Dry Eye Advice Needed
July 30, 2020 1:16 AM Subscribe
I'm having some major dry eye issues--it's been like this for more than a month. My work is all computer-based, and I'm starting to get scared. Please give me your recommendations (success stories would be great too)!
Apologies in advance, but I want to be as detailed as possible:
A few months ago, I had a big work project to do that involved lots of screen time--maybe 6 hours a day. One day, my eyes felt quite sore, and I rubbed them too hard, hurting them in the process. I was worried I had done major damage, especially to the left eye, so I went to the eye doctor. The eye doctor took pictures of my eye, and concluded that I had torn the inside of my left eyelid. She seemed convinced that it would heal up and that there was no infection. She indicated that she thought that I was also suffering from allergies and dry eye.
She prescribed me some eye drops--some for allergies, some for dry eye. Over the next few weeks, I tried to avoid screen time as much as possible, and used the drops. My condition seemed to improve.
Then, two weeks ago, it suddenly got worse--especially in the left eye. I returned to the eye hospital, and they found a hair from underneath my left eye lid, which they removed. I felt relieved, thinking that was likely causing the irritation. The doctor said my eyes looked dry and recommended that I keep using eye drops. She switched me to a preservative-free variety of drop that comes in individual packaging. She also said that I should continue using the allergy drops (they are pemiorolast potassium, if it's of any interest).
Things seem to be getting worse again this week. I've been using the drops pretty frequently, and I've also been using a hot compress. I'm having trouble producing tears, but I notice that I generally do produce tears after using the hot compress. When I wake up in the morning, I usually find a dry yellow mucosal crust on my eyelids.
I plan on returning to the eye doctor, but, unfortunately, I live in a non-English speaking country, so there is a language barrier when I visit.
A few questions that I have:
1. Many people claim that it's okay to use the preservative-free eye drops as much as needed, but I'm worried that my eyes are no longer producing tears since I started using them. Is that a valid concern--that the artificial tears have allowed my eyes to become accustomed to not producing tears?
2. Does the fact that I'm producing tears after using a hot compress suggest that I have meibomian gland dysfunction? This is something I've been reading about a lot online.
3. Any general recommendations or success stories appreciated.
Apologies in advance, but I want to be as detailed as possible:
A few months ago, I had a big work project to do that involved lots of screen time--maybe 6 hours a day. One day, my eyes felt quite sore, and I rubbed them too hard, hurting them in the process. I was worried I had done major damage, especially to the left eye, so I went to the eye doctor. The eye doctor took pictures of my eye, and concluded that I had torn the inside of my left eyelid. She seemed convinced that it would heal up and that there was no infection. She indicated that she thought that I was also suffering from allergies and dry eye.
She prescribed me some eye drops--some for allergies, some for dry eye. Over the next few weeks, I tried to avoid screen time as much as possible, and used the drops. My condition seemed to improve.
Then, two weeks ago, it suddenly got worse--especially in the left eye. I returned to the eye hospital, and they found a hair from underneath my left eye lid, which they removed. I felt relieved, thinking that was likely causing the irritation. The doctor said my eyes looked dry and recommended that I keep using eye drops. She switched me to a preservative-free variety of drop that comes in individual packaging. She also said that I should continue using the allergy drops (they are pemiorolast potassium, if it's of any interest).
Things seem to be getting worse again this week. I've been using the drops pretty frequently, and I've also been using a hot compress. I'm having trouble producing tears, but I notice that I generally do produce tears after using the hot compress. When I wake up in the morning, I usually find a dry yellow mucosal crust on my eyelids.
I plan on returning to the eye doctor, but, unfortunately, I live in a non-English speaking country, so there is a language barrier when I visit.
A few questions that I have:
1. Many people claim that it's okay to use the preservative-free eye drops as much as needed, but I'm worried that my eyes are no longer producing tears since I started using them. Is that a valid concern--that the artificial tears have allowed my eyes to become accustomed to not producing tears?
2. Does the fact that I'm producing tears after using a hot compress suggest that I have meibomian gland dysfunction? This is something I've been reading about a lot online.
3. Any general recommendations or success stories appreciated.
Seconding an overnight gel or ointment. Sometimes people's eyelids are not shut entirely when sleeping, so then your eye dries out overnight and causes crusty eyes in the morning. This can be made worse if you are sleeping with a fan blowing on you.
posted by fourpotatoes at 2:12 AM on July 30, 2020
posted by fourpotatoes at 2:12 AM on July 30, 2020
Just a thought, but: Do your eyes swell sometimes? I've found there's a direct correlation between swollen eyes and dryness for me. To ameliorate the swelling, I concentrate on anything allergy-inducing, use dust-mite covers, take decongestants and the like. Once I have the swelling under control, the dryness disappears.
posted by Violet Blue at 2:37 AM on July 30, 2020
posted by Violet Blue at 2:37 AM on July 30, 2020
Do you have F.lux or similiar blue light reducing software on your computer? I made the mistake of disabling it for two hours once to work on some color-based stuff, and holy _ow,_ Batman.
posted by Tamanna at 2:55 AM on July 30, 2020
posted by Tamanna at 2:55 AM on July 30, 2020
Dryness can block glands in a vicious circle. Keep up the hot compresses (including putting any teabags on eyes after making tea). I've found that tiny glass medication bottles filled with hot water are the best for it, keep warm the longest.
I have intermittent symptoms and when things flare up I use a retinol / Vitamin A eye ointment that's OTC in Poland and a wonder to use overnight - no crusts at all in the morning. A friend who can't close her eyes completely due to a muscular condition uses it every night. The one I use has retinol, paraffin, beeswax and vaseline.
Also make sure the humidity's right in your working environment. Heating and air conditioning both dry out the air. I've been driving a lot lately and I've noticed noticeably dryer eyes after a few hours in the car with air conditioning. A humidifier for your work room, maybe opening windows in the car instead of blasting air conditioning - both worth a try.
posted by I claim sanctuary at 3:08 AM on July 30, 2020
I have intermittent symptoms and when things flare up I use a retinol / Vitamin A eye ointment that's OTC in Poland and a wonder to use overnight - no crusts at all in the morning. A friend who can't close her eyes completely due to a muscular condition uses it every night. The one I use has retinol, paraffin, beeswax and vaseline.
Also make sure the humidity's right in your working environment. Heating and air conditioning both dry out the air. I've been driving a lot lately and I've noticed noticeably dryer eyes after a few hours in the car with air conditioning. A humidifier for your work room, maybe opening windows in the car instead of blasting air conditioning - both worth a try.
posted by I claim sanctuary at 3:08 AM on July 30, 2020
Have you thought about going back or phoning the eye clinic/hospital ? You've had alot of irratation and injury to that left eye, even though you didn't have an infection then you might have one now. Especially if the discharge is new.
posted by AlexiaSky at 3:38 AM on July 30, 2020
posted by AlexiaSky at 3:38 AM on July 30, 2020
Some people definitely get irritated by frequent, long-term use of those preservative-free eye drops. I use hot compresses and baby shampoo in the shower.
posted by skewed at 5:20 AM on July 30, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by skewed at 5:20 AM on July 30, 2020 [2 favorites]
When my eyes are dryer than usual I use the gel version of my normal eye drops overnight - as others have noted it really helps. My normal is to use eye drops several times at night. I have never heard that using eye drops would inhibit tear production so doubt that's a worry at least.
posted by leslies at 5:41 AM on July 30, 2020
posted by leslies at 5:41 AM on July 30, 2020
1. Many people claim that it's okay to use the preservative-free eye drops as much as needed, but I'm worried that my eyes are no longer producing tears since I started using them. Is that a valid concern--that the artificial tears have allowed my eyes to become accustomed to not producing tears?
Not a doctor, not medical advice. Just someone who had BAD dry eyes after needing to be on ophthalmic steroids for 4 months due to a dangerous eye problem, because steroids actually CAN do what you're worried artificial tears can do. (Our natural steroid production drops precariously if you add artificial steroids to the mix; that's part of the reason I was on a 4-month program, as it involved a 2-month taper.)
There's three basic types of OTC eye drops for non-allergic eye troubles.
I recognize that you are in a non-English-speaking country, but here's a real ophthalmologist's guide to eye drops by active ingredient, which hopefully will still work for you, e.g. the active ingredients will hopefully be listed. He half-jokingly suggests that if preservative-free eye drops still irritate you, you might be better off without eyes entirely -- but really without eye drops.
(1) Vasoconstrictors like Visine -- ophthalmologists hate these and you should not use them. They are for RED eyes, not DRY eyes, e.g. you're trying to hide you're sleep deprived for a single big-deal interview or a teenager trying to hide marijuana use.
Within the category of artificial tears, you have (2) demulcents and (3) emollients. To explain these I need to explain the two most common causes of dry eyes.
There's a few sources of moisture in the eye -- the lacrimal gland (e.g. tears), the meibomian glands (which produce an oily substance and are at the edge of the eyelid), and glands in the conjunctiva that produce water and mucus.
Cause 1: You're not producing enough tears, period. This can happen as you age, or for other reasons. This is what artificial tears are best at, and demulcents -- which moisturize the surface of the eye -- are specialists at treating this. The production of the tear film is largely autonomous and will usually try to produce a constant rate of tears. It doesn't really decrease the tear rate much; it likes tears. The entire system is designed to quickly flood the eye with tears if it notices you don't have enough, so if you're noticing you're not producing enough you're... probably just not producing enough, regardless of whether or not you were taking artificial tears.
Cause 2: You're producing enough, but it is evaporating too quickly. (Your doctors may have tested this by making you blink repeatedly while they stared into your soul.) The tear film is a product of all of the things I mentioned above -- the oily substance, the watery middle layer, and a mucusal inner layer. If the oily layer is disrupted, as when the meibomian glands become blocked with their oily secretions or just become less productive with age, it can lead to too-quick evaporation of the tear layer, which leaves your eyes feeling dry. Emollients are basically lipids (fats, like oils are) that strive to replace the lipid layer. The most common active ingredient I've seen for emollients is propylene glycol.
So when you go back to the doctor, ask if you're producing enough tears or if the tears are evaporating too quickly. If the problem is evaporation, try to find a lipid-based eye drop program, one high-viscosity ("gel") for use overnight and a lower-viscosity one ("drops") for use during the day.
posted by flibbertigibbet at 5:42 AM on July 30, 2020 [10 favorites]
Not a doctor, not medical advice. Just someone who had BAD dry eyes after needing to be on ophthalmic steroids for 4 months due to a dangerous eye problem, because steroids actually CAN do what you're worried artificial tears can do. (Our natural steroid production drops precariously if you add artificial steroids to the mix; that's part of the reason I was on a 4-month program, as it involved a 2-month taper.)
There's three basic types of OTC eye drops for non-allergic eye troubles.
I recognize that you are in a non-English-speaking country, but here's a real ophthalmologist's guide to eye drops by active ingredient, which hopefully will still work for you, e.g. the active ingredients will hopefully be listed. He half-jokingly suggests that if preservative-free eye drops still irritate you, you might be better off without eyes entirely -- but really without eye drops.
(1) Vasoconstrictors like Visine -- ophthalmologists hate these and you should not use them. They are for RED eyes, not DRY eyes, e.g. you're trying to hide you're sleep deprived for a single big-deal interview or a teenager trying to hide marijuana use.
Within the category of artificial tears, you have (2) demulcents and (3) emollients. To explain these I need to explain the two most common causes of dry eyes.
There's a few sources of moisture in the eye -- the lacrimal gland (e.g. tears), the meibomian glands (which produce an oily substance and are at the edge of the eyelid), and glands in the conjunctiva that produce water and mucus.
Cause 1: You're not producing enough tears, period. This can happen as you age, or for other reasons. This is what artificial tears are best at, and demulcents -- which moisturize the surface of the eye -- are specialists at treating this. The production of the tear film is largely autonomous and will usually try to produce a constant rate of tears. It doesn't really decrease the tear rate much; it likes tears. The entire system is designed to quickly flood the eye with tears if it notices you don't have enough, so if you're noticing you're not producing enough you're... probably just not producing enough, regardless of whether or not you were taking artificial tears.
Cause 2: You're producing enough, but it is evaporating too quickly. (Your doctors may have tested this by making you blink repeatedly while they stared into your soul.) The tear film is a product of all of the things I mentioned above -- the oily substance, the watery middle layer, and a mucusal inner layer. If the oily layer is disrupted, as when the meibomian glands become blocked with their oily secretions or just become less productive with age, it can lead to too-quick evaporation of the tear layer, which leaves your eyes feeling dry. Emollients are basically lipids (fats, like oils are) that strive to replace the lipid layer. The most common active ingredient I've seen for emollients is propylene glycol.
So when you go back to the doctor, ask if you're producing enough tears or if the tears are evaporating too quickly. If the problem is evaporation, try to find a lipid-based eye drop program, one high-viscosity ("gel") for use overnight and a lower-viscosity one ("drops") for use during the day.
posted by flibbertigibbet at 5:42 AM on July 30, 2020 [10 favorites]
I'm sure this was already something that your physician brought up, but if you are using a computer a lot, screen angle and position can make a big difference in eye dryness too. If you're looking up to the top of your monitor that can make a pretty significant difference.
posted by rambling wanderlust at 5:51 AM on July 30, 2020
posted by rambling wanderlust at 5:51 AM on July 30, 2020
Right after I had Lasik I had severe dry eye and it was discovered I have Sjogren's (a "drying disease"). Thins have improved, here's what I do:
1. Include fish in my diet 2-3x/week. My ophthalmologist recommended this or omega fatty acid supplements
2. At bedtime I put on an ice mask that is otherwise kept in the freezer (the one I have is "Imak" brand, it doesn't press on your actual eyes which is nice)
3. Use the preservative-free gel drops at bedtime and if I wake up during the night feeling dry
4. No ceiling fans on while sleeping, ever. Even with the mask it's not a complete seal and the air does dry me out. (My eyes don't close completely, YMMV)
5. During the day, Retaine MGD drops, the brand specifically recommended by my eye doc. Pricey but they last longer than other brands I've tried, I think there's a mineral oil in it and the lid reattaches, once opened you can use the same vial for 24 hrs. (With some other brands the dropper lids don't necessarily reattach)
6. When working on the computer, keep the drops next to you and use whenever you feel the dryness. We don't blink as often when looking at screens.
7. Periodically like 1 or 2 times a day, close your eyes hard and squeeze them shut. This squeezes out some oils from your eyelids that keep it all lubricated
8. Get punctal plugs put in, they're like a little damn for your tears so the tears stay in your eyes longer before draining away. Mine cost about $60 with insurance and last about 6 months to a year.
They also have lid scrubs and gels (my doc said to use ocusoft brand) that can help
posted by kristicat at 6:22 AM on July 30, 2020
1. Include fish in my diet 2-3x/week. My ophthalmologist recommended this or omega fatty acid supplements
2. At bedtime I put on an ice mask that is otherwise kept in the freezer (the one I have is "Imak" brand, it doesn't press on your actual eyes which is nice)
3. Use the preservative-free gel drops at bedtime and if I wake up during the night feeling dry
4. No ceiling fans on while sleeping, ever. Even with the mask it's not a complete seal and the air does dry me out. (My eyes don't close completely, YMMV)
5. During the day, Retaine MGD drops, the brand specifically recommended by my eye doc. Pricey but they last longer than other brands I've tried, I think there's a mineral oil in it and the lid reattaches, once opened you can use the same vial for 24 hrs. (With some other brands the dropper lids don't necessarily reattach)
6. When working on the computer, keep the drops next to you and use whenever you feel the dryness. We don't blink as often when looking at screens.
7. Periodically like 1 or 2 times a day, close your eyes hard and squeeze them shut. This squeezes out some oils from your eyelids that keep it all lubricated
8. Get punctal plugs put in, they're like a little damn for your tears so the tears stay in your eyes longer before draining away. Mine cost about $60 with insurance and last about 6 months to a year.
They also have lid scrubs and gels (my doc said to use ocusoft brand) that can help
posted by kristicat at 6:22 AM on July 30, 2020
There are dry eye forums you can join that will give you lots of ideas for managing this. They key is maximizing humidity. I have a family member who has significant problems with this and these are some of the things she does.
- Get some distilled water and use that. Always rub your eyes wet never with a dry hand and if they are stuck shut in the morning, have distilled water by the bed to moisten them before you force them open. Keep it in a small sealed bottle beside the bed, and practice opening it by feel before you actually first use it to help you open your eyes in the morning.
-wear dust proof goggles during the day to keep the moisture in. You can get goggles like this at the hardware store that will fit over your glasses if you wear them.
- a strip of cling wrap over the eyes at bedtime means that the moisture is sealed in while you sleep.
- use humidifiers in the house, and a barometer to make sure the humidity is high.
- take super extra precautions if you are a person with the kind of delicate skin that tears when a heavy duty band-aid is removed.
Hot compresses will soften blocked tear ducts and cause the gunk blocking them to be released. It is a good idea to do this daily.
Hydrate really well by never allowing yourself to feel thirsty.
Some people find that they eye drops do not help, but that sterile water or distilled water does. Other people find that water is not as good as eye drops. Experiment. A mild saline may also prove much better than plain water or eye drops.
Many allergy medicines are dehydrating. Experiment with what you use. Some don't dry up the mucus membranes as much.
Remember to use good hygiene. A supply of clean wash clothes which have been washed in hot water and which are not stored in the bathroom where the toilet gets flushed will be very useful for moistening your eyes.
Some people find that irrigating their sinuses well helps. Use saline for this. I suspect it helps by removing the pollen and other allergens that might irritate the eyes. If you like to use a neti pot or snort salt water from the palm of your hand try doing that regularly to see if it improves things.
Many people are only troubled by dry eyes seasonally, either during allergy season or when the heat or the air conditioning is on.
posted by Jane the Brown at 6:28 AM on July 30, 2020 [1 favorite]
- Get some distilled water and use that. Always rub your eyes wet never with a dry hand and if they are stuck shut in the morning, have distilled water by the bed to moisten them before you force them open. Keep it in a small sealed bottle beside the bed, and practice opening it by feel before you actually first use it to help you open your eyes in the morning.
-wear dust proof goggles during the day to keep the moisture in. You can get goggles like this at the hardware store that will fit over your glasses if you wear them.
- a strip of cling wrap over the eyes at bedtime means that the moisture is sealed in while you sleep.
- use humidifiers in the house, and a barometer to make sure the humidity is high.
- take super extra precautions if you are a person with the kind of delicate skin that tears when a heavy duty band-aid is removed.
Hot compresses will soften blocked tear ducts and cause the gunk blocking them to be released. It is a good idea to do this daily.
Hydrate really well by never allowing yourself to feel thirsty.
Some people find that they eye drops do not help, but that sterile water or distilled water does. Other people find that water is not as good as eye drops. Experiment. A mild saline may also prove much better than plain water or eye drops.
Many allergy medicines are dehydrating. Experiment with what you use. Some don't dry up the mucus membranes as much.
Remember to use good hygiene. A supply of clean wash clothes which have been washed in hot water and which are not stored in the bathroom where the toilet gets flushed will be very useful for moistening your eyes.
Some people find that irrigating their sinuses well helps. Use saline for this. I suspect it helps by removing the pollen and other allergens that might irritate the eyes. If you like to use a neti pot or snort salt water from the palm of your hand try doing that regularly to see if it improves things.
Many people are only troubled by dry eyes seasonally, either during allergy season or when the heat or the air conditioning is on.
posted by Jane the Brown at 6:28 AM on July 30, 2020 [1 favorite]
There hasn't been a lot of talk about attempts to sort out an allergy, but I definitely have a problem with dry eyes and eye irritation if I forget to take my allergy meds. My allergies are mostly to plants, so I don't take them in winter, but every spring, I have a poor return to routine and suffer dry eyes on the days I forget.
posted by advicepig at 6:34 AM on July 30, 2020
posted by advicepig at 6:34 AM on July 30, 2020
Hydrate really well by never allowing yourself to feel thirsty.
Seconding this. I can tell I’m not drinking enough water when my eye feels like it needs drops.
posted by sageleaf at 6:35 AM on July 30, 2020
Seconding this. I can tell I’m not drinking enough water when my eye feels like it needs drops.
posted by sageleaf at 6:35 AM on July 30, 2020
I have some mild allergies, blepharitis, and dry-ish eyes.
1. I take a couple of anti-allergy medications
2. I wash my eyelids in the shower with baby shampoo to get the crusty bits off (otherwise, they fall into the eye and hurt *way more* than little bits of mucous should).
3. Use a warming mask intermittently (mine has little beads that I microwave for like 20 seconds, then lie with it on my eyes for about 5 minutes).
4. Eye drops as necessary (Olopatadine if my eyes are "allergy-y," otherwise artificial tears and gel drops at night)
5. Omega-3 fish oil (a little on the fence about this, but it seems to help a little)
I still have occasional pain, but it's manageable. I have not done damage to my eye or eyelid, though, so....
posted by GenjiandProust at 6:46 AM on July 30, 2020
1. I take a couple of anti-allergy medications
2. I wash my eyelids in the shower with baby shampoo to get the crusty bits off (otherwise, they fall into the eye and hurt *way more* than little bits of mucous should).
3. Use a warming mask intermittently (mine has little beads that I microwave for like 20 seconds, then lie with it on my eyes for about 5 minutes).
4. Eye drops as necessary (Olopatadine if my eyes are "allergy-y," otherwise artificial tears and gel drops at night)
5. Omega-3 fish oil (a little on the fence about this, but it seems to help a little)
I still have occasional pain, but it's manageable. I have not done damage to my eye or eyelid, though, so....
posted by GenjiandProust at 6:46 AM on July 30, 2020
I had severe dry eye, to the point where I was using drops multiple times a day and it disqualified me for LASIK. I had a full assessment for MGD at an optometry practice that specializes in treating it (one of the senior optometrists came up with the term). Here's what I learned:
The assessment includes a blinking test. Apparently, I don't close my eyes all the way when I blink, nor do I close my eyes when I sleep. I now wear an eye mask to sleep. I was also told to practice blinking intentionally, and forcing my eyelids shut, in order to retrain my eyes.
I'd used nonpreservative eyedrops and hot compresses before, but the doctor recommended two things that I had never heard of. The meibomian glands are along the lower eyelid, and she recommended cleaning them once a day with a clean Q-tip. She had her assistant demonstrate the technique for me (it's not just sticking a Q-tip in your eye). She also recommended that I wash my eyes out with saline every morning. During the night, a lot accumulates in the eye that can block the meibomian glands; she compared washing with saline to brushing teeth.
I wasn't able to stick to the entire regimen. But the sleeping mask and saline washes have been a game changer for me—I'm no longer in discomfort or pain. If my eyes started bothering me again, I would add other parts of the regimen back into my routine. When I went to get assessed, I was in so much discomfort that I was ready for surgery, but my optometrist really pushed trying the at-home stuff first, and in my case, she was right. YMMV.
posted by naturalnumbers at 6:50 AM on July 30, 2020 [1 favorite]
The assessment includes a blinking test. Apparently, I don't close my eyes all the way when I blink, nor do I close my eyes when I sleep. I now wear an eye mask to sleep. I was also told to practice blinking intentionally, and forcing my eyelids shut, in order to retrain my eyes.
I'd used nonpreservative eyedrops and hot compresses before, but the doctor recommended two things that I had never heard of. The meibomian glands are along the lower eyelid, and she recommended cleaning them once a day with a clean Q-tip. She had her assistant demonstrate the technique for me (it's not just sticking a Q-tip in your eye). She also recommended that I wash my eyes out with saline every morning. During the night, a lot accumulates in the eye that can block the meibomian glands; she compared washing with saline to brushing teeth.
I wasn't able to stick to the entire regimen. But the sleeping mask and saline washes have been a game changer for me—I'm no longer in discomfort or pain. If my eyes started bothering me again, I would add other parts of the regimen back into my routine. When I went to get assessed, I was in so much discomfort that I was ready for surgery, but my optometrist really pushed trying the at-home stuff first, and in my case, she was right. YMMV.
posted by naturalnumbers at 6:50 AM on July 30, 2020 [1 favorite]
For #1, I directly asked my ophthalmologist that exact question and she was quite firm that it wasn't a thing. I asked her because the LASIK people told me to be cautious about it, so maybe there are different opinions out there, but I definitely trust my ophthalmologist more. She did say not to use Visine drops for dry eye though.
posted by randomnity at 6:51 AM on July 30, 2020
posted by randomnity at 6:51 AM on July 30, 2020
You can ask if plugs for your tear ducts are an option. I've had them in the past for my eyes, and they do make a difference. They stop your tears from draining out the eye. Your eye doctor just inserts a tiny stopper during your office visit. Takes a couple of seconds and should stay in place for months.
posted by Eddie Mars at 6:55 AM on July 30, 2020
posted by Eddie Mars at 6:55 AM on July 30, 2020
I'll also add that the doctor said that blockages in the meibomian glands are like wax—hot compresses work because the heat allows the blockages to be expressed. Doing saline washes and cleaning the surface of the meibomian glands can help if your glands aren't totally blocked, but if they are blocked, you will need the hot compresses or another method (they offer an actual cleaning service at my doctor's office).
posted by naturalnumbers at 6:59 AM on July 30, 2020
posted by naturalnumbers at 6:59 AM on July 30, 2020
I'm surprised no one has mentioned Covid-19.
My time with the virus in March/April included a lot of eye trouble - dryness and a general sense that my eyes weren't quite right. My Google medical degree says this is not unusual.
I'm not sure that makes a difference to your symptomatic treatment, but may help frame your long-term response.
posted by Glomar response at 7:36 AM on July 30, 2020 [2 favorites]
My time with the virus in March/April included a lot of eye trouble - dryness and a general sense that my eyes weren't quite right. My Google medical degree says this is not unusual.
I'm not sure that makes a difference to your symptomatic treatment, but may help frame your long-term response.
posted by Glomar response at 7:36 AM on July 30, 2020 [2 favorites]
Everyone else has the dry-eye covered. I will mention that getting computer glasses to wear when I was using a screen was a huge help when it came to eye strain and related headaches.
posted by Bella Donna at 7:53 AM on July 30, 2020
posted by Bella Donna at 7:53 AM on July 30, 2020
Seconding kristicat's suggestion to eat fish. Salmon for example. Which fats&oils you consume can make a big difference.
(But I have no medical or other relevant training, so, take this advice with metaphorical salt.)
posted by Baeria at 8:23 AM on July 30, 2020
(But I have no medical or other relevant training, so, take this advice with metaphorical salt.)
posted by Baeria at 8:23 AM on July 30, 2020
I have dry eye and have been treating with drops for years, but it sucked to literally be unable to open my eyes in the morning unless I have drops within arms reach. I also rinse my lids with eye-friendly soap and q-tip scrub every morning due to mild blepharitis. Felt nice after but wasn't preventing anything.
Then I got a cat, and I don't know if it's the Loratadine I take daily to prevent allergies, or the fact that I'm still about 10% mildly allergic which makes my eyes run a bit in the morning since the cat sleeps with us - but I don't need to use eye drops in the morning for the first time in ten years.
posted by egeanin at 1:48 PM on July 30, 2020
Then I got a cat, and I don't know if it's the Loratadine I take daily to prevent allergies, or the fact that I'm still about 10% mildly allergic which makes my eyes run a bit in the morning since the cat sleeps with us - but I don't need to use eye drops in the morning for the first time in ten years.
posted by egeanin at 1:48 PM on July 30, 2020
The specialist I saw recommended TheraTears (that brand, specifically).
posted by The corpse in the library at 5:53 PM on July 30, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by The corpse in the library at 5:53 PM on July 30, 2020 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by charmedimsure at 1:56 AM on July 30, 2020 [5 favorites]