taping eyes shut

[namoomoo]

Does anyone have any ideas about how to tape your eyes shut?

I have been using tranquileyes, but stopped when I had pain. Then tried again - and stopped when I found out I was having corneal erosions. I thought if my eyelids are sticking to my eyes, they probably don't need anything pressing even slightly on them to furter encourage this...don't know if this is logical thinking.
Anyway - have resorted to lacrilube ...I know the dreaded goop- and taping my eyes shut with two strips of "steri-strips" (the type used to hold cuts together) crossed over my eyes and then putting the empty tranquileyes on top.

Any alternatives to steristrips as they are expensive?

Any other ideas on how to tape successfully?

Hate the sensation and my eyes actually struggle to boing open when they are taped up, but trying to persist.
Thanks!

[Guest]

You can use Visotears instead of Lacrilube or you can get hold of Geteal Gel that a number of people particularly like. I sent you an email with the generic version available in Australia (HPMC PAA and sells for about AU$6), it is identical, made by the same company, just sold as a generic.

As for taping you can get a plastic type medical tape from Asda pharmacy (read no shares in Asda) that is fantastic. I don't know the brand name but it is about 1 inch thick, plastic in nature and perforated so easily ripped off the roll. I asked for a medical tape like Micropore but not Micropore if that makes any sense at all.

I normally goop my eyes, then rip about 1 inch long piece of tape, drop it on my top lid then close my lid and tape it to my cheek. I try to leave the bit near my nose open so that I can pour some saline (Steripods available from the pharmacy - expensive but good) in there before I even try to open my eyes of a morning.

I know you are having a tough time of it at the moment but don't try to many things at once, you won't know what works and what doesn't.

I think once you find an alternative to Lacrilube you may find that your symptoms may improve.

Lacrilube is renowned for inhibiting the wettability of your occular surface (think of putting vaseline on the back of your hand then pouring water over it). I have no doubt this product has a purpose but it is not for everyone.

Your local pharmacy may stock Viscotears in a tube or preservative free. If not, get them to order 1 in for you to try. It is about £7 per tube it will do until you can get some Genteal Gel (or generic).

Take care
Ian

[Cindy]

Hi. You could try hairstyling tape. I've used hairstyling tape by Beauty Mark to tape my eyes at night. It's gentle, easy to remove and, best of all, pink . About $4 per roll. All of us of a *certain* age will remember it from way back - the days of 'Get Smart' and trying to get our hair to be like Agent 99's, lol.

[dianat]

Do tranquileyes touch your eyes...even if you remove the inner foam?!

[np1981]

I use mine without the foam, because it presses on my eyes which then feels awful the next morning. I've been using it without the foam insert with success.

[woodart]

Taping eyes shut

The times I taped my eyes shut I found that for me I had to use a different tape each night. I found the ones that worked best which didn't bother my skin and made sure the next night I used the tape in another spot. At that time it was what was working for me. Not something one would do all the time. Best to find another way that works in the long run.

[Lucy]

A bandaid will do in a pinch. It may "pinch" when you yank it off, too.

Just an idea for when things are bad and you are unable to shop for a variety of tapes.. Almost anyone can find a bandaid.

Lucy

[namoomoo]

Thanks for the ideas and names of products.
I am using the tranquileyes without the foam pads at the moment. That doesn't touch my eyes - but it also doesn't keep them shut, I suspect, although they will keep them more protected than exposing them without any covering.

[texaseyes]

taping your eyes shut

I've never tried this, but I had an idea when I was shopping at Target the other day. There is a sort of slightly sticky tape that only sticks to itself, not the skin. You can buy it in pretty wide widths, and it's supposed to be used for post-surgery around gauze, like around a knee or elbow. I wonder if you could use this as a "mask" around your eyes that would fasten behind your head, that wouldn't actually stick to your hair or skin but would be strong enough to stay fastened to itself. That way you could make it as loose or tight pressure as you were comfortable with. Like I said, I haven't tried it, maybe it would work without messing up your skin.

Texaseyes

[shoebox]

What about a regular Sleep Mask?

I've found that sleep masks tend to keep my eyes shut a little better than nothing -- and if my eyes do come open a little, the mask keeps the air from drying them too much.
I also found a great "Padded Sleep Mask" at Target, in the cosmetics section. It's THICKLY padded, and it absolutely holds my eyes closed, but fairly gently. I tried tranquileyes for the first time last night -- I love them, but I had a red mark on my eyelid this morning --still there now-- but not painful or anything.
Maybe you've already tried the basic sleep masks and I missed it...my eyes have always stayed partly open when I sleep. I mentioned it to my eye dr and she said she could do "lid weights" if I needed them. I saw online that they do some lid weights surgically, but I am pretty sure she meant they were removable during the day. We briefly discussed CRT and she said for that, I would definitely need lid weights.

I hope you find a solution soon. Trial and error gets frustrating.

[namoomoo]

Very creative and thoughtful ideas guys!
I was sleeping with a mask on before I got tranquileyes. I found it too loose, so added some cotton pads to the inside, to pad it out and hopefully keep my eyes closed. But my eye doc was concerned that if my eyes did creep open, the cotton would stick to the eyes. So I have been worried about this, even with tranquileyes.

[Guest]

The tape I was referring to is a low alergy plastic tape ????medic+ I think it is called. It is less than £2.00 per roll and lasts for ages.

I use it every night on my right eye - at the moment with some degree of success - long may it continue is all I ask.

I put some gel in and tape it closed. REally wierd sensation until you get used to it, but now I don't even notice it. I only tape 1 eye closed so I still have the other one functioning normally if I need to get up through the night.

Only thing to be careful about with continued use is that it gets a bit rough on your eyelid skin.

Take care
Ian

[shoebox]

Found them...

By no means am I pushing this product, but here's more information about those external lid weights I was talking about. Supposed to be hypoallergenic.
http://www.fci-ophthalmics.com/exter...id_weights.htm

I tried to find a site that was informational, only, but could not seem to find one.

How do you not pull your lashes out when you tape?
Good luck to you!

[elaine]

taping eyes

Dr. Latkany told me my right eye doesn't quite close, and recommended paper tape. I bought some and put it on vertically, just an inch of it works and doesn't aggravate. Seems to help.
Elaine

[Francesco]

Dr. Latkany told me my right eye doesn't quite close, and recommended paper tape. I bought some and put it on vertically, just an inch of it works and doesn't aggravate. Seems to help.
Elaine

Same for me...Latkany told me that i don't close both eyes at night (and often during the day) since i have big eyes.....they tend to open at night...i tried everything..ointments, tranquileyes (gave me pain and blurred vision) now i'm using paper tape....we'll see how it works...