excessive tearing of the eye

[Michelleann1974]

Well, I really do not know where to start but here I go.  Sorry if this is going to be long but it is a problem that I have had now since 2004.  I have Graves' Dz, dx and tx'ed in 1992.  Long hx of pregnancy problems as well.  However, after the birth of my son in 2004 I started with excessive tearing of the eyes.  The right is worse then the left.  I have been to a neuro eye dr and she didn't do much for me. I had a sonogram done and showed small lacrimal thicking..sorry for the spelling.  It also showed thyroid eye dz which I was sure it would have. My eyes do not bulg out a lot and is very small.  They have been measuring the same now for years.   I have been to 4 eye drs now and I have tried all kinds of drops and steriod drops and nothing seems to help.  I even started to wear my glass on a regular basis because I thought it could have been strain but that is not it either.  I live in Maryland and I even seen a dr at Wilmer which is supposed to be one of the best.  She too put me off to yet another dr.   Every dr tells me the same thing....try this and see what happens....NOTHING WORKS.  I don't even wear make up any more and I have to leave the house with a box of tissue because they drip so bad and run all day and if I didn't sleep I am sure they would drip all night as well.    The are always red, puffy, dripping, irritated, sore and even my eye ball itself will start to hurt.  They say my tear ducts are fine but I am starting to believe that is not true either.   I know that I can not be the only person in this world with this kind of problem and that the first 4 drs I have seen can't find something to help me.  I thought that going to Wilmer would have been a good place to go but I just don't know anymore.  Dry eye has been thrown around as well and try another eye drop.  The last dr also told me that she didn't think my eye lids were closing all the way.  I just don't know what to do anymore.....Any ideas.  Thanks Michelle

[Michelleann1974]

Thank you I will try this and see.  I do use that ointment at night to help with the dryness while sleeping but I am still at a loss as to what to do. i will check out this site and see.  Thank you for your help.

[Sandra M Brown, MD]

Your situation is classic for Dry Eye Syndrome that is difficult to control.  First, go to www.dryeyezone.com to meet fellow sufferers and get lots of practical ideas.  

Second, call the lady who runs the Dry Eye Zone (she's very nice) to see if she knows of a good, sympathetic doctor in your area.

Although you have been told that your thyroid eye disease is only causing a small amount of eye bulging, this can lead to serious problems with blinking, and with your eyes drying out while you sleep.  The same lady can give you many practical suggestions about how to handle this.