Computer and Dry Eyes Question

[Wynter]

I work on a computer most of the day and my eyes are very dry and it really, really, really hurts. I do all the stuff like putting in extra jobs, taking a break, take Evoxac ( which doesn't help my eyes), running humidifier in office, etc.  I have considered finding another job, but i like this one or trying for disability, but I can still make it to work. My question to everyone is am I damaging my eyes by continueing to work on the computer for a living? I don't want to damage my corneas.

[dbab]

I have the same problem Wynter.  The problem is that when we work on a computer, we don't blink as often.  I constantly have to remind myself to blink more because otherwise my dry eyes as it is just gets so much worse.  I do have to use my drops more often in front of a computer.

As far as the damage to the corneas, I'm not sure.

[Wynter]

I blink all the time. I just don't want to damage my eyes by continueing to do this. I am seeing my eye doc tommorrow to discuss the situation. I have lower plugs, but might need to get uppers put in again. I had them last year, but had them removed my all my eyes did was water and they didn't help. When my eyes get really bad the pain gives me a headache and extends into my ears.

[Dolly Dimples]

    Wynter, sorry you are  in this predicament..

Must be awful having to think about giving up a job that you like..

   I have no answer to this but I do have the dry eyes, so I'd appreciate to hear what your eye Doc has to say on this Wynter.

            Hoping he can help in some way to save you having to give up working.   Good Luck , Dolly x

[Poochie]

Wynter, have you given any thought to maybe getting those Moisture Chamber glasses?  Even the little I'm on the computer bothers my eyes and all the hand work I do is getting to me.  I'm thinking about looking into them.  Especially now with the summer weather setting in.

You might also look into some sort of add on screen to soften your monitor brightness.  I think I've seen them in Staples and Office Supply stores.   

Just a thought.

Pooh

[Wynter]

Thanks for all the advice. I do already have the screen covers. One thing I am looking for are those tinted computer glasses. A guy that I work with has some and he got them at Sam's. I have looked at several placed and can't find them. Anyone know where you can get them. They are like non-prescription readers, but tinted with yellow or pink.

[eyeamdry]

Look for "Onion Glasses" on google.  They are cheap, about $20 and great for keeping moisture  in.  Any kind of glasses will help keep moisture in and breezes, drafts out. 

One thing that is recommended is to move your monitor low (or your chair higher) so you are glancing down at thee screen.  This way your eyes are partially closed and you can still see what you need to see.  And, blink, blink, blink.
Lucy

[tuckerdog]

I was also a computer analyst.  I only work part time now.  I could only work for 2 hours before I was no longer able to see.  When I pushed myself I ended up with headaches.  The eye dr told me that our tears need the normal components to allow our eyes to focus properly.  In my case the muscles in my head that focus my eyes were swelling causing my headaches.  The last time I pushed myself like that I had to go to bed for a few days because my head ached so bad.  After that I took a month off and came back only part time.  Some days I can work longer but I no longer force myself after I can no longer see the screen.  Two things the dr said - make sure your screen is lower than your eyes - looking down at the screen is better because your eyes don't open as wide.  The second thing is to make sure you are not under a vent where air is blowing on you.

Tuckerdog

[Wynter]

Went to the eye doctor yester day to discuss my problems. Basically, he said the only other thing I can do is so have my eyes partially sewn shut. Something called a tarsel?. I don't think so. He suggested I put upper plugs back in. So, I will probably do that next week, although it didn't help before and just made my eyes water all the time. He also said if I wanted to visit a larger facility he would do a referral. If I am doing everything suggested, I don't see much else that can be done.

[tuckerdog]

Wynter,

My eyes were so bad that there were scars on my cornea.  My eyes would get stuck to my eyelids so that I could not sleep.  Autologous plasma drops healed the corneas.  If I had to go back to computer work full time now I probably could.  Those drops gave me my life back.  Don't know where you live but people come from all over the country to get them in Houston.

Tuckerdog

[Wynter]

Tuckerdog,

I mentioned to my eye doc last week and he didn't know what I was talking about. He did say if I would get the information, he would write a prescription. I don't think there is any place close to me that does this. I am going to get a 2nd opinion later this from another eye doc. I don't think there is much else I can do.

[tuckerdog]

Wynter,

The eye dr that prescribed them for me is Dr. Stephen Pflugfelder.  He is with Baylor Eye Clinic and has been doing research with dry eyes for over 25 years.  He looks at your cornea for scarring first.  If you have dry patches on your corneas then the prescribes the drops.   He takes pictures of the corneas so that he can see the changes as a result of the drops. 

He also has been trained to prescribe the Boston  Ocular Surface Prosthesis.  Those run about $5000 for one eye and $7500 for both.  His office number is 713-798-4732.

Tuckerdog

[Wynter]

Tuckerdog,

Is he in Houston or Dallas?

[dbab]

713 area code is Houston... hope that helps Wynter 

[tuckerdog]

Dr. Pflugfelder is in Houston

TD