Tell me how you manage your dry eyes

[Denine]

Do you take supplements?
Do you use OTC drops?
Do you use prescription drops?

What works for you?

 

[MsDisney23]

I have a total of 7 eye disease including cornea problems. I use Preservative Free Eye drops (Refresh. GenTeal) 4 to 6 times a day. I also have tear implants in the putnam of both eyes. At night time I load up the eyes with Refresh PM...it is an ointment... I rotatate one eye each night. I have just started using Perscription Restasis twice a day.... Hope that helps you!

 

[pppiglet]

I use over the counter drops. My eyes are mostly dry when I get up in the middle of the night or morning. Very scratchy! They are dry during the day, but hard to put drops in at work.

 

[Sparx]

i use clear eyes dry eyes. i don't have to use it a lot, cause my eyes don't irritate me on a daily basis, just every once in awhile. i keep some in my purse though. its about 4 dollars a bottle, and the bottle lasts me FOREVER. usually the only reason i have to buy a new one is because i lost the old one.

 

[Christine]

I use prescription drops: Restasis. A lifesaver for me. Nothing else worked, not even OTC drops. They worked for about 15 seconds.

 

[Denine]

Thanks.

I have been dealing with dry eyes since Fall and some days there aren't enough drops to make a difference. I have thicker drops and a bottle of drops I keep in my jacket.
I have read about some drops that are supposed to help the tears from evaporating.
I am going to the eye doctor in July and will ask him then, but I don't really want to go before then.

I am at high risk for glaucoma, but I think the dry eyes are due to aging (peri-menopause).

 

[Mickeypooh99]

I also have an eye disease. It is a corneal dystrophy. I have dry eyes and recurrent corneal erosions. I use Muro 128 every single night, and it works great. During the day usually genteal. The muro is really expensive, but its worth it.

 

[iggbees]

i get dry eyes a lot, especially during the summer. my eye dr gave me a sample of systane. i like it, it definitely helps my eyes. i think i'll try genteal next though to see if it's any better.

 

[Imzadi]

I got Lasik eye surgery 3 months ago. My Dr. gave me samples of Systane and Optive. The Optive did NOTHING.

The Systane works beautifully. Lots of sticking power. I have to put drops in about 4-5 times a day, otherwise I have blurry vision and very dry, scratchy eyes.

I now get the large 1 oz. bottles from Drugstore.com when they have a free shipping sale. I can't stand the little, portable plastic vials. There's not enough in there to complete a few times in both eyes. Plus, I just use too much drops throughout one day. The vials became wasteful.

I also have to keep really hydrated. We are 90% water. Our eyeballs are definitely fluid. When I don't keep up with the drops and drinking water, I definitely notice problems.

 

[AllisonK]

I also have a cornea disease and use Refresh drops in the little green bottle when I need them. In the spring/early fall I use prescription allergy drops in the morning before I put my lenses in and at night before I take them out, along with the Refresh during the day - I find I use them a lot more in the spring/fall than I do in the winter.

 

[challer]

Ophthalmologist in the room!

I deal with this all the time - patients young & old have this problem.

Of the artificial tears on the market, Systane seems to be one of the best. It does sometimes cause a 10 second blur, because the drop turns gel-like when it mixes with tears. Another drop that some swear by is Soothe - it's an oil-drop, so it causes a haze for a few minutes, but it can last a while.

If the dry eye causes a constant burn or inflammation, I might consider using a mild steroid, such as Alrex. It's an anti-inflammatory which soothes the eye and attacks any inflammatory component that may cause dry eye.

Alot of dry eye is caused by tear insufficiency - the eyes don't make enough tears. In this situation, punctum plugs may help. It basically stops or slows the tears from draining int the nose, so the tears (and drops) lasts in the eye longer. It's not a surgical procedure - it's done in the office. It comes in temporary form (melts away in 1-2 weeks) and permanent form (stays until its removed or falls out).I usually offer the temporary/collagen kind and tell the patient to return in 2 weeks to report if they felt a difference. If it was a success, they get the permanent/silicone kind.

Other kinds of dry eye is caused by tear dysfunction - there are alot of tears, but they don't work the way they should (evaporate too quickly, run down the face, etc.). Here Restasis helps people the most. For many, Restasis is a miracle drug. Just keep in mind, it may take using the drop twice every day for up to three months to see if it works; it doesn't work right away. I usually give another drop to take with it while the restasis takes its time to work.

Also, make sure your eye MD checks for other things that may cause dry eye (such as blepharitis or allergies) - many times treating the cause helps the most.

 

[Denine]

Thank you so mcuh for your replies.

I bought 2 new bottles of eye drops last night; Soothe and Blink. The Soothe seems to work better, but it is not perfect. At least I can keep my eyes open without them burning too mcuh.

I know I don't produce enough tears. I can't wear contacts because of it.
I have had dry eyes in the fall in the past, but my eyes ssem to adjust and then are fine.
This winter though, ugghhh!
I have 3 humidifiers going in the house, but there just isn't enough humidity in the air.

I know we use Systane a lot at work ( I am an RN), but it was more expensive.
I have heard of muro 128, is it RX?

I am just so tired of my eyes burning and being bloodshot.

 

[wvdislover]

Ophthalmologist in the room!

I deal with this all the time - patients young & old have this problem.

Of the artificial tears on the market, Systane seems to be one of the best. It does sometimes cause a 10 second blur, because the drop turns gel-like when it mixes with tears. Another drop that some swear by is Soothe - it's an oil-drop, so it causes a haze for a few minutes, but it can last a while.

If the dry eye causes a constant burn or inflammation, I might consider using a mild steroid, such as Alrex. It's an anti-inflammatory which soothes the eye and attacks any inflammatory component that may cause dry eye.

Alot of dry eye is caused by tear insufficiency - the eyes don't make enough tears. In this situation, punctum plugs may help. It basically stops or slows the tears from draining int the nose, so the tears (and drops) lasts in the eye longer. It's not a surgical procedure - it's done in the office. It comes in temporary form (melts away in 1-2 weeks) and permanent form (stays until its removed or falls out).I usually offer the temporary/collagen kind and tell the patient to return in 2 weeks to report if they felt a difference. If it was a success, they get the permanent/silicone kind.

Other kinds of dry eye is caused by tear dysfunction - there are alot of tears, but they don't work the way they should (evaporate too quickly, run down the face, etc.). Here Restasis helps people the most. For many, Restasis is a miracle drug. Just keep in mind, it may take using the drop twice every day for up to three months to see if it works; it doesn't work right away. I usually give another drop to take with it while the restasis takes its time to work.

Also, make sure your eye MD checks for other things that may cause dry eye (such as blepharitis or allergies) - many times treating the cause helps the most.

How would you compare Systane with Refresh? I've been using Refresh for several years, but saw Systane a couple of days ago, and wondered which would be better. The Systane was not cheap, so if it won't work much better, I don't know if I want to change.

 

[Imzadi]

Systane is expensive becasue it works. There really is something extra in it. The Optive I tried really was like using water, in comparison.

You don't really save money when you end up using more drops of a cheaper brand. Just try a small bottle of the Systane. There is also Systane Ultra, which is more expensive. Just try one bottle of regular Systane.

If I had health insurance which covers prescriptions, they said they prescibe Restasis for me as it works even better than Systane.

Be careful about using Muro 128. It may be used for something else instead. You don't want to be putting stuff in your eyes that do something you don't need it to do. It is for corneal edema.

My Dr. gave Muro 128 to me to use for 2 days before the Lasik surgery. He said it was an important step and not to miss doing it. An assistant said it cleans out the cornea and for also healing any problems I had from wearing contact lenses. After surgery, I was told very specifically to throw out all the various kinds of drops they had given before and right after the surgery, once it was certain my eyes were healing properly.

 

[LBAK]

I use Refresh or Genteal and restasis.

 

[bumbershoot]

I use Genteal. It's so refreshing, feels cool on my eye which is nice. I use it, though not every day, for post-Lasik (almost 8 years!) problems. Now if only something could take care of the huge vein coming out of the side where they started the pre-laser slice (which was started before the anesthetic eyedrops kicked in OUCH OUCH OUCH), I'd be happy.

 

[challer]

How would you compare Systane with Refresh? I've been using Refresh for several years, but saw Systane a couple of days ago, and wondered which would be better. The Systane was not cheap, so if it won't work much better, I don't know if I want to change.

Man, if you were in NY, I'd give you a sample.

First of all, compare bottle sizes and see if the $$$ sizes up.

In my experience, people seem to use Systane fewer times a day because it tends to last longer.

I also try on my own eyes every single over the counter lubricant when it comes out. I've always preferred systane (but Soothe is good in a different way).

 

[Denine]

The next time a coupon comes out for Systane, I may try it.

Thanks for all the help.

It is also nice to hear from an opthamologist!

 

[wvdislover]

Man, if you were in NY, I'd give you a sample.

First of all, compare bottle sizes and see if the $$$ sizes up.

In my experience, people seem to use Systane fewer times a day because it tends to last longer.

I also try on my own eyes every single over the counter lubricant when it comes out. I've always preferred systane (but Soothe is good in a different way).

WV...NY, they kind of look the same, don't ya think? Maybe I'll see if my eye dr here has any samples

 

[iggbees]

Alot of dry eye is caused by tear insufficiency - the eyes don't make enough tears. In this situation, punctum plugs may help. It basically stops or slows the tears from draining int the nose, so the tears (and drops) lasts in the eye longer. It's not a surgical procedure - it's done in the office. It comes in temporary form (melts away in 1-2 weeks) and permanent form (stays until its removed or falls out).I usually offer the temporary/collagen kind and tell the patient to return in 2 weeks to report if they felt a difference. If it was a success, they get the permanent/silicone kind.

Also, make sure your eye MD checks for other things that may cause dry eye (such as blepharitis or allergies) - many times treating the cause helps the most.

i have dry eyes and constant post nasal drip, but have been tested for allergies and have no reaction to anything. i wonder if this is why i have that pesky post nasal drip and dry eyes... hmm...