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I took a break from focusing so much on my eyes (while still caring for them well), but I'm back here because I've been thinking a few things lately...
I've been on Restasis for about four months. I don't attribute any improvements in my dry eye to the drops but rather to changes in the care of my eyes:
I find that staying up late, using the computer, watching TV, lowered water consumption, and alcohol consumption exacerbate my dry eye. Also, when I don't take breaks every 30 minutes at work to look away from the computer and blink and put a drop in each eye, my eyes are significantly worse. When I go an entire weekend day without putting drops in, my eyes are significantly worse. Also, I tend to hold my breath and breathe shallow and, as strange as it may sound, I think that my eyes feel better on the days that I consciously breathe regular and deep.
I was going to a doctor every other week for a few months during the summer to try to help this condition. He passed me off to a corneal specialist, who told me to keep doing what I'm doing. I'm supposed to go back next month for a follow-up appointment and to possibly get plugs put in.
I think I'll go for the appointment and finish up my last box of Restasis (should bring me to 5-6 month on it), but I want to be done with doctors and prescriptions. Nothing that they have done for me has helped. They want me to keep up with Restasis, which hasn't done anything for me and is expensive. The specialist told that regardless of whether or not I had improvements with temporary plugs (I had no improvement), he believes all people with dry eye should have plugs put in (this makes no sense to me). Also, they act like it's horrible to not have contacts as an option. One doctor is so sure that Lasik would be great for me.
I truly believe that my dry eye is due to my genetic makeup made worse due to long-term contact wear (including when my eyes were very dry and telling me to take them out), improper contact care, long-term heavy computer use, sleeping with my eyes partially open most nights, and infrequent blinking. (But mainly the contacts.)
I really think that if I put a bit more attention into my eyes (such as trying Tranquileyes or something to keep my eyes closed at night, committing to putting drops in even at night and on the weekends, trying compresses on a regular basis, consciously blinking more often especially at work...), I could make a huge leap in comfort. And truthfully, I think I can get by even where I am now. I have my bad days and I can't wear contacts, but when I'm taking care of myself well I have way more good days and glasses aren't the worst thing in the world (at least I can see!). I don't know that I would ever go back to wearing contacts even if my eyes healed completely.
I don't know that I'm asking anything here but rather stating what I've been feeling to others who can relate and being open to any comments. Thanks!
I've been on Restasis for about four months. I don't attribute any improvements in my dry eye to the drops but rather to changes in the care of my eyes:
- I rinse my eyes out at night after taking my makeup off, so no particles linger.
- I don't use powder eyeliner anymore, so none of that is getting in my eyes throughout the day.
- I use a wax-free mascara, which comes off completely.
- I haven't worn contacts in over six months.
- I use Genteal Gel at night.
- I use Walgreens brand equivalent to Refresh Plus, NutraTear and Dwelle throughout my work day.
I find that staying up late, using the computer, watching TV, lowered water consumption, and alcohol consumption exacerbate my dry eye. Also, when I don't take breaks every 30 minutes at work to look away from the computer and blink and put a drop in each eye, my eyes are significantly worse. When I go an entire weekend day without putting drops in, my eyes are significantly worse. Also, I tend to hold my breath and breathe shallow and, as strange as it may sound, I think that my eyes feel better on the days that I consciously breathe regular and deep.
I was going to a doctor every other week for a few months during the summer to try to help this condition. He passed me off to a corneal specialist, who told me to keep doing what I'm doing. I'm supposed to go back next month for a follow-up appointment and to possibly get plugs put in.
I think I'll go for the appointment and finish up my last box of Restasis (should bring me to 5-6 month on it), but I want to be done with doctors and prescriptions. Nothing that they have done for me has helped. They want me to keep up with Restasis, which hasn't done anything for me and is expensive. The specialist told that regardless of whether or not I had improvements with temporary plugs (I had no improvement), he believes all people with dry eye should have plugs put in (this makes no sense to me). Also, they act like it's horrible to not have contacts as an option. One doctor is so sure that Lasik would be great for me.
I truly believe that my dry eye is due to my genetic makeup made worse due to long-term contact wear (including when my eyes were very dry and telling me to take them out), improper contact care, long-term heavy computer use, sleeping with my eyes partially open most nights, and infrequent blinking. (But mainly the contacts.)
I really think that if I put a bit more attention into my eyes (such as trying Tranquileyes or something to keep my eyes closed at night, committing to putting drops in even at night and on the weekends, trying compresses on a regular basis, consciously blinking more often especially at work...), I could make a huge leap in comfort. And truthfully, I think I can get by even where I am now. I have my bad days and I can't wear contacts, but when I'm taking care of myself well I have way more good days and glasses aren't the worst thing in the world (at least I can see!). I don't know that I would ever go back to wearing contacts even if my eyes healed completely.
I don't know that I'm asking anything here but rather stating what I've been feeling to others who can relate and being open to any comments. Thanks!