Dry eyes

Unfortunately I am unable to help but I'm sure someone will be along soon to offer advice. I suffer from tight eyes and also need to wear sunglasses most of the time. Can optometrist not advise anything to help relieve the soreness. As I say mine are not sore just tight. Hope you get relief soon.

Hi, I was given a gel at the eye casualty dept, it's called Xailin Gel and it's for long lasting relief of dry eye sensations, preservative free in the eye. It was a free sample, because doctor noticed my eyes were dry.
I hope you can get some relief very soon, it must be so irritating and maddening too.

Best wishes RRB

lynbrown said:

I am T2, on mets and insulin. I had a thorough eye test last month and all was well. I do have the start of whatever it is the eye exam looks for at the clinic. Macular retinopathy? Anyway, the soreness in my eyes is driving me mad. I could scratch them out. I have two lots of gel from the doc and also bought the spray on eyelids from the chemist. I have to wear dark glasses when out during the day. Can anyone suggest something that would help the irritation?

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That doesn't sound good Lyn, you should go back to your Dr's and say that the gel they have prescribed is having no effect, if possible ask for a referral over to the Ophthalmology Clinic.

Hi,i also have dry eyes due to sjogrens so it may be more than just dry eyes (but it may just be dry eyes also) so glad you are getting it looked into and getting the right drops etc to treat the problem

I suffer with dry eye syndrome and use drops called Cell U Visc on prescription from my GP they are not gel but a liquid, individual vials keep them sterile. They can be bought over the counter but cost around £9. Gel will do nothing for dry eye which is caused by the tear ducts being blocked so the natural water in the eye runs away, liquid drops help to keep the eye wet and stop irritation. If you have dry eye syndrome the eyes are itchy, scratchy, feel as if full of grit and also run lots especially in winds, sometimes it's difficult to see where I'm walking my eyes are so wet. An Optician should notice dry eye just from looking at them

lynbrown said:

I am T2, on mets and insulin. I had a thorough eye test last month and all was well. I do have the start of whatever it is the eye exam looks for at the clinic. Macular retinopathy? Anyway, the soreness in my eyes is driving me mad. I could scratch them out. I have two lots of gel from the doc and also bought the spray on eyelids from the chemist. I have to wear dark glasses when out during the day. Can anyone suggest something that would help the irritation?

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It depends what is wrong - Have you had a proper examination with a slit lamp ? Diabetic eye exams are looking at the eye itself and in my experience they may miss the eyelid inflammatory diseases, and some GPs appear to know little - not sure if this could help in your case - but see the internet regarding blepharitis, meibomian gland disease etc - http://www.aao.org/eyenet/article/rethinking-meibomian-gland-dysfunction-how-to-spot?-

I have talked in different threads about my diabetic retinopathy issues, but not much about my other eye issues.
I also have dry eyes syndrome, and had a nasty corneal ulcer which required a graft.

It is usually the corneal specialists that deal with dry eye issues. They might put yellow dye in your eyes to look at the surfaces. One explained to me when you wake in the morning and open your eyes you can literally tear the surfaces, so I had goopy ointment at night to prevent that happening, followed by as many drops as I could get in during the day, hourly even.

That was not enough so they put plugs in my tear ducts so the tears continually covered the surfaces, It is really annoying to have your eyes water nonstop, so after trying that for a while, I realized I preferred the goop and drops regime, and continue to do that. It can also be made worse by airconditioning, and I think they made sure my eyes shut completely too, even a tiny area not covered by the lids can cause problems.
I have always been treated by the big specialist eye hospital here, and not sure if it is the same where you live but there are different clinics for different issues- retinas, corneas, I also see the neuro- ophthalmologist as I have a nerve palsy, and they reffered me to the ocular motility people. So many things can go wrong in eyes. make sure you get referred to the right place!

I have very dry eyes. The eye drops seem to make them worse if I use them all the time- makes them salty and sore. The eye hospital said I should use a hot wet flannel compress on my eyes twice a day for 5 times (keep putting flannel back under the hot tap so it remains hot enough). This brings the oil out of the pores inside ur eye lashes and stops the tears evaporating...apparently. Works for me.

Dry eye is an occupational hazard for me and my colleagues, we were told we don't blink enough, so during waking hours to try and do 5 minutes of fast blinking to stimulate tear glands, we all use artificial tears at some point in work

Definitely go back to your doctor to get your eyes checked and ask too for your drops/medication to be reviewed. I had a long term (non diabetic) eye issue, and ended up reacting/becoming allergic to the preservative in my eye drops. If this is the case they should be able to prescribe a preservative free option for you instead.

I still have dry eyes as a result, and am now prescribed Hylo-Forte for this. And I find if I'm a bit dehydrated, it tends to make the dryness a little worse.

Robbity