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[mccoyniac]

I am a 64 year old female and have been suffering from watery, dry, itchy eyes for the past few months. I was given allergy drops, not knowing if or to what I was allergic to. My husband insisted that I have allergy testing done and I have completed one set and am going back this week, for the next set. If no allergies are found I am supposed to go back on the allergy drops and if they don't work they will try Restasis. The condition is somewhat better indoors and seems worse when I am in wind or sun. In the morning I cannot see at all. My vision is cloudy until I use moisturizing drops. Most mornings they are also stuck shut. At the onset I was told it was corneal edema, then blepharoconjunctivitis, and now they are insisting there is nothing wrong with my eyes. It is constantly wet under one eye and I have to wipe it, plus the itching is so intense that the area around the eye gets extremely sore. I am desperately looking for answers and anxious to read your stories as well. If anyone wants to contact me with advice, please feel free! I am beginning to feel confined to my home as this condition is extremely uncomfortable and has altered my appearance so much that I don't want to go out in public! Thank you all in advance!

[Hokucat]

Hi mccoyniac. It's troubling that your doctor(s) has kept changing the diagnosis. Are you seeing a dry eye specialist? Your eye problems could be due to allergies, but also could be caused by other dry eye issues. Better to have a probable diagnosis, in order to determine the best treatment options.

Have they taken a Schirmers and Tear Break Up Time (TBUT)? If so, what are your scores? If your Schirmers is low, you may have aqueous deficiency where your lacrimal glands are not producing sufficient tears or poor quality tears. If low TBUT, it could be an indication of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) where your meibomian glands are producing little, no, or thick oil, and/or your glands are blocked. Have they pressed on your meibomian glands to see if oil comes out and whether it is normal or thick? Dry eyes can also be caused by vitamin deficiencies or autoimmune disease, so sometimes blood tests are taken for that. Diet can also be a factor.

I was home bound for several years before I found the solutions that worked for me (I had MGD and blepharitis likely due to autoimmune disease), and the severity of my eye condition changed my appearance during those years too. So I have an idea how you feel. But am much better now and look back to normal, so it's possible to get better. There are many treatments depending on whether you have MGD, aqeuous deficiency, etc., so see if you can find a true dry eye specialist to help narrow that down first.

[PhoenixEyes]

There's an eye drop by CandorVision (Canada) / Ursapharm (Germany/Europe) / Scope (UK) with Ectoin in it called Hylo-Dual. It's primarily for allergies but my eye doctor also suggested it for general itching due to dry eye inflammation. It might be hard to get if in US but any other drop with Ectoin in it might help.

http://www.ectoin.net/

I'd suggest moisture chamber glasses (7Eye, WileyX, Ziena) for the wind and air outside.

Eyelid hygiene products may also help with the irritation e.g. hypochlorous sprays (Ocusoft Hypochlor, Heyedrate, Avenova), wipes (Ocusoft Plus, Cliradex, Optase Tea Tree), gels (iLast Hydraclean).

If it's related to a meibomian gland deficiency Retaine MGD may help or there is a new competitor drop called Refresh Optive Mega-3. Both contain oils to help the meibomian / lipid layer.

[MGD1701]

Thanks PhoenixEyes. Seems you always keep most updated on these issues.

Heyedrate: exactly which product you recommend? shampoo? producer Wella?

Thanks!

[PhoenixEyes]

Heyedrate: exactly which product you recommend? shampoo? producer Wella?

It's a Hypochlorous eyelid spray like Ocusoft HypoChlor and Avenova.

https://www.amazon.com/Soothing-Eye-.../dp/B06VW5J11K

I just heard about it from Facebook, don't have experience myself.