Will dry eye ever go away?

[debo58]

I just discovered this site and see only a few scenarios similar to mine. I have been suffering with dry eye since May 2008. The red rings around both eyes, and the upsidedown U on both lids appeared then, and were treated with anti histamine drops/ointment. Blepharitis also, so I have been doing lid scrubs since. Red rings are gone but dry eye took their place. I have been using Theratears day and night, put drops in about every 15 minutes, all day. I do not wake up with crusty or gooey eyes.  I have been to 3 opthalmologists, dry eye is diagnosed. No formal testing though.  I'm on doxycycline for a month. Taking omega 3 fish and flax, hyaluronic acid. Eliminated fluorescent lights, use anti-glare screen at work. No relief. Will it ever go away? Once I'm thru menopause? I'm wondering if I should see an endocrinologist. I've seen that as a possible link as a cause-cortisol levels out of whack. I'd appreciate any information that would lead to the road of No More Dry Eye. Thanks

[Joan M Pernoud, MD]

So many dry eye inquiries. These always increase as temperatures drop and people spend their time indoors where furnaces sap the humidity from the air.

Just today, see my answers to sachinahuja82 and jj66.

A few more thoughts:

1) I hope your artificial tears are preservative free as preservatives in themselves are irritative if drops are used more than 4 times a day.

2) Some of the treatments you are on require a month or more to"kick in" so it is good to be patient.

3) If your blepharitis is under control, decrease your lid scrubs to no more than once a week.

4) Could you have a condition which is decreasing your blink rate? Any thyroid condition?
Doubt it is cortisol related.

4) Pick the ophthalmologist you relate to best and follow-up with one doctor. These chronic conditions require good systematic follow-up and that is much better with one doctor. Other options...punctal plugs (I have these in myself) and Restasis drops.

Dry eye will probably not go away but symptoms can improve significantly. Requires a number  of visits. There is no "magic wand" unfortunately.

[PeggyS512]

I have Cornea Epithelial Basement Membrane Dystrophy that causes Corneal Erosion (quite painful). I started Doxycycline several months ago, plus Muro128 gel nightly before bed and I am doing much better. Dr said no hypotonic drops.
I also noticed that my blood pressure improved. I read an article that says Doxycycline lowers Aldosterone and Cortisol and can elevate Glucose. Blood tests definitely confirmed this!
It did seem crazy to me, having major dry eye problems, to put salt-water (Muro) in my eyes, but they are doing much better.