Dry eye remedies

[MNTim]

My last surgery was three years ago this month. Since that time I have struggled with dryness in my left eye. Last February I had a platinum weight inserted in my eyelid and tarsorrhaphy. This helped but I still was using drops regularly during dry times of the year. Recently I began using a humidifier and noticed immediate improvement in the reduction of early morning dry eye. During a recent visit with my optometrist she suggested that I try fish oil. I began taking it about one week ago and I have almost totally eliminated my eye drop use.
I know the struggle of finding remedies for the after effects of our treatments so I wanted to share what has helped me.

[Kristena]

That is great news! I also use a humidifier at night. I've tried using fish oil pills too, but I haven't lasted long enough to notice any positive change due to the horrible fishy-tasting burps! Is there a fish oil that doesn't cause this?

My dry eye had very slowly gotten better. I just recently was able to close my eye completely. But then terrible synkinesis around my eye made me request botox. I am very happy with the result, but now I'm back to not being able to fully close my eye (which I knew was going to happen). So I'll soon be looking for more relief I'm sure--and I think I'll request a punctal plug. I'm using drops 2-3x an hour, all day long.

[saralynn143]

You can look for burpless fish oil, Kristena. I take fish oil and it does not help me with dry eye.

MNTim, i's great that fish oil does help you. Thanks for sharing. I hope that it helps others as well.

[Mormor]

I started taking fish oil about two months ago and after about two weeks my eye improved to the point I do not need any drops during the day. About a month ago I stopped the ointment at night and I'm doing fine. i'm not saying I'm cured but hopefully I'm on the right track.

i take two NatureMade Adult Gummies Fish Oil. No after taste/burps at all. They are a little tart but I'm use to them now. The only reason I bought the gummies is because I have a hard time swallowing the fish capsules.

[janet1949]

i'm new on the forum. i've really enjoyed reading other peoples posts. i'm 3and1/2 years post op. i'm so thankful to say i haven't had to much balance problems, but facial paralysis and dry eye sometimes makes me feel i can't deal with it. i know with Gods help i'll be ok. i'm excited to try the fish oil because i can't keep moisture in my eye. i would have to have a constant drip to help. when i'm on the computer i wear a patch as to not aggravate it even more. good luck to all of you and i will be checking in.

[Kristena]

I ended up getting a punctal plug close to 2 weeks ago, and I would say I use about half the drops I used to. So 1-2x an hour versus 3-4. The first week was a little rough. My eye was irritated, and it felt like I had a large grain of sand in there. But this week I can't even feel it. My eye still gets dry, but I don't panic when I see my drops running low! I can't wait for this dry winter to be over. The cold wind and dry air have been quite a challenge. Yay for humidity!

[danny ray]

I have sufffered with chronic dry eye for 15+ yrs. I've had puctal closures which I thought had cured me, but 8yrs later I'm right back at square one. Recently had Lipiflow treatment highly touted as a dry eye cure, didn't help at all. $3000.00 out of pocket wasted. Thinking about Sclera lenses but I'm not sure they really help. Does anyone have any input on these for dry eye. At a cost of $5000.00 with no insurance help, I'm stuck in the house living a miserable life.

[saralynn143]

Danny, you should be able to find a scleral lens for far less than that. My insurance company denied my claim, which was about $325 for the fitting and $750 for the lens. I know others who found even less expensive lenses.

I wrote two weblog posts about my experience with a scleral lens:
http://www.sarahartman.com/the-eyes-have-it/
http://www.sarahartman.com/dry-eye-triumph/

The first one has a list of scleral lenses that I have been able to identify. Many of the manufacturer web sites have provider lists so that you can search for a provider in your area.

The posts here show how helpful scleral lens can be to someone with facial paralysis. Please do not settle for a miserable life stuck in the house.

[Jill Marie]

Hi Danny,

Sara is so VERY right, get the scleral lens or a similar lens and head out to enjoy our wonderful Spring weather!  My lens only cost me $250 plus a few co-pays for the doctor visit.  Please read Sara's logs and also do a search on here for the scleral lens, it's not always spelled the same.  If you go to the eye issues part of this board you will find several threads that talk about the lens.  Feel free to ask as many questions as you like as we are more that happy to share with you the relief we have found with the lens.  I had severe dry eye for 22 years, yesterday I went on a hike for 3 hours with my hubby and four legged friends and loved it, no need for ointment or drops while out having fun!  Jill Marie