Gifts to improve the life of someone with glaucoma and psoriasis

November 27, 2018 11:48 AM

A loved one has glaucoma, with severe dry eye caused by the medications. She also has psoriasis, which worsens with baths, sock pressure, too much dishwashing, et cetera. She is followed closely by her doctors, and you are not one of them. But maybe you know someone with one or both of these conditions and are aware of a product that has improved their life?

The dry eyes are particularly bothersome, as she loves to garden and spend time outdoors, but cannot tolerate wind blowing in her eyes. She lives in an extremely rural place, so if you have suggestions for eye protection, it doesn't matter how dumb it looks, if it works. Does need to be compatible with glasses. However, it can't put too much pressure on skin or it'll exacerbate the psoriasis. Anything glaucoma-friendly that might help while sleeping?

As for the psoriasis, it seems to put a lot of skin products off the table, and baths are out completely. But maybe you know of the Gentlest Hand Cream? The most comfortable ___? She wears rubber gloves to wash dishes. Do you know of some super awesome ones?

Again, you are not her doctor, but if you know of any little quality-of-life things we could try, that would be fabulous. Person in question is in her 60s.

posted by telepanda to Human Relations (7 answers total)

Disposable gloves can be used for lots of tasks if you have sensitive skin (keeps soaps from getting on them, keeps them from getting little cuts, and if her doctors allow, can be used to occlude moisturizers). There are products made just for psoriasis, but something with dimethicone but be a good addition. How's her vitamin D intake? That can help with psoriasis. This is an old standby that can usually be found in drugstores...she could put it in a pump dispenser and put one at various sinks (kitchen, bathroom) so she has moisturuzer to put on whenever she washes her hands.

Hardware stores or safety supply shops should have a variety of options for over glasses safety goggles like this.
posted by OneSmartMonkey at 12:28 PM on November 27, 2018

My mom swares by lubriderm as her lotion for hers.

I suggest zenni optical for cheap (like 20 dollars!) prescription eyewear, she can get a tented pair with larger lenses for outdoor use.
posted by AlexiaSky at 12:29 PM on November 27, 2018 [2 favorites]

Seconding getting some cheap prescription safety-type glasses if possible. Wraparound-style sunglasses with clear lenses would also do the job here. I liked the ones I got from SportRX. That said, they're expensive and wouldn't be a same-day pickup from a local hardware store.

The two main options for eye protection over eyeglasses are the enormous glasses-covering goggle things that stay on with an elastic band (not very comfortable) and shields that slide onto the temples and protect the sides of the eyes from wind. These aren't all that effective, but are reasonably comfortable to wear. They're only a few bucks and probably available somewhere locally, so would be worth a try.

A Buff-style tube bandana thing works pretty well to cover any area where wind can get in around the glasses (wear like a balaclava, bunch it up around the top of the glasses).
posted by asperity at 12:43 PM on November 27, 2018

Response by poster: Those safety goggles linked by OneSmartMonkey look excellent in that I like the look of the soft rubber seal (I know thick foam seals on other goggles have been problematic for her skin, plus hindering the fit over glasses).

Only thing is, it seems like Uline products are only sold from their website? And the shipping is as much as the googles! If I knew for sure they'd work, it'd be fine, but I don't - so if anyone happens to know of another over-glasses safety goggle with a thin and soft seal, that'd be lovely! (Or of a store where i can buy the Ulines, just in case my google-fu is turned off today..)
posted by telepanda at 1:49 PM on November 27, 2018

I have psoriasis and phototherapy controls it completely. I strongly recommend it.
posted by sevensnowflakes at 4:31 PM on November 27, 2018

I use a prescription eyedrop called Xiidra for dry eye syndrome that over-the-counter eye drops didn’t help at all, and have found it very effective. It stings for a few minutes when I put the drops in, but for me that’s an extremely worthwhile trade for no dry eyes the rest of the day. Depending on insurance, it can be expensive, but the manufacturer has a good rebate program that dropped my monthly out-of-pocket for it from like $300 to $10.
posted by strangely stunted trees at 4:58 PM on November 27, 2018

A niece found that her young child's eczema was much improved after she installed a water softener.

In my household (two old people) we use disposable vinyl gloves, sometimes under a sturdy reusable glove. We use Eucerin Advanced Repair (effective but messy) or Neutrogena Norwegian Formula hand cream, and we wash our hands with Cetaphil or Basis soap. Still, we wait for spring.
posted by SereneStorm at 5:22 PM on November 27, 2018