Dry eyes testing - need to stop eye drops?

[sreese68]

My new eye doctor's office is already closed for the holiday weekend, and my appointment is on the 5th, so I can't ask them. (Wish I thought of this sooner!)  Does anyone know if I need to stop my OTC eye drops in order to get accurate results for any exams my eye doctor may want to do for dry eyes?  I'm using them every 2-3 hours.

If it makes a difference, I have positive early Sjogren's antibodies but negative lip biopsy (only showed mild inflammation and patchy atrophy).  I'm hoping any info I get from the eye doctor will help my new rheumatologist figure things out when I see him in September.

[irish]

I can't remember ever asking about this issue. I think that I just didn't use the drops a couple of hours before the test. The drops don't last that long and especially not very long if you have severe dry eyes. Also, being in air conditioning, out in the wind or if the humidity is low our eyes get dry faster. If you are concerned you could call and ask the gals at the eye doctor. Good luck. Irisj

[Lorand]

I was told to not put drops 1-2 hours before the exam. Also I avoid putting ointments that day (I am using night ointments a few times during the day, it helps very much).

[sreese68]

Thank you for the responses. I'll use regular eye drops the night before vs gel and not use them at all in the morning as it's a 10am appointment.