Is it ok to use eye drops for dry eyes on a daily basis?!
Question: Is it ok to use eye drops for dry eyes on a daily basis!?
I have a problem where I blink way too much and I decided to start using Clear Eyes for dry eyes (It is not one for redness just dry eyes)!. I am hoping maybe this will help me to not blink so freaking much b/c it is kind of embarrassing and sometimes people will comment on how I am blinking so much!. I have been a frequent blinker for years and I am tired of it!. My eyes feel better after I put eye drops in them, so is it ok to use eye drops for dry eyes on a daily basis (like 3x per day)!. I won't have medical insurance for another 2mos, so I have to wait to see a doctor about this!. Anyone know if this is safe!?Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
Ok, here's the deal: I've lived with severe dry eye for a long time and I'm going to share what I know, which only sums up what works for me- nobody has the exact same dryness and something I suggest may or may not help!.
First, dump the clear eyes in a garbage bin right this minute!. cheap bottled eye drops are NOT the way to go if you're regularly using eye drops!. If you're buying over the counter, always buy SINGLE USE VIALS- these are tiny little single doses of eye drops that're in small plastic containers you throw out after each use!. Because they don't contain preservatives (which all bottled eye drops do) they are safe to use long term!. I personally recommend refresh classic and bion tears, and although some people like refresh celluvisc, I generally find it too thick to use regularly!.
Now that we've got that covered, lets get into a few lifestyle things that can help with dry eye!. The first and most simple, especially if you're blasting your heat or AC, is picking up a humidifier and running it in the house!. Second, sleep with a sleep mask on! Cheap sleep masks you get from stores, or fancier ones for dry eye patients specifically, can make a world of a difference!. If you go outside, wearing glasses or sunglasses can provide some environmental protection!.
Now, about doctors and prescriptions!. Please, see an ophthalmologist as soon as you get that insurance!. Ask for two tests, that measure tear production and tear breakup, and demand that you get an accurate diagnosis for the cause of your dry eye!. "Dry eye syndrome" is not a diagnosis! it is a blanket for many different types of diagnoses!
There are three major prescription options!. The first one I'll suggest in just about any dry eye case, is called punctal occlusion, or plugging!. What this means is that your doctor will insert painless and either short-term (they wash away) or permanent (they're silicone) plugs in 2 out of four of the 'drainage' pipes for your tears, preventing as many tears from washing out of your eyes!.
In regards to eye drops, as someone mentioned, restasis is an option!. It is, however, at least 600-800$ to give it a good (you need to wait at least 6 months to see if it works for you, and if it does, will need to use it indefinitely) trial!. Restasis only works for 15% of patients, 10% more than those in the trial who were just using the vehicle, which is castor oil- which means you have to understand that it will probably not work for you, but may be worth trying if you're willing to go ahead with those odds!.
The second drop option is a prescription called freshkote!. This is a longer lasting eye drop that may promote your eye's own wettability- aka, make your dry eyes less dry!. If your insurance wont cover it, it's identical over the counter sibling, which lacks only the added lipid layer (but still helps many people) and is a LOT cheaper can be purchased, along with a lot of other dry eye goodies, at http://dryeyeshop!.com/
It sounds like your eyes are dry, and blinking frequently can be a symptom, but remember that blinking frequently can mean other things and DO see your doctor no matter what!Www@Answer-Health@Com
First, dump the clear eyes in a garbage bin right this minute!. cheap bottled eye drops are NOT the way to go if you're regularly using eye drops!. If you're buying over the counter, always buy SINGLE USE VIALS- these are tiny little single doses of eye drops that're in small plastic containers you throw out after each use!. Because they don't contain preservatives (which all bottled eye drops do) they are safe to use long term!. I personally recommend refresh classic and bion tears, and although some people like refresh celluvisc, I generally find it too thick to use regularly!.
Now that we've got that covered, lets get into a few lifestyle things that can help with dry eye!. The first and most simple, especially if you're blasting your heat or AC, is picking up a humidifier and running it in the house!. Second, sleep with a sleep mask on! Cheap sleep masks you get from stores, or fancier ones for dry eye patients specifically, can make a world of a difference!. If you go outside, wearing glasses or sunglasses can provide some environmental protection!.
Now, about doctors and prescriptions!. Please, see an ophthalmologist as soon as you get that insurance!. Ask for two tests, that measure tear production and tear breakup, and demand that you get an accurate diagnosis for the cause of your dry eye!. "Dry eye syndrome" is not a diagnosis! it is a blanket for many different types of diagnoses!
There are three major prescription options!. The first one I'll suggest in just about any dry eye case, is called punctal occlusion, or plugging!. What this means is that your doctor will insert painless and either short-term (they wash away) or permanent (they're silicone) plugs in 2 out of four of the 'drainage' pipes for your tears, preventing as many tears from washing out of your eyes!.
In regards to eye drops, as someone mentioned, restasis is an option!. It is, however, at least 600-800$ to give it a good (you need to wait at least 6 months to see if it works for you, and if it does, will need to use it indefinitely) trial!. Restasis only works for 15% of patients, 10% more than those in the trial who were just using the vehicle, which is castor oil- which means you have to understand that it will probably not work for you, but may be worth trying if you're willing to go ahead with those odds!.
The second drop option is a prescription called freshkote!. This is a longer lasting eye drop that may promote your eye's own wettability- aka, make your dry eyes less dry!. If your insurance wont cover it, it's identical over the counter sibling, which lacks only the added lipid layer (but still helps many people) and is a LOT cheaper can be purchased, along with a lot of other dry eye goodies, at http://dryeyeshop!.com/
It sounds like your eyes are dry, and blinking frequently can be a symptom, but remember that blinking frequently can mean other things and DO see your doctor no matter what!Www@Answer-Health@Com
Your best bet is to go to an optometrist and have him evaluate you (medical visit) and he should be able to determine what medicine is best for you to use!. Some dryness and constantly blinking may be linked to a possile infection in your eyes!. Or you may actually have DES (dry eye syndrome), but your dr!. will be able to RX you properly!. Usually over the counter stuff works, but just temporarily!.
Hope this helps!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Hope this helps!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Saline eye drops are safe, you should try that (they lack the chemicals the other types have)!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
drops will not hurt, but Clear Eyes aren't the best option!.
Try usine a sterlie saline drop (like someone else recommended) or using a product like Refresh Tears!. This is more highly recommended by the optical industry, and much more soothing!. I know my Dr!. highly discourages the use of any Visine/Clear Eyes products!.
Once you get insurance, you might want to see an eye doc!. There are prescription products that can help alleviate dry eye over time, rather than a "band-aid" drop like mentioned above!. These Rx products help to stimulate tear production (like Restasis)!. Make sure that your Dr!. writes the Rx under a DEA number!. Often times, insurance companies use the lack of a DEA as a way to escape from paying for these drugs, and they are far too expensive without insurance!Www@Answer-Health@Com
Try usine a sterlie saline drop (like someone else recommended) or using a product like Refresh Tears!. This is more highly recommended by the optical industry, and much more soothing!. I know my Dr!. highly discourages the use of any Visine/Clear Eyes products!.
Once you get insurance, you might want to see an eye doc!. There are prescription products that can help alleviate dry eye over time, rather than a "band-aid" drop like mentioned above!. These Rx products help to stimulate tear production (like Restasis)!. Make sure that your Dr!. writes the Rx under a DEA number!. Often times, insurance companies use the lack of a DEA as a way to escape from paying for these drugs, and they are far too expensive without insurance!Www@Answer-Health@Com