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Hello everyone!
I'm 26 years old and have dry eyes for about 2 years now. I don't know why I got it, but it is most likely due to a combination of isotretinoin, anti-depressants, wearing contact lenses for almost 5 years and having LASIK. Interestingly enough, I had my first symptoms of dry eye not directly after LASIK but about 18 months later.
At that time, I started to notice that my eyes are dry and despite using artificial tears, my eyes seemed to get dryer and dryer. After changing my eye specialists, I was diagnosed with Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and was treated by the doctor himself who freed my glands with some kind of medical q-tip after I sat in front of an infrared lamp.
My symptoms soon improved and despite having some discomfort while flying or being in climatised rooms, I felt okay about the condition. But soon after starting to work after having completet my studies, the symptoms got worse again. Sitting in front of a PC for 8 hours a day became very unpleasant because my eyes started to become dry, red and tired.
My doctor said my mucous membrane might have detoriated and prescribed ordinary artificial tears. Then I went to another doctor who said my mucous membrane looks fine like everything else about my eyes, with the exception that they are too dry. He did a Schirmer's Test and found that my eyes range between mild and moderately dry. He also checked my eyes for bacteria, viruses and fungi, but found none of these. He also said that there's nothing to indicate a relationship with my dust mite allergy or any other allergy I might have.
After taking Hyabak (sodium hyaluronate) eye drops for 1 week without much success, he recommended Tears Again (liposomal lid spray). Even though I read a very promising study about this product, research also suggests that it takes up to one month to feel the effect. After taking it for 5 days now, I feel there might be a small improvement so far. I also started taking 2g omega-III fish oil every day and ordered BioTears but am still waiting for the shipment (after all, it has to travel over the Atlantic Ocean).
Finally, I arranged an appointment with a special eye clinic in two weeks...
Right now, I have two major questions on my mind:
1) Why did my symptoms worsen NOW even though LASIK and contact lenses are over 3 years ago while isotretinoin and anti-depressents are over 4 and 1 year ago respectively?
2) What are your suggestions? What can/should I do?
I'm 26 years old and have dry eyes for about 2 years now. I don't know why I got it, but it is most likely due to a combination of isotretinoin, anti-depressants, wearing contact lenses for almost 5 years and having LASIK. Interestingly enough, I had my first symptoms of dry eye not directly after LASIK but about 18 months later.
At that time, I started to notice that my eyes are dry and despite using artificial tears, my eyes seemed to get dryer and dryer. After changing my eye specialists, I was diagnosed with Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and was treated by the doctor himself who freed my glands with some kind of medical q-tip after I sat in front of an infrared lamp.
My symptoms soon improved and despite having some discomfort while flying or being in climatised rooms, I felt okay about the condition. But soon after starting to work after having completet my studies, the symptoms got worse again. Sitting in front of a PC for 8 hours a day became very unpleasant because my eyes started to become dry, red and tired.
My doctor said my mucous membrane might have detoriated and prescribed ordinary artificial tears. Then I went to another doctor who said my mucous membrane looks fine like everything else about my eyes, with the exception that they are too dry. He did a Schirmer's Test and found that my eyes range between mild and moderately dry. He also checked my eyes for bacteria, viruses and fungi, but found none of these. He also said that there's nothing to indicate a relationship with my dust mite allergy or any other allergy I might have.
After taking Hyabak (sodium hyaluronate) eye drops for 1 week without much success, he recommended Tears Again (liposomal lid spray). Even though I read a very promising study about this product, research also suggests that it takes up to one month to feel the effect. After taking it for 5 days now, I feel there might be a small improvement so far. I also started taking 2g omega-III fish oil every day and ordered BioTears but am still waiting for the shipment (after all, it has to travel over the Atlantic Ocean).
Finally, I arranged an appointment with a special eye clinic in two weeks...
Right now, I have two major questions on my mind:
1) Why did my symptoms worsen NOW even though LASIK and contact lenses are over 3 years ago while isotretinoin and anti-depressents are over 4 and 1 year ago respectively?
2) What are your suggestions? What can/should I do?
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