My eyes hurt more and more...

[Gonzo]

Hi everyone,

In April I got my diagnosis and since then my eyes hurt more and more? First I dropped 2 to 3 times a day but now I want to dribble again a half hour later. In September I have an appointment with the internist and will be sure to discuss this but it is normal as quickly the dryness in my eyes get worse? Or is this a reaction because I'm at the end of a flare (I hope it is the end, I think it is the end, haha)?

Hope I can hear how the dryness of you eyes is progressing?

All the best,
Stans

[Carebear]

Hi Stans,

I can really relate.  It's terrible when your eyes hurt so much, isn't it?  Have you seen an opthamologist about your eyes?  If you can, I would highly recommend it.  It makes sense that if untreated your eyes will continue to feel worse.

I was prescribed Restasis for my dry eyes about six months ago, and although it has taken a very long time, I have experienced some relief from the burning and painful itching lately.  I'm not sure if it is available in your country, though.

I know you'll receive a lot of good information from others who post.  This is, unfortunately, a very common problem. 

[A66eyroad]

I read a great post yesterday where one of the sjoggies was telling her husand that here eyes feel all the time the way his do when he's been swimming in the pool all day long. Difference is, his eyes will feel better tomorrow.

I tried all the eyedrops, but the only thing they really did was make a mess on the front of my shirt.     The one thing that has given me relief was punctal plugs (which worked until they fell out), and finally, having my tear ducts cauterized closed. What blessed relief!

[Sooki]

Are you doing other daily things that can help?  I wear goggles whenever I go outside - it helps a lot with preventing more drying.  At night, I use the thick, viscous nighttime drops with plastic wrap circles (Glad Press and Seal)  over my eyes  - there are also special soft nighttime goggles which do the same thing.  dryeyeshop.com and dryeyetalk.com give lots of useful ideas.  Those 2 things alone have helped me hugely. Much more than the daytime drops.  Sorry to mention this if you already do these things.  I hope you get some relief soon.

[Gonzo]

Thank you Sooki. And no, I'm just using daytime drops and that's it. And wearing glasses outside. It was enough. But now it feel like I have been in a swimming pool all dy, it hurts and it is annoying. And it keeps me awake. I will talk to the internist in september and ask if he wants to refer me to an eye-doctor (you use a really beautiful and complicated word, but I can't remember anymore, sorry, a bit brainfoggy today).
And I;m browsing the websites yoy gave me.
Thank you all! And strength in battle ;-)
Stans

[Iris]

My ophthalmologist has me on Restasis and fish oil and I have to use hot gel packs 4 times a day.. He put plugs in my eyes wednesday but I haven't noticed any difference yet.. I have to go back in 2 weeks and they are going to make serum tears for me.. So far the only time my eyes feel better is when I use prednisolone drops.. Too bad we can't use them all the time..

[eyeamdry]

Iris: RE: plugs.  Plugs can vary greatly as to how quickly you may notice they help.  Some people get immediate help. More get help awhile later.  It seems funny, but it might take a couple of weeks for you to know the plugs are helping.

Sometimes people get mad and have them removed after a short length of time--only to have to retry them later.  Lucy

[jasonsmith]

I read a great post yesterday where one of the sjoggies was telling her husand that here eyes feel all the time the way his do when he's been swimming in the pool all day long. Difference is, his eyes will feel better tomorrow.

I tried all the eyedrops, but the only thing they really did was make a mess on the front of my shirt.     The one thing that has given me relief was punctal plugs (which worked until they fell out), and finally, having my tear ducts cauterized closed. What blessed relief!

Do you know if those plugs only work for certain types of dry eyes? I've looked in my eyes in the mirror, and I wonder how well that drain works in the eyelid. As to me, it looks like the "drain" part doesn't touch alot of the moisture on the eye.

[waterbby100]

I had plugs put in a few years ago they worked great until they came out. I still want to get the tear ducts catarized (sp?) The drops that I have found that work the best for me are genteal severe dry eye gel and the nightime oil. I will put the oil on first and then the genteal gel, the two together work well. The only drawback is you can't see well once you have done all that! Good for bedtime not driving! I wake up several times a night with eye pain and have to put more gel in but not the oil. The daytime drops actually burn and do not help much at all...sometimes I think that it makes my eyes worse! People just don't seem to understand what real dry eyes are like!

[Pegasus47]

Yes, dry eye does tend to get worse.  I have increased my dosage of TheraLife Autoimmune Dry Eye capsules.  I stick with it since eye drops make my eyes drier.  My opthalmologist follows up frequently and examines the retina health.

Pegasus

[jasonsmith]

Is there any problems with dry eyes or Sjogrens with regards to having your eyes dilated when getting an eye exam?

An eye doctor I used to use never dilated your eyes for an exam. By my newer doctor has your eyes dilated. And I wondered if dilated your eyes could cause problems if you have dry eyes or Sjogrens type immune system problems?

[jasonsmith]

Yes, dry eye does tend to get worse.  I have increased my dosage of TheraLife Autoimmune Dry Eye capsules.  I stick with it since eye drops make my eyes drier.  My opthalmologist follows up frequently and examines the retina health.

Pegasus

That TheraLife is EXPENSIVE. Is there any studies that shows it even does anything? That stuff at 8 capsules a day is like $140 a month.

[Joe S.]

I use Reiki to help remove the pain in my eyes. I know that most of you may not have access to Reiki but it does help with my Eyes I have used it since my first atunement.

[neenagokli]

Hello, I use Restasis twice a day, take flaxseed oil capsules 3 times a day, use systane preservative free drops as needed, use a humidifier at night, wipe my eyelids at night with Ocusoft and warm compress, use nighttime gel at night and wear a sleepmask. All these have helped with my dry eyes.