Stuff that works for me, part 2

[Erik]

1 - Really fizzy soda (like club soda or Sprite)--makes my eyes water a bit when I drink it, and gives me some hydration as well
2 - Closing my eyes for a while and listening to an audiobook (I go through about one of these a week between my commute and my "quiet time" at night). Libraries are the best source of these (Maryland public libraries actually let you download the things and put them on your mp3 player!), but Audible.com is also great (go for the 12 for $100 special, which even includes the really long ones). Anything narrated by Scott Brick is worth listening to.
3 - Buying CDs. I am addicted to this particular activity, which is not good, but darn if it doesn't always make me feel better.
4 - Going to church. Gives me some perspective, and firms up my belief that my suffering is not meaningless.
5 - Rolling around on the floor with my kids. Speaks for itself.
6 - Working. I don't know exactly why, but I generally feel much better when I am doing productive things, than when I am just hanging out.
7 - Eating. Especially steamy, warm stuff.
8 - A cold shower. This should in theory actually make my Meibomians less happy, but somehow makes me feel better anyway. When i don;t have time for a shower, sometimes I just squirt that kitchen sink-thingy at my (closed!) eyes.
9 - My Panoptx goggles. Rebecca--I think we need to have a web page of all goggle pictures of members. LASIK geeks on display!
10 - Jogging. I think it's the endorphins-when I run, even just a mile or two, slowly, I feel better for the rest of the day. But I keep a huge jug of water with me the rest of the day, to keep from getting dehydrated.

One thing that doesn't make me feel better: constantly thinking, reading, talking about my eyes. I have tried this before, plenty of times, and it doesn't work for me. I love the dryeyezone, and am eternally grateful for the great advice I've gotten here (bmore, rebecca, lucy, cindy, kurt, many others), but occasionally need to "take a vacation from my problems."

On a philosophical note: I am an Oncologist (a cancer specialist) and I have observed that patients and their families, when confronted with difficult truths, often choose one of two paths. Either they become embittered, and unhappy, often unfortunately dying in that exact state; or they become more thoughtful, compassionate, forgiving, and sometimes almost "holy." Whenever I feel any bitterness coming on, I try to rapidly reverse whatever course I'm on (usually a self-centered one at the time), and get away from myself for a while.

Works for me. Your mileage may vary.

--E

[REDEYES]

re:What works for Erik

Erik, Thanks for your words of wisdom. You have a wonderful attitude. I love reading your posts (so very informative). Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge. Let me tell you that you must be a very compassionate doctor (sometimes extremely hard to find).

Just my two cents

REDEYES

[Mr_Cabot]

Panoptx Goggles

Hi Erik,
Thanks for the insight as always. I was curious about your goggles. I actually was checking out the panoptx website and they seem to have 3 types of goggles depending on "how fast" you want to go. Two types come with the frames and lenses but also with another removable orbital seal eyecup. The third type is just the frame and lens. Do you know what is recommended for dry eye or should I say are you using the orbital seal eyecup?

I was thinking of picking some up. Also, they appear a bit large, is that true. I have a smaller skull (boy I opened myself up for a joke there) and am wondering if these frames are too big.

Also, the best remedy for my eyes...working on a project that I have to really focus on. Like painting a room, or pruning trees, or tilling the soil. I dont pay any attention to my eyes and I sware when I stop the task I realize I havent had any pain and when I check my eyes in the mirror they look great. Interesting...

Thanks.

[dianat]

Mr. C, I wear Panoptx goggles and am a female with a small-ish face. My suggestion is to find a retailer (Harley Davidson?) who has a large selection of frames in the store. Then try them all on. I only found one pair that I felt really fit well. The rest were a little large. The frame I like is called the Viento. It does not have a removable foam seal, but the foam can be easily replaced by sending them back to the company. This should probably be done yearly.

As for their appearance, I feel the Viento looks about as much like regular sunglasses as I'm ever going to get. I am NOT wearing Panoptx in my avatar picture. Don't be afraid.

As for your other questions, you might refer those to the Panoptx folks. I've contacted them several times and have found them to be very helpful.

I'll let Erik take it from here. I believe he wears Vientos also.

Oh yeah, sorry about that small skull of yours. Dry eye, small skull...what's next?!

Diana

[Erik]

Yes, I bought the Vientos myself, and they do give a nice, snug fit. Also, they are a bit smaller than the other panoptx frames, which makes me look a little less spaceman-ish. What I really like about them is the very good seal I get, which does indeed keep the moisture in. But they are very expensive, and if you get Rx lenses (like I have) you actually have 2 lenses in each side--the outer plain lens and the inner Rx lens. This causes lots of reflections (driving at night, I really notice this) and also makes it so that when I clean the suckers, some water gets in between the lenses and it takes a day or two to dry out.

But they are the best I've tried, so far. I agree with Diana--you should really go to the biggest Harley store in your area and try on every frame they have, to find one that seals well, and is comfortable. I think every face is different. I am a medium-sized guy, with a big head (or so my wife tells me...) and yet the Vientos fit me perfectly.

[Rebecca Petris]

Rebecca--I think we need to have a web page of all goggle pictures of members.

I love it!

I'll check this out with the Almighty (DEZAdmin) and post again when we're ready to roll. Goggles-wearers, get ready with those pix!