Coping with loss of friends due to chronic eye problems

[cebeth]

Wondering how others deal with the isolation of having chronic eye problems. I have always gone out of my way to keep in touch with my friends. Having chronic eye problems and other health issues have caused many changes in my life. Some of my friends have stopped calling or returning my calls. So, I am curious to hear from others how they handle this loss.

I am very grateful to have a few really good friends from the DEZ that are supportive and understanding!

[DCRdryeye]

Hi cebeth,
Genuine friends should still return your calls. However, chronic dry eye certainly does restrict your social life. You've probably declined outings with your friends due to the pain you'll feel.
I've coped by taking my moisture chambers if outdoors and indoors I'll frequently visit the bathroom and splash my eyes with water and put artificial tears in. It gets tedious, and makes it difficult to relax but you really have to start finding ways of getting out more and continue seeking relief for your eyes. Never stop.

[LaDiva]

Hi cebeth,
You've got lots of company here. Dry eye really does affect your social life. The hardest part for me was getting my friends to understand my situation. People who have never had moderate or severe dry eye have no idea how limiting and painful it can be. I still have all of my friends, but need to go easy on how often we do things and what we do. Also, I am pretty comfortable wearing goggles around my close friends, although that is hard to do in public sometimes. (Sunglasses help! ) Keep connecting. Just let your good friends know, you care. They probably cannot fully understand the impact of your dry eye, but they will still love you and want you to be happy. Good wishes to you.

[soaps]

Hi cebeth
i know how u feel. i too can't go out because even if the pain isn't bad i cause more permanent redness with air con wind etc. also it is impossible to put drops every 20 mins with 5 minute break eyes closed and hold a conversation. This is all with moisture chambers! The sweet friends will keep on inviting u out or check u ok now and then and if they don't perhaps its ok to move on . I find that if i keep busy and try to focus on family others problems etc there is little time to remember how lonely this dry eye stuff really is.

[cebeth]

Thank you all for your kind thoughts. I have recurrent corneal erosion and corneal neuralgia as well as dry eye. My friends and family do not understand the level of pain that goes with it. I'm finding that it is better to not talk about it because they don't get it anyway.

[Katewest]

It's so hard and no one can truly understand unless they are going through it. I get really down about it but just try to keep telling myself that I will find relief soon...either prose lenses, new job, something....

[dryeye4ever]

My social life is affeted by DES. Atleast its summer and i can go out but in the winter it was hell. its hard to know which activity to do besides playing outdoors. Even going to a nightclub isnt really comfortable.