Dry eye syndrome advice?

[WheresTheCoffee]

Hi, I've been struggling for a few months with sore, red eyes. I thought initially it was my eye make up or moisturiser but through a process of elimination I'm fairly sure it's not.
I have all the symptoms of typical dry eye, redness, pain, light sensitivity, blurred vision and would really like to do what I can to alleviate it.
Has anyone had this or able to offer any advice please?

I have very bad dry eye syndrome I use optrex dry eye drops or the mist spray. When it's bad I can't wear makeup and have to avoid touching my eyes. The mist is quite soothing (expensive though but Tesco do their own version) the drops seem to have a longer lasting effect, I'm just a bit lazy some days and prefer to spray them x

I'm suffering with this as I read this screen! I've got my eye mist spray handy which I've already used twice but doesn't seem to be helping. My optician suggested using cotton wool eyepads, soaked in warm water and gently massage them in a circular motion over closed eyes to help stimulate the glands.

When I can be arsed moving off the sofa, I'm going to do this.

My dad got eye drops from his optician and they work well

www.boots.com/the-eye-doctor-hot-eye-compress-10201014

This.

Thealoz is very good for dry eyes. The Opticians I work at sell it for £14, lasts for up to 2 month after opening not the usual 30 days. Wouldn't waste money on Optrex,especially the mist spray.

You should also see a doctor as it can be a symptom of other, more serious conditions. My friend was recently diagnosed with Sjogrens which initially appeared as dry eyes.

Thanks! I've been using Optrex drops but they don't provide much relief, I often wonder if they are making it worse in fact.
I'm planning to go as see the doctor tomorrow (if I can get in) and in the meantime I'm going to research the other suggestions.
I've come across info around omega 3 supplements and dry eye syndrome. although I'm really not sure I can swallow them

My optician says get 2 wooden spoons (30p each from Wilkos along the way). Put them in a jug and pour a kettle of boiling water over them so they heat through. After a minute or so after they have heated through pull them out and quickly pat them dry on a CLEAN tea towel. Hold the back of each one against your eye, applying some pressure for a couple of minutes.

This melts the waxy / oily gunk in your tear ducts that lie along the rim of each eye lid. Your eyes will then self lubricate - mine last a couple of weeks before gunking up again.

Her other top tip is don't use the ones from the utensil drawer... you never know your children or Dh may have cooked for themselves. As unlikely as this sounds it is not worth the risk of putting chilli in your eye.

Thanks Unescorted I'm adding two wooden spoons to the shopping list!

Systane is a good every day drop to use and a gel based one for before bed (blurs vision so can't be used during the day). These are what my DH was given for his severe dry eye it keeps on top of it if used daily

Limiting screen time helps me

I get the eye drops on prescription as need the preservative free ones and they get expensive, so save a few pounds that way. (Just phoned the docs and said which ones the Ophthalmologist had sold me).
I am also being tested for Sjogrens.

As well as eye drops as I was advised by my optician to use a gel eye mask that can be heated in the microwave. I try to use it once a day for about 10 mins and it does seem to help

I hadn't considered a thicker gel to use at night. Is that by Systane as well whereareyousleep?

It can be a symptom of/associated with a number of autoimmune conditions so you should see your GP about it as well as trying otc remedies.

A bit of plain lip salve on the eyelid can help (very much cheaper than the eyelid spray).

I suffered bouts of this severe enough to have the inner eyelid stick to the eyeball and (it felt like) rip tissue off when I woke up and opened my eyes. Very rarely get it now (been gluten free for about 6 years and this has eliminated a very long list of health issues), but occasionally get a minor attack if I accidentally eat hazelnut. IMO it's worth trying to identify any dietary triggers you might have.

I mentioned my dry eyes to my optician and she had a look and said I have meibomial gland disorder. This is the condition that's relieved by heat. I have a microwaveable eye bag (it's an MGDRx eye bag) and also I apply a hot compress to my eyes using slightly cooled boiled water and a flannel. I don't find drops or sprays work very well, although type of spray that you spray on closed eyes help a bit.

No it's not be systane I'm sure it's just called gel tears

I'm going to try again for an appointment with my gp after this advice, thanks so much

Just want to say thanks for this, I have also been suffering and this is so useful

DH has dry eyes as a symptom of another eye condition - Fuchs- and uses the optrex gel at night.

I get v dry eyes but is a symptom of a rare condition. I use viscotears (I think that spelling is correct). It is a gell and lasts much longer than any drops. Eyes stay blurry for 5 mins or so.

I suffered terribly from dry eye syndrome and tried everything. The mist was the best, various drops and 'artificial tears' helped in the short term but my GP was talking about a hospital referral . Then I spoke to a nurse who told me to try hot compresses on my eyes for 10/15 minutes twice a day for a few days. She said it was caused by inefficient or blocked tear ducts and the compresses would open them and help them to clear naturally. Because the tear ducts are 'inefficient' since chemo the dry eye comes back but now just one session of hot compresses sorts it for weeks at a time.
I bought two white face cloths, washed them without detergent on a very hot wash. Now when I need them I pour boiling water on them in a bowl and let it cool till it is possible to handle them. I fold into pads, wring them out and put them on my eyes, instant relief which really lasts.

I've had it for ages tho mine is related more to age and menopause. I found dry eye drops from asda (£2.40) really good and at night I put drops in and put vaseline along my eyelids.

I also have dry eyes - discovered when I had the thing which a PP mentioned where the inner lid takes some cells off the top of the eye. It wasn't painful but scratchy and uncomfortable for a while.

That got better but the optician says I have a 'grumbling dry eye' so prescribed Optive which are drops I can put in 2/3 times a day when necessary and can be used with contacts, and I also use Viscotears at night which is a thicker gel. These seem to help keep things under control. I'm glad they're prescribed for free though as I go through them fairly quickly and the Optive is about £13 for a teeny wee bottle!