Hello, first post

[GLS]

Hello,

I've been reading a lot of the posts here over the last couple of weeks and even bought a bunch of the things from the store. Just wanted to post and say hi and introduce myself.

My name is Greg and am 27 years old and have been dealing with Dry Eye for about 2 years now. I am not exactly what is causing it but I have been quad plugged, on restasis and doxy and have tried a myriad of drops. When I am at work I can't make it a full day (lot of computer work) but with alot of the reading I have done here I think I have gotten my house into a suitable home work environment were I atleast can get by.

I really enjoy that rice baggy as the wet washclothes were doing nothing for me. Dwelle seems to be pretty good at night though I am stil getting caught off guard waking up and not being able to see because my lashes are stuck together!! Still trying to find a decent daytime drop that I like. (tried refresh plus, systane, theratears, dakrina, nutratear, refresh dry eye therapy etc). I like the theratears but they don't last near along enough.

Anyways, I just want to say this is a great site and I wish I would have found it a year ago!!

[Julie1]

Hi Greg,

I'm glad that you found this website and that you are learning how to better manage dry eyes. I'm also 27, and I have also been dealing with dry eye for almost two years now. I think I had dry eyes long before the severe symptoms started because I experienced morning and night dryness as well as occasional red, burning eyes while wearing contacts.

Do you have any idea as to what is causing your dry eye? I went a little over a year with severe dry eye symptoms before I was diagnosed with ocular rosacea and finally started to aggressively treat the MGD. It's been eight months since I've been faithfully doing the rice baggy compresses and q-tip massages, and I have noticed that my eyes are more comfortable. I still have bad days (yesterday was one of those), but I am able to better manage and I am not in as much pain as I was last winter. I am happier and feel that I can live my life again. I never thought I would be able to say that, but it did get better.

I like Dwelle too. I sleep with my eyes partially open, so the Dwelle "glues" my eyelids shut and keeps my eyes from drying out overnight. I use Thera tears and Systane throughout the day. Have you tried Systane?

Anyway, I just wanted to say welcome and to let you know that you are not the only young person who is dealing with this condition. There are quite a few people who are in their twenties participating here.

Good luck!!

-Julie

[Jade9923]

Greg,

When you wake up in the morning and your lids are stuck together, do you use baby shampoo to scrub them clean?

[GLS]

hello, thanks for the kind welcome Julie!

Jade normally I wake up sometime during the night and just end up essentially breaking my eyes open by trying to open them up real wide. In the morning I just jump in the shower and have been doing an occusoft lid scrub.

[Jade9923]

Just make sure your eyelashes are as clean as the hair on your head at all times. It makes an enormous difference. I have to scrub mine with a baby shampoo process at least 4 times a day to keep the gunk off my eyelashed. When I have gunk, the tears don't flow.