Eye irritation due to hot compress and use of Genteal

I have excessive dry eyes due to a hyperthyroid condition which causes my eyelids to swell.  My neuro-opthalmologist recommended warm compresses twice daily, they an eye wash with baby shampo and water, then GenTeal eye drops 5 tiimes a day.  At night he recommended RefreshPlus eye drops.  This worked great for the first two weeks, then my eyes seemed even more dry and hurt more.  When the day was thru they felt worse than when I started.

I stopped the hot compresses and went to cold, continued the eye wash, and just used the RefreshPlus 5 times per day and before bedtime.  Now my eyes feel much better, do not hurt and feel much better in general.

Could I have had a reaction to the GenTeal or was it the warm compress, or a combinatin of both?

[Sandy Feldman, MD, MS]

Dear Kris1655,

Some individuals respond better to one type of eyedrop than others. If what you are doing is controlling the dryness, it sounds reasonable to continue with this regimen. I do recommend that you speak with your eyeMD and get his opinion as he has examined you.

Dr. Feldman

Sandy T. Feldman, M.D., M.S.
ClearView Eye and Laser Medical Center
San Diego, California