Losing Focus while Reading Due to Dry Eye?

[EricC]

I've been diagnosed with dry eye about one year ago. The worst problem is (luckily) not to have itching eyes or something else. Sometimes I even forget to use the eye drops especially when I not had to work with the computer. The really bad thing is that I can't read anymore and its getting worse in the afternoon and evening. It seems like I am loosing the focus while reading.
I was just wondering if some of you made the same experience or may be my problem has a different cause (and I should change my doctor..). I am taking artificial tears (Genteal) and Restarsis. Thanks.

[mary kenny badami]

Hi, EricC, and welcome to Dry Eye Talk !

At the risk of being intrusive, I would begin by asking how old you are . . . because losing one's ability to read at near-distance is a classic symptom of "presbyopia" -- which sets in for most people in their 40s / 50s, and brings the need for "reading glasses."

Also, I wonder if you already use/wear glasses or contact lenses? If so, do you know your most recent prescription?

Of course there are many other possible explanations for your situation, and I am not a doctor -- but as a person who reached that "certain age" nearly 20 years ago, I know that my ability to read changed dramatically at that particular life threshold, and that it happened to occur around the time that I was first diagnosed with "dry eyes."

[EricC]

Sorry,
I should have mentioned that...
I am 35 years old and wearing glasses since i am 7 or 8 years. My current values on the glasses are +4.25. I went to the doctor with the idea that I had to change my glasses, but he says I'm good with them.

[mary kenny badami]

Thanks for such a prompt reply . . . which, of course, has totally shot down my tentative hypothesis ! You seem to be too young to be experiencing classic presbyopia, and at +4.25 < I read that right, a huge plus-prescription, didn't I ??? > you seem to be a significant "hyperope" = "far-sighted" (or as they say in England, "long-sighted.") If you've recently seen a doc who checked your prescription and says that your glasses don't need changing, then I will defer to other, wiser members with ideas based on your particular circumstances. Congratulations on finding your way here; I hope you'll use the search-function, read the archives, and keep us updated about your situation.

[kitty]

I find my vision does get blurry when my eyes are excessively dry, such as at the end of a day at the computer. You might consider running a humidifier and see if that helps.

[nahzee]

First: goggles. moisture chambers. whatever works for you, wear it. If you don't own them already, buy a cheap pair- prescription ones (which I'm fairly sure can be fit in your prescription) can cost around 30-40$ online. There's several options, and a site (I don't know offhand) lists the positives and negatives in regard to anti-fogging with them (some are harder / cost more to defog)..

Second: add more magnification! A cheap page-size 2x magnifier can go a long, long way.. something like

http://www.independentliving.com/pro...?number=570284

or

http://www.independentliving.com/pro...?number=454652

would work just fine.

third: Use your drops, and often! Set a timer with the timing that's right for you, be it 15 minutes or 60 minutes, whenever you're reading.

Failing that, I would definately suggest going back and getting another opinion from a different person.