Avoiding overnight abrasions.

[RuthB]

My corneal specialist says I open my eyes at night, that causes the corneal abrasions. Frequently!
Advised wiping kids, I use baby shampoo mix and clean inner kids with q tip plus heavy night time ointment. Not comfortable. He suggests a personal size humidifier next to me. I looked at Pure Guardian 10 hr and 12 hr models. Is 10 hrs sufficient? Its smaller. I do not want to tape my eyes or wear goggles. No ecpensiv medications have helped. I even have supplements but wonder if they do anything. I think they were Bio something. I stopped using them.
I really appreciate advice on the humidifier and the other steps I am using. Taping and goggles are really not something I want to do. But I can't have recurrent abrasions. The specialists said its not the bowman layer, ( I think that's what it is called. Any help is welcome.

[farmgirl]

Hi Ruth: Recurrent corneal abrasions are not a good thing, no corneas = no vision. My advice is that you do whatever is necessary to put a stop to it and not limit yourself to your personal preferences unless you have the luxury of doing that. I wear oniyx goggles at night and honestly you don't even know that they are on your face they are so soft and comfortable. If I had corneal abrasions from my eyes opening at night I would take it up a notch and place a folded dampened 2X2 gauze underneath the goggle to apply a bit of pressure to the eyelid and help keep it closed and even more moist. I bought the goggles from the store on this website, they are awesome....F/G

[Guest]

I do not want to tape my eyes or wear goggles....Taping and goggles are really not something I want to do. But I can't have recurrent abrasions.

I agree with F/G... unless you have the luxury of not doing so, you might have no choice but to try goggles or taping.

She's right, the goggles sold here (Tranquileyes) are good - soft and not too hard to get used to, IF you go into it with an open mind. Her idea of moistened gauze is a good one too.

If you try taping, use paper tape - it's more gentle, and easier to get off when you need to.

re: ointments not being comfortable - it could be worth experimenting with different brands - for myself, a recent switch to Refresh Ointment left my eyes feeling crappy all day, and worse off overnight - so I went back to my old lanolin free one (Hypotears ointment in Canada, Genteal ointment in the U.S... note, this is different from Genteal GEL) - with the lanolin free ointment, my eyes are back to their usual comfort level. You might find similar differences in comfort depending on which brand of ointment you use (compare the active and inactive ingredients on the label - that way you'll learn the differences between brands).

Unfortunately, it's often not about what we WANT to do, but about what we NEED to do - and who knows... it might not be forever - maybe after a few months of babying your eyes overnight things will improve and you won't have to work so hard to prevent abrasions anymore... you never know!

[NotADryEye]

I agree with farmgirl and SAAG. I had recurrent erosions in my thirties but did not know it was because I slept with my eyes opened. I used ointments back then. They helped tremendously. But now I am sensitive to everything and still sleep with my eyes opened. Thankfully the goggles work very well.

At first, when I was in very bad shape, I couldn't put them on. They made me feel claustrophobic. I got the transparent version. And my doctor suggested putting them on for just one minute one night and adding a minute each night. By night three I was sleeping in them through the night, and have never had a problem with them in over two years.

I have two pairs. I wash the one I wear every morning as soon as I wake up. The second pair is just a backup in case I drop them and need to wash them right before going to bed.

[RuthB]

Thank you all! Wonderful group! I ordered a humidifier for night table, I tried taping one eye last night as a trial, the eye that seems to have the most trouble. That was bearable. My abrasions occur every few months, sometimes every few weeks, not every few days. Specialist felt humidifier plus faithful ointment use would be very helpful, taping eyes was last resort. Can always try plugging tear ducts, plus resume Biotears supplements ( there are others). Am sure goggles are effective, but knowing myself, would not probably stick with them or tolerate them. Will report on conservative approach, should have humidifier tomorrow. Thank you all!!!

[farmgirl]

Honestly Ruth, you don't even know the Oniyx goggles are on your face after about a minute. It is not a case of sticking with (as it is with something like exercise) it is a case of putting them on when you go to bed at night and taking them off in the morning. So much easier than fussing with tape and ointment,,,I'm just not sure what your problem with the goggles is. I could see if if they were uncomfortable and keeping you awake but honestly I can flip and flop and lie however I want and they do the trick. The Oniyx are not big and bulky like the Tranquil Eyes, they are really small and fit nicely. You really should try them as this condition is not likely to go away, in fact will probably get worse with age.

I am not sure where plugs fit into all of this unless you are aqueous deficient on top of it all. If your problem is only that you open your eyes at night the goggles should be a big help....F/G

[NotADryEye]

farmgirl makes a very good point. The goggles are hardly noticeable and no trouble at all, really. Also, since you never know when you are going to get an abrasion, best to avoid ever getting one. And although the humidifier may be a good idea you also need to be careful that you keep it clean and it does not build up mold which can cause a host of problems systemic, in your eyes, and otherwise.

[RuthB]

Second night with humidifier running plus ointment. Eyes felt better in morning. Will try this approach for a while and see how this goes. Always option to use more drastic methods like goggles but conservative measures first. Will keep you great people posted. Understand goggles etc work for you who suggested them. I respect that. I am going with Drs advice for now to see if humidifier plus ointment solves problem. Thank you all!

[Guest]

Fingers crossed for you Ruth!!

[farmgirl]

Glad that it is helping. Keep us posted...F/G

[RuthB]

No abrasions yet, Systane night lubricant plus humidifier plus washing lid margins with baby shampoo diluted solution.
Understand lubricants can clog glands, so its a double edge sword. Do not know if lid scrubs used on LID MARGINS ( with eyes open) would be more effective than shampoo wipe with Q tips.
Which eyedrops are most effective during the day? Should they be preservative free? Systane & Genteal make so many different kinds. And is there a RX eyedrop ( forget Restasis, I used it for quite a while, did nothing).
Advice again much appreciated.