Dry eyes........... Help...........

[lroman850]

I have dry eyes that doesn't seem to be getting better.... I'm really starting to worry.  I had temporary plugs put in, but I don't seem to see any improvement.  Can someone tell me if I can use eye drops with these plugs.  I have used artificial eye drops, but they too don't seem to be working.  How long before you see any improvement?  My eyes still look red, I haven't been able to wear my contact lenses and I don't know what else I can do.  Please help.....

[lroman850]

Thank you so much for getting back to me.  I will definitely go out & buy artificial tears.  I'm hoping it will help.  I will also mention to my eye doctor about the more permanent eye plugs.
Thank you again :)

[Joan M Pernoud, MD]

Many factors to consider with dry eyes.

Medications, a dry environment, arthritic auto-immune conditions, hormonal changes can all influence them.

First treatment is artificial tears and the best ones are preservative free. Try using some every hour and taper back until you start to get symptoms then you know about how many times a day you need them.

Some people are so dry that the punctum plugs don't make that much difference but in general they help. I no longer place temporary ones I just go on and put in the permanent as it is rare that they need to be removed and they at least help some if not alot.

Restasis drops can be used in recalcitrant cases where other things are not working well enough.

Stay out of drafty moving air which will evaporate your tears faster. Get an ultrasonic mister (drugstore) and run it 24/7 and the moisture in your environment will help slow your tear evaporation.

Make sure your doctor is an eye MD ophthalmologist to make sure your eyes get the same quality of care you give the rest of your body.