Harriet Vane Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 I have been struggling with dry eyes and other perimenopausal symptoms. I can deal with most of it, but am a little panicked about the dry eyes. I NEED to wear my contact lenses--my prescription is pretty severe, and glasses just don't serve as well as the contact lenses do. Is this a temporary thing, or is this status quo for the next forty years? Tips? Suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onceuponatime Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 I have been struggling with dry eyes and other perimenopausal symptoms. I can deal with most of it, but am a little panicked about the dry eyes. I NEED to wear my contact lenses--my prescription is pretty severe, and glasses just don't serve as well as the contact lenses do. Is this a temporary thing, or is this status quo for the next forty years? Tips? Suggestions? Well, I'm 46 and I had problems with dry irritated eyes, especially at night and in winter, for about 3 years. This year I'm fine. Making sure I was hydrated helped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 I thought I had it until I went on a trip. Disappeared. I have allergies in the eyes. Naphcon A (OTC here) every now and then when I first get it really helps. It was scary, though, so :grouphug: Oh, and check for fumes. When we were varnishing the house (it was a log house) it was TERRIBLE. I was reduced to putting lacrilube in my eyes at night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindyg Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 Well, I don't wear contacts, so I can't comment on that. But my eyes turned scary red. I went to my regular doctor who prescribed antibiotic drops. No help. She prescribed stronger antibiotic drops. No help. She sent me to an opthamologist. He told me I had dry eyes and advised me to use OTC lubrication drops morning and night. I thought he was blowing me off because surely there was more to these scary red eyes than just plain ole dryness. But I bought the OTC drops and used them morning and night. The red eyes haven't returned. (I have bought various brands. Nothing in particular seemed magical.) I hope your problem goes away soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
love2read Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 It didn't go away for me, but the problem will decrease greatly if you increase your water intake. If I drink over 100 oz a day my eyes don't bother me. I also have to run the humidifier or a few vaporizers in the winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alphabetika Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 I can't speak to the contact lens situation, but I have a dry eye condition associated with arthritis so I know what it's like to have dry, gritty-feeling eyes a lot. What works for me is drinking water, taking fish oil (or primrose oil, just some kind of oil) and using lots of Optive, an OTC eye lubricant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuntieM Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 My dry eyes flux with my hormones, plus I have other eye issues that cause similar discomfort. I can tell you what helps: Use over the counter moisture drops about four times a day, whether you feel the need at the moment or not. You can try the gel or ointment formulas at night (personally I cannot due to my other issue, but it's worth your trying). Take your fish oil supplements regularly. Drink lots of water. Add humidity to your envirmonment any way you can. Watch out it the car. Automobile climate control is the biggest aggravator for me. Try to adjust the blower towards your feet, not blowing on your face. Warm compresses on your eyelids, maybe in the morning and at bedtime, will stimulate the flow of lubricating oil from your lashes. It seems to come and go for me. It is really annoying! My contacts are the Accuvue Oasis. There are certain brands that are better for dry eyes, you may want to ask your optician about a switch. HTH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsmama Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 Oh, this post is just what I needed. I've been having hot flashes off and on for a few months, and the past two weeks my eyes have been SOO dry. I couldn't even put in my contacts for an hour or so after waking. Welcome to 40, huh? Thanks for the tips. I will try drinking more water and getting drops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted January 14, 2011 Author Share Posted January 14, 2011 Thanks for the tips and sympathy. I was dismayed when the dr said this would be status quo from here on out, and even more dismayed when he suggested that some people have to stop wearing their contact lenses. My eyesight is sooooo poor--I do not see well with my glasses on and I don't feel pretty with the thick lenses. :crying: I'll throw myself into hydrating, taking fish oil, and using eye drops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaillardia Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 I wear contacts, hot flashes galore. I don't have much problem with dry eyes. Maybe try humidifier in your home too. :grouphug: What kind of contacts do you wear? Does that have anything to do with the dryness? I wear daily wear. One of my sisters got the laser treatment on her eyes so she didn't have to do contacts anymore. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perry Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 Thanks for the tips and sympathy. I was dismayed when the dr said this would be status quo from here on out, and even more dismayed when he suggested that some people have to stop wearing their contact lenses. My eyesight is sooooo poor--I do not see well with my glasses on and I don't feel pretty with the thick lenses. :crying: I'll throw myself into hydrating, taking fish oil, and using eye drops. Have you seen an ophthalmologist? There are other treatments, but they would need to be prescribed by the ophtho, not your family doctor. And not an optometrist. Have you cleaned out your inbox? I tried to pm you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted January 15, 2011 Author Share Posted January 15, 2011 Have you seen an ophthalmologist? There are other treatments, but they would need to be prescribed by the ophtho, not your family doctor. And not an optometrist. Have you cleaned out your inbox? I tried to pm you. The dr did mention a prescription eye drop for this. I don't remember the name of it, but he explained in depth how it works. He said once you take this eyedrop, you're on it forever. He said this could be just fine, but advocated first trying to wash my eyes daily with baby shampoo and using OTC eye drops for moisture 3-4 times per day. He also suggested wearing my contact lenses for less hours in the day. He thought that could put off the time when I would need to go on those eyedrops. I did clean out my message box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuntieM Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 The dr did mention a prescription eye drop for this. I don't remember the name of it, but he explained in depth how it works. He said once you take this eyedrop, you're on it forever. He said this could be just fine, but advocated first trying to wash my eyes daily with baby shampoo and using OTC eye drops for moisture 3-4 times per day. He also suggested wearing my contact lenses for less hours in the day. He thought that could put off the time when I would need to go on those eyedrops. I did clean out my message box. Is it Restatis? I remember doc mentioning that (and me not liking the sound of the side effects). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted January 16, 2011 Author Share Posted January 16, 2011 Is it Restatis? I remember doc mentioning that (and me not liking the sound of the side effects). Yes. I didn't remember the name of it when I posted, but yes, that's the drug he mentioned. What side effects? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuntieM Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 Yes. I didn't remember the name of it when I posted, but yes, that's the drug he mentioned. What side effects? I honestly cannot remember specifically, perhaps the it's-forever thing? I just remember my reaction being along the lines of, "I think I'll hold off on that for as long as I can..." It would be good for you to hear from folks who have actually used it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted January 16, 2011 Author Share Posted January 16, 2011 I honestly cannot remember specifically, perhaps the it's-forever thing? I just remember my reaction being along the lines of, "I think I'll hold off on that for as long as I can..." It would be good for you to hear from folks who have actually used it! Same response here! I don't recall everything the dr said perfectly, but walked away with a sense of needing to hold off for as long as I can without causing more dry eye damage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBM Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 Increasing omega-3 oils and decreasing omega-6s can be helpful. You want to get a ratio of about 4:1 or 2:1, omega 6 to omega 3. If you want to see what your ratio is in a day, the site below can be helpful. The omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids will be at the lower left-hand part of the webpage under "Fats and Fatty Acids" after you track/analyze your food and then hit the "save and analyze" button. http://nutritiondata.self.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gratia271 Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 Supplementing with Omega 3 has helped me tremendously along with decreasing anything that dries you out on a systemic level. Drinking large quantities of water has helped too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alicia64 Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 I had no idea that dry eyes went along w/ perimen. Good to know. Is anyone having problems with sleeping. I'm getting insomnia lately and it's driving me crazy. Alley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angjune Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 I blame everything on perimenopause yet I didn't know my dry eyes could be related to that. My opthamologist recommended an OTC lubricant to use in the eyes but I don't have the problem on a daily basis. I also get insomnia but it seems to be related to my cycle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan C. Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 The best eye drops EVER are Blink for contacts (whether you wear contacts or not). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HollyDay Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 Fish Oil Lots of Water My eye doc did have to use punctal ducts one time when dry eye was terrible. At the moment, I'm using Soothe XP. It works great, but can only be used every 8 hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuntieM Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 Just wanted to add that for those using lots of moisture drops, my doc encourages the ones that are preservative-free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anneofalamo Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 Well, I don't wear contacts, so I can't comment on that. But my eyes turned scary red. I went to my regular doctor who prescribed antibiotic drops. No help. She prescribed stronger antibiotic drops. No help. She sent me to an opthamologist. He told me I had dry eyes and advised me to use OTC lubrication drops morning and night. I thought he was blowing me off because surely there was more to these scary red eyes than just plain ole dryness. But I bought the OTC drops and used them morning and night. The red eyes haven't returned. (I have bought various brands. Nothing in particular seemed magical.) I hope your problem goes away soon. :iagree:Same thing! I had horrible bumps and redness. One great eye doc, and my eyes look 20 years younger! One week of Refresh. morning and night. They are like balm to my eyes!! I would ask your eye doc especially since you wear contacts, he/she may have the exact thing you need. as to menopause, I have a fan on my desk for my head, and heater by my feet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 All that has been already said. Much of this is a repeat. Sorry. No time to edit. At Risk Contact Lens Wearers Women during and after menopause People over 60 Certain medications – antihistamines, antidepressants, some blood pressure medications, and birth-control pills. Untreated Dry Eye Syndrome can lead to: Scarring Impaired Vision EAT MORE Drink LOTS of water. If you already drink plenty of water, drink more! Foods rich in Omega-3 Walnuts Fatty fish (salmon and cod) Omega-3s help the body to produce more tear layer around the eye, which creates more lubricated eyes EAT LESS Limit caffeine Eliminate artificial sweeteners SUPPLEMENTS A good Fish Oil – such as Carlson’s Omega-3s help the body to produce more tear layer around the eye, which creates more lubricated eyes Dandelion Root Tea OTHER TIPS Blink often Use humidifier in home if air is dry. Change the water and clean and disinfect tank frequently. Avoid rubbing eyes Eye drops labeled “artificial tears”. Don’t get those that are meant to relieve redness or itchy eyes. Try homeopathic Optique 1 by Boiron http://www.theratears.com/nutrition.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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