After years of struggle; here I am!

[denim03]

So I am going to try and summaries my story as much as possible. I started using monthly contacts when i was 14 years old and I started experiencing dry eyes at the age of 17. I couldn't use contacts any more, they would hurt my eyes and make them red after 5 hours or so. I started using glasses and daily contacts for special occasions and it was still uncomfortable if I had them in for more than 5-6 hours. I'd go to the optician after and complain about having a foreign body sensation in my eyes and she'd look and say that I had stainings on my eyes caused by the contacts because my eyes were too dry. I ended up going to the ophthalmologist last year and he said that I am not a good candidate for contacts and that my eyes are very dry and he prescribed me preservative free eyedrops that I had to use 7-8 times a day and a gel like drop for before going to bed. And that's when it all started. My eyes kept getting drier and drier. My issue is mainly with my left eye, but my right eye is slightly affected as well. I endured eye pain and a swollen eyelid on my left eye that would get really bad during some periods. I went to 15 different ophthalmologists this past year and all they would say is that I have very dry eyes and they would look under my left eyelid and say that it looks lumpy and irritated and that I need to use lubricating eye drops, which I did, but it obviously wasn't helping! One of the doctors even plucked a few of my eyelashes thinking that'd help somehow even though I had no issues with them whatsoever. He ended up cutting one instead of plucking it and it ended up rubbing against my eye causing ulcers on the white part of my eye. I had to go to another ophtalmologist to get it completely plucked. I went back to that doctor after 3 weeks because there was still redness and irritation where the ulcers had been and he finally told me that I have blepharitis and gave me a brochure on how to treat it and talked a bit about it. He also prescribed me an ointment that's a combination of steroids and antibiotics that I need to use for 10 days. It took me 15 different eye doctor visits to finally get a diagnosis and a treatment plan after suffering for years. I am 25 now and my eyes look way more tired than they actually are. They're red and veiny and it's quite depressing for someone whose favourite feature used to be her eyes. I was wondering if the hot compresses and cleaning with baby shampoo really helps and if there are any other natural treatments you guys use that seem to help? Do guys know a way to reduce the redness? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[Muninn]

Denim,

Hot compresses have helped me a little (i'm new here too) using the eyebag thing (pop it in the microwave for 30 secs and then have it on my eyes for 6-10 mins), just frees up a little oil in the glands. I did use baby shampoo for a while but it was irritating for my eyes in the end. I changed over to the ocusoft foaming stuff which is the same idea but with alot less hassle.

Do you take omega 3 supplements? I'm sure i read that supplementation of that reduces inflammation in the eyelid margin slightly..... so i've been through a couple of bottles of the capsules, which seems to have helped a little. Although took a month or so to even notice any change.....if anything i'll just have less creaky joints.

Using Hyloforte drops during the day also helps, no preservatives.

Apart from that i don't know, as i said i'm new here so am learning at the same time.

[Ericska]

I would love an answer to this question as well.

My eyes are getting worse in the way of redness too. I'm doing the hot and cool compresses, the gels at night, the drops all day, the glad press and seal at night to hold my eyes shut but the red veins are getting worse. I don't really care what it "looks" like to be honest, I'm just wondering what it means. Do I need to worry that something else is wrong.

I read online that computer work causes this redness as well, which I can't do anything about because 95% of my job is computer work. I take frequent breaks now from the computer, mostly type with my eyes closed, etc., etc. but those red veins keep coming.....

[denim03]

Denim,

Hot compresses have helped me a little (i'm new here too) using the eyebag thing (pop it in the microwave for 30 secs and then have it on my eyes for 6-10 mins), just frees up a little oil in the glands. I did use baby shampoo for a while but it was irritating for my eyes in the end. I changed over to the ocusoft foaming stuff which is the same idea but with alot less hassle.

Do you take omega 3 supplements? I'm sure i read that supplementation of that reduces inflammation in the eyelid margin slightly..... so i've been through a couple of bottles of the capsules, which seems to have helped a little. Although took a month or so to even notice any change.....if anything i'll just have less creaky joints.

Using Hyloforte drops during the day also helps, no preservatives.

Apart from that i don't know, as i said i'm new here so am learning at the same time.

Do you use the shampoo right after using hot compresses or do you just massage your eyelids?

I do not take omega 3 supplements, but I've read that a lot of people with dry eyes do take them and feel like they help. I will definitely buy some and start taking them. I've seen that they sell omega 3 supplements specifically for eye health at the pharmacy, is that the kind you take or do you take the regular kind?

Thank you for responding

[denim03]

I would love an answer to this question as well.

My eyes are getting worse in the way of redness too. I'm doing the hot and cool compresses, the gels at night, the drops all day, the glad press and seal at night to hold my eyes shut but the red veins are getting worse. I don't really care what it "looks" like to be honest, I'm just wondering what it means. Do I need to worry that something else is wrong.

I read online that computer work causes this redness as well, which I can't do anything about because 95% of my job is computer work. I take frequent breaks now from the computer, mostly type with my eyes closed, etc., etc. but those red veins keep coming.....

Computer work usually makes your eyes a bit red. I think it's partly because we blink less when we concentrate on the computer/ipad/phone screen. Maybe the eye drops you're using isn't working for you? Is it preservative free? The ones with preservative in them can irritate your eyes.

And finally, it could just be caused by simply having very dry eyes. However, if you're worried it's best to get it checked out by a professional.

[Muninn]

Do you use the shampoo right after using hot compresses or do you just massage your eyelids?

I do not take omega 3 supplements, but I've read that a lot of people with dry eyes do take them and feel like they help. I will definitely buy some and start taking them. I've seen that they sell omega 3 supplements specifically for eye health at the pharmacy, is that the kind you take or do you take the regular kind?

Thank you for responding

I did yes, I'd use it as part part of my nightly routine. Really diluted down with hot water and applied with a q tip on my lashes. But more often than not I'd find the soapy water seeping into my eye itself and irritating it. Hence why I went for ocusoft foam stuff. Just easier and less irritating for me.

Regarding omega 3 supplements. I've personally never gone for the eye specific ones, they may have additional benefits with lutein and the like but o just wanted to try omega 3. I used the standard "for healthy heart and joints one" cod liver oil capsules and now I'm using flaxseed ones in a big tub, plus per 2 capsules I get 1800mg of omega 3 so that's pretty good. Took a little while to kick in but I think it's helped.

[Ericska]

Regarding omega 3 supplements. I've personally never gone for the eye specific ones, they may have additional benefits with lutein and the like but o just wanted to try omega 3. I used the standard "for healthy heart and joints one" cod liver oil capsules and now I'm using flaxseed ones in a big tub, plus per 2 capsules I get 1800mg of omega 3 so that's pretty good. Took a little while to kick in but I think it's helped.

I've been taking Omega 3 (3 caps daily, 3600mg) and I haven't found it helps. My doctor says maybe not but if I wasn't taking them who knows how much worse my eyes would be so that is true I guess.

I also do the diluted baby shampoo after hot compress and each morning when I wake up I just use water on a Q-tip to wash away the overnight ointment and then when I shower I was my eyes with soap, then use a Q-tip again to get rid of any ointment residue I may have missed. I use the Hylo drops throughout the day and around lunch time I do a cool compress or two.

[Ericska]

Computer work usually makes your eyes a bit red. I think it's partly because we blink less when we concentrate on the computer/ipad/phone screen. Maybe the eye drops you're using isn't working for you? Is it preservative free? The ones with preservative in them can irritate your eyes.

And finally, it could just be caused by simply having very dry eyes. However, if you're worried it's best to get it checked out by a professional.

Yes, and I take so many breaks, type with my eyes closed but I guess after 15 years of NOT doing that, it has caught up with me. Yes, all of my drops and gels are preservative free. I'm very sensitive to anything else. I see my opto on Saturday so I will mention that the redness has gotten worse and see what he says ...

[denim03]

I did yes, I'd use it as part part of my nightly routine. Really diluted down with hot water and applied with a q tip on my lashes. But more often than not I'd find the soapy water seeping into my eye itself and irritating it. Hence why I went for ocusoft foam stuff. Just easier and less irritating for me.

Regarding omega 3 supplements. I've personally never gone for the eye specific ones, they may have additional benefits with lutein and the like but o just wanted to try omega 3. I used the standard "for healthy heart and joints one" cod liver oil capsules and now I'm using flaxseed ones in a big tub, plus per 2 capsules I get 1800mg of omega 3 so that's pretty good. Took a little while to kick in but I think it's helped.

How many times a day do you use hot compresses and clean your lids? Sorry about all the questions. I am fairly new to this whole thing so I am trying to get as much info as possible.

[denim03]

Yes, and I take so many breaks, type with my eyes closed but I guess after 15 years of NOT doing that, it has caught up with me. Yes, all of my drops and gels are preservative free. I'm very sensitive to anything else. I see my opto on Saturday so I will mention that the redness has gotten worse and see what he says ...

If s/he gives you any tips on how to reduce the eye redness then please do share.

[waterbee]

Have you been tested for allergies? Just rule them out.

[denim03]

Have you been tested for allergies? Just rule them out.

No, I haven't unfortunately. The doctors I've been to have been very dismissive and made my eye problems seem petty and related to "just dry eyes". It took at least 15 different eye doctor visits to finally get a diagnosis. The symptoms are quite typical though. Swollen eyelids, loss of eyelashes, white particles in my eyelashes etc. Funny how despite all this so many doctors failed to diagnose me with blepharitis. I went to a drop in eye clinic due to swollen eyelids and eye pain and asked the ophthalmologist if I could possibly have blepharitis and she said "that's a little too exaggerated to suggest" and then she prescribed allergy drops, saline and a steroid/antibiotic drop to use in case the allergy and saline drops didn't work. She obviously didn't know what was wrong with my eyes and basically told me to try all these to see what works.

However, I'm not sure what the symptoms of allergies are? Are they similar to blepharitis symptoms?

[Ericska]

My family doctor is the same. I asked to see a rheumatologist for possible autoimmune problems; I asked about allergy testing and she too was dismissive. I'm going back on the 21st and I'm going to insist.

My opto yesterday said the redness was due to the fact that my eyes are so sensitive to everything that everything turns them red. When I said, yes, this is true but then they would turn red and then improve and then turn red again - but my redness is constant, he didn't say anything. I really do like my opto, he is wonderful when it comes to dry eyes but there are things that doctors just don't seem to want to take the time to explore and that's wrong because what if there is something hidden. I'm just going to keep insisting. I may not be well liked because of it but I don't care. It is my eyesight we are talking about.

This morning for the first time my eyelids are swollen. I don't know if maybe it's a sensitivity to the press and seal wrap I use to keep my eyes closed at night. I've been doing it for over a week and never had an issue so I hope it's not that!

My opto suggested increasing my Omega 3 from 3 caps to 4 caps daily and increasing the Restasis from twice daily to three times daily .... so I'll see if any of this helps.

Today is a really bad eye pain day ....

[waterbee]

I've read a few posts on here from dry eye sufferers who went years before there allergies were spotted, my optometrist is the same, he actually scoffed at me when I suggested it! There are some signs usually under the lower lids, little bumps or redness, can some times be a sign. I remember a post though from a young women who had non of these, but cured her dry eye with allergies shots after suffering for years. She did see a supportive experienced professional though, who ran about 200 tests for allergic reactions on her and finaly found several. I think her post is in the triumph forums but is a few years old. Alas I'm in the UK where allergies shots do not exist

[denim03]

My family doctor is the same. I asked to see a rheumatologist for possible autoimmune problems; I asked about allergy testing and she too was dismissive. I'm going back on the 21st and I'm going to insist.

My opto yesterday said the redness was due to the fact that my eyes are so sensitive to everything that everything turns them red. When I said, yes, this is true but then they would turn red and then improve and then turn red again - but my redness is constant, he didn't say anything. I really do like my opto, he is wonderful when it comes to dry eyes but there are things that doctors just don't seem to want to take the time to explore and that's wrong because what if there is something hidden. I'm just going to keep insisting. I may not be well liked because of it but I don't care. It is my eyesight we are talking about.

This morning for the first time my eyelids are swollen. I don't know if maybe it's a sensitivity to the press and seal wrap I use to keep my eyes closed at night. I've been doing it for over a week and never had an issue so I hope it's not that!

My opto suggested increasing my Omega 3 from 3 caps to 4 caps daily and increasing the Restasis from twice daily to three times daily .... so I'll see if any of this helps.

Today is a really bad eye pain day ....

Unfortunately, since our problems can't be fixed or diagnosed with a simple test, some doctors usually don't bother doing more than few and just tell you it's nothing if those few tests come back negative. We have to keep pushing, I guess.

I am going back to my GP regarding my extremely dry skin and I am going to ask to get referred to a dermatologist. My skin is dry and peeling on the lower part of my forehead and eyebrow area (my eyebrows are falling out) and the upper parts of my cheeks and my lips are disgustingly dry as well, I have no redness though. I have a dry skalp as well and have a bit of dandruff in my hair. I believe this is partly the cause of my blepharitis.

I hope your eyes get better. It sounds weird that you'd get a reaction after a week though? Maybe you can take a break for a few days to see if your eyes improve and then try it again to make sure it's not the cause? I don't know if it's me but I always feel like my eyes get a bit worse after every ophthalmologist appointment.

I still haven't purchased the omega 3. I might do that today, I've been quite depressed regarding my eyes this past week so I haven't really bothered.

And I know how it is. I hate the bad eye/s days. Let me know how things work out!