Help I'm despaired, over 7 years with dry eyes

[JackBauer]

Hi,

I'm Michael, 28 years old Egyptian IT Professional. I have been diagnosed with dry eyes since I was 21. I have tried everything that I can be done, at least in Egypt. I have taken supplements (fish oil, flaxseed oil, lutein, beta-carotene and gamma E). I have, just 2 weeks ago, stopped my hypertension medication. It turned out that it's causing blurry vision and it causes dry eyes too.

But after 2 weeks no improvements, I think the medication still in my system! I don't know
I also don't drink that much water, only 5 glasses of water daily - 1 can of soda and I drink orange juice or so.
I wear glasses by the way.
I really don't know what else I can do, they said spending ours in front of my computer is the cause. I shut down my system for a week, and it didn't do any good.
This condition is a life-ruining one. Already lost my job several times, and couldn't finish my book
Each time I go to my dr she says your eyes are fine, I don't know what can be done for your dry eyes.
I use refresh liqugel 10 time daily, and genteal gel before bedtime.
Any advice ?
Thanks
Mike

[MBC]

Hi Mike,

As a fellow sufferer I can only recommend that you see another doctor. Keep going until you find someone to listen to you. If a doctor actually tells you there is nothing she can do, then find another good eye doctor. Before even making an appt. I would ask several questions over the phone. Find out the doctors expertise in treating dry eye syndrom

[Rebecca Petris]

Hi Mike and welcome. I'm sorry for what you are going through.

Computer jobs are really hard on anyone with dry eye.

I'm going to suggest that you start looking into protective eyewear. That could be your best possible tool for being able to work while you are struggling to get better eye care, diagnosis etc. I have known computer programmers who were able to go back to work full time by using moisture chamber eyewear. To see what kinds of things I'm talking about go to dryeyeshop.com and click on the eyewear section. You may be able to find something locally. Swimming or motorcycle goggles would be at least a place to start.

[JackBauer]

Thanks for your reply
Unfortunately, we don't have that kind of luxury here
I don't know what else I should do

[JackBauer]

Hi Mike and welcome. I'm sorry for what you are going through.

Computer jobs are really hard on anyone with dry eye.

I'm going to suggest that you start looking into protective eyewear. That could be your best possible tool for being able to work while you are struggling to get better eye care, diagnosis etc. I have known computer programmers who were able to go back to work full time by using moisture chamber eyewear. To see what kinds of things I'm talking about go to dryeyeshop.com and click on the eyewear section. You may be able to find something locally. Swimming or motorcycle goggles would be at least a place to start.

Thanks alot Rebecca, I will look into it. I hope that will be it
Mike

[Rebecca Petris]

You said you wear glasses, what is your prescription? Do you have to wear the glasses while you're at the computer?

[JackBauer]

You said you wear glasses, what is your prescription? Do you have to wear the glasses while you're at the computer?

Rebecca,

My powers are -4.5, I wear it all day long I never take it off. Sometimes I forget that I'm wearing it, and go to bed
I don't think that I will find a protective moisture chamber glasses that fits above my medical ones.

You know I might lose one of the biggest projects of my life, because of this problem

[JackBauer]

I didn't mention that my TSH is 3.54, and my FT4 is still in the normal range. But I have HypoThyroid symptoms.
I'm not sure that this is related, although I have read that Thyroid problems can cause dry eyes. I just can't get a proper diagnoses because of my borderline TSH. I know that above 3.0 should be treated, but over here they don't think so.

[Rebecca Petris]

Finding out the cause and how exactly to treat it is very important but it is not going to be an overnight process so I would focus on trying to get some symptomatic relief too. You can wear motorcycle goggles over glasses. They really, really can make a big difference especially for computer use and reading. One of the most common mistakes people make with severe dry eye symptoms is failing to try it. If you can afford it you can get your prescription put into a pair of wraparound sports glasses with a foam lining so that you can have moisture chambers over your eyes while working.

Here's an example of something simple and cheap:
http://www.nexternal.com/tdec/guard-...r-rx-p339.aspx
Look at the reviews tab and you will understand what a difference it can make.

The Wiley-X AirRage glasses can take prescriptions up to -6. I know they aren't available there but you could purchase a frame-only over the internet if you needed to and get a local optician to put some prescription lenses in it. I'm not trying to tell you what to buy, just explaining that there are options for people in your circumstances.

What kind of doctor are you seeing? Do you have a corneal specialist and if not is it possible to be referred to one? What about taking a list of some questions to your doctor that might help pin things down. For example it doesn't make sense to me that they can diagnose you with dry eye but say your eyes are fine. Is it aqueous deficiency (your lacrimal glands not making enough tears)? Or meibomian gland dysfunction (your oil/meibomian glands not working great)? Both?

What are your actual symptoms? How do your eyes feel and what time of day?

[JackBauer]

Finding out the cause and how exactly to treat it is very important but it is not going to be an overnight process so I would focus on trying to get some symptomatic relief too. You can wear motorcycle goggles over glasses. They really, really can make a big difference especially for computer use and reading. One of the most common mistakes people make with severe dry eye symptoms is failing to try it. If you can afford it you can get your prescription put into a pair of wraparound sports glasses with a foam lining so that you can have moisture chambers over your eyes while working.

Here's an example of something simple and cheap:
http://www.nexternal.com/tdec/guard-...r-rx-p339.aspx
Look at the reviews tab and you will understand what a difference it can make.

The Wiley-X AirRage glasses can take prescriptions up to -6. I know they aren't available there but you could purchase a frame-only over the internet if you needed to and get a local optician to put some prescription lenses in it. I'm not trying to tell you what to buy, just explaining that there are options for people in your circumstances.

What kind of doctor are you seeing? Do you have a corneal specialist and if not is it possible to be referred to one? What about taking a list of some questions to your doctor that might help pin things down. For example it doesn't make sense to me that they can diagnose you with dry eye but say your eyes are fine. Is it aqueous deficiency (your lacrimal glands not making enough tears)? Or meibomian gland dysfunction (your oil/meibomian glands not working great)? Both?

What are your actual symptoms? How do your eyes feel and what time of day?

Thank you alot Rebecca

Could you give me those questions? I can print them and take them to my doctor. She has masters degree, but I don't know if I can go to Cairo (I can't move alot due to knee issues)
I can't wear this frame, it seems that any curved frame drives me crazy. The frame has to be flat Rebecca otherwise I can't wear it.

My symptoms are: eye feels like a rock, blurry vision (improved a little since I stopped my hypertension medication), some redness and it seems that I can't read for more than 5 mins, I can't open my eyes for the first 5 mins when I wake up (it's horrible). Oh yea also double vision, I have got my glasses checked several times in 2010 so it's not the glasses.
I have a friend in the states who can send me what I need, I'm looking at that over glasses goggles. Maybe it will fit, and if it didn't at least I can wear it at night??

My dr just put me in front of a machine and she says I'm fine, what would I asking about specifically?
Thanks again Rebecca and a great website
Mike

[Cindy]

JackBauer wrote: "I can't open my eyes for the first 5 mins when I wake up (it's horrible)."

Try moistening the outside of your eyes with water or eyedrops before opening them in the morning.

I keep a glass of water next to my bed and before I open my eyes, I dip my finger in the water and run the wet finger over my eyelids/lashes. I wait for the water to seep in and then gently open my eyes. I have done this for many years: since 2001.

Do a search on this site for "epithelial defects", "loose epithelium" and SPK (Superficial Punctate Keratitis).

[Rebecca Petris]

Mike, I am really sorry that I did not come back sooner to follow up on these questions.

I can't wear this frame, it seems that any curved frame drives me crazy. The frame has to be flat Rebecca otherwise I can't wear it.

I had this issue with another person recently - any curvature was a problem for her. I sent her to a local optician who was able to find something that worked. It didn't have a foam lining but it still helped a lot. The frame that worked for her was Cocoons. They're designed to wear over glasses AND they're not curved like the glasses often are.

Now the shape of Cocoons is also very similar to the Tranquileyes Moisture Release Glasses in the dry eye shop. Those would do a lot more than just plain Cocoons because they add moisture, so with the severity of your symptoms that would be a good product to try except that you can't put prescription lenses in them.

My symptoms are: eye feels like a rock, blurry vision (improved a little since I stopped my hypertension medication), some redness and it seems that I can't read for more than 5 mins, I can't open my eyes for the first 5 mins when I wake up (it's horrible). Oh yea also double vision, I have got my glasses checked several times in 2010 so it's not the glasses.

I assume your regular doctor is OK with your stopping the hypertension medication?

Cindy had good advice on opening eyes in the morning. Also can you wear something over your eyes to protect them at night?

Regarding the double vision - have they eliminated other possible causes for this? It certainly can be caused by dryness but it's not very common and usually wouldn't be very stable because it could vary with the condition. If you hold your hand over one eye, do you still see double?

Could you give me those questions? I can print them and take them to my doctor. ...

My dr just put me in front of a machine and she says I'm fine, what would I asking about specifically?

Here are some suggestions of questions I would ask for in a dry eye examination:

1) How is my tear quantity?
2) Do you see any dry spots?
3) Can you check for staining?
4) Can you press on my meibomian (oil) glands? Are they releasing oil? Is the oil clear and flowing freely? If not what does it look like?
5) Do you see inflammation?
6) Do you see signs of allergy?

If the answer to #1 is anything other than normal, you might talk to your doctor about punctal plugs - little plugs they put in the tear drains (in the corner of your eyes by your nose) that help to keep your eyes more wet.

I think the answers to #4 would be good as it would show if things like eyelid cleansing and warm compresses might be helpful.