Dry eye for years- is there hope for finding comfort again?

[autumnn]

Sorry for posting SO much....I just have no one to ask these questions to...

This is a question I always ponder. Is it possible to be freed from this constant pain and worry even if it has been a problem for years?
Encouragement greatly needed as it is another Friday night in

[bernmee]

I don't even go out in the evening any more.

On my way home from work on a Friday night I see all these girls dressed up on their way out, not me, I'm heading to my yoga class. Yes, yoga on a Friday night, I love it, I crave it, and it makes me feel so productive. Its a restorative yoga, the "yoga of nothingness", all about letting go and relaxing. I don't know for sure it helps but I love it as my Friday treat.

On Sat. morning I go to a 8.30 workout class. Neither of these things I would be doing if I was going out for drinks, instead I would be suffering with a sore head. This is so not like my pre Lasik life, but I am doing the best I can to have some interests. Yes these things are solo interests, but I can do them without having to make plans with others, I hate making plans to meet others as I do't know how my eyes are going to be.

I haven't answered your question, I know, but I am trying to keep busy so when my eyes do get better I will have used this time productively. I can't imagine any other option other than things getting better.

So from one Friday night at home lady to another...have a great weekend

Bernadette

[stephgurl1986]

In case you find the reason for your dry eyes then my answer would be yes - things can and will change. Sometimes it takes years to find out what going wrong in your body and that your eyes are just reacting to something that is not in balance. I hope I will find that.

And I also believe that there will me new medicine, new procedures in the next years - I'm optimitsic that in some years my eyes won't bother me anymore.

I have to believe all these thing in order not to get crazy, I've had dry eyes for 5 years now and I'm just 23...

[SallyP]

Not alone....

I also avoid going out after about 7pm, as its so unpleasant and uncomfortable, and I couldn't drive anywhere anyway. I go out about once a month, but it's a major operation to ensure my eyes are OK.

My specialist actually said exercise helped, so I too go to the gym (well I did before I fell down the stairs recently), but I do find if I work up a real sweat, literally dripping, then my eyes are definitely better!

I'm afraid I also haven't answered your question, but just hope by letting you know you aren't the only one going out every night (esepcially with finances as they are) and certainly very rarely with much make up on, you may feel slightly comforted. I've had a particularly bad spell recently, and been reduced to tears ( I still produce them), and couldn't see an end to it all, but thankfully have picked up a bit.

Take care.

[lilahp]

Yes, I do have hope, and I will tell you why. Baby boomers!!!

Have you notice an increased prevalence of dry-eye-related products in the past few years? There will be more, and still more, because of the boomers getting older and having more dry eye. There is money to be made off of us, because we have changed the healthcare system all the way through, and will continue to do so.

These companies are paying attention to places where there is future growth, and believe me, there will be growth in naturally-occuring dry eye due to aging and menopause. There are a bunch of boomers. So this is a good thing in the long run. There will be more and more products for us. There already have been.

Capitalism sometimes still is a good thing, ironically enough.

[autumnn]

I also tend to tell myself that persistence for our own solutions or ways to get comfortable will pay off. Maybe time too. If it took years for the symptoms to develop perhaps it takes months/years of good eye care to get them back to a more "normal" state. Then as others mentioned there are pipeline drugs and other treatments that may come out. There are some stories on here of people finally finding their answers- that gives me hope when I need it the most.
I have been told to stay off this board because sometimes it can increase my anxiety/saddness/hopelessness over this problem.....yet, only members here understand and the advice and stories from others are so valuable. I have also been told to "stop chasing a cure" and try to "accept" what I have- accept a life of pain? No way! I refuse to stop trying- I am not looking for a cure but for a way for this condition to be managed and be comfortable again- I think that is where most of us are. Anyhow I am seeing Dr. Toyos this week about his IPL for MGD. I am wanting to bring back information that will be hopeful for us.
One point to note- while staying in seems to help with the anxiety over being out with sore eyes, we are still at home in pain- being out, especially out of bed, is so much healthier for my mood since the pain is there either way.

[Teri]

If it took years for the symptoms to develop perhaps it takes months/years of good eye care to get them back to a more "normal" state.

Excellent point! I totally agree. The eyes seem to take a long time to heal, anyway, and the body seems to require a lot of time to "forget" being in constant pain. Finding a way to break that pain cycle is so challenging, but it can be done.

I have been told to stay off this board because sometimes it can increase my anxiety/saddness/hopelessness over this problem.....yet, only members here understand and the advice and stories from others are so valuable.

Another good point....I sometimes have to avoid coming here for the reasons you describe. I think many of us have "dry eye buddies" that we correspond privately with, and that has been such a tremendous help to me. I am lucky enough to have found a couple of people that I have a lot in common with (more than just dry eyes!) and who are an integral part of my support system. I'm doubly lucky that one of them lives 45 minutes away.

One point to note- while staying in seems to help with the anxiety over being out with sore eyes, we are still at home in pain- being out, especially out of bed, is so much healthier for my mood since the pain is there either way.

You have the right attitude, I think. My husband used this logic on me back when my eyes were at their worst. I was trying to hide at home and skip a dance class that always made me feel better because my eyes hurt too much to drive (and the thought of the air blowing around the dance studio was too much to contemplate). He said, "Your eyes are going to hurt either way -- whether you go or not. You might as well go." And he was right.

Hang in there, Autumn. There is every reason to hope.
Teri

[Lucy]

I also think it's important to try and do things occasionally even when your eyes are bad. If there is a chance to get your mind somewhere else for a couple of hours, then do it.

When mine were at their worst, I could always go to a movie. I couldn't necessarily keep my eyes open, but I was there and I could do my drops and no one cared. The dark theater also was comforting. Other people who had the problem could not go to a movie. I'd wear (still do) my goggles and would be able to at least semi-enjoy myself.

Most people do not head out to a casino every week, but a casino is something that I've "saved" for when my eyes are bad. We go occasionally and I wear my goggles and can forget about my eyes. It's smoky in there, but I go in spite of this. I won't tolerate smoky places for any other reason. Even through the years, it's been explained that exercise also helps people with dry eyes. I guess the important thing is to try and get out and do something you enjoy. Best. Lucy

[autumnn]

Seems as if many on here find the "right" drop for them or routine that allows them to live a life that is not consumed by dry eye pain and anxieties? Is this true for any of our vetrans???

[Teri]

Absolutely!

I believe I will have dry eyes for the rest of my life, and I will always have to be careful and follow some sort of eye care regimen. But I do not think about my eyes 24/7 and I spend the majority of my day with what I would describe as eye "discomfort," not pain.

It feels now like I have a disability that affects my life but doesn't rule it, and it seems that I'm continually finding new ways to deal with it.

I sincerely wish you and everyone else here could find something that works to reduce their pain, that would enable you to get your life back. This is such a terrible thing to live with.
Teri

[autumnn]

Thanks Teri!
Anyone else? Maybe if all those who have eventually found comfort and the ability to move past this pain can post in this thread we can have it moved to the "triumphs" section!

[bernmee]

I am doing well!

It may be a little to early to say but I am doing well. I think. Right now I am dealing with some new issues of allergies and a plug that was pushed out and caused some irritation along the way.

For instance, today, I feel no pain and no discomfort. However I am thinking of my eyes as I forgot my rice baggy and will be without it for 16 hours. I am thinking what these may lead to. I believe I will always have to think of my eyes, but my actions will be to prevent pain, rather than deal with the pain.

My eyes also determine the lifestyle I lead, but I am fine with that. I am healthier than I ever was and everything I do, or eat, comes with the question of whether it will help or hinder my health.

There is hope. So any people have left this board, and I'm sure this is because they are doing much better. It's just us die hards who keep hanging around

Worrying will not help. Try to allow yourself a special time during the day when you are allowed to worry. When you 5 minutes is up than move on to something else. Please try to stay positive.

Bernadette

[sanna]

steghgurl,

I woul really like to hear how yor eyes are now. I think i have almost the same problem as you, with red eyes. or bloodvessel on the outpart of the white of the eye i really hate this and want it gone. Do you kno any good doctors in Germany?

[wetEyes]

Dr. med. Thomas Kärcher in Heidelberg. He is one of the leading German dry eye specialists.