Hi Mama's. I'm hoping to get some advice/suggestions. About six years ago I started having problems with my eyes (I had lasik 10 years ago). They water, get very dry, red, and itchy. It gets to the point that it feels like the inside of my eye lids are sandpaper. Every year it gets worse. Nothing relieves the pain other than placing an ice cold can of pop on them (the cold numbs them). And that's only temporary. I have been to an opthamologist (he told me my eyes are dry), an allergy dr (he told me I'm allergic to grass) and my primary care dr (he gave me drops for inflamation). I have tried anti-histamine drops, drops used for pink-eye, Visine, drops to relieve inflamation and artificial tears and nothing helps. It used to just be in June, July and Aug that I'd have this problem but each year it starts sooner and lasts longer and the eppisodes are more frequent. Since I've been to every type of dr I can think of that would be appropriate and tried every type of drop I can think of I'm not sure what I can do. Does anyone have these problems with their eyes? What do you do to relieve the symptoms? What type of dr did you see that helped? I'm so miserable I find it hard to concentrate at work and it doesn't make driving very easy. Help! Words can't describe how miserable I am.
You're all so great. I wished I would have asked sooner. Thank you so much for all the great suggestions. I have actually already picked up some Benedryl and have written the other suggestions down and will look into them. The allergy shot sounds great. I didn't know you could get just one shot and have it last for a while. The only allergy shots I've heard of are the ones you get 1-2 times a week for several years. I'll definately have to look into that one. Thanks again!
OK! Benedryl did the trick. I take it at dinner time and bed time and it keeps me going through the following day. I tried taking it mid-morning (at work) and it made me lupee. I've had a few bad days but the good days out number the bad days...finally. Thank you all so much again!
When i had my lasik done that doctor suggested i use Zatador eye drops. it is for allergie eyes, its very expensive but it really does work. he said it takes care of the problem instead of covering it up!
Good luck!
I have very bad dry eyes, and my doctors weren't much help either. Mine burn, and only seem to get better when I sleep. I did find a website http://www.dryeyezone.com/ that has a lot of information about the various causes of dry eyes. It is part of http://www.dryeyecompany.com/ the dry eye company that actually sells various products. I've found that dakrina eye drops helped me. I considered getting the goggles that allowed for hydrating your eyes overnight, but I've been able to keep my eyes somewhat comfortable without those. I also was started on pilocarpine (a pill, but it comes in eye drops, too), that helps your body produce more lubrication in all mucous membranes. Anyway, I hope that helps. Look through the causes of dry eyes, and hopefully you can find the cause and suggestions on what would work best.
Laurie, I can hear your pain. Just like any other extreme chronic pain it can become difficult to work because of the toll it takes on you not only physically but emotionally as well. I've been there. I imagine your visual acuity is affected also. My suggestion would be to talk to one of the well known Lasix docs in town because Lasix patients frequently experience dry eyes, perhaps even 10 years later. Being in Albuquerque, such a dry environment, poses another challenge. And the docs (Coleman and Bernitsky) deal with this type of thing daily probably. Dr. Coleman did my surgery and I was very taken with the staff there. Huge practice, they've seen it all. Try to call soon, sounds like you might be getting worn down by it all. Understandably. I'm sure you are receiving lots of great responses. I hope you get relief soon!!! And BTW, if you think allergies are contributing to the problem, I have an allergy relief solution that might help in your home as well as out and about. But you must email me to chat about that. Feel better!
K.
My Dr. had me on AC something - it was a Rx Alcon product, I think. But from your description, do you think the dog and hamster could be huge culprits? I adored my cats, but the ONLY positive when I lost them (to the Iams poisoned cat food) was that my allergies died down over time. Other than that, I'd see an opthamologist (sp).
Hello Laurie,
My husband had the same exact symptoms as you. He also had lasik surgery 10 years ago. He has been to a couple of eye doctors, primary dr and so on. He was also given allergy inflamaation drops, etc, etc. I'm not sure if you've tried this but the only thing that helped the most is Benadryl Maximum Strength Severe Allergy. He takes it at night since it makes him drowsy. He wakes up feeling great and itworks all day long. I hope this helps and good luck,
L.
Laurie,
Acupuncture may be very helpful to you. good luck!
I suggest trying a different doctor.
I get the sandpaper eyes every year to. Starts in March.
I get an allergy shot. It lasts about 6 months. So I try to
get it in late April to make sure I can make it thru the summer. You can get an allergy shot at any Urgent Care Clinic. Good Luck. It worked for me!
I know you said you've tried all kind of drops but I was wondering if you had tried one with glycerin in it. I've worn contacts for 15 yrs and I am also allergic to grass and the only drops I have found to help with dryness are the ones that contain glycerin. I usually buy the Visine that says "for contacts" on the label. I would also probably check to see if your doctor thinks Restasis might be appropriate. The drug stimulates tear production so your eyes would have more natural lubrication. It sounds like you might need more help than just artificial tear drops. Best wishes!
Years ago I had the same problem... not sure mine was seasonal or most of the time, but at times would be so bad it would wake me at night feeling like my eye lids were stuck to my eyeballs. I started taking borage oil and it works wonders, for that, dry skin, and similar conditions.It's a great "women's health" herb, same benefit as evening primrose oil, but more potent and less expensive. You have to take it consistently for awhile to begin to see the benefits and there are some precautions to pay attention to, but it's been great for me. I'd suggest seeing an herbalist if you have questions about it, or for your condition in general.
My sister has been through the ringer with this as well. She was actually told to add the Omega-3 vitamin to her diet and to add more fish as well. I guess the fish oils are supposed to help some. She also got her thyroid checked because they thought that might have something to do with it (it didn't in her case) and she is also on the pill because her hormones are haywire and they said that could also contribute to the problem. You have lots of specific eye help here, I hope it helps!!!
There are a couple of things Dr.'s have these days. I had Lasik, too, and LOTS of complications from the beginning. One of the things: Restasis prescription eye drops. The second: Oh, I can't think of the name right now, but they are little moisture capsules that you tuck in your lower eye lid that have extended release. Two options...
Hi Laurie,
I have been told that I have extremely dry eyes as well. Although I haven't had LASIK surgery, I do wear contacts lenses. My eye doctor, is Dr. Randall Tozer in North Scottsdale and he has prescribed Restasis for me and that seemed to help.
They just gave me drops called ristasis. It helps produce tears and keeps your eyes moist. I used it after my first lasik a year ago and never had a problem. Now I had a touch up and have started them again. They are only available with RX. so if you have not tried these get a new doctor and try them out.
I had the same problems with sandpaper eyes. I checked out the natural way as I was tired of trying all sorts of prescription and non-prescription items that did not work half the time.
A friend recommended Shaklee products and I have been sold every since. My eyes that looked like they were bleeding they were so red, cleared up and I felt SO much better. I joined the company to save on products and share with others who have had the same problems. I'd be more than happy to recommend and help you, just drop me a line.
Take care,
D.
I had lasik two years ago in Jan. My eyes were naturally drier prior to the surgery. After I had gone to a concert where they used a fog machine, my eyes burned like crazy. They felt like I had little particles of dirt in them. I called my doc and he recommended the Zatador eyes drops. They are expensive. A tiny little bottle cost $14, but they are worth the money. I now use them occassionally, like allergy season, and sometimes Systane Long Lasting drops. My husband uses the Zatador too after he mows the lawn and his eyes get all irritated by the grass cuttings. 6 months after surgery, I was still putting drops in my eyes about 3-4 times an hour. I told my doc and he put some little tubes in my tear ducts. I am not sure how it works, but it was uncomfortable for the first two weeks. Now I don't notice they are in there unless i rub the bottom lid of my eyes. I wish I would have done it sooner than 6 months!
