New dry eye sufferer, extremely frustrated, need answers and help desperately!!!!!

[CarlM]

Hey I appreciate your replies and everything, but you should stop telling me to stop complaining, it helps me, and I need to do it because this is very new to me and I have high anxiety.
I need answers, advice, sympathy, and positive reassuring thoughts... I am not forcing anyone to answer me, it is their own choice, if it bothers you please do not enter this thread. I do not want to discuss this any further.

Im going to sleep now, goodnight.

I understand what you mean when you say that complaining helps, but negative thoughts breed negative thoughts. Sometimes just "faking" optimism helps to be optimistic - so it's just a suggestion! Have you got some thick ointment for sleep time like I suggested?

[dryeye4ever]

Hey I appreciate your replies and everything, but you should stop telling me to stop complaining, it helps me, and I need to do it because this is very new to me and I have high anxiety.
I need answers, advice, sympathy, and positive reassuring thoughts... I am not forcing anyone to answer me, it is their own choice, if it bothers you please do not enter this thread. I do not want to discuss this any further.

Im going to sleep now, goodnight.

Dont worry man take it easy. Im gonna try to help you out, I already gave you a nice summary of whats going on. If you need assistance I will be there to assist you. Just relax and if you have any questions, private message you. Im trying to help you out. Cheers mate.

[Skizzy91]

I understand what you mean when you say that complaining helps, but negative thoughts breed negative thoughts. Sometimes just "faking" optimism helps to be optimistic - so it's just a suggestion! Have you got some thick ointment for sleep time like I suggested?

I must consult with my doctor first

[Skizzy91]

ok first of all can anybody help me with the diagnosis and try to answer some of my questions again, what does it seem like to you? I would greatly appreciate if you comment all of these things behind numbers one by one.

Symptoms:

A1) most prevalent is that area around and especially below my eyes, down to the cheekbones, feels warm, dry, sandy,... sometimes stinging a little bit. The intensity of this varies greatly, sometimes I barely notice it, but sometimes it feels very warm.
A2) stiffness around, especially between eyes and around eyebrows. Feels like the skin is tight/pulling when I try to move my eyebrows or cringe. The intensity of this increases greatly after intense exercise such as running, I actually used to have a little bit of this before after every time I went running, but now it is really extreme.
A3) I had sharp stinging on my eyelids and above eyes, its like a cold, stabbing with needles feeling. This has not occurred any more this week but did quite extremely last week.
A4) I sometimes get a bit blurriness or a feeling as if something is in my eye - these feelings only last a few seconds and dont occur very often.
A5) fatigue
A6) I sometimes get like a forced cringing on my face when I look at the computer or am driving a car.
A7) Sometimes I get eye discharge in the morning.

Things I have noticed:

B1) I have no red eye, my eye is clean and white, I only get a little bit eye redness in the morning.
B2) All symptoms seem a little bit more intense in the morning just after waking, I also get mouth dryness in the morning and a strange buzzing sensation on my tongue.
B3) I get fatigued very quickly in front of a computer, even after one hour I am already tired, my head and face become hot. Before I could be infront of a computer all day long....
B4) When I become sleepy and go to sleep, and the eyes are closed, and the eyeballs turn inside the eye sockets, it still feels really warm then... the night this started it felt burning hot when the eyes turned inside the sockets.
B5) the night it started - two weeks ago I was playing online poker all day long, so obviously I was very focused and blinked less, when I finally closed the computer and went to sleep, my head was really hot, and when I closed my eyes and tried to fell asleep and the eyes turned inside the sockets, it felt burning hot. I was so tired that I went to sleep anyway, I maybe yawned a few times to get a few tears in there, but that didnt help.
B6) being outside helps a little bit, especially if it is cloudy, humid weather. Sunny and dry weather annoys me.
B7) I did a computer-free day, when I was on the computer for less than 30 mins. I would say it helped a little bit, but the next morning it was worse again, sleeping does not seem to make my symptoms any better.
B8) I have visited the doctor twice, both times she said it will take another week before you will feel better, and to keep on using the eye drops. These weeks have passed now and there is no significant improvement. The intensity of my symptoms varies, but she said I will be totally fine and I am far from that.
B9) I do seem to be able to produce tears, sometimes when im lying down, some tears will come to my eyes, or when I yawn, I produce tears.
B10) When I close my eyes very tightly, as strong as I can, then I can feel the warmth more intensely.... and especially when the eyeballs turn before sleeping.

Questions:

C1) Is crying good or bad for dry eye?
C2) Are Systane Balance good eye drops? and why hasnt there been any significant relief after using them for almost two weeks? Are they safe to use (I am scared by the endless list of chemicals in them)?
C3) Could eye drops be making things worse? I mean they have so many chemicals in them... What would happen if I just stopped using them, wouldnt my eyes recover on their own? I dont really feel like the drops are doing anything... Perhaps I should just quit taking them and see how it goes?
C4) Could I have caused any permanent damage, either by spending too much time in front of the computer or using the eye drops? I am really worried that I might have caused some irreversible damage, or that the eye drops are preventing my body to naturally heal itself.
C5) Should I switch to preservative free Bepanthen eye drops? Is it ok to just switch from one eye drops to another?
C6) How many hours should I be on the computer in a day? I used to be here all day long, now I have decreased it to less than 5 hours, some days even less than 2 hours. It is difficult for me to stay away from the computer because I am addicted to it and I have nothing else to do (I have no life).
C7) I know recovering from this can take a while (even tho my eye doctor said it will take only a few weeks), but if it really is dry eye syndrome then how likely is that I will recover completely or at least will be able to manage it to the point that it wont cause me any more discomfort?


Also consider that I have anxiety disorder which might be making some of my symptoms worse, and likely is. The intensity and consistency of my symptoms varies, however I am not sure what they are reacting to, I cant seem to draw much correlations between my actions and the symptoms. I Have another doctors appointment tomorrow, I will then discuss with her other advice given to me here, about the things I can do to relieve myself. I can just say that for the past year, I have started living healthy. I have a healthy diet, do not smoke, do not drink alcohol, and exercise regularly. Before the past year tho, I used to live very unhealthy, I had a bad diet, smoked, and didnt exercise. Also I have spent most of my life in front of a computer screen, I have had eye fatigue before, and eye discharge appeared around my eyes sometimes, I just washed it off and carried on. Also I have wore contact lenses for the past 5 years, But after this started now I have stopped using them because my doctor told me.
Perhaps I am 10-20% or so better than last week, but really not significally, maybe because the time im spending in front of the computer or the eye drops are somehow interfering with my bodys natural healing process.
So after all the information I have presented, what does it seem like to you? I would very greatly appreciate if any one of you could find the time to comment on all the things I said behind the numbers one by one. It would help me a lot, if you do not know how to comment some of the things, just give your best guess, its still better than nothing.
Thank you very much.

[Skizzy91]

Hi Skizzy, do you want to tell us which oral medications you take? and do you take cannabis, for example? then we can check for dry eye side effects

I do not take any oral medications.

Thanks everyone. I would like direct comments to everything I wrote behind the numbers in my previous post please.

[littlemermaid]

6) Here is 'tough love' you ask for on computer addiction http://sfglobe.com/?id=686.

Always use computer goggles and look down at the screen so minimum eye surface is exposed, blink very frequently (practise). Look 20 feet for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. Otherwise this happens. Some people here are light-sensitive now to computer screens.

Good advice above - it would free you up to use audio downloads while you're outside.

4) and 7) If there's no underlying condition, then keeping the eye surface moist would allow healing, I think, for computer vision syndrome. You can use moisture chamber glasses and eyedrops, maybe cover your eyes at night. Contact lens overwear is more difficult if the eye surface has changed, but this can heal - problems could include cell changes at limbus, allergic sensitivity.

If you have meibomian gland dysfunction caused by contact lenses or eye inflammation - use a warm compress every day and careful cleaning to relieve that.

2) and 3) Use any eyedrops that you like and are not sensitive to. Chemicals are a compromise unless you can access autologous serum. Don't use eyedrops with preservatives, they do harm the eye surface. Eyedrops are not 'healing', they keep the eye surface moist so it is not distressed while the body heals itself.

YouTube 'Dry eye disease, Christophe Baudouin' on tear film, preservatives, neuro effects, toxic inflammation, meibomian gland, tearing and eye surface cycle of inflammation.

5) We switch eyedrops when we feel like it, no problem. People realise treatment regime has to suit the individual - what works/what doesn't.

1) Do what makes you feel better. I was asking if you are taking oral meds or antidepressants because some meds cause dry eye and neuropathic symptoms around the face.

A good cure for anxiety and depression is, as I suggested, working free to help other people. Sometimes they will pay cash or with a small gift to thank you, which is nice.

When dry eye is caused/cured by lifestyle, it is difficult for an eye doc to advise on detail. However, an eye doc should know whether you have meibomian gland dysfunction and what your tear film is like.

Do you have wraparound sunglasses for cycling and running? It is totally normal to wear them and could fix this. You also need eye protection sunglasses when it's sunny and dry.

7) No one knows what the best regime for your particular problem is - you have to work this out yourself (what makes your eyes better/worse) using people's kind suggestions here of what worked for them (don't forget to thank them). This is from my experience helping my teenage daughter manage her eyes. And even though she is not 'cured', she has a good life and does exactly what she wants without restriction (she has an underlying condition so that's your worst case scenario). No reason to stop your road trip if you are prepared.

Reading your thread again, I feel totally optimistic about your cure with the new healthy outdoor lifestyle and wish you very good, fast healing.

[Skizzy91]

Here is the 'tough love' you ask for ~ hope it helps with Q6 http://sfglobe.com/?id=686

It doesn't help me, I know my situation, I have been in this situation for many many years. I cant stay away from the computer, Im too addicted to it, even now when I am suffering I just cant stay away....At the moment not having enough social interaction is not my main concern, I need to get my health straight first.

I see you have joined in 2009 so you probably know some things about dry eye syndrome, could you try and comment on all the things I stated behind the numbers? Im very desperate for answers.

Thank you.

[Skizzy91]

I will suicide......enough is enough... whats the freaking point?? I have nothing, only suffering, why bother living any more?? Nobody even bothers to answer my questions (I need direct answers to everything I posted in post #20 behind the numbers, if u dont know the answer just give your best guess at least), also I would like to know what symptoms you are experiencing.......
I am trying to figure out the right diagnosis before I can just accept it you know.. so enough of this cheer up mate BS, I am in constant suffering 24/7, I do not know what is wrong with me, and nothing gives me any relief...
I will drive to my childhood home, the only time I felt happy in my life was there, I will find a tree in the woods, stand up on a chair, tie up one end of the rope to a tree branch, another end of the rope to my neck, and kick the chair from under me.... couldn't ask for a quicker fix. I am really lucky that I have nothing to lose, it makes it so much easier.

[littlemermaid]

I have done direct answers to each number of post #20 above in post #22 - is it helpful on finding diagnosis or do you think there is more than computer syndrome and contact lens overwear?

OP #1 1) Your symptoms are normal for dry eyes, as everyone is saying, 5) 7) 9) 10) your eyes are not healing fast because you need to come off the computer and use eye protection and drops, 6) maybe you could avoid drops if your meibomian glands were functioning normally, people are fine on artifical tears unless drops have preservatives or they get sensitive which shows as red eye, 8) when people have chronic dry eye they have other illnesses. That's not you because you are reporting no other symptoms or med use. Even then, eg they had a systemic condition or eye surgery, people are good with bandage contact lenses and careful management.

I would get full blood tests from a general doctor (family or general practitioner, we call them - GP) to check for nutrition or hormonal deficiencies which can show dry eye and/or depression. Eg something as simple as anaemia or vit A deficiency might do this. Seek out a doctor with a good reputation for supporting anxious patients otherwise your money/parents' money is wasted.

Have you read too much about dry eyes on the internet and scared yourself? It's only been 2wk and your healing regime is not yet in place. Eg if you had a sports injury you would take a break and use treatments to heal. Remember, it's mostly people suffering who post, then they get fine and disappear. Have a look in Triumphs section.

[Skizzy91]

6) Here is 'tough love' you ask for on computer addiction http://sfglobe.com/?id=686.

Always use computer goggles and look down at the screen so minimum eye surface is exposed, blink very frequently (practise). Look 20 feet for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. Otherwise this happens. Some people here are light-sensitive now to computer screens.

Good advice above - it would free you up to use audio downloads while you're outside.

4) and 7) If there's no underlying condition, then keeping the eye surface moist would allow healing, I think, for computer vision syndrome. You can use moisture chamber glasses and eyedrops, maybe cover your eyes at night. Contact lens overwear is more difficult if the eye surface has changed, but this can heal - problems could include cell changes at limbus, allergic sensitivity.

If you have meibomian gland dysfunction caused by contact lenses or eye inflammation - use a warm compress every day and careful cleaning to relieve that.

2) and 3) Use any eyedrops that you like and are not sensitive to. Chemicals are a compromise unless you can access autologous serum. Don't use eyedrops with preservatives, they do harm the eye surface. Eyedrops are not 'healing', they keep the eye surface moist so it is not distressed while the body heals itself.

YouTube 'Dry eye disease, Christophe Baudouin' on tear film, preservatives, neuro effects, toxic inflammation, meibomian gland, tearing and eye surface cycle of inflammation.

5) We switch eyedrops when we feel like it, no problem. People realise treatment regime has to suit the individual - what works/what doesn't.

1) Do what makes you feel better. I was asking if you are taking oral meds or antidepressants because some meds cause dry eye and neuropathic symptoms around the face.

A good cure for anxiety and depression is, as I suggested, working free to help other people. Sometimes they will pay cash or with a small gift to thank you, which is nice.

When dry eye is caused/cured by lifestyle, it is difficult for an eye doc to advise on detail. However, an eye doc should know whether you have meibomian gland dysfunction and what your tear film is like.

Do you have wraparound sunglasses for cycling and running? It is totally normal to wear them and could fix this. You also need eye protection sunglasses when it's sunny and dry.

7) No one knows what the best regime for your particular problem is - you have to work this out yourself (what makes your eyes better/worse) using people's kind suggestions here of what worked for them (don't forget to thank them). This is from my experience helping my teenage daughter manage her eyes. And even though she is not 'cured', she has a good life and does exactly what she wants without restriction (she has an underlying condition so that's your worst case scenario). No reason to stop your road trip if you are prepared.

Reading your thread again, I feel totally optimistic about your cure with the new healthy outdoor lifestyle and wish you very good, fast healing.

Thanks for replying,

Your answers are really irregular, I even added a letter ahead of the number to be more specific.

And I should not use eye drops that contain preservatives, when my eye doctor told me to use systane balance!??! What the hell is going on here, how can my eye doctor suggest something to me that is harmful!!!!!!!!!!!??????? And also the pharmacist gave me Ocu Flash at the start, which is just against redness and infection, when I clearly told her that I need something against dryness.... Did they actually mess up my eyes for life now?!?!? omg

[Skizzy91]

I have done direct answers to each number of post 20 above in post 22 - is it helpful on finding diagnosis or do you think there is more than computer syndrome and contact lens overwear?

Your symptoms are normal for dry eyes, as everyone is saying.

I would get full blood tests from a general doctor (family or general practitioner, we call them - GP) to check for nutrition or hormonal deficiencies which can show dry eye and/or depression. Eg something as simple as anaemia or vit A deficiency might do this.

I dont have any deficiency or anything, I have wrote so many times how this started... clearly from computer eye strain... and now I am certain that I have messed up my eyes forever due to wrong eye drops....

[saveyoureyes]

Did you have a shirmer's test for dry eye?

[Skizzy91]

Did you have a shirmer's test for dry eye?

asdadsdada

[saveyoureyes]

I highly doubt the eyedrops have caused permanent damage. If you are not getting relief from the eyedrops you are using then stop them.
Over the years I have seen over 12 different eye drs. YES it is frustrating but don't let it ruin your life.

[littlemermaid]

No, the eye drops could not have caused you permanent damage, even if they had preservatives in.

Edit your posts to remove bad language if you want to chat here with us or Moderators will remove you (black triangle bottom left).