When you lost your tears ....

[Bobbie]

Hi everyone,

I think I have lost my ability to cry.  My eyes water a bit, but no tears.  Is this how it happens?
Could you please let me know how it happened to you?

Thanks,  Bobbie

[Patze]

Hi Bobbie,

Like SJS, tear evaporation is so different for everyone, and then there are members that never have a problem with their eyes.  Some members lose theirs gradually, others a bit quicker, then there are some like me.  I have MGD, and yep, it's also recognized as an eye symptom of SJS.  With MGD, I have tears, lots of them, but the oil glands by the eye lashes don't work, leaving me with an unstable tear, and hence, dry eyes (my tears evaporate so fast that I have my left eye double plugged, and the right one has a single plug (lower)).  Even with my plugs, Restasis, and fish oil, the evaporation rate at my last exam was six in the left and seven in the right; average normal is 12 (the lowest normal rate is 10).

Take care of yourself -

Patze

[lynnmarie219]

Hi Bobbie,

I'm like Patze...I have tears...just not the right kind...mine also evaporate very fast as I don't have the proper amount of oil layer in my tears either. So if I should get something in my eye and it tears or if I cry......when the tears are done...my eyes actually hurt/burn worse than ever because it dries them out so badly. They can also remain red for quite awhile afterward as well and it looks awful!

That's my story....but we are all so very different that everyones story will vary.

[Babs659]

I can still cry if I'm sad, but cutting onions does nothing

[navydad]

I can still cry if I'm sad, but cutting onions does nothing

same here,,emotions will make me cry some kindoftear,, but anything else,, forget it,, dry as a bone

[Bernice]

I still have tears, but I do notice them drying quicker than normal. Emotional tears are very active! Before I got my lens I suffered with the red eyes affect to, but since getting them my eyes stay bright and healthy looking, also since getting them I do not suffer with dry eyes at all as there is a solution that is inserted in the lens when I put them in which stays in until I remove the lens.

[eyeamdry]

I have zero on both eyes for Schirmers.  However, I can cry, but try not to because it is like dredging up the Saraha desert.  My eyes will be red and swollen for more than 24 hours and I look like I've been out on a "bender."  Not sure how many of you know what that is.  I do not do those, but it fit the situation.

[Patze]

Ah Lucy, I've done those a time or two over the years (but it's been way too long since the last time  )!    It's weird, but if I do cry, my eyes do feel like I've been in the desert too, I never really thought about it.


Patze

[kim31072]

The tears that lubricate our eyes are basic tear secretions and are different from "crying" tears..those are reflex tears and are made by the upper main lacrimal gland.Excessive crying(or rubbing)puts strain on the lacrymal apparatus and causes redness and itchiness from irritation.

So the tears we need for eye comfort arent the same as what is made when we cry.And the ones we cry are irritating..most likely even more so to people who dont have an adequate film layer of basic tear secretions to start with.

[Billydude]

Isn't there a little eye procedure that is done to correct that?   I don't have especially dry eys or mouth.  For me its my parotid glands and dry throat/sinus/espophogus.

[harlin]

I can cry but no tears anyother time. Dry as a bone.
Are your eyes blurry too. Mine are. See the Eye doc Mar 3.

[Bobbie]

Hi Harlin,

I can't see a thing without those readers! 

[harlin]

It is like there are floaters going around. I keep blinking to clear it up but doesn't happen. I actually have trifocal glasses, which I don't wear very often. They seem to be worse when I have them on trying to focus.

[Joy Cox]

Harlin, You and I have the same 'opportunity;' I can cry tears when occasion occurs...sad or happy.    No other time

Just wondering?   Have you ever had any type eye surgery?

[roetta]

I, too, can cry tears when I'm really angry or sad, but am dry other times.