Best drops for dry eye?

[leahjade]

I keep spending money buying different kinds without much luck!

 

[Martha7]

My doctor recommended the Systane Balance drops, which I use in the morning, and which I like pretty well. They're not cheap, however.

 

[Marionnette]

Systane is probably the best OTC drop for dry eyes. Ask your eye doctor for samples. Restasis is a good prescription medication but it isn't cheap, even with a prescription plan, and it has some side effects that can be undesirable.

 

[diznee25]

I used Systane drops too, but the ones that come in separate vials.

Something else you can do for dry eyes is to take Omega 3 supplements daily. My doctor just started me on that, and you can buy those OTC. Apparently you have to take these supplements for a couple months before you can tell if there's improvement. And I'm on week #1....

diznee25

 

[Leader of the Club]

I have very severe dry eye. The prescription didn't work for me. I use the Genteal gel in my eyes at bedtime. Its kinda like putting vasoline in your eye. In the morning before I even get out of the bed I use the Genteal moderate to severe eye drops. I drop those in and moosh everything around a bit. When I get up, I wash my eyes with Johnson baby shampoo and then add fresh drops.

Its sounds completely crazy, but its been the best thing for my eyes so far. The skin on my eyes is eroding away and its kind of like looking through a pitted and scratched window. That little regimen is slowing it down.

 

[Zobie]

I love Optcon A, but the longer you wait and the more you need it the more discomfort from the drops. Used to use them when driving horse 16 hours by myself. No more drowsy driving eye or soreness.

 

[lucky1]

I wear contacts and have not found good eye drops. I have tried Restasis, but could not take putting drops in my eye twice a day for the rest of my life. about 15 years ago, the Eye Doctor put in Punctal plugs (covered under Medical insurance) which plug your tear duct. It has helped greatly.

Another thing I learn just last month from my daughter's eye doctor, is that when you put in drops, you put them in the opposite side of your tear duct (which is closed to your nose) (tilting your head so it will not flow to the tear duct) so that you are not draining out what you just put in.

 

[jessrose18]

i also use the genteal gel drops. eye dr. said to use before bed and it really does help, i dont need any of the liquid drops anymore during the day. used to be my eyes in the morning were so dry they felt enflamed and i couldnt open them for awhile, now they are so much better!

 

[NYEmomma]

I've got some pretty severe dry eyes that were exasperated by lasik surgery. I have punctal plugs, take fish oil daily & for me, the best eye drops have been Systane Ultra & Systane Balance. I still occasionally have flare ups where I end up with keratitis and on steroid drops, but that only occurs once or twice a year... typically the beginning of winter when everything gets dry. Or when I have any extreme hormonal changes (i.e. getting pregnant, giving birth, weaning).

 

[holycow]

My husband loves by Liquavision. It is sold over the internet.

 

[msminniemouse]

I use Muro 128 ointment. Drops werent strong enough for me.

 

[leahjade]

Restasis is a good prescription medication but it isn't cheap, even with a prescription plan, and it has some side effects that can be undesirable.

What are the side affects?

 

[scottmel]

My mom had terrible dry eye for 2 years. Went doctor to doctor. Test after test. They put her on this medication. One year later, no relief back to another doctor who tells her she has the beginning of Macular Degeneration. Same test she had one year ago prior to these drops showed no evidence of this. I personally feel the drops had somethign to do with it....my opinion.

 

[scottmel]

Ironically she figured out what caused her dry eye....her high blood pressure meds! Acted like a diueretic (spelling?). Once she changed this over, dry eye gone

 

[Brer Shay]

I also have punctal plugs, and am pleased with the relief they've provided, minimal chance of side effects too. I can usually get through summers now without relying on drops too much. Systane Balance is my preferance when I do need them, and definitely check with your eyedoctor for coupons. When they are particularly dry, the Genteal is good for overnight and seems to have a "reset" effect for a few days. You can't really see once you put the gel in though, so definitely an overnight choice.

 

[Bonniec]

I am an ophthalmic tech so see a lot of this. As a general rule, the name brand doesn't mean a lot. Systane is a good brand and so is Refresh. If the drops aren't doing enough, try the gel drops. They are thicker but they will blur your vision (because it's a thicker substance). I love the gels, they feel so good.

They also make artificial tear ointments which are best used before bed because they are so thick. You might have to ask the pharmecist where they are because they aren't as common but they are over the counter. If you are having to use regular tears more than 4-6 times per day, you should switch the the preservatice free tears in the vials.

If you are still bothered, you should talk to your ophthalmologist (if you don't have one, look for a cornea specialist). There are several options they can do. Restasis is a medication but it takes a long time to take effect and they are expensive. They can do a dry eye test with paper strips called a shirmer test which will measure just how dry your eyes are. I would ask the doctor about the test, it only takes 5 minutes.

If they are really dry, they can put in punctal plugs which everyone described up above. If they work well, they can permanently close the holes.

Also, someone mentioned above taking fish oil supplements. I worked for a cornea specialist and he was a huge fan of the fish oil vitamins for dry eyes (to the point where I started taking it myself)

The tears won't cause macular degeneration. Genetics, age, and UV exposure will. I've never heard of any medications contributing to it it but couldn't say for sure.

 

[Pembo]

I wear contacts and have not found good eye drops. I have tried Restasis, but could not take putting drops in my eye twice a day for the rest of my life. about 15 years ago, the Eye Doctor put in Punctal plugs (covered under Medical insurance) which plug your tear duct. It has helped greatly.

Another thing I learn just last month from my daughter's eye doctor, is that when you put in drops, you put them in the opposite side of your tear duct (which is closed to your nose) (tilting your head so it will not flow to the tear duct) so that you are not draining out what you just put in.

Because of a brain tumor surgery, I have facial paralysis which includes dry eye. I too have a puncutal plug and use Restasis. I've been on it for almost 9 years. It works like a charm and I no longer have any side effects. One little vial lasts me about a week.

I also remember using Lacrilube at night for the first year. It was the only thing that really helped. I used some kind of drops but I don't remember what kind.

 

[leahjade]

Something else you can do for dry eyes is to take Omega 3 supplements daily

Thanks, I just bought some today. How many do you take per day? It doesn't tell you on the bottle! They are 1200 mg of Flax oil.

 

[diznee25]

Thanks, I just bought some today. How many do you take per day? It doesn't tell you on the bottle! They are 1200 mg of Flax oil.

Look at the ingredient label: This number can vary, but ideally the range of Omega 3 you're aiming for is 650 - 750mg daily.

So take the amount per serving into account, and calculate that way.

I take Pro Nutrients Omega 3 by Centrum. They are basically mini fish pills. Two mini gels contain 665mg Omega 3. So I'm in the range.

http://www.pronutrients.com/omega-3-minigels

Here's how my label reads:

Omega 3 Fatty Acids 665mg
EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) 400mg
DHA (Docosahexenoic Acid) 200 mg
Other Omega- 3s 65 mg

* So the EPA & DHA & Other = 665mg of Omega 3 ------- not sure if all labels read like this, just wanted to give example.

diznee25

 

[leahjade]

Liquavision

Where do you order this from? I've tried most of the other brands without success and have tried a humidifier and fish and flax oil with no difference.