Long term solution for very dry eyes?

[TinyRobins]

I’ve not been able to wake up and open my eyes normally for over a year now. I visited my optician at the time who said I had very dry eyes and to use hycosan extra twice daily. When I wake, my eyelids feel like they fuse to my eyes and I can’t open them without forcing in the drops first, I use the drops before bed but it still happens. I can’t go outside without my eyes streaming down my face and my right eye (where this started, it’s now both eyes) the lid is starting to droop. I have just had blood tests done, for chronic tiredness which were all clear so it can’t be anything serious but I’m so fed up of the dry eyes. Anyone had similar?

Have you tried putting dry eye ointment in overnight ?
There are a few different brands out there. It's basically like putting Vaseline in your eyes , you can't do anything once it's in and your vision is blurry so it put it in and turn off the light to sleep !
It helps both mine and dh dry eyes but I don't think we have it as bad as you.

As a short term help you can get an ointment for dry eyes to use overnight, it’s more effective than drops for night time use

Longer term, given you’re being investigated for tiredness, have you mentioned your eyes to your GP?

you may find that you have some form of autoimmune condition that is causing your symptoms and your eyes could be a clue for your GP that could aid diagnosis

I have dry eyes and multiple autoimmune conditions and have now gone on to develop Fuchs endothelial dystrophy as an added bonus but my first symptoms were dry eyes through my 40’s

I’ve not tried an ointment no, just the drops the optician advised, I’ll look into that.

Yes the GP knows, I mentioned the dry eyes and also dry throat and some morning nose bleeds so possible dry nose too. They tested for thyroid, diabetes, kidney and liver function and inflammation all were clear so they basically said, eat well, move more and reduce anti depressants. Easier said than done when I’m exhausted mind you….

Have you tried an antihistamine before bed? Wondering about the eye streaming.

They might have got irritated from the dryness. When you look inside your lower lid is it very red? The optician told me to use Sodium Comglomirate (sp?) drops. They have anti histamine effects. Got them on amazon.

Do you drink enough water?

Could you be perimenopausal? Hormone level fluctuations make a difference to me.

Also try Neilmed Sinus Rinse for dry nose.

See Buckthorn capsules are meant to be effective.

The optician said that eyes watering outside were a symptom of dry eyes, typical. It looks like I’m walking down the street crying 😳

I’m only 34 so menopause unlikely. Will check out the nose spray, fed up waking up with nosebleeds!

Op, I used to suffer terribly from dry eyes (pre covid) and at their worse would have many days like you describe where I couldn't open them in the morning. Its horrible.

I would also recommend the ointment that you put on at night.

I was diagnosed with blepharitis and blocked tear ducts. To treat the latter use a hot compress for 10m every night - you can buy heatable eye masks. Using sterile hot water (boiled), twice a day, on a cotton pad slowly press and wipe the edge od your eyelids to help shift the blockages.

If yours are also blocked this should help.

Take regular screen breaks and avoid air conditioning. Eye drops every 2 hours. There are different brands too so you might find switching helps.

For me, what finally healed my eyes was sleep. I had no idea I was chronically sleep deprived. Since lockdown #1 I'm sleeping better and averaging 7h a night, my eyes are fine. On the few days I get less they feel like sandpaper again.

Ps you could also look at humidifier for your room at night

I have dry eyes but it's probably my age. 🤨

Optician told me to reduce screen time as we tend to 'stare' and not blinking doesn't help the eye.

Interestingly, I read recently that arthritis can cause dry eyes and I've been having arthritic pain at the base of my thumb for a while that's got progressively more painful, so who knows, maybe that's connected?

I am someone else who suffers from blepharitis. Essentially, the oil glands around my eyes get blocked so my tears don’t actually lubricate my eyes - they dry them out. And my eyes produce more tears to compensate... vicious circle...

Heated eye masks were a game changer!

Firstly start using the Hycosan more frequently at least 6 times a day. Push your GP for an Ophthalmology referral as punctual plugs, antibiotics may be beneficial.
In view of your other symptoms I think your GP should investigate the possibility of Sjögren’s syndrome which is an autoimmune disease affecting both the lacrimal and salivary glands, tiredness is also a symptom.

Ooh! Dry eyes are going to be discussed on the Jeremy Vine Show this afternoon - Medical Monday topic. Show has just started and is on till 2pm. Radio 2.

I've had dry eyes all my life. I discovered recently that my makeup - foundation and powder - were causing it due to allergy. I've never worn eye makeup.

Also, a blepharitis eyelid wash is helping as demodex mites cause dry eye due to the substances given off when they die. Everyone has demodex, but they can get out of hand. My eyes are 100% improved now and I'm doing well. I put an ointment in overnight due to having a damaged right cornea.

Other things I've done which help:

Hot compresses
Eyewash
Omega 3 supplements

There are various things on the market. I was advised to get an Eye Bag, after I had cataract surgery, which is soothing. Also using wipes and massaging the under eye area.

I've had this for over 2 years but only just realised it is connected to the menopause. I second the hydrosan advice- I take it you put it in at night? I've been tracking when mine is worse and it's linked to low oestregen. The tears streaming is the eye trying to moisturise itself I think but it's only actually oil-based things like systane/hydorsan etc that help. I used antihistamine for years for hayfever so was bemused when they suddenly didn't seem to work but hadn't realised the menopause had kicked in and it was oil I was missing out on. Mine led to eczema around the eyes and face from the constant dripping and I was referred to the dermatologist. Interestingly he didn't suggest it might be to do with hormones but his suggestions of fexafenadine and Boots lipsalve on the eyelids have definitely helped the associated itching. Hope some of this helps.

I suffer from dry eyes and allergic conjunctivitis. It took years to get a referral to ophthalmology but they've been amazing and I've tried all sorts of medicines. What works for me is a combination of:
Thealoz Duo lubricant drops hourly
Olopatidine drops twice a day
Ciclosporin drops twice a day (single use packs as I'm possibly allergic to preservatives)
Fexofenadine antihistamine
Plus steroid drops about twice a year when I have a bad flare up and hydrocortisone for eyelid eczema.
Keep going to the GP and do whatever it takes to see a proper ophthalmologist. And even then, don't give up until you find something that helps. I had a 3 year battle to get seen but it's changed my life.

@Seeingadistance

Ooh! Dry eyes are going to be discussed on the Jeremy Vine Show this afternoon - Medical Monday topic. Show has just started and is on till 2pm. Radio 2.

Just turned radio 2 on, thanks for that! 😃

User.. yes I use drops at night, upon waking and usually once during the day if I feel my eyes dragging.

I just looked up Sjögren’s syndrome, as pp mentioned. Very relatable but I know dry eyes can be very common. I did have bloods taken last week so wouldn’t that have flagged up.

I do work at a screen which I know isn’t very helpful, although that wouldn’t explain the dry mouth and random choking on food, hmm lots to try out anyway.

Sjögren's syndrome includes very dry mouth too - my gran had it and had to drink loads of water when she ate.

As you are saying dry mouth and eyes you should suggest it to your GP as routine blood tests will not test for this - believe they take a small piece of lip skin as a biopsy for diagnosis.

My mum has Sjögren's syndrome - it was flagged up by her optician, not her GP. Could you give your optician a try?

(Sorry if you already have, I've skimmed the thread in a rush!)

I had exactly the same, when I opened my eyes in the morning it felt like the surface of my eye was being ripped off. Most days it felt like a hair in one eye and a piece of grit in the other.
I tried lots of things from the doctors, creams, drops, you name it. The thing that helped was putting some cotton wool in hot water and letting it cool a bit then holding that over closed eyelids. That eased the tear ducts. I did that for a few weeks.
At night I'd put dry eye drops from Asda, £2.50 a bottle, then putting a thin smear of Vaseline over closed eyelids when I went to sleep. Honestly, it changed my life, never have problems now and I can't remember the last time I had to do the cotton wool thing. Worth a try?

I use Hylo Tear & Hylo Forte eyedrops (prescription only).

Do you have rosacea by any chance? A recent study found a connection between the two (ie, both are part of the same inflammation) www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ocular-rosacea/symptoms-causes/syc-20375798 - my optician says doing laser treatment on the rosacea can lead to dry eyes improving

My excellent previous Optician told me to take high dose omega 3 for my dry eyes (although never as bad as you describe).