Dry eyes and blurred vision

[Tanito279]

My GP seems to be at a loss and I'm just on different eye drops each week. I used to use eye drops 4 times a day for allergic conjunctivitis (since 2008). Suddenly at Xmas 2015 it felt like I was putting acid in my eyes so different eye drops started. Now I'm waking up with blurred vision almost to the point of blindness and I'm very photophobic. Lots of eye discharge throughout the day.
Generally I'm fine by about 6pm but it all starts again at bed time (same wherever I sleep (home, hotel etc). It's getting to the point where I can't drive or work (office admin) before midday. I don't know what to do and gp is reluctant to refer me to the hospital until we've tried every type of eye drop.
Has anyone experienced this? Any tips or advice?
I've cut down on screen time after dinner, take omega 3 and wash eyes with warm flannel as optician suggested. Don't need glasses/contacts.

[BusStopBetty]

No, but I think that a referral would be appropriate if the go doesn't know the cause. The optician may be able to refer you if the gp won't.

There is a condition called Fuchs Dystrophy that can cause blurred vision and light sensitivity, but it's uncommon, particularly if you don't have any vision issues.

I presume you've also tried preservative free moisturising drops? I find hycosan to be really helpful.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Do you have other symptoms, dry mouth, mouth ulcers, vaginal dryness, aching limbs, fatigue that may you are playing down. Together they are suggestive of a group of autoimmune conditions.

[Tanito279]

At the moment I'm on viscotears gel and anti allergy eye drops, plus anti histamines. I'm reluctant to add any more drops although I use optrex in an emergency.
No ulcers or dry mouth. I am exhausted but mostly because my eyes are too painful to sleep much. Daily bad headaches, especially in the morning.
Thank you for replying.

[BusStopBetty]

Definitely get a referral. That sounds unbearable.

[blamethecat]

Sounds like you need to either be referred or seen by an optometrist with an interest in dry eyes for more thorough tests.

[Jinxysbaby]

I suffer bad with dry eyes used all.the eye drops there is, I started to Google as I needed relief well I found a site that told me to try amega 3 tablets so I did started em 2 mths ago now. Nd Omg they work no more dry eyes but when I forget to take em the dry eyes start again

[Jinxysbaby]

Omega 3 I mean sry

[bookwormish]

I have severe dry eyes on account of another condition, i know how uncomfortable this is, and the photophobia is miserable. Go to an optician & they will put dye in your eyes to see how quickly your tears evaporate and which layer of the tears you are having issues with. I am prescribed hyloforte and viscotears. I use the gel before bed and hyloforte throughout the day. Also a foam wash to prevent blepharitis as it can sometimes be caused by the dryness too. The optician also recommended a spray too but what really needs treating is any underlying issue :) Your GP should also be able to refer you to ophthalmology who usually have a dry eye clinic who can run further tests.

[Karoleann]

it could be that you're reacting to either the allergy eye drop or a preservative in the dry eye drop - or it could just be making things worse.

is there anyway that you could manage without them (just using becanase nasal spray can often work for me unless i'm sitting in a field).
i'd also recommend preservative free hycosan or hyloforte.

there is a very viscous ointment you can also try called lacrilube, it blurs your vision slightly so only use it just before you sleep.

i've also used things called punctual plugs in people who have severe dry eyes, basically you temporarily occlude the drainage ducts at the bottom of the eyes so that the tears can't drain as quickly. your optometrist may be able to put these in for you.

just one last thought - are you possibly sleeping with your eyes partially open? this can be diagnosed by visiting your optometrist first thing in the morning, they can put some dye in and see if there is a characteristic staining pattern on your cornea.

good luck

[Tanito279]

Thanks again everyone. karoleann I do sleep with my eyes open but the optician said that my dry eye is too severe to be just that. Ive tried lacrilube- that's when the blur rinses started so haven't used it for a month. Viscotears are a great lubricant gel but this week they haven't helped. I'm terrified to not use anything at all. What if I wake up completely blind?
To top it all off, this afternoon the eczema on my bottom eyelid has split and started bleeding. I'm using Vaseline on that
Haha I sound pathetic! I'm just wallowing because I've been hiding from the sun all day with a toddler who wants to go to the park.