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Hello, I'm new here. Accidentally discovered this useful site while googling up about effects of mineral oil on eyes. I had noticed that mineral oil is sometimes recommended, but was leery about trying it. Currently I have been using doctor-prescribed 5% sodium chloride to alleviate persistent eye discomfort. I guess this treatment would not be of use to most folks with dry eye, because it's a strong drying agent.
About 5 years ago I was diagnosed with Fuchs Epithelial Dystrophy, which seems to be very different from a dry eye problem, yet sure feels like dry eye at times. It's genetic, probably autosomal dominant, and became noticeable a few years ago in my early sixties. I think its rude appearance might have been triggered by my recent move from my longtime residence in Gulf Coast regions to Southern California - that's a huge change in climate, going from 90+ % humidity to often less than than 30% humidity (for example, today it's 14%!). I am still in the early stages of this eye problem (bilateral), but my ophthalmologist has delicately informed me that it's progressive, and eventually ends in loss of vision; has no known cure - yet. Its only solution is surgical transplantation of the cornea, but I've heard that new, less drastic methods are being researched.
As I said I am using 5% sodium chloride solution ("hypertonic saline") as my eye drops. It helps me by removing excess water from my corneal "windows" allowing them to maintain their natural transparent, clear state. The clearer they are, the better my vision, and the more comfortable my eyes feel. Using eye drops, like "Refresh," aggravates my eye condition, because, I guess, their net effect seems to the flooding of my corneas with excessive water. The relief is only temporary with them. Sustained relief is obtained only with the saline.
My major purpose in using this dry eye forum is to get ideas for treating symptoms of fuchs, and for slowing down its progression. Already I have seen some possibilities, in another thread, of the use of "supracutaneous" application of petrolatum, including the very inventive, exploratory personal experiments being tried by some of your members! I have some questions I'd like to ask about that, and would also like to contribute a description of my own experiments, too (for example, use of over-the-counter antioxidants, and acupuncture and acupressure).
About 5 years ago I was diagnosed with Fuchs Epithelial Dystrophy, which seems to be very different from a dry eye problem, yet sure feels like dry eye at times. It's genetic, probably autosomal dominant, and became noticeable a few years ago in my early sixties. I think its rude appearance might have been triggered by my recent move from my longtime residence in Gulf Coast regions to Southern California - that's a huge change in climate, going from 90+ % humidity to often less than than 30% humidity (for example, today it's 14%!). I am still in the early stages of this eye problem (bilateral), but my ophthalmologist has delicately informed me that it's progressive, and eventually ends in loss of vision; has no known cure - yet. Its only solution is surgical transplantation of the cornea, but I've heard that new, less drastic methods are being researched.
As I said I am using 5% sodium chloride solution ("hypertonic saline") as my eye drops. It helps me by removing excess water from my corneal "windows" allowing them to maintain their natural transparent, clear state. The clearer they are, the better my vision, and the more comfortable my eyes feel. Using eye drops, like "Refresh," aggravates my eye condition, because, I guess, their net effect seems to the flooding of my corneas with excessive water. The relief is only temporary with them. Sustained relief is obtained only with the saline.
My major purpose in using this dry eye forum is to get ideas for treating symptoms of fuchs, and for slowing down its progression. Already I have seen some possibilities, in another thread, of the use of "supracutaneous" application of petrolatum, including the very inventive, exploratory personal experiments being tried by some of your members! I have some questions I'd like to ask about that, and would also like to contribute a description of my own experiments, too (for example, use of over-the-counter antioxidants, and acupuncture and acupressure).
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