Flying

[SC77]

I am female and I have had MGD for 3 years - I have been on antibiotics for 2.5 years, Cyclosplorine for 1 year and I use artificial drops every 20mins.

I would like to know if anyone here has experience on getting on a flight?

How do you cope in hot weather?

I am nervous to how i would cope on a flight and also in very hot weather and if i will be able to relax and enjoy a holiday rather than be worse off going.

My eyes are very red and sensitive to heat, but I really want to go on holiday...this disease has burnt me out!

Any advice would be great!

[pythonidler]

Moisture chamber goggles can be helpful on flights. Major brands include 7eye and WileyX. 7eye you can find at some local optometrist shops, while WileyX you can find at Harley-Davidson. If you're really struggling on flights, you can always close your eyes and listen to podcasts or audiobooks.

[farmgirl]

Air travel can definitely be a challenge. Do not try to watch movies, read or use tablets on a flight, just use moisture chamber glasses as advised and try to keep them closed as much as possible. Also close the overhead vents that blow air and in the seat next to you if it is unoccupied. I would suggest getting a Rx for some non preserved cortisone drops to use when you arrive to help you out if you deteriorate as a result of the flight.

As regards the heat, it depends on your destination. If it is hot because it is the tropics you are in luck, your eyes will love the humidity, just try to avoid fans directly on you. If it is desert and dry like Arizona you will quite likely be worse. I hope you have a good time.....cheers....F/G

[Hokucat]

All great advice above. When flying, I too would wear moisture chamber goggles, turn off the air vents, and keep my eyes closed almost the entire flight. I also used Genteal Severe Eye Gel with the goggles, as it provided an extra layer of protection and a longer lasting shield of moisture against the dry airplane air than regular eye drops.

https://dryeyeshop.com/products/genteal-gel

[DryInDenver]

Good audiobook! Close your eyes and enjoy! A plane is a tough environment for eyes for sure, but there is no need to be worried if you are prepared. My first flight with this condition was tough, but I’ve been on many since and my eyes do great. Moister chambers, audio book, (maybe, hopefully a nap) and bam, eyes feel relatively good at the end of the flight because they’ve been closed almost the whole time (I do like to sneak peeks out of the window every now and then).

Go. Definitely go on your trip.

If if your eyes are going to hurt anyway, you might as well be somewhere cool. Don’t let this disease take that away from you. “Efff you dryness, I’m going to go and I’m going to have fun anyway!”

Is it humid where you are going? That’s an extra bonus. I love going to humid places.