Do you have the symptoms of Dry Eye Syndrome? Is your doctor helping you manage it?

[PMRpro]

This set of links popped up today and I thought it was worth posting about. Many of us DO have dry eyes and it is clear from these articles that it isn't taken seriously enough by either doctors or patients. Treatment is crucial to prevent longterm damage to the cornea and improve quality of life - and patients need to be aware of the importance of using their eye drops regularly.

medscape.com/s/viewarticle/...

medscape.com/mtv/dry-eye/ta...

[Mstiles]

thank you Pro! I’m still struggling with dry eye and changed vision in one eye and have received zero help from my Opthomologist at a university medical center. “Use over the counter eye drops every two hours, “which is financially impossible for me.

The fact that a GP on one video is doing all this testing and treatment for dry eye is amazing and pretty unbelievable, and in the second video, I guess they are all Opthomologists at a specialist eye clinic.

Not sure what my next step is.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Mstiles]

Show them the updated guidelines mentioned - then they can't claim there aren't any.

[Rugger]

Thanks for this prompt. I have been meaning to discuss this with my doctor for a while. 👁️

[Leafsong66]

Thanks so much PMRpro. Dry eyes were definitely a feature of my life before GCA was diagnosed. I am finding now that I am reducing on Prednisolone 6.5 mg currently, the dry eyes are returning. I must admit I am lazy in administration of eyedrops and tend to bear with this additional pain as it pops up. I will read the links and be duly encouraged to do what's good for my precious eyes. Thank you.

[Angelsmummy]

Hi,,I have dry eyes and have for years.Told to increase my daily drops to minimum 4 times daily by eye hospital the other day when I went for scans to check my eye pressures and macular degeneration.Am lucky that I am prescribed Hydro Forte drops on NHS.Hot ,pollen laden weather doesn’t help either!🌞😜😭🤧x

[Poshdog]

Friend has dry eye and excruciating pain when opening eyes in morning. She has been advised by ophthalmologist to sleep with patches of cling film or the like, over eye area - believe you can get specialised film - as this will keep moisture in overnight.It has worked for her.

[Miacaro45]

I have been suffering with dry eyes for many, many years. The best eye drops I use is HyLo Gel drops which I cannot buy in the US. I have to go through Canada. My Canadian ophthalmologist friend recommended them to me. I think they come from Germany.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Miacaro45]

Can’t you buy them from Amazon? The US site lists them.. unless they are not the real deal..😏

[ShannonT in reply to Miacaro45]

I buy them at Costco so maybe check with them. I am in Canada

[S4ndy]

I was told by the eye hospital to use drops or a spray to keep my eyes moisturised. I was told by my GP surgery that they no longer prescribe eye drops so I would have to buy them. So I've been buying my own eye mist which I find better than the drops for me. Amazon is my usual source for this.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to S4ndy]

Yes I like the sprays too.

[Eatsfruitsandleaves in reply to S4ndy]

My optician wrote to my GP ( quite recently) and I now get eye drops on prescription.

[Body_bonkers]

Despite the medical establishment telling me otherwise, my dry eyes are definitely linked to PMR as they get worse during a flare. I’ve managed to get eye drops on prescription but have to go private for other eye care

[Grammy80]

I know 'I am late to the fair here,' but I just saw this post, Pro. A few years ago, I had dry eyes, ocular sicca, really getting out of control. After two $$$ eye drops and nighttime gel....now, I maintain with an OTC drop called Systane. I perch the bottle (30ml) on my pill box. That way, I remember to use them morning and evening. I also keep a bottle on my desk. I'd gotten comfortable and would forget to use the drops regularly. Consequently, I'd wind up using the drops 5-6 times daily to return to 'square one.'

It's refreshing, also.💞

30 ml bottle, US$...cheaper that two 10ml bottles, Amazon