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Severe Dry eyes in Teenager... please help

Posted , 8 users are following.

mydogiscute123
mydogiscute123

Hello, I’m a 17 year old turning 18 in a few days, and I suffer extremely dry/irritated eyes that are ruining my life I know it sounds crazy that such a young person could be suffering from it but it’s true. This condition has completely changed my life. I constantly have a dry, gritty feeling, often accompanied by burning stinging and itching, as well as a foreign body sensation, sore and tired eyes. I have to avoid direct wind or fans/ac.   It affects me almost constantly, every day. I've actually had this condition for almost a year and a half now, and although earlier in the year it seemed like it was getting worse, with the help of my eye doctor and taking my own measures, in recent months my symptoms have significantly improved. I take Restasis twice a day and allergy eye drops (pataday) once a day. I have to use over the counter eye drops like Refresh (preservative free and regular) many times a day. Towards the end of the day my symptoms get worse.  I take omega 3 fish oil pills everyday but I'm not sure if they make a difference. My symptoms are so severe I barely finished my last semester of high school because the severe pain and discomfort I’m in makes it very difficult to do schoolwork. I also cannot have a job because of this. I am depressed and can barely do any of the things I used to be able to do. Although in the last few months my eyes seem to be improving more, I desperately want to know whats causing this condition, and is there anyone my age out there with this? I don’t have a lot of money because I obviously can’t work and my family is low income, so I can’t afford expensive alternative treatments… What can I do? Please help me, I am desperate.

1 like, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • mrsmop
    mrsmop mydogiscute123

    Posted

    I don't think 'stress' helps either.

    Do you use a lot of computers/smartphones etc.  Staring at screen doesn't help

    Something else that might help you, is a lubricating gel for your eye.  You are obviously not in the UK, so you might have to check for names in your country.

    I used to use Lacrilube but my Ophthalmologist changed the prescription to VitA-POS. There are others too, perhaps your Pharmacy can help you.  I use it at night when I go to bed but if my eyes are particularly dry, I use them in the middle of the day.  They blur your eyes for about 5 minutes but the effect lasts longer than the drops.

    Take lots of breaks from screens, at least every half hour, get up and walk around.

    You could also try hot compresses on your eyes too, morning and night.  Run some very hot water and add a drop of mild handwash and then soak a face cloth in it and place it over your eyes until it cools, repeat 2 or 3 times.  Do this morning and night.

    Do you wear contact lenses?  If so, you need to take a break from them

    Good luck

     

  • lisalisa67
    lisalisa67 mydogiscute123

    Posted

    Have you seen an eye surgeon? Lacrimal glands maybe but an occuplastic opthamologist would be better suited to help you. You would need to see an opthamologist and ask them for one. If you cant afford one maybe by enetering through hospital they would have ine on staff? 
  • aveline
    aveline mydogiscute123

    Posted

    Are you also thirsty or have a dry mouth?  If it's so acute, I wonder if you have Sjogren's Syndrome. If you don't wear prescription glasses you may want to buy a pair with plan lenses just as a barrier to sheild your eyes from wind...see if you feel better with sunglasses, for example.

    And also see your GP and ask for bloodwork. If you have a vitamin deficiency it could make this worse. Before my low B12 was found, I had awfully tired and achy eyes that felt dry and irritated often. It wasn't burning and stinging, but felt dry and grity and sore...maybe something else is to blame, at least partially?

    Also, if you wear eye makeup, you may want to take a break or change brands.  With all of those eye drops, I somehow doubt you do wear make up...

    Good Luck!

  • Charles_Strokes
    Charles_Strokes mydogiscute123

    Posted

    I feel you are using computers/laptop or basically electronic stuff too much or either your life is full of tension, so this can be a major issue, if everything is perfectly okay then I will suggest you to visit a good eye specialist as it’s long time since you are facing this problem.
  • lindsay27401
    lindsay27401 mydogiscute123

    Posted

    Hi There, I have the same issue I am only 31 and my eyes would be so dry I end up getting a burning sensation or that something is in my eye which turns out my eye lid is sticking to the cornea and tearing a small part of a layer of the cornea. I was eventually diagnosed with 'Re-current corneal erosion' which constantly feels like I have grit in my eye and it gets really painful. the only way I was able to help it was with gel drops and also just preservative free drops
  • sriram_60176
    sriram_60176 mydogiscute123

    Posted

    Hi bro! My age is just 18 and i am also suffering from dry eye syndrome... I use nearly 3 different drops a day... It is very irritating in college to do my work... I can't do anything continuously... Can you give me some tips... My condition is almost same as you....

  • gail93644
    gail93644 mydogiscute123

    Posted

    Hello.  Did you find a cure to your eye issues?  I read your post and I have the exact same thing....
  • sriram_60176
    sriram_60176 mydogiscute123

    Posted

    Hey! I am also 18 years now. I have been suffering fron dry eyes since one year.. All my conditions are almost exactly the same... I cant do my daily work normally as others... Even a little wind going to eyes almost kills me... Normal people dont understand what dry eyes patients suffer... But i can understand you as i am also suffering from the same... Byt the way, no did your eyes got cured or not... I am very much depressed and even doesn't want with it but i am living....I have tried many drops like cycolsporine, refresh, lacrygel ointment and several others... I am frustrated with doctors... They always tell the same... No problem... But only we know ws exactly

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