Any treatment/advice for dry eyes syndrome. They say cortisone eye capsules caused it .?

Answer 1

The mainstay of treatment in Dry Eye Syndrome is the use of artificial tears even though artificial tears cannot completely substitute complex composition of natural tears. Apart from artificial tears, punctal plugs may be considered too. An Optometrist or an Ophthalmologist can examine your eye and plan a management plan for your dry eye syndrome. Do not self treat - even though there may be a temptation to do so because artificial tears are available over the counter.

The guidelines below (from http://www.agingeye.net/dryeyes/dryeyesdrugtreatment.php ) are useful to choose a artificial tear.

● In dry eyes tear osmolarity increases. Moderately hypotonic artificial tears has been shown to promote ocular surface disease healing in severe dry eyes. Available hypotonic tears include: Thera Tears, Hypotears and Akwa Tears.

● Bicarbonate containing artificial tears have been shown to promote healing in severe dry eyes. Available bicarbonate containing tears include: Bion Tears, Murine Tears.

● Non preserved drops are the best. However if preserved eyedrops are to be used, then newer preservatives like GenAqua (Genteal Tears) are preferable to Benzalkonium chloride (BAC).

● Avoid the use of redness relieving eyedrops (naphazoline or tetrahydrozoline eyedrops) such as Clear Eyes, Murine Plus and Visine and herbals such as witch hazel.

● Consider Restasis (available only on doctor's prescription) if all else fails.

Answer 2

Contrary to popular belief - Visine is NOT recommended by eye care professionals!!! Visine simply disguises the problem by vasoconstriction (constricting your blood vessels so your eye appears whiter) and can cause rebound redness after continued use - which is often worse than the reason you were using them!
Several companies make very good OTC drops for dry eyes. Systane and refresh tears are reallly good. Look for drops that are preservative free. These companies also make gels that, although blur vision for a little bit (since they are so viscous) but do provide better relief. These are probably best used right before bed.
Something that some patients find as really helpful is flushing the eye out with the drops instead of just applying a few. It seems to provide longer relief but uses the drops up faster...
Also you can take omega-3 supplements to help with the lipid layer of your tear film, which is responsible from keeping your tears from evaporating too fast.
Your optometrist can do tests to determine your dry eye and if you are not making enough tears, can see if punctal plugs (plugging the punctal that your tears drain into) would help your condition.
Dry eyes are an annoying problem (I sometimes have them) and more and more treatments are being sought - so keep and eye out - no telling what they might have next! One doctor is coming out with a testosterone cream that helps with tear production and it seems to be very promising but I believe it is still under testing.
Good luck!

Answer 3

My mother has dry eye syndrome and her opthamologist cut a plug in one of her tear ducts.

Each eye has a duct that supplies tears to the eye to keep them moist and a duct to drain the excess tears away from the eye when needed. He plugged the drain duct so her eyes would retain their moisture. Sometimes her eyes would water when she had excess tears but that was better then having them dry out all the time.

Good luck.

Answer 4

You might try this out.