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[Jett]

Hi everyone,

In the long line of meno-gotchas I have been hit with the joy of horrible dry eyes, so much so I can’t wear my contact lenses and when I wake up in the morning it feels like I have been blowing a hairdryer on my eyes they are so sore and irritated.

It’s only been a week so maybe it’s just a weird virus or something (covid test negative) but I did a search on here and it does seem there are a good number of you who suffer this as a meno symptom.  It hit me out the blue, it’s not something that has been getting gradually worse.

I wondered if those of you who do have it have noticed any connection with Oestrogel?  I have been on that for almost 2 months now, with coil for progesterone.

If anyone has any ideas of what might be causing the dry eyes or how to get rid of them I would love to hear.  The pharmacist gave me lubricating gel which the optician confirmed was fine along with hot compress several times a day.  I really want to be able to put my contacts in again as my eyesight is so much better with them for driving.

Thanks in advance for any insight 

[CLKD]

As oestrogen levels drop off the body may become dry, including the eyes and deep in the ears.  I've been using eye drops for years, my optician suggested to me an idea a few months ago, however: I find the over the counter drops do the same job.

He sold me an eye mask which is heated gently in the microwave, to use at night B4 bed.  Bliss.

[Dotty]

I use Viscotears gel at night and Systane ultra eye drops during the day…. Both prescribed by a consultant when my dry eyes started.

[DottyD68]

I use Hycosan gel at night and always have Hycosan drops available if I need them daytime. I used to use the drops sometimes several times a day but now I've switched to the night gel I only use the drops if I get a red eye allergy.

[Dierdre]

I use viscotears too.

[Aprilflower]

I use Actimst spray for dry and irritated eyes.

[Jett]

Thank you all so much for the recommendations, really very much appreciated xxx

[purplebee]

I have had dry, gritty eyes in the morning for over 2 years now.. I have tried so many eye drops but the best ones for this I have found are called Thealoz duo. One ot 2 drops at bedtime and then as soon as you wake up. They are suitable for contact lens wearers.

[Jett]

Thank you for this recommendation Purplebee.

I went to the optician and she said I had blepharitus on both eyes possibly caused by Oestrogel and I should talk to GP about going back on  a patch.  She also said I had an allergy to something on top of the blaerphitus which was making the worst eye especially bad. No idea what I am allergic to!

So going to see what GP says next week and keep with the drops and hot compresses until then.  It’s getting me down I won’t lie. I also feel emotionally all over the place like my hormones are all out of whack too.

Thank you all as always, it helps not to feel alone.

Jxxx

[CLKD]

That was my opticians take: however, blepharitis often presents as continually reddened eyes and a loss of lashes. [DH has this  ]

 Mine aren't red even after all the rubbing!  I would think that your optician doesn't know much about peri menopause, it's as oestrogen drops off that the whole body may become dry.  Replacement should improve issues!

[purplebee]

Blepharitis is the 'standard' diagnosis.. the drops I tried have been working so well as my eyes and eyelashes were itchy and sore. This has gone now.

[CLKD]

How R U Jett?  Any improvements?  My eyes itch and after using the drops at night, are gritting in the mornings 

[Jett]

Hi friends,

I thought I would post an update on the dry eyes situation.

It’s been two and a half months since it started and I still have it.

I swapped back from gel to patch about 6 weeks ago (evorel 50). The patch definitely suits me much better but the dry eyes persist.

The Hycosan red drops are good throughout the day, every hour or so. The optician discovered I am allergic to lanolin but has found Hydramed sensitive gel for overnight which has also helped loads but it still wakes me up a couple of times with the old eyeball stuck to eyelid joy.

My next questions
1. There is talk of Testosterone helping with dry eye can anyone help me by sharing experiences of this?

2. There is one post on here from ages ago with someone asking if the Mirena can cause dry eyes- does anyone have experience or knowledge of this?

All the tips and recommendations you gave me were so useful and gave me lots of things to try - thank you all so much.  It made such a difference rather than me floundering around in the dark.

Thanks again for any advice or experiences you can share.

Jxx

[alibeau]

Hi J,

I have been on Oestrogel and utrogestan for around three or more years. I’m 51.

Last Xmas I started with terrible dry eyes after a long haul flight and I am still struggling with them. I had abrasions on my eye which has left me pretty scared to wear my contacts again.

I have had punctal plugs fitted by the eye hospital (little silicone bungs in the eyes drainage holes) and am on Ikervis prescription drops.

I don’t seem to be getting anywhere and like you, I can’t wear my contacts which means my vision isn’t as good as it could be and it also gets me down.

With the plugs fitted my eyes are streaming most of the time, without them I have to use drops every 5 minutes or so. Neither situation is great.

I recently asked my GP to do some blood tests for testosterone levels and also thyroid. She did these and a whole range of other tests too.

My ANA came back as positive which is an indicator of something autoimmune going on and may have some bearing on my dry eye situation. I have been referred to rheumatology.

My latest discovery on the eye drops front is Hycosan Intense, not cheap but these are working dramatically better than any others I have tried over the last year and I have tried many! I also use Theoloz Duo and ointment at bedtime.

I use a one use steam eye mask at bedtime and a plug in eye mask in the morning, both are bliss!

I wish you well and hope you find a solution as I know how miserable it is.

Take good care.

Ali x

[Jett]

Hello Ali,

Thank you for taking the time to reply and for sharing your experience.  Your eyes sound really bad, I’m so sorry you are having to deal with this.

I don’t think I will ever be able to wear contacts again somehow.  I will try the Hycosan intense - thank you for the recommendation.  I have been using Thealoz Duo too which are good products.

It’s quite strange how - bam - it comes on with the dry eyes and you are just stuck trying to manage with it.  I had no indication of it happening before it was full on.

If I find anything else that helps I will post and let you know.  I hope rheumatology can suggest something that helps with your situation.

Sending love,

Jxx