Down in the dumps

[shaanababes]

hi, im shaana and ive had difficulty with my eyes for as long as i can remember, but for the past 4 months they have got worse, i have been back and forth to the A and E, and the doctors, was told at first that i had dry eyes and was giving all sorts of drops, after researching on the internet i found out that this was not a diagnosis, went back and then was told i had blepharitis and was given maxitrol a steriod but this has just made it worse, this problem has really got me down and i feel so depressed, im going back to the doctors to see if there is anything else they can do as my referral to the eye specialist is going to take up to 5 weeks. My eye lids are stuck first thing in the morning and its difficult to blink even though it doesnt make a difference, they also get worse during the evening, ive tried bathing them in warm water and cotton wool but this only relieves them for a few minutes. The quality of my life had totally decreased because of this. :-(

[beachblanketbingo]

Hello

Sorry to hear about your situation - sounds like you may have a infection - you need to see a better doctor - I am not one - but the eyes sticking together sounds like it to me - warm compresses should help,

We are all up and down - sometime more down than up - I can feel your agony as I have a new issue (challenge) every day

[shaanababes]

hi

yes the doc says it blepharitis and dry eyes, using steriods, antibiotics and artificial tears, doing the warm compress twice a day hasnt made much of a difference, i felt it made it worse when i startd the steriods but the doc says it can make it worse before it gets better...? not sure if that sounds right, at the moment im having more down days than up, its frustrating and no one i know actually has this problem

[Lucy]

its frustrating and no one i know actually has this problem

The majority of the people on this board have had this problem at one time or another, so now you know many people. It can often take a long time for things to clear up and you might feel worse for awhile.

There is lots of good info on the board you might want to browse through. Hope you get better soon. Lucy

[shaanababes]

hi

thank you for your replies.

yes this site is really good and supportive, having care free eyes is like a distant memory, ppl dont realise how much they take their eyes for granted. ive been wearing shades to help protect my eyes even tho there is no sun, went to drop my son off to school this morning and a guy made a comment at me about wearing my shades when there is no sun, wasnt very nice and i nearly snapped, talk about losing your confidence, mind u they feel abit better today i think it must be the antibiotics, it seems to help abit

[dryeyepete]

Have you tried warm compresses out of the microwave? I never got any relief from using warm water, but try a rice baggy (you can buy one from this website or quarter-fill a sports sock with rice) and microwaving it for 1-2mins has helped me more than any eyedrops ever did. While it's no cure, it certainly can help with the pain.

[shaanababes]

hi

thats unusual and thank you for your suggestion, ive been using warm compresses and baby shampoo and it helps somewhat hopefully things will get better with this bcos it hasnt got any worse,, its been a week now since things got bad, feels like forever. my eyes look gooped up with the steriods and antibiotics, not a pretty site

[SallyP]

Hi

I was bathing my eyes in baby shampoo, but read that even that's not that "pure". I wash them in either salt, or simply boiled, cooled down water. I definitely felt using baby shampoo wasn't helping, and made them even more sore.

[irish eyes]

I really don't understand why doctors still recommend baby shampoo for this task. Most baby shampoos contain Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (the stuff to make it bubble). It can be very harsh on poor inflamed eyelids.

If you want to use a baby shampoo, something like `Burts Bees' is better.

I use Lid Care sterile wipes - which are a tad expensive but they are convenient if you need to attend to your eyes whilst at work - or travelling.

Pete - I started to find that warm water wasn't helping. Doctors advise to bathe eyes using water...`as hot as you can stand it .....' Not the best of advice.

[shaanababes]

hi

the local G.P and the specialist at the hospital had told me to use baby shampoo in cooled boiled water, id rather switch to bolied water with salt and not take the risk of things getting worse, ive recently been told i have this condition and now im rather afraid to wear make up and use face creams as im not sure what is triggering it off, blepharitis is almost like an alergic reaction but havnt got a clue what flares it up

[irish eyes]

Hi Shaana

Allow the boiled water to cool though - and adding salt or bicarbonate of soda is an alternative to baby shampoo.

Like you, I have had difficulty with my eyes since childhood but the dryness became indescribably painful & debilitating in adult life. I had suffered a number of aggressive bouts of iritis beforehand but the doctors didn't think there was any connection.

I agree that it is SO frustrating when it flares up for no apparent reason. My eyes are so sensitive now that I see almost everything as a potential `enemy'. Are you using anything on your face or near your eyes at the moment? With constant cleaning, I find that mine become very dry, so I smear a bit of castor oil along the lash line.

These days, I wear shades most of the time and I have a well developed repertoire of sarcastic responses if anyone makes an uninvited comment. As they say - hang on in there.

[shaanababes]

Hey Irisheyes

Thanks for your reply, yes ive started using salt in cooled water it seems to help calm the irritation for a little while.

i feel the doctors dont do much to help as ive been shoved from pillar to post the last 4 months and waiting for a specialist appointment, they said in 5 weeks

i havent got a clue what flares it up, i havent worn make up for the past week and only use a fragrance free eye cream around my eyes, my friend told me it might be ciggarette smoke? so ive cut down, which was difficult, and have the windows open most of the day, havent used any types of oil as the ointments im using continuesly lubricates the area, ive stayed at home all week as i cant face going anywhere like this and not much had helped, i just wish i knew what substance is causing this that way i would totally avoid it.

i purchased a pair of dark sunglasses i can hide behind but that seems to attract comments as you know, im interested to know what your repertoire of sarcastic responses are? might put them to use in my side of the world and somewhat aid my battle of unwanted comments.......