Dear Sjogren's Angels,
My eyes have been very dry since my 'Sjogren's' was diagnosed in 2002.
About 10 years ago my eyelashes became curly! I loved it. About 3 years ago, maybe more, my eyelashes began breaking off and becoming shorter and shorter.
I still have upper eyelashes, tho' very, very short. My lower eyelashes are almost gone, just a few, very sparse, and very short, of course.
Has this happened to anyone else?
I'm going to check with 'Dr. Google' on this.
I checked, and it's the blepharitis, which was diagnosed 10 years ago by an ophthalmologist. My blepharitis was not noticeable to me. But it has taken away my eyelashes! My blepharitis is the result of my Immune Disorder, aka "Sjogren's".....the gift that keeps on giving and giving.
https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/blepharitis
Elaine
I seem to have slightly less lashes overall, but a little more of an issue perhaps with my lower lashes. You probably have heard about or use the eyelash wipes? Your post reminded me to use them more regularly.
An eye doctor a long time ago told me to do the following to reset /correct my blepharitis:
1. Get baby shampoo. Wash sink extremely well. Gently wash eyelashes in sink with soapy mixture of water and baby shampoo. Rinse well. (This is only one time...then switch to wipes)
2. For the next 7-10 days, every day, gently wipe eye lashes with ocusoft lid scrub wipes.
3. Then three times a week for one to two weeks.
4. Then 2-3 times a week indefinitely. If you suspect the problem has returned...repeat.
Just a little warning about baby shampoo - it may work for some people, but my eyes reacted very badly to it.
My blepharitis cleared up in a few days after I followed Blue Gardenia's recommendation of very diluted tea tree oil applied gently with a q tip.
If you look up a post by Sjogirl 24 November 2018 on Blepharitis, you will see the dilution required.
i am really happy that this worked for you! pay attention with the dilution and use it as warm as you can for one or two minutes on cotton pads. at the end rince with mineral water on another clean cotton pad. boring but for me its great
I would also recommend letting the sink soak in a vinegar/water dilution for 10/15 minutes to help kill of more of the bacteria in the sink. Also could use bleach solution but it is hard to get rid of the odor from bleach in the air and sink and that alone can be hard on the eyes.
I have a weak immune system and prone to infections along with 5 autoimmune diseases so I am very bacteria conscious!!! Drove my husband crazy cause he was raised a farm boy and never took good care of his owies and lived to grow up. This is just my opinion as I am overly diligent when it comes to bacteria. :o meirish