Itchy/irritated eyes -- what do you use?

[Twickle Purple]

I had my eyes checked yesterday, because it was time for a prescription upgrade. I was told that my corneas are scratched. I have been using preservative-free eye drops and lubricants, but only recently. I should have begun a few years ago when my eye symptoms first started.

Do you have itchy, irritated eyes? What do you use for them?

[DukeCity]

How do corneas become scratched?

[s-kid]

I'd like to know too, my eyes are becoming more of a problem lately :(

[Twickle Purple]

How do corneas become scratched?

She said it was due to the occular rosacea and dry eyes. I guess I rub too much and too hard. It feels good when I'm doing it though, at least til it hurts, then I stop. I find it close to impossible not to rub them, they drive me nuts! I've got to be good and try more stuff on them. She suggested steroid drops, which I've had before and they don't help. I told her about the tacrolimus that I 'borrow' from my dog :shock: and she was iffy, but said if it helped then go for it. I need something that I can use more regularly. I've stopped my Doxycycline and use Systane-Free and Tears Encore Natural but they don't help the itch when it comes. I don't want to have to go back on Doxy for this.

[Kia]

I had itchy eyes for years, but I thought it was from my glaucoma medication. I just figured out in June that I have ocular rosacea as well as glaucoma. Twice a day, I use hot compresses and eyelid massages to release the oils from the glands in my eyelids. I follow that with ocusoft eyelid cleanser. My eyes have improved greatly since I started the routine. They rarely bother me anymore. When they do, I go back to Refresh Tears (I use the thick drops for severe dry eye). It also helps to keep your artificial tears in the fridge so that they are cold and more soothing. I accidently discovered that because one of my glaucoma drops must be kept in the fridge. Whenever I put the cold drop in my red and dry eyes would clear up.

Kia

[Canarygirl]

My eyes have been unusually blurry, itchy, and irritated lately too. I've been rubbing them a lot. After a while I will take an anti-histamine and that seems to help but I'm not sure if this is a placebo effect. I'll have to pay more attention.

I had conjunctivitus several years ago which left me with permanently scarred eyelids (the underside) and killed my natural tear production. I could never wear contacts after that. Later I had lasik done on both eyes and they scratched one of my corneas in the procedure. I was given steroid drops for a week but no other recommended treatment after that. I've never been diagnosed for occular rosacea...my brother has it though, so I may have it too I suppose.

Thanks for the reminder not to rub my eyes too hard. :shock:

[Twickle Purple]

I found a terrific site which has lots of information on treating dry eyes.

Anyone with dry eyes, even a little bit, should look to take care of it so as not to have problems in the future. I had no idea I had scratched corneas, my eyes were sensitive to light and so I wear self tinting specs, but other than that they just felt like they always do -- dry and sometimes very itchy. Apparently they've been scratched a while and I have to make an effort now so they can heal. I've read that it can take upto a year for them to heal properly, rubbing and dry lids can remove the new cells, even rubbing against the pillow in bed can undo the healing.

I had no idea this was a potential complication with occular rosacea. I want my eyes to work til the rest of me stops too!

Here's the link:

http://www.agingeye.net/dryeyes/dryeyesdrugtreatment.php

[Sandra]

Hi Twinkle,
I was diganosed with blephritis and dry eyes,, I use "Refresh Liquigel" from ALLERGAN Inc. for the dry eyes.. It's thick,but it works..I use it at times during the day and when I go to bed.. Because of the Blephritis I use LID-CARE eyelid cleanser and eye makeup remover by NOVARTIS doesn't sting the eyes and is great for removing the crust from your eyelids. Don't buy the premade individual pads they get used up to fast. Buy the box that has the bottle of cleasner and guaze pads together. You can that way use as much or as little of the cleanser on a guaze as you like. Last way longer...I also have to use hot compresses to release the guck build up that gives you those lumps near your eyelashes. I to have very itchy eyes and they get blood shot when I scratch them to much so I use NAPHCON A(ophthalmic Solution by ALCON to stop the itch and take the blood shot look away. It burns though when you first apply it. There are so many out there and as always it's what suits you best.. Hope this helps
Sandra

[Twickle Purple]

Thank you Sandra.

This is very helpful. I will look into these. When my eyes are very itchy, I don't mind a bit of sting from the drops, it interrupts the itch so I find it's a bit of an added relief.

Twickle Purple