Dry eyes

[treaclesoda]

Does anyone have any top tips for coping with dry eye syndrome?

I feel like I've tried every eye drop known to humanity.

My main symptoms are excessive stinging and uncontrollable eye watering. It's bad enough to mean that sometimes I'm unable to drive, because I can't see.

Have you got a blocked tearduct ? I suffer with dry eye and once it got so bad with constant watering and stinging . I had to go to the eye infirmary to have the tearduct unblocked and was then put on viscotears and lacralube . Which i still use now .

I know the feeling! Drops didn’t help much. After a lot of googling I found a lot of good reviews for an eyelid scrub (I’ve tried the baby shampoo wash and many others too).

It’s made such a difference and I can’t explain it because it doesn’t go in your eyes, but it does! I’d recommend it to anyone suffering with dry eyes.

OCuSOFT Lid Scrub Foam Plus, 1.68... www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000Q8ISXM?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf&tag=mumsnetforum-21

I don't think I have a blocked tearduct because I suffer equally in both eyes.

But the scrub looks like it might be worth a try, because my eyelids are sore too.

I was referred for tests a few years back to see if I had arthritis, as apparently they can be related. At that stage I had no arthritic symptoms, but now I have some joint swelling and pain so maybe it's time to see the doctor

Treacle, I was referred to ophthalmologist who diagnosed blepharitis. Your symptoms sound similar so maybe you could read about it.

After trying all the things he recommended (many quite expensive too), I wish I’d tried the Ocusoft a lot sooner. I just couldn’t see how a lid scrub could make a difference. It does mean no eye make up for a couple of days but I actually couldn’t wear any anyway as my eyes would just burn and water too much.

If you try it, I hope it works for you and gives you some relief. Keep it in your bag and just use your finger to apply if it’s really bad. Otherwise, I apply it morning and night with a cotton pad.

Hi,

Poor you. I have dry eye syndrome and it’s really not very nice.

My fantastic optician recommended some eye drops called systene ultra which are invaluable. They’re quite pricey but don’t expire for about 6 months.

I try to drink lots of water because I’ve noticed when I don’t the condition is aggravated.

My optician recommended massging eyes with a warm flannel several times a day (which to be fair I’ve not tried much as it’s not very practical if you’re at work and wearing make up). He said this helps to stimulate oil glands in your eye lids.

I also use a humidifier and if I’m at work I place a bowl of water by the radiator because I’ve noticed dry air makes it a lot worse (as does air con).

Good luck x

Cheaper on eBay but these help - I just search steam eye mask
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B002RUL0BO/ref=mpsa13ait?ie=UTF8&qid=1545089654&sr=8-3&keywords=steam+eye+mask&dpPl=1&dpID=51GAoE7EkaL&ref=plSrch

Yep, systene eye drops are really good, you can get a preservative free version that come in little vials so easy to throw a few in your hand bag.
My optician also gave me a drop called geltears to use at night, it's a thicker gel like drop that stops eyes drying out overnight. My symptoms have lessened a lot since I started using it every night.