I dropped by the eye doctor because my new contacts were making my eyes red. I expected to hear that I needed to try different lenses. Instead I heard that I have “sub-epithelial infiltrates,” a/k/a lots of tiny potholes in my corneas, caused by dry eye. I’m very grateful my latest chronic condition isn’t anything life-threatening, but it was a shock.
Doc says he wants me on steroidal eyedrops for a while, and basically for the rest of my life I need to drink 1-1.5 liters of water a day, use a warm compress on my eyes for at least 5 minutes a day, and take omega-3 supplements (which I was already doing). The other thing that would probably help is me not being on the computer so much, but that will be really hard!
I’m wondering if anyone else has this, and how you get along, what you do for it, and whether it improves.
I’m also curious about the science on the omega fats for this condition. My doc recommended BioTears, but since I’m already taking a fish oil to deliver the 1-2 grams of EPA I need for my depression, he said just to keep up with that. The literature on BioTears looks pretty dodgy - typical granola woo stuff.
I have blepharitis, caused by mild acne (at 43, still! @^$%!!!) Causes dry eyes. Fortunately, I don’t wear contacts often – only to work out, since I work at a chemical plant and they’re not allowed. The dryness makes it feel like constant grit in my eyes: very annoying.
I use GenTeal eyedrops when necessary. Don’t use when you have contacts in, BTW. Works okay for brief relief. It’s really just supposed to be saline solution similar to natural tears; not supposed to have any extra stuff in it. So, not surprising it looks like homeopathy – it’s just replacing the missing tears, not fixing the problem. (although my opthamologist did tell me not to use saline solution as for contact lenses, since that wouldn’t help for some vague reason.)
Using hot, moist compresses a couple times a day is best for keeping it at bay. However, that is because the acne is causing blockage of my tear ducts, so the heat unblocks those pores. If you’ve got a different mechanism causing the dryness, the warm compress may not work as well.
Thanks, twickster; that rule must have been in my blind spot.
Lightray, that’s interesting. The doctor didn’t say there was any particular cause, just that your risk is higher the older you get, and if you’re a woman, and the condition is very common. Luckily I went in before I got to the gritty stage. My eyes are just a bit blurry, not too uncomfortable.
I actually got ‘plugs’ installed for dry eyes. They plug up the ducts along the bottom of your tear duct (IIRC). For a while they truly made a difference…Then they fell out.
The reason is that your tears are not composed of simply saline (nor, for that matter, is Genteal or other ocular lubricants.) Tears contain water, lipids produced by glands on the eyelids, and mucin and other proteins, which work together in a fairly complex way with the structure of the corneal epithelium to resist evaporation. The lack of any of those particular “ingredients” of the tear film can lead to dry eye syndrome. Saline will just dilute the tears but not remain on the cornea long enough to provide relief (except for a few seconds, of course.) The majority of dry eye drops contain an ocular lubricant, usually something that forms a gel or binds to water to form a viscous solution.
Hey, thanks cromulent! At the time, stopping the abominable eye irritation was foremost. But since, the unanswered explanation was somewhat irritating, too.
I have dry eyes (and mouth), and I always had trouble with contacts - never did get used to them. Was so sick of dealing with the contacts (cleaning, inserting, losing on vacation, not able to see when swimming, blah, blah) I decided to get the Lasick procedure (about eight years ago). I still use lubricant eyedrops, but not as often, and I can see without contacts or glasses! (I admit I need to use reading glasses, but I’m getting up there in age.) Besides, I think there may be a laser treatment that corrects near- and far-sightedness. I recommend you look into getting Lasik or another laser treatment.
I have dry eyes as well as allergic eyes, and I just can’t wear contacts. The warm compress on the eyes was recommended to me by my eye doctor, too, to unblock the oil glands on my eyes. It probably goes without saying that getting plenty of sleep makes them feel better, too.