Very sore dry eyes - blepharitis?

[pearlkent]

Not sure whether to post here or in general health, but I'm trying here first.
For about the last year my eyes have felt awful, as if they are red and burning, but they don't really look red, they just feel as if they are. They are also really sensitive to light, and I dread bright sunny weather (even though I wear sunglasses at all times).
They feel dry and gritty, and I've noticed that I don't have "sleep" in the inner corners of my eyes when I wake up, like I used to have.

Does anyone have any advice for making my eyes feel more comfortable? It's miserable, and I can't wear eye make-up anymore.

Hello, I have the same issue. I can’t wear eye makeup either. I buy Blephasol from the chemist and wipe my eyes with it a few times a day. I also am prescribed ‘false tear’ eye drops (called Carbomer) that I put in twice a day to relieve the feeling.

See your doctor. Maybe just blepharitis, in which case you can treat with good hygiene, warm compresses etc, Blephasol. My dry eyes were the first sign of Sjogren's Syndrome (along with dry mouth which came later). I don't think many GPs diagnose this easily though, took me ages to get it confirmed. Contacts can cause dry eye too.

Blephasol is brilliant. It's really helped my eyes.
Op look at the rim of your eyelids. I used to get cysts along the edge and pink rims. Cleaning my eyes using cotton wool pads with cooled ( but still hot) boiled water with a drop of baby shampoo in it would give me immediate relief from that scratchy eye feeling.
I would also make a opticians appointment just to be safe.

Yes make an opticians appointment. I have dry eyes and found a wheat eye mask really good. Got one on Amazon. It stays warm for 10 mins, so much easier than faffing with hot water and cotton pads. It helps to melt the oil in the meibomian glands in your eyelids and keep your eyes moist.

@ginghamstarfish I am currently diagnosed with fibromyalgia and because of my eye issues I asked the gp for sjogrens investigations. They took some bloods and then spoke on the phone to the rheumatologist who said it’s not sjogrens. How did u get diagnosed?

Thanks for all the advice. Blephasol sounds like it's worth a try.
I did buy some baby shampoo but haven't tried it yet as I didn't like the idea of putting detergent in my eyes, even though it's supposedly "no more tears".
I'm wondering if it could be a menopausal thing too...along with all the other delightful symptoms.

This stuff is excellent,also the Blephasol lotion.

See your optician or doctor too.

The optician told me it was due to my age 🙄

LoafofSellotape - which stuff?

www.amazon.co.uk/Thea-Thealoz-Duo-Eye-Drops/dp/B00PWLHP1Y/ref=asc_df_B00PWLHP1Y/?hvlocphy=1006868&linkCode=df0&hvptwo&psc=1&hvnetw=g&hvadid=309947835748&hvpone&hvlocint&hvpos=1o1&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl&hvqmt&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&hvtargid=pla-467400813579&hvrand=2444896315847791644

Sorry

Don't be tempted by cheaper products,this is the only stuff that has worked and I've tried everything!

Go and see your GP. For blepharitis would be expecting your eyelids to be crusty or your eyelashes to be sticking together.

If you don't have that, then you may need to see an eye doctor for further tests or have prescription drops for dry eye - or both.

Try an eyebag (available from amazon) heated before cleaning for more effective cleaning. The problem with blepharitis is the glands become blocked, so you need to melt the blockages before cleaning away if you want to make it effective
I agree, see optician or even better eye clinic for diagnosis.

take omega 3 supplements - it helps sore dry eyes

It doesn’t have to be as bad as crusty or sticky to be blepharitis but I agree to see a professional

I have really bad dry eyes mixed with hay fever. My gp would only prescribe allergy eye drops but my optician referred me to the local eye hospital. I'm currently on 2 different steroid eye drops and 2 other lubricant eye drops. They're so much better than 3 months ago, no symptoms at all. So I'd recommend optician and GP and be prepared to fight if eyedrops don't help.

Thanks LoafofSellotape - funnily enough I was looking at those eyedrops in Boots the other day but didn't purchase as I became overwhelmed by the vast array of different eyedrop brands. Will add them to my list now.

Looks like the warm compresses are an integral part of the treatment to soften up the glands.

circeplease - no my eyes aren't crusty or sticky, which is why I initially discounted blepharitis.

The Thealoz drops Loaf recommended are excellent. Also blephasol.

And rather than omega 3 - Omega 7 is the best. Sea buckthorn oil. Google it.

Where do you buy omega 7 from? A quick Google seems it's really pricey!

Systane eye drops have helped me with my dry eye problems which appeared out of nowhere 5 years ago.

Get them checked out with an optician/GP. I've never discovered a reason for mine but I suspect it's hormonal as it seems quite common in middle aged women.

It is really expensive. I buy from Amazon. It's made a big difference for me. 2 capsules twice a day for the first fortnight, then 2 a day thereafter. I have found I can't do without them. My eyes get red and irritated...

I was recommended omega 3, but didn't help so I'm interested in PP's omega 7 idea!

I have taken omega 3 forever and it hasn't done anything for my dry eyes.