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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Anyone have experience with the new drop, MEIBO?

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@mew1967

What does a heat pad do for the eyes?

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Be careful you don't burn yourself, the skin on the lids is so sensitive & if skin is dry will be not protected well. To answer your question. Heat pads/masks are to loosen glands, soften oils & work oil through glands if they're clogged (due to damage from scar tissue or infiltrates in the people with autoimmune diseases like Sjogren's). It's meant to help the oil/lube part of tears release more easily into the mix to coat eyes normally. Steamy showers may help but dries the skin further. Helps many people, not all. Depends on cause of dryness. If someone is no longer or never was able to make the oil part of tears normally (salt, water, oil are the 3 parts), no matter the massage or heat or steam or cleaning for that matter, it can be sort of futile. In autoimmune diseases, tiny nerves &/or muscles may not function normal any longer either, or even produce oil at all to be "massaged" through. Other affected organs can play into process of making needed oils & mucous linings all over the body, so that can play into lack of oil in the eyes. I'm writing on severe dry eye, not age-related normal decrease of oil/body function. These things help me a bit but it's hard to say as it varies daily. I've tried the massage, heat, showers, scrubs & near all over the counter drops too. Every annual eye visit my Dr. suggests the same regime: daily compress, scrub, massage, new or RX'd or serum drops if it gets worse. So far, I manage best with oil (castor, flax) based drops & I consume lots of fatty omega 3 fish or fish oils. Would hate to know how bad it'd be if I didn't. I can't scrub as lids are sensitive & dry so it burns & causes damage to lids. Recent years I hold my tongue during Dr. visits as repeatedly I've had to relay to the Doc since I have Sjogren's, all that isn't helping like it would a normal person with ducts that may be blocked for other reasons, or who is experiencing normal age related decrease/eye issues, but explain, yes I do all that but my problem isn't just blocked glands or dirty eyelids! Warm compress & gentle cleaning I do several times daily, mostly to get any dried crust off which happens due to more salt than oil in the mix, so I get salty crystals forming all day long. I know I'm missing the oil part most, same as most people with Sjogren's. Steamy showers for help temporarily or it may be a placebo affect from just feeling better after that! Moistens the nasal lining too & relaxes the muscles. I cry fine, so I know liquid is getting through, there's just no normal amount of oil in there so drops with flax or fish or castor oil such ingredients are a must. It takes a few minutes for the oil to spread & vision to not be blurry. Difference in vision is very good when eyes are lubricated, horrible if not. Some days I could get by with no glasses, others I fear I'm blinder overnight. Then, good again next day! Always put extra drops in before eye exam or it looks like I can't see at all. Blinking a lot readjusts vision during exams and all other times also. I haven't had luck with microwaveable masks, too hot, not hot enough, & wash cloths heat lasts briefly. Thinking of trying one of the Brute masks with regulated heat recommended here if I can order on line.

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@mdande1

Be careful you don't burn yourself, the skin on the lids is so sensitive & if skin is dry will be not protected well. To answer your question. Heat pads/masks are to loosen glands, soften oils & work oil through glands if they're clogged (due to damage from scar tissue or infiltrates in the people with autoimmune diseases like Sjogren's). It's meant to help the oil/lube part of tears release more easily into the mix to coat eyes normally. Steamy showers may help but dries the skin further. Helps many people, not all. Depends on cause of dryness. If someone is no longer or never was able to make the oil part of tears normally (salt, water, oil are the 3 parts), no matter the massage or heat or steam or cleaning for that matter, it can be sort of futile. In autoimmune diseases, tiny nerves &/or muscles may not function normal any longer either, or even produce oil at all to be "massaged" through. Other affected organs can play into process of making needed oils & mucous linings all over the body, so that can play into lack of oil in the eyes. I'm writing on severe dry eye, not age-related normal decrease of oil/body function. These things help me a bit but it's hard to say as it varies daily. I've tried the massage, heat, showers, scrubs & near all over the counter drops too. Every annual eye visit my Dr. suggests the same regime: daily compress, scrub, massage, new or RX'd or serum drops if it gets worse. So far, I manage best with oil (castor, flax) based drops & I consume lots of fatty omega 3 fish or fish oils. Would hate to know how bad it'd be if I didn't. I can't scrub as lids are sensitive & dry so it burns & causes damage to lids. Recent years I hold my tongue during Dr. visits as repeatedly I've had to relay to the Doc since I have Sjogren's, all that isn't helping like it would a normal person with ducts that may be blocked for other reasons, or who is experiencing normal age related decrease/eye issues, but explain, yes I do all that but my problem isn't just blocked glands or dirty eyelids! Warm compress & gentle cleaning I do several times daily, mostly to get any dried crust off which happens due to more salt than oil in the mix, so I get salty crystals forming all day long. I know I'm missing the oil part most, same as most people with Sjogren's. Steamy showers for help temporarily or it may be a placebo affect from just feeling better after that! Moistens the nasal lining too & relaxes the muscles. I cry fine, so I know liquid is getting through, there's just no normal amount of oil in there so drops with flax or fish or castor oil such ingredients are a must. It takes a few minutes for the oil to spread & vision to not be blurry. Difference in vision is very good when eyes are lubricated, horrible if not. Some days I could get by with no glasses, others I fear I'm blinder overnight. Then, good again next day! Always put extra drops in before eye exam or it looks like I can't see at all. Blinking a lot readjusts vision during exams and all other times also. I haven't had luck with microwaveable masks, too hot, not hot enough, & wash cloths heat lasts briefly. Thinking of trying one of the Brute masks with regulated heat recommended here if I can order on line.

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I definitely speak your language. Most people have no idea what the daily regimen is with dry eye, I can relate. I do daily scrub and warm compresses. Not sure it helps. I apply nightly ointment and drops during the day. I have requested a prescription for plasma drops. I see a cornea specialist, as I also have Salzmann’s nodules, with adhesions on both eyes.

I haven’t been diagnosed with Sjogrens. I have an appointment with a Rheumatologist next year. I have some symptoms, but not others.

I got my best results for dry eye from acupuncture. It helped my symptoms 90% within 30 days! I was then stable without major pain for 3 years, though I still followed my eye care regimen. Recently, I had a relapse and need to return for acupuncture treatment.

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I use gel lubricant at night, artificial tears during the day, and warm moist compresses. There are prescription eye drops available, but costly if your insurance doesn’t cover them.

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Interesting...how did acupuncture help? how and where did they treat?

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@mtpeony

Interesting...how did acupuncture help? how and where did they treat?

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I can only say what i experienced. Others may have a different experience. I went to a very respected acupuncturist. It was through a respected medical facility. He took a full history and determined the right places to place the needles. Mine were on the wrist and ankle. It was much more uncomfortable than I expected, but worth it. I went weekly for a couple of months. I had a dramatic improvement in my dry eye symptoms. I initially got the idea from a study I found online that supported acupuncture as an effective treatment. I’ll try to find the link. I told my ophthalmologist about it and she is supportive. I was stable without severe relapses until recently. I figure I need a tuneup. Lol

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@lizziel1

I use gel lubricant at night, artificial tears during the day, and warm moist compresses. There are prescription eye drops available, but costly if your insurance doesn’t cover them.

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I have tried the prescription drops, but they irritate my eyes to the point I can’t use them. I wish I could use them.

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I have dry eyes, I use something called hylo gel which is terrific. The gel comes in varying consistencies of oil drops. I use the green one which is viscous & it lasts me more than 1 month. Hope this helps!!

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Does anyone here have Fuchs dystrophy? If so, are you familiar with DMEK or DSAEK surgeries for it? I also have a cataract in each eye. 🙏

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@irinig

I have dry eyes, I use something called hylo gel which is terrific. The gel comes in varying consistencies of oil drops. I use the green one which is viscous & it lasts me more than 1 month. Hope this helps!!

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Where did you hear about this product? I’m trying to figure out why my ophthalmology teams have never mentioned it. I used to use Systane gel drops, but they steered me away from them for some reason, i read the description of the product and it looks impressive. I’m exploring it with my doctor.

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