Many year sufferer, new member

[JSC]

Hi, everyone.

I was diagnosed with dry eyes in 2006. The ophthalmologist I was seeing at the time put in plugs in both upper and lower eyelids, prescribed 4000 mg per day of Flaxseed oil and I had to wear glasses for two years (I had worn hard contact lenses for 25 years at that point). Earlier in 2008 it seemed as if my eyes were getting better, they were constantly watering. So back to the ophthalmologist I go and he says I can now wear soft contact lenses.

I began having symptoms again this past autumn and am now seeing a "dry eyes specialist" at a different ophthalmologist's office. He said I had blepharitis and prescribed Lotemax and Asazite (I'm off of those now). He also has me on Restasis (again), the Flaxseed oil, and told me to hold a damp, hot washcloth to my eyes twice a day.

I was searching the internet for dry eyes remedies, and came across this site. I'm glad I found you!

[Judy]

Hi JSC, Welcome. I'm sure you will be very happy with all the wonderful tips you can learn on this site. Hope things improve for you! I know when I was first told to use warm heat on my eyelids several times a day I balked and was not very faithful about doing so. However, once you get started with a regular routine, this really helps to warm your meibomian (can't ever spell this right) glands and release the oil into your eyes. You should be able to actually feel this happening once you've done the warm compresses and then open your eyes. Rice baggies work great! Best wishes for continued healing and Happy New Year! Judy

[JSC]

Thank you, Judy!