eliminate the stinging and burning upon application. I am also checking in on the Osteoporosis group discussion. Thanks for your participation. It is so important.

May you have happiness and the causes of happiness.

Chris

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@libertyusa

Thanks for mentioning eye blink exercises. Sometimes when I do not have dry eye med with me and I get a "dry eye" attack (?) I resort to eye blinks and feel they help when in a jam (excessive tearing). It can take up to 5/ 10 minutes before I can open/use my eyes again. Dr. said I need to take drops EVERY DAY - SEVERAL TIMES PERHAPS to prevent this excessive tearing. My approach w/ meds is usually 'less is more' - but I think I am wrong about that. My situation is improved since I use drops (no preservatives) daily now. But if I use too many drops they sting and it takes several minutes to clear up. Lots of management with dry eye. QUESTION: DR. SAYS USE AS MANY DROPS AS I WANT. WOULDN'T THIS SOMEHOW CAUSE PERMANENT DAMAGE TO EYES? DO THE EYES BECOME DEPENDENT ON DROPS?

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@tennisgolf I have dry eyes as well. My eye Dr told me to use preservative free so I do and about 2-3 times a day If I dont when I put my Latanoprest in at night for glucoma my eyes burn so I stick to my schedule . Also the Dr told me to at the corner of eyes, nose area , wipe down and over as this lubricates it with naturel eye oil so in morning I do this or threw out day

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@libertyusa

Thanks for mentioning eye blink exercises. Sometimes when I do not have dry eye med with me and I get a "dry eye" attack (?) I resort to eye blinks and feel they help when in a jam (excessive tearing). It can take up to 5/ 10 minutes before I can open/use my eyes again. Dr. said I need to take drops EVERY DAY - SEVERAL TIMES PERHAPS to prevent this excessive tearing. My approach w/ meds is usually 'less is more' - but I think I am wrong about that. My situation is improved since I use drops (no preservatives) daily now. But if I use too many drops they sting and it takes several minutes to clear up. Lots of management with dry eye. QUESTION: DR. SAYS USE AS MANY DROPS AS I WANT. WOULDN'T THIS SOMEHOW CAUSE PERMANENT DAMAGE TO EYES? DO THE EYES BECOME DEPENDENT ON DROPS?

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If you have a dry eye problem you need to use the drops as often as you need to use them. If you allow the surface of the cornea to get excessively dry it will become inflamed and you get keratitis. You also get pain. I have s I have had dry eyes for forty years and have been under the care of an opthalmologist. Always put your drops in.

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@sue225

If you have a dry eye problem you need to use the drops as often as you need to use them. If you allow the surface of the cornea to get excessively dry it will become inflamed and you get keratitis. You also get pain. I have s I have had dry eyes for forty years and have been under the care of an opthalmologist. Always put your drops in.

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This is a different category but I did not know where to put it. Here goes: Have been trying to find a doctor to help with the three stents placed into my iliac veins. Seems none of the cardiologists here where I live can do this. Big story behind this but why make this more confusing. I am very freaked out with this. The pain is to much to bear any more and this will be the end of me. Legs have turned darker and darker with time. Must I move (which I cannot do at my age 82). to a more advanced area? Cannot drive any more due to gloucoma and. I need some one to guide me. Must find somewhere to look up where to call. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

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@peach414144

This is a different category but I did not know where to put it. Here goes: Have been trying to find a doctor to help with the three stents placed into my iliac veins. Seems none of the cardiologists here where I live can do this. Big story behind this but why make this more confusing. I am very freaked out with this. The pain is to much to bear any more and this will be the end of me. Legs have turned darker and darker with time. Must I move (which I cannot do at my age 82). to a more advanced area? Cannot drive any more due to gloucoma and. I need some one to guide me. Must find somewhere to look up where to call. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

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@peach414144 The only suggestion I can give you is look up and see if the Office of aging can help you . They are a great tool to use for a lot of medical things. Good luck

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@lioness

@peach414144 The only suggestion I can give you is look up and see if the Office of aging can help you . They are a great tool to use for a lot of medical things. Good luck

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Great idea, @lioness. Each county usually has a council on aging and they are a great resource!

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