Eye Problem, Seriously Need Help!!!

[jimjam91]

Hi, I need someones help, i have had my eye problem for a few years now and it has been impossible to cope with.... My eyes are always irrated and feel extremely dry, they water and sting outdoors and are very irrated and bone dry indoors and out. I have been told by an optician that my oil glands are a bit clogged, i have treated this with warm compress for ages and has given me no relief, an eye specialist said i didn't have clogged oil glands and i had allergies, i am currently using opatanol allergy eye drops and zirtek antihistamines, which also give me no relief, i am allergic to house dust mites and have limited the amount of them in my home, still i am seeing no results, if someone is out there please help me! Thanks.

[Sandra M Brown, MD]

You can also try the Dry Eye  Yellow Pages to find an Eye MD who is more versed in the many different underlying causes of dry eye syndrome.  Also the Dry Eye Zone is awesome.

[jimjam91]

Thanks for the reply, i looked up sjogren's syndrome on google and some of the symptoms are familiar e.g. i never have clear breathing and my breaths are not deep enough, also my lips are always a little bit dry.

I have been using the antihistamines for 3 days now (1 a day) but before i was using them my eyes have been just as bad.

Can you tell me if you have been diagnosed with 'dry eye' and can you tell me the symptoms of your eyes please? Thanks.

I forgot to mention before, i have tried about 20 different eye drops and eye ointments and none have given me relief.

Can allergies cause inflammation of the eyes and if so is it visible without magnification? Can allergies stop the eyes producing enough tears? I went to an allergy specialist and he said the normal rate of allergy for someone to have is from 0-80, i have 354.

Sorry for all the questions but the problem has become an obsession. I am beginning to think i am the only one with the problem! Cheers.

[lelole]

Hi, This sounds to me like dry eye - which can be the cause of blepharitis too (this is the clogged glands thing!)... I have severe dry eye, and I know your pain hon!!

The site mentioned above is excellent, but I wonder if you should go back to doctor and find out how dry they are?  The eye specialist can test the dryness with a test which involves putting filter paper in the eye, and seeing how much tear it absorbs.  If they find you are really as dry as you feel they may be able to plug the ducts which drain tears away to help you retain what tears you do have.

Also, do you have other symptoms?  May be worth checking out Sjogren's syndrome on google - this is a big cause of dry eye... and very underdiagnosed...

In the meantime, it may be worth doing an experiment - maybe get some good lubricating eyedrops from the dryeyezone site, and try these hourly for a few days, perhaps even holding back on the antihistamine drops, as these may be irritating your eyes more if they are dry.  If you get some relief then you may have your answer!

Good luck anyway,

Leah

[yarrow]

I have mild dry eyes myself, as well as allergies, and have found a great deal of helpful info, as well as a discussion forum, here:

http://www.dryeyezone.com/