ProudGrandma Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 (edited) My dry eyes cause me to have blurry vision. My doctor recommended eye drops 4 times a day for a while to see if that helps. during the first week of trying them...it didn't really do any good at all. Then we went on a quick 2 day camping trip. The WHOLE time we were gone, I don't recall ONE minute where I was having problems after we arrived at the camp ground and I even forgot to use my eye drops because I didn't need them. But as soon as I hopped back in the van to drive home, blurry vision all over again. WHY would that be? This is driving me nuts to the point on insanity. Any thoughts for me??? Edited August 10, 2011 by NEprairemom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsMe Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Restasis is the only thing that my eye dr said that would actually treat the problem. Takes about 3 months and it's expensive as heck. Any other drops just temporarily helps with the symptoms. I'd go the Restasis route. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ereks mom Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 I'm guessing that your eyes are reacting to some irritant that's found in your usual environment. Or maybe it's a hormonal thing and it was just coincidence? I do know that hormone levels can affect eye moisture. My dh has severe dry eyes, to the point that he had his tear ducts cauterized years ago. It helped some, but as he gets older, the problem gets a little worse. His eye doctor recommended Restasis, but we have no health insurance and can't afford it. He uses allergy eye drops (generic from Walmart or Walgreens) as needed. Some days are worse than others; the worst days are the days when he does a lot of reading, computer work, or when he does outdoor work during allergy season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuntieM Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 The single biggest aggravator of my dry eyes - climate control in the automobile. I would suggest that when you were camping, you were in a forested area, perhaps near a body of water, that provided a more humid environment? Perhaps try putting a humidifier in your bedroom overnight, or if you have a whole-house system, adjust the interior humidity. If you usually sleep with a ceiling fan, turn it off. Just trying to think of some things - each person is different and may be off base. When my eyes feel dry, I also use warm compresses on my eyes, to stimulate the flow of oil from the oil glands. More oil will keep a lubricating film. It's possible your blurry vision is a symptom of blepharitis (do a board search for more info). If you get that oil flowing regularly, you will feel blurry for a bit, but follow with drops and things should clear. You can also try to wash your eyelashes with a dab of tear-free baby shampoo in the mornings. My eye doc thought I was borderline for need of Restasis, but I can keep my dry eye in check with compresses and OTC moisturizing drops. I can't remember now what the side effects of Restasis are, but at the time I remember thinking they didn't sound good to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Too much A/C or heat blowing in your face? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sputterduck Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 I have a problem with dry eyes and can't stand air blowing on my eyes in cars. It's actually very painful. I need a week or two of steroid drops when my corneas get inflamed from my eyes being so dry. Eye drops alone would be a joke. They wouldn't help. In between periods of steroids, eye drops help them from getting bad. But when it's bad, it's steroids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProudGrandma Posted August 10, 2011 Author Share Posted August 10, 2011 The single biggest aggravator of my dry eyes - climate control in the automobile. I would suggest that when you were camping, you were in a forested area, perhaps near a body of water, that provided a more humid environment? Perhaps try putting a humidifier in your bedroom overnight, or if you have a whole-house system, adjust the interior humidity. If you usually sleep with a ceiling fan, turn it off. Just trying to think of some things - each person is different and may be off base. When my eyes feel dry, I also use warm compresses on my eyes, to stimulate the flow of oil from the oil glands. More oil will keep a lubricating film. It's possible your blurry vision is a symptom of blepharitis (do a board search for more info). If you get that oil flowing regularly, you will feel blurry for a bit, but follow with drops and things should clear. You can also try to wash your eyelashes with a dab of tear-free baby shampoo in the mornings. My eye doc thought I was borderline for need of Restasis, but I can keep my dry eye in check with compresses and OTC moisturizing drops. I can't remember now what the side effects of Restasis are, but at the time I remember thinking they didn't sound good to me. I will try the warm compress thing. THat sounds good. My doctor also just recommend steroid drops for a week...what are your opinions about those?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProudGrandma Posted August 10, 2011 Author Share Posted August 10, 2011 I have a problem with dry eyes and can't stand air blowing on my eyes in cars. It's actually very painful. I need a week or two of steroid drops when my corneas get inflamed from my eyes being so dry. Eye drops alone would be a joke. They wouldn't help. In between periods of steroids, eye drops help them from getting bad. But when it's bad, it's steroids. ok, maybe I will try those then...you found those helped? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuntieM Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Well, I am not doctor, so I don't feel comfortable telling you whether or not to take the steroids. However, I do have experience with ocular oil gland issues, and, for me, anyway, steroids have never been part of the treatment. But then, my docs were never able to observe any damage to the cornea. My dh has a strange, nonspecific condition that flares up every couple of years. His eye will get very red and irritated. There's no apparent cause (so say the docs), but a few days of steroids clears it right up. It's your call, but I can't imagine one round of steroids causing any damage. If it's an oil-related issue, you just may continue to have symptoms. Maybe there's an eye-care professional on board that can jump in and give you a better opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klmama Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Do you get enough Omega 3 oils in your diet from fish or from taking fish oil or cod liver oil? One of my dc had dry eyes, and daily cod liver oil took care of the situation. You might still need to eliminate or reduce the use of A/C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sputterduck Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 ok, maybe I will try those then...you found those helped? Yes, they helped incredibly. You have to be very careful though because long term use is associated with cataracts. I try to limit them to 1 or 2 weeks per year. Talk to your eye doctor and he'll give you a prescription if he thinks that is the appropriate treatment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSDCY Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 I started to have dry eyes just this past year. Sometimes I have a hard time opening my eyes when I wake up in the morning because my eyelids are stuck to my eyeballs. I think it's due to age and hormone. But what I found to be of great help is to stay away from my computer. I know it's easier said than done, but during a week of "computer fast", my dry eye problem went away completely. My guess is that the campground you stayed at probably has higher humidity than where you live, plus you were away from your computer for that whole time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProudGrandma Posted August 10, 2011 Author Share Posted August 10, 2011 I started to have dry eyes just this past year. Sometimes I have a hard time opening my eyes when I wake up in the morning because my eyelids are stuck to my eyeballs. I think it's due to age and hormone. But what I found to be of great help is to stay away from my computer. I know it's easier said than done, but during a week of "computer fast", my dry eye problem went away completely. My guess is that the campground you stayed at probably has higher humidity than where you live, plus you were away from your computer for that whole time. stay away from the computer??? I don't know if I can do that completely...also, when we were on a different vacation, I was away from the computer almost the entire time and still had problems . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted August 14, 2011 Share Posted August 14, 2011 Everyone has great tips. These may be repeats of what others have said. 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 tearsâ€. 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...
kalanamak Posted August 14, 2011 Share Posted August 14, 2011 This is driving me nuts to the point on insanity. Any thoughts for me??? Breeze. The merest dryness and a breeze will do it. I had a stretch of this and I found I had to close my eyes while going through the fire doors at work, to avoid a WHOOSE I otherwise had never noticed. (Mine was a reaction to having the house painted!! I was so happy it was temporary!!) Some people need lacrilube at night (a gel) and some people don't get rid of the **feeling** of dry eyes without Navcon-A. Reactions causing irritation and allergy are often perceived as dryness. :grouphug: I know it is miserable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProudGrandma Posted August 14, 2011 Author Share Posted August 14, 2011 thanks for the continued suggestions. I am using a steroid drop right now...feeling some better, not perfect...but better. But then what happens after the week that I to use these drops...will i go back to horrible? UGH!!!! School starts here on Monday...have to see to do school!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TXMomof4 Posted August 14, 2011 Share Posted August 14, 2011 Don't let the air in the car hit you in the face, use the lubricating gel at night and the drops during the day. Genteal, lacrilub, etc. And blink. Blink, blink, blink. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest blueeyes01 Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Yes, outside wind and even the cool air-conditioning might be causing the irritation. Getting advice from everyone here is always a great first step, but I recommend seeing an eye specialist to make sure that it isn’t something more serious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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