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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

If you had VERY dry eyes what helped you resolve it?

44 replies

AbsentmindedWoman · 19/03/2021 15:09

Feeling quite anxious about this, trying not to catastrophise but worried I'm going to end up with a corneal ulcer or something. I have been using artificial tears for about a year now, and yesterday was finally able to go to an optometrist who said my cornea is very irritated but gave me a sample of gel to try in addition to the eye drops.

Anyway, I need to try stuff and wondered what works for others? We eat quite a lot of salmon but am thinking of omega 3 supplements perhaps? And getting one of the heated eye masks?

Has anyone got any tips?

OP posts:

wizzywig · 19/03/2021 15:12

Have you tried massaging your tear duct/ the inner corner of the eye? Just checking, are you wearing contact lenses or do lots of computer work?

DynamoKev · 19/03/2021 15:13

My eyes get dry from too much screen time.
I take flax seed supplements (what we used to call Linseed until we had to use the US names for everything)
I use a wheatybag heated in the microwave to warm up my eyes and it helps a bit.
I also try to take regular breaks from screens but often forget.

TabithaTeacake · 19/03/2021 15:14

Have you tried the ointment you put in at night ?
Tbh it's like chucking a load of Vaseline in your eye and you can't see a thing. I have a mirror by the bed and put in it once I'm in bed and know the light is going off. It really helps and I don't get that awful gritty feeling in the day .

Bornslippery · 19/03/2021 15:14

Hi. I am the same. I have had punctal plugs put in my lower tear ducts. They have helped immensely so much so I rarely use drops any more. It was so bad for a while that my cornea was scratched do to them being to dry. I thought I was going blind as it was all blury. Drinking water is supposed to help to. Good luck

Missingthesea · 19/03/2021 15:18

Hylo Forte eye drops are really good, but very expensive. Viscotears gel is cheaper, but needs using more often. My eye specialist said keeping well-hydrated helps too.

Original poster

AbsentmindedWoman · 19/03/2021 15:19

I haven't tried massaging, as touching them seems to really set them off and make them uncomfortable - gritty and like there's something in them?

I used to wear contacts but very rarely in the last couple of years and never had an issue with them.

This dry eye has only really been a problem for the last year.

OP posts:

Original poster

AbsentmindedWoman · 19/03/2021 15:20

I am in front of a screen all day - the glasses I ordered yesterday have a blue light filter on, might that help? Or can you get something to stick on the computer that helps with that I wonder?

OP posts:

Original poster

AbsentmindedWoman · 19/03/2021 15:22

Have you tried the ointment you put in at night ?
Tbh it's like chucking a load of Vaseline in your eye and you can't see a thing. I have a mirror by the bed and put in it once I'm in bed and know the light is going off. It really helps and I don't get that awful gritty feeling in the day .

I think this is one of the things the doctor gave me to try. He's given some gel thing he mentioned to use at night, and a sample of a prescription that he said to try and see if it helped before filling the prescription.

Really encouraging that your ointment going in last thing at night has helped you!

OP posts:

Lauren83 · 19/03/2021 15:24

Hycosan extra eye drops (red bottle) I tried about ten different ones but they really worked. Mine were that dry they would be stuck together when I woke in the night, I ended up being referred to the eye hospital, mine was due to medication I was on so it's better now but still use the drops several times a day

Original poster

AbsentmindedWoman · 19/03/2021 15:24

I have had punctal plugs put in my lower tear ducts.

I read about that helping some people. What was it like as a procedure, how long did it take?

Again, great to hear of you getting relief from such awful dryness!

OP posts:

Original poster

AbsentmindedWoman · 19/03/2021 15:26

Thank you all so much, honestly it's making me feel so much better to read that some of you have had it quite badly at one point, but that you WERE able to resolve it and things are ok now.

OP posts:

Grinnypig · 19/03/2021 15:28

DH was referred to an NHS eye clinic by his optician. He’s been prescribed drops. Some are for daytime use and some for night use. He has to put them in about 6 times a day. They are helping and he has another appointment soon to check the progress.

OhWhyNot · 19/03/2021 15:30

I use Siccasan eye drops gel at night I bought it off Amazon. They are really soothing I put them in last thing at night

In the morning I very gently massage my eyes this breaks up any fluid that has slightly dried and can cause scratches across the cornea. If I suddenly open my eyes can often feel like I have been poked in the eye and it’s very painful

Abs yes less screen time

Doesn’t help that I often sleep with my eyes slightly open 😬

TheProvincialLady · 19/03/2021 15:35

I find that getting plenty of sleep helps. When I am lacking in sleep my eyes are much drier. Being outside as much as possible helps too, but obviously not on windy days (ouch)

LadyDanburysHat · 19/03/2021 15:38

My optician recommended a warm eye mask too, to help clear the ducts.

QueenPaw · 19/03/2021 15:47

I use these at night (cheap and effective) and hycosan extra or hyloforte eye drops

EKGEMS · 19/03/2021 15:54

Prescription Restasis eye drops-I see a specialized eye consultant regularly because of this issue.

Cap89 · 19/03/2021 16:10

My optician told me my eyes were far too dry because I was over wearing contact lenses. She advised omega 3 capsules as the best thing for fixing it. I took it in the form of flaxseed tablets which I got from Holland and Barrett. Seems to have worked!

Slowestjog · 19/03/2021 16:16

There are a few things you can do to manage but it won't cure it. It will make a massive difference.
Blue light filter is good but your blink rate on screen is about 20 percent as often as normal. Try 20.20.20 rule. Every 20 min look away into the distance for 20 seconds.

Heated eye bagand lid massage opens the glands so your own tears are a bit thicker.

Hycosan extra (preservative free drops ) which last 6 months when open are my favourite alongside lacrilube at night. This is super smeary so it is for lights out sleeping time, Not reading relaxing in bed!

FoxgloveBee · 19/03/2021 16:17

I had punctal plugs after several years of dry eyes after laser surgery - worked a treat and now I don't need drops at all.

hulahooper2 · 19/03/2021 16:38

Hyco san eye drops

Whatflavourjellybabyisnice · 19/03/2021 16:48

Flux filter for your computer/device.
It's an app that is free

DynamoKev · 19/03/2021 16:54

@Whatflavourjellybabyisnice

Flux filter for your computer/device. It's an app that is free

I use this and the Mac equivalent (included on Mac and iPhone).

The blink thing is the key though - I can feel myself staring at the screen sometimes.

Anothernameanothertime · 19/03/2021 16:55

I bought in a plug in heated eye mask which is great. Also use ciladrix tea tree eye wipes. And wean off the eye drops a bit if you want to see how your own tear production is. I downgraded from hylotears to hylofresh. And tried to reduce screen time (but still typing on here!) and get outside of possible or get humidity display for in house to see if very dry inside depending on your heating.

Difficultusername · 19/03/2021 17:04

I had punctual plugs too- absolutely brilliant. Drops wise the hycosan extra and the ointment from the doctor for night time.

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