Tears

[Kadiddle]

I have read some posts where people say they have no tear production. While my eyes are incredibly dry to the point I am getting corneal erosions. However, when I cry, I still make plenty of tears. Does that negate an SjS diagnosis?

[Joe S.]

Some can cry with Sjogrens. Usually it is not the correct kind of tears. You can tell by the way they hurt.

[Kadiddle]

Thanks for your response Joe. In actuality, my eyes are so dry and damaged right now that the tears are soothing. Unfortunately, it is short-lived. I have chronic corneal erosions right now, and everything burns it, but my own tears seems to be more comfortable then anything. Too bad I can't just cry all day. 

[Joe S.]

My tears burn as you commented. And yes sometimes they are soothing. Chick flicks are a problem. Tear jerk movies are a problem. Do what you can to take care of yourself.

[cccourt1942]

Kadiddie,
    I 'm one who has no tears.  It's been over 25 years.  I always used on OTC individual vial eye drop.  When my eyes hurt (most of the time) & I put drops in.  I do not remember the progression of hurting, nor do I recall the tears burning when I produced them.  My eyes bothered me so much, I became accustomed to it. 
    The five years before my dx I began to have what my ophthal dxed as allergic conjunctivitis.  She gave me steroid drops.  This was NOT pink eye like I had as a child nor how my children's eyes looked when they had it.  My eyes looked like they were bleeding...and yes...both eyes were always affected.  The steroid drops would clear them up...and they would hurt in the beginning ...and after a few days, everything would subside.  This was pretty often...at least 4 times a year.  The last two years before dx of SjS I would get up in the a.m. and would have (at location of tear ducts) a "sheet" of what looked like dried out white out...the old type correction fluid.  I could peel it off.  Sometimes it was only a small amount..maybe 1/4 inch.  Then I could peel off anywhere from a half to a full inch of the dried matter.  I never asked the eye doctor what it was as my eyes were neither worse nor hurt. 
      After dx and subsequent Restasis, it was a full year before my ophthal (a NEW one) noted my eyes had changed dramatically from when he initially saw them.  It was about 18 months of using Restasis before my eyes began to feel better.
      NOW...when I have "tears" well in my eyes  ...or whatever fluid it is (can't be anything but tear)  I do feel a relief from that swoosh.  I have produced one tear that came off my eyeball proper in the last two years.  I was so excited. 
      I still use the OTC vial drops (Alcon Naturale Tears) mostly during the night.  I've never been able to successfully use the gels many use at night. 
      Enjoy your tears no matter the quality.  I think I am the exception and not the rule for tears.

Sjoldier c3

[Kadiddle]

cccourt1942,

That sounds SO painful!!!! I am on prednisone drops right now, but my right eye is driving me nuts!!!! I will force myself to cry just to feel some relief. I am on Xiidra, Prednisone, and OTC eye drops and I use them constantly. I think I have new tears or erosions. UGh. It just aches. I'll call my eye doc in the morning.
It  must be miserable not making ANY tears. How is your vision? I'm glad to hear the treatment has helped. Hoping for the same here.

Kelli

[cccourt1942]

kadiddie:  Strangely enough, this does not affect your acuity.  At 74 the ophthal says i'm still a few years away from needing cataract surgery.  Most of my friends, family my age have had it already.  I do have floaters in one eye which bother me.  But they say nothing can be done about that.  That's started within....well....this calendar year.  Xiidra is the new eyedrop which is supposed to be excellent. I "say" Restasis...but really...now...either one. 

As to if it hurt:  I vividly remember reading regularly ..not a book a week..more a book every couple of months (I was still working parttime) and all  of a sudden..well..i went three years not reading anything. It just tired my eyes so.  I started using the steroid drops periodically..and started reading again.  But one book would tire me so visually.  Now?  I can read, but it still tires me.  Reading two books now...and going slowly but CAN do it.  Thrilled.

     I would think producing tears would be cathartic AND cleansing...most importantly..keeping your ducts open.  I never thought of that until I learned why I had all these symptoms ...sjogren's that is. 
    Good luck..have a good week.
c3

[SjoGirl]

There are different reasons for SjS dry eye. In addition to affecting tear production the disease can affect the amount of tear film and the rapidity with which your tears dry up.

My SjS affected tear production (I could not cry for a year) and my tear film. I had to have upper punctual plugs inserted and have used Restasis for years now in order to be able to produce tears. Both have made a tremendous difference.