Dry Eyes

Not that I remember but you may be on to something with the dehydration idea...it could be...when you are well dehydrated does it go away? Can you test your theory?  Try rehydrating well for a day and see if things get better or not?

Do you wear glasses or contacts? If your script is no longer adapted to your eyesight then maybe that could be the cause or if you do not wear them and you need them you may be causing yourself eye strain????

I know that post-op my eyesight is a bit weak for a while (I personally think that it is a side effect of the general anesthesia) but it comes back in about 6 months.

Just some random thoughts.

Sharon

I have dry eye syndrome and use Restasis for it. I even had tear duct plugs placed without relief. But this did not develop soon after colectomy. It was a decade or more after and after developing enteropathic arthritis. 

If you are constantly using artificial tears, you should make an appointment with an opthalmologist to check this out. It can be a serious thing. I no longer wear eye make-up and must be sure to wash my eyelids daily with warm water.

Jan

Probably best to get checked out in case it's  Sjoren's syndrome. It's another auto immune disease. 

Hey all,

Thanks so much for the replies.  Sorry, Ive been super busy with school.  Restasis didn't work for me.  I am actually in the process of trying the new product by Shire called Xidra.  I'm praying this gives me some relief.  I had the ducts put in as well, which did not do much either.  

Yes I have been diagnosed with moderate dry eye, which at times can be very bothersome, particularly in the winter, and more so because my job is all computer based.  My dry eye didn't develop until about 5-6 years ago, although I've had retinal inflammation as a result of UC flares.   I sometimes wake up in the morning with my eyes stinging; can be very painful. I've been using Liposic Ophthalmologic gel and I've had some luck with Tears Naturelle ointment at night, though it's very thick and blurs the vision temporarily. I'd like to try Restasis.

As others have mentioned, dry eye is a common symptom of many auto immune disorders so it's important to get checked out. Chronic dry eye can also be serious if not properly managed. 

Interestingly, facial acupuncture has been recommended to me by an optometrist but I still haven't tried it, as it's somewhat cost prohibitive (12 sessions at $180 each, not covered by my health plan). Just curious, anybody else try this? Had any luck?

One thing for you to try, keep moisturiser well away from the skin around your eyes (the instructions on all moisturisers say this) The skin there is very thin and chemicals from moisturiser damage the oils in the eye.  Try not to rub your eyes, because touching your face then eyes can cause this issue too. 

I'm a guy, I moisturise my face after a shower. I got dry eye, assumed it was something to do with decorating (sanding plaster board etc) I went optitions who said it was because I work with computers, eye strain over long time and forgetting to blink.  Was prescribed glasses and then  docs and was given eye drops too

If I don't use moisturiser my eyes are better in 24 to 48 hours.  I've also noticed the brand of moisturiser can affect the severity.  I have jack blacks double duty and that affects the eyes quite bad, as does Zirh defend.  Nivea rehydrating moisturiser is more natural and causes less of a problem. All are better kept away from the under eye area

From a girl's point of view my mum had the same issue with oil of ulay, but I'm sure all moisturisers do it to some severity or another. I think age is a factor too, but definitely try the moisturiser thing.

I haven't had dry eyes in like 6 months, and haven't needed my glasses either (it's not Miracle cute for eyesight, your eyes don't work properly when dry)

Hopefully this will give you some joy too.  Incidentally, try not to use the eye drops either.  The natural tear replacement ones may be ok, but you want to see if your eyes can revert to normal, so probably best to stop putting stuff in them!  Feel free to flush your eyes to start though

Bobish - interesting about the moisturizers. I also have very dry skin, and my optometrist indicated that the hypoallergenic moisturizers are safe to use.  Have you been formally diagnosed with dry eye? It sounds like what you might be describing is eye irritation or reaction to products, rather than dry eye. Obviously that is problematic, but is an entirely separate issue.

That said, you do make a good point about overuse of eye drops, especially the over-the-counter or "red out" varieties, as they can cause the opposite problem. Drops should be instilled only as instructed by your eye care specialist, and only as often as recommended.  Also, using different types of eye drops simultaneously is also not a good idea (i.e. mixing prescription and over the counter, or using different brands at once), unless of course your optometrist/ophthalmologist has recommended this.

I had dry eyes for a few years and I linked this to post menopause, this before my colon tumor was diagnosed and was removed 5 months ago. In these last few months I had constant bouts of eye inflammation and a few eye infections and was very concerned. Ophthalmic surgeon found nothing wrong and said it was allergies and prescribed cortisone. I used the cortisone drops for a few days as prescribed but don't want repeat of cortisone. Since then I also had to use antibiotic drops. There is a definite trigger for me to inflammation caused by facial products. Oily moisterisers and makeup (base) definitely inflame my eyes. Mascara not too bad. Continued use or unattended inflammation leads to infection. I clean rim of eyes regularly with solution of cup water and few drops baby shampoo. Keep in pretty bottle in bathroom. Use eye pad or earbud dipped in solution. I still have bouts of eye irritation and pain at times even eye twitching especially one eye is more prone. So have to keep up the regime. I suspect since colon removal (jpouch) that I am dehydrated. Drinking lots of water but also coffee which undoes the hydration. If I followed my own advice I could probably keep the dry eye more under control. Hope this story helps.

Spooky, I was told me eyes were dry because I stare at a computer screen all day, and therefore forget to blink (that turned out to be wrong).  Appreciate that's considered different to dry eye syndrome where the tear ducts fail to produce 'sufficient' eye juice, but I wonder how many people would benefit from just trying to keep moisturised hands and face moisturiser well away from eyes.

people think that as long as the cream doesn't go in the eye they are fine, but actually the skin is so thin on eyelids and under eye region the oils are easily absorbed into the eye.  I know numerous people I have told this who have benefited, so just thought id share since its easy and cheap to do.

HTH

Chrissey,

do you wear contacts? Can I ask what other meds you're on? Yes BC cause dryness but not very commonly. Anything that dries your skin out can dry your eyes out. For instance, taking anti allergy meds like Claritin will dry your nose out (which is what you want) but it'll dry your eyes out and allergens will remain in the tear film longer. Any drugs that stimulate your sympathetic symptom cause dry eyes and blurred vision. CaffeOne also causes problems. Changes in hormones in pre and post menopausal females causes dry eyes. And yes, dehydration does cause dry eyes. 

Id recommend using copious artificial tears like you have been but if used more than 4 times per day the preservatives make it worse so get the OTC Preservative-Free Artificial tears.  (Refresh or systane are good ones). DO NOT use visine or anything that labels "get the red out". Using a thicker gel drop or refresh PM ointment at night will give you more coverage as well. 

Dry Eye Syndrome has dozens of causes and the definition as defined by the DEWS study is that it is a multifactorial disease so commonly many different adjustments can be made to help. If PF art tears don't help, an eye doctor can give you a short course of "soft steroids" like lotemax eye drops to calm the inflammation. Soft steroids do not have side effects, especially if only use 1-2 weeks. Hope this helps. 

I also have dry skin/eczema in addition to dry eye syndrome. One thing that has been very helpful, other than Restasis for maintenance, is daily eyelid cleansing. I use Occusoft eyelid cleansing foam when in the shower. This has been a big help. When I have a lot of irritation I use warm compresses on my eyes. This helps the natural lubrication to flow (not the tears, but along the edge of the lids). The only moisturizer I use on my eyelids is Vaseline. 

Jan