Problem started the day I moved

[dugzonit]

I moved from San Diego to Utah 18 months ago. My dry eye problem started the day I got here. I can't stop blinking. Its hard to drive. It got a little better last winter. As soon as spring came it got bad again. I used Restasis from 8/09 to 2/10. I just started it again in August. Because of the timing it seems to be allergies to me. Any ideas? I've been taking fish oil. I have a humidifier. I drink a lot of water everyday.

[dugzonit]

Thanks

What do I have to do to get some advice? If I was a pilot I'd be getting, wait let me look, 15 replies. Of course a few of those were the pilots. Still 12 is better than 0. I know, I know, He might be your pilot someday. If I had an answer for him I would give it too. Maybe someone can tell me what I did wrong? Is it because I don't have a diagnosis yet? Maybe nobody has an answer for my particular problem? Am I not desperate enough? I'm a HVAC service tech and I drive a minimum of 100 miles a day. Sometimes its 250. Its the worst when I'm driving. I want to try the onion goggles but I wear prescription glasses. Lets see if the guilt trip works.

[tearless2]

OK, the guilt trip worked. I think a lot of people did not respond to your e-mail because you didn't give a lot of information about your eyes. Also, if it is allergies, I personally don't know how to tell. Maybe allergy testing with an allergist? So here are some further questions that might help others give advice:

1) You said you were on restasis so you have been seeing a doctor. What does your doctor think the problem is? Does he/she think it's aqueous deficiency or MGD/bleph. What do they think of the allergy issue?

2) When does your problem get better besides seasonal change?

3) In San Diego, they probably don't use heater in winter or a/c in summer because it's so mild. In Utah they probably do - do you think this might have something to do with it?

[tearless2]

Guard-Dogs Evader

One last thing,
You said you wanted onion goggles when driving but had a prescription. What about the guard dogs evader over prescription goggles from the dry eye shop? Looks like they fit over prescription glasses.

Good luck.

[dugzonit]

I've seen 2 different Optometrists and no diagnosis. Neither one had much experience with it. I guess I need to find someone who does. I used A/C a lot in San Diego. I've noticed that it doesn't matter how humid it is in Utah there isn't any change. The humidity only lasts for a couple days though. Last winter I thought it was the Restasis that was helping. It was all good as long as I stayed hydrated. Then March came and it was as bad as the day I moved. All Summer has been horrible. I got my Pharmacy to email the Doc to get the Rx renewed. As far as the goggles? I'll probably get some just to see if they help. If its allergies it probably won't. The change in altitude might be part of it also (sea level to 4,400 ft). I guess the first thing I need to do is find a good Doc. Thanks for the reply.

[tearless2]

I hope you can find a good eye doctor to help you. For me, the opthamologist I went to (who was named as tops in the area per a local magazine) was not as knowledgeable or helpful as the optometrist I ended up going to. Perhaps someone from DEZ knows of a good one in Utah. You may even want to call around and ask what % of the doctor's patients that he/she sees are specifically being seen for dry eye.

Make sure when you go that you ask about allergies and how someone can tell if their main problem is allergies or not.

Hopefully, with the proper diagnosis, the doctor can treat you accordingly and your eye will improve. Keep us updated on how the glasses work out!

[Goeyes]

Dont waste time

more you waste time about your dry eye condition it could get worse

Go see a DRY EYE SPECIALIST,

or go to an ophthamologist who performs IPL DUCT PROBING procedure

Or go to one of those eye doctors who has a sign on the front of his practice that says DRY EYE on it.

thats your best bet,

good luck in finding one, theres like one dry eye specialist per state, not too many ophthalmologists specialize in that field and the ones you see at the everyday eye doc dont know nothing about giving you some serious treatment/relief for your condition.

You might try a college of ophthalmology or research place
for some answers

Good luck
Goeyes

[Rebecca Petris]

As far as the goggles? I'll probably get some just to see if they help. If its allergies it probably won't. The change in altitude might be part of it also (sea level to 4,400 ft). I guess the first thing I need to do is find a good Doc. Thanks for the reply.

Goggles are pretty much a must with dry eye in conditions like that - dry, high altitude. Utah, New Mexico, also Nevada, and several other states are terribly hard on the eyes. Yes altitude is part of it. Even if it's allergies, goggles may help - either through keeping stuff out, or simply improving the tear film so your eyes can fight better.