Kate
I was dx'd with Dry Eye Syndrome in 1984 and I tried everything on the bookds. My condition is acute, however, and systemic. Are you fair,fair eyes and do you sweat very little? I am all of these things. I've had punctum plugs, which fell out, had my tear drains cauterized, had a corneal bandage applied (disasterous) and had ointments up the gazoo. Finally, I was told by my Ophthamologist to go home and live with it because he couldn't help me anymore. I was getting filaments (like micro blisters) on the corneas from the dryness. I bought a huge humidifier for my home in Las Vegas, was told to move to a more humid climate, oh yeah! right! and also told to wear swimming goggles. Anyway, through another patient of one of my army of Ophthamologists, I discovered a doctor in Beverly Hills who specializes in Dry Eyes. I am not a millionaire and had very little insurance at the time. I was desperate. The usual thyroid, diabetes and lupus tests were performed and all were negative. Have you been tested, especially the thyroid? Well, this Dr. Fein, put me on glaucoma drops. I do not have glaucoma, but he wanted to stimulate the lacrimal glands, which is a side effect of these drops. He also told me to put two drops in each nostril every three hours, while awake. So, two drops in each eye and two drops in each nostril every three hours. He warned me it would take a few months before I got relief and it did. I can honestly tell you, I am in no way cured, but no longer in pain or having to patch my eyes due to the filaments. I was becoming an invalid. This hit me at age 39, which is young for this condition. I do not have Sjogren's or Rheumatiod Arthritis either. My mouth has a big tendency to get dry also. If your condition isn't as severe, I don't know what to tell you. These drops do affect your night driving though, because they constrict your pupils. Otherwise, no eye problems from the drops. Dr. Fein has had people on these drops for alot longer than me, with no eye damage. I had a baby at 41, while continuing this treatment, went back to school for medicine, worked for eight years as a Medical Assistant, (same work as an LPN and RN) for much less pay, but I loved it. I am now attending CCSN to study Medical Transcribing. This is a person with Dry Eyes. I still feel the burning and discomfort when my three hours are about up, but I'm not blind and am functioning. The name of the drops are: Pilocarpine 1%, two drops in each eye and Pilocarpine 2%, two drops in each nostril, both every three waking hours. I will give you the doctor's tel. number. It's Dr. William Fein at 1-310-859-0760. I haven't been to his office in years. I get the scripts from the local doctors now. I did, however, call his office recently to see if there was anything new on the horizon and he said the FDA is ready to approve a drop that will drain into the punctum and block it so the tears won't drain into the back of your nose. It beats the cost of laser surgery and those punctum plugs. Hope this info helps you. Please get your thyroid, blood sugar and blood tested for lupus also. You probably have already. If so, I wish you the best of luck in finding some relief. It's a horrible affliction and no one knows how miserable it can make someone feel physically and mentally. PS I have also tried all the over the counter tears and didn't find any relief. Some made me feel more dry. Good Luck!