Eye Problems

[Eve]

Hello :)

I've had problems with my eyes for a while and not been able to wear my contacts (been wearing them fine for 15 years before then).

I've had them checked by an optician who said they were dry and swollen back early last year and they've not really improved.

I saw them again a month or so ago and they said they are still swollen and thought the glands were blocked.

They said to put heat on them then gently massage the area to get the stuff unblocked and out but I'm still having problems.

I'm going to try and get back to the opticians this week but anyone got any ideas in the meantime?

[ethandron]

baby shampoo and warm water (baby shampoo because it doesn't sting).
bathe your eyes with this using a cotton wool swab and also cotton buds, to try and unblock the tear glands on your bottom eyelid which produce the more viscous tears which keep your eyes nice and moist.
and use a product called viscotears regularly too, just a little a few times a day.
i've suffered from dry eyes for a number of years and find the bathing and viscotears (rather than the thinner hypromelose eye drops) do help, although don't cure the problem.

[Mrs Y]

I would definitely try viscotears; I found they helped much more than hypromelose. It's definitely worth asking your optician about changing lenses, too. I changed onto the Acuvue Ultramoist, and they've made so much difference.

Good luck, and I hope you're able to wear your lenses again soon!

[jen78]

Thank you both :)

I will try those tear things. I changed from monthlies to dailies which seemed fine but my eyes seem to do it whether I wear my contacts or not.

I'll try the babyshampoo as well :)

Thank you!

[Lil O'lady]

Jenna, be very careful with the baby shampoo approach - it is not intended to be put into eyes. Why not ask your doctor and / or optician to refer you to your nearest eye clinic for a proper assessment? especially as you have suffered with this for so long. Like Mrs Y, I found changing to the 'wettest' lenses possible very helpful with dry eyes, but i still find it very difficult to read extensively, or work at a pc, wearing my contacts. I know in my case it's 'me time of life', drying up slowly and turning into an old croc. I don't for a minute suggest this is your case too - but you might have to decide to move to occasional rather than constatnt contact wear, and so invest in snazzy specs.

[funnygirl]

Apparently as we get older our eyes get dryer.

I was told to blink regularly and keep my eyes moist by using eye drops.

[pusskin]

I have got dry eye!
So I've been on opti tears for while now, and they feel so much better . I get mine on a regular prescription from my doctors.