April Challenge – A Month of Photos & Reflections: Day 13, Dry Eye Syndrome

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Do your eyes ever bother you? Mine had been giving me trouble consistently for a while when I finally made an appointment with my ophthalmologist. The most concerning thing was twitching. Not just the occasional twitches that we all get, but daily twitches that sometimes were almost constant. After a comprehensive exam I was diagnosed with Dry Eye Syndrome. In my googling attempts I never came across dry eyes as a reason for twitching. There are, however, a bunch of terrifying things that come up. We really should NEVER google symptoms!

These things can cause dry eyes:

  1. The natural aging process, especially during and after menopause.
  2. Side effects of certain drugs. Antihistamines are very drying.
  3. Diseases that affect your ability to make tears.
  4. Problems with eyes closing as they should.

These things can help if you have dry eyes:

  1. Limit technology. Too much time staring at computer screens negatively affects eyes.
  2. Artificial tears/Lubricating drops.
  3. Steroid drops can be used short term.
  4. Temporary and permanent plugs that close the duct that drains tears from your eyes.
  5. Lipiflow is a procedure that unclogs glands in your eyelids.
  6. Testosterone cream for your eyelids.

My doctor prescribed some steroid drops and gave me samples of lubricating drops. These seemed to do the trick for me. I also use the 20-20-20 rule to help to prevent this problem. The rule says that for every 20 minutes spent looking at a screen, a person should look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

I hope this is helpful. Stay safe.

42 comments

  1. Oh man, anything that has to go into my eye would drive me crazy. Hopefully you’ve got everything figured out! Thanks so much for sharing this with all of us!

  2. The 20-20-20 rule is smart. I feel like a lot of people work in an office and stare at a screen. Looking away from screen and letting your eyes reset is a great idea. Gives them a break. Very informative article.

  3. I have not experienced eye dryness, but if it happens, I am now enlightened on what to do. Thank you for the great tips!

  4. A couple times a year, my son and I will wake up in the morning with dry burning eyes. I didn’t know all of these other facts, though!

  5. I usually use eye drops when it comes to allergy season, with dry itchy eyes. But I will definitely utilize the 20-20-20 method- I did actually right before I wrote this comment!

  6. I have dry eyes too. I was surprised with that diagnosis a couple months ago because I thought it was mostly with the elderly….I mean I’m getting old but didn’t think 36 was that old. I did start a supplement with omegas that helps a lot too.

  7. The penny drops! I’ve been taking antihistamine for hay fever for the past two months and in the last week my eyes have been dry and I’ve been using eye drops for the first time in years! Thanks for sharing this info. Best, Lynda

  8. I do suffer from dry eyes from time to time, especially when I spend too much time in front of my computer. Luckily eye drops and rest do help a lot.

  9. These days I am suffering from dry eyes, may be because I am crying way too much theses days or may be because most of the times I am infront of my laptop.

  10. I’ve been lucky enough to never have to deal with dry eyes. I do suffer from seasonal allergies and the itchy eyes from that is torture enough! I’m sure there are many people that will happy to read that you have some solutions to actively deal with this.

  11. I always forget the 20-20-20 rule, and it’s so bad because i blog and research nearly all day!… My eyes feel so dry right now, and i didn’t even realize it until right now. 😅 I’ve grown too used to it…. Time to establish new habits!

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