Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: JCo on September 12, 2024, 08:11:16 PM
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Hello
Posting this on behalf of someone I am close to. They started getting sore/dry/red/swollen eyes, and were told it was blepharitis. They were around 3 years post-menopause, and it seems to me like it could be connected, but it was never mentioned...
They have a routine of cleaning eyes, warm eye mask, theoloz duo drops which keeps the worst symptoms at bay. But, their eyes get too sore to read books anymore and screens can only be used in v. small doses.
Feels like there should be something that could have a bigger/better impact if there isn't anything wrong with their eyes otherwise. I have heard good things about Hycosan eye drops and wondered would this be better? They've been recommended theoloz duo because it is better for 'older people' but wonder if there is anything specific about Hycosan that might actally be better. Not sure if anyone has looked at them side by side/looked at this for postmenopause in particular
Does anyone have any experience of dry eyes/blephritis - and advice on eyedrops or other things that made a difference?
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Hi. I was diagnosed with this at Specsavers about 18 months ago after getting gummed up eyes in the morning. On their recommendation I use Hycosan extra eye drops in the red box , 3 times a day. Also in the morning and at bedtime clean my eyes with Optase protect spray. I do these 5 things every day without fail. Sometimes I use a flannel over my eyes soaked with just warm water. I manage okay like this and can read and look at screens, though take breaks.
I haven't heard of the other drops you mention. it's a case of keeping up treatment and keeping them moist.
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Hi I was prescribed Viscotears to use at night and Systane eye drops to use in the day.
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Morning. Which thread would you like us to continue in? DH has lost his eye lashes due to this condition.
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Hi, I take seabuckthorn capsules and they really help. Ive got to be very careful with eye makeup and can no longer wear mascara.
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Hi CLKD, I'm sorry to have posted this in two threads, I wasn't sure which one was the best one for me to use - a bit new to this. I don't mind which thread is used - I don't think I can combine and delete unfortunately.
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We can continue here ;-)
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I’ve had severe dry eyes for a couple of years and am under the care of the eye hospital.
I use a selection of drops depending on how my eyes are feeling;
Thealoz Duo
Hycosan Intense
Hycosan Shield
Hycosan Night Ointment
I use eye drops constantly through the day, sometimes as often as minutes apart.
Take screen breaks.
No alcohol
No caffeine
I take sea buckthorn.
I use a warm eye mask.
I use blephasol to clean my eyelids.
My most recent discovery is a pair of bed time ‘goggles’. They look like swimming goggles but are made out of soft silicone. I soon got used to wearing them at night and they create a moist environment for your eyes over night.
I also have punctal plugs fitted by the eye hospital and use a prescription eye drop called Ikervis.
It seems like your friend still has a number of options to try. Keep trying different eye drops as some suit better than others.
HTH.
Ali x
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Thank you - interesting to hear you use both, I guess I didn't realise this was an option! Do the different kinds to different things/help in different ways do you think?
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Thank you - interesting to hear you use both, I guess I didn't realise this was an option! Do the different kinds to different things/help in different ways do you think?
Yes I think so. The warm eye mask is comforting as well as unblocks any blocked glands. You can watch on Youtube how to gently massage your eyelids after using a warm eye mask.
No alcohol/caffeine helps avoids dehydration.
Eye drops can generally be used as often as required. I think the instructions can be a liitle misleading in that 'four times a day' etc may be no where near enough for someone with dry eyes. When my eyes were at their worst I could use them four times in ten minutes. You should try to use them before your eyes feel dry ie keep them moist before they feel dry.
There are so many eye drops available, it really has been trial and error for me.
Thealoz are quite watery and do not give long lasting relief but do have a place in my regime. Hycosan Intense I find brilliant, a little thicker and longer lasting without blurring vision too much. Hycosan Shield are like a very thin oil, I use them shortly after other drops to give a longer lasting relief ie if I am about to drive etc And finally the nightime ointment is a must for me, its almost like vaseline but protects your eyes over night. Plus my fabulous super attractive night time goggles ;)
There are loads of drops available, I've just kept trying different ones until I find one that suits and then use them constantly throughout the day.
I have a pal who complains of dry eyes but then doesn't use her drops ;D
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For dry eyes I follow a daily regime which mostly keeps things under control.
An electric heated eye pad (better than a microwaveable one as you can control the temp and for longer) at least once a day followed by a bit of eyelid massage to unblock the glands.
Hycosan (purple allergy) eyedrops several times a day. These are expensive but worth it imo.
Sea Buckthorn capsules once a day. Again expensive but cheaper on subscribe and save on Holland & Barratt.
Hycosan night gel at night.
It all seems like a total palaver but now it is my regime (like brushing teeth) and mostly keeps my symptoms under control.
I have never worn much make up but now don't wear any mascara/eye shadow as I don't want to aggravate things.
Hope this helps.
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HRT fixed this for me. I didn't realise it was low estrogen for years. I suffered from both dry eye (optician told me) and yet also had a tearing eye. This would totally ruin any eye make-up and made me really self-conscious. I would have tear streaks all down my face and I would dab the tears away so much at the corner of my eye, I often made it really sore. It was a total pain in the butt for such a seemingly insignificant thing and really affected me.
Fast forwards to now, on liberal doses of HRT - and my eyes are totally fine. I didn't even realise this one was a low estrogen thing until everything got better.
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For many years I had quite severe dry eye (which was one side effect of lasik eye surgery done in my early 30's), and then I began to also have blepharitis in my 40's. I'd been always using Hylo Gel eye drops which helped with the dry eye, but not the blepharitis.
Whilst looking online for help with blepharitis I found these eye drops called Optimel Manuka Dry Eye Drops and although I was totally skeptical I bought them and to my surprise they became my one product that solved it all for me. In a matter of days I didn't need to use Hylo Gel anymore, and the blepharitis was gone. I know it sounds unlikely but it really happened like that for me. I was incredibly surprised.
This was almost 4 years ago, and I'm still using them. 1 drop every morning on each eye and same at night. The only thing annoying about these drops is they sting the eye for a few seconds after application, they do so every time, even after 4 years. I've become used to it and I don't mind anymore, but it wasn't nice at first. Still i continued using them because I found great relief. I've not had blepharitis in almost 4 years, and my dry eye is almost non-existent, only sometimes if I use the computer for too long I have to apply an extra drop or 2.
They're not too expensive, I buy them from iherb which I believe ships worldwide, and there are often special discounts. I hope that's helpful.
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Thank you - interesting to hear you use both, I guess I didn't realise this was an option! Do the different kinds to different things/help in different ways do you think?
Yes I think so. The warm eye mask is comforting as well as unblocks any blocked glands. You can watch on Youtube how to gently massage your eyelids after using a warm eye mask.
No alcohol/caffeine helps avoids dehydration.
Eye drops can generally be used as often as required. I think the instructions can be a liitle misleading in that 'four times a day' etc may be no where near enough for someone with dry eyes. When my eyes were at their worst I could use them four times in ten minutes. You should try to use them before your eyes feel dry ie keep them moist before they feel dry.
There are so many eye drops available, it really has been trial and error for me.
Thealoz are quite watery and do not give long lasting relief but do have a place in my regime. Hycosan Intense I find brilliant, a little thicker and longer lasting without blurring vision too much. Hycosan Shield are like a very thin oil, I use them shortly after other drops to give a longer lasting relief ie if I am about to drive etc And finally the nightime ointment is a must for me, its almost like vaseline but protects your eyes over night. Plus my fabulous super attractive night time goggles ;)
There are loads of drops available, I've just kept trying different ones until I find one that suits and then use them constantly throughout the day.
I have a pal who complains of dry eyes but then doesn't use her drops ;D
Thank you! Interesting on the seabuckthorn too - I've heard about this a bit - think I'll definitely suggest they try it...
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HRT fixed this for me. I didn't realise it was low estrogen for years. I suffered from both dry eye (optician told me) and yet also had a tearing eye. This would totally ruin any eye make-up and made me really self-conscious. I would have tear streaks all down my face and I would dab the tears away so much at the corner of my eye, I often made it really sore. It was a total pain in the butt for such a seemingly insignificant thing and really affected me.
Fast forwards to now, on liberal doses of HRT - and my eyes are totally fine. I didn't even realise this one was a low estrogen thing until everything got better.
Hello - thank you for this, I had encouraged them to ask for HRT too as thought that might help a few things, but they were told no as over 60... I'm guessing only systemic HRT would have this impact rather than topical/local kind?
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It's incorrect information that they can't start HRT if over 60. They just need to see a menopause specialist.
I don't know about topical but if they can get some local estrogen for the vagina or if they already use that, I'd apply it around the eye area and see if it helps to be honest... I put my leftover estradiol gel on my face. Estriol (local estrogen) is very safe because it doesn't get absorbed systemically.
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Alibeau
Can I ask where you got the nighttime goggles from? I’m suffering with severe dry eyes and also on Ikervis etc but still really bad.
Many thanks
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Hello ladies.
I just wanted to add that I have two post meno friends who have this. One uses the techniques that have been mentioned and is using topical HRT, the other friend is on systemic HRT (50 mg Oestrogen patch with Mirena coil) and relies on steroid drops from her GP. She tells me that they are very effective but shouldn't be used long term apparently.
I hope this is of some help.
Take care everyone.
K.
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jozeil - if the product isn't absorbed why apply anywhere other than the vagina: it clearly states 'for vaginal use only' :-\ because the skin on the body is different all over. So appropriate preparations for appropriate areas ?
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Alibeau
Can I ask where you got the nighttime goggles from? I’m suffering with severe dry eyes and also on Ikervis etc but still really bad.
Many thanks
Of course. I ordered mine from Amazon USA as I originally bought them for a long haul flight and needed them quickly, they weren't available in the UK at that time. I've since seen them listed on the UK Amazon site but when I look today I can't see them!
So I googled the name and found their website;
https://www.haloshealth.com/products/dry-eye-mask
As I say I originally bought them for a long haul flight. The first time I tried to sleep in them they kept me awake throughout the night, I thought I would never get used to them but I now love them. On the odd occasion they will stop me from nodding back off if I get up in the night but 99% of the time they do not bother me. I don't have the strap too tight, just tight enough to stay on my head!!!
They really do create this lovely moist atmosphere for your eyes over night. Like you I am still struggling a lot with dry eye but can definitely say that I have felt the benefit of using these but it took a couple of weeks for me to notice.
HTH xx
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jozeil - if the product isn't absorbed why apply anywhere other than the vagina: it clearly states 'for vaginal use only' :-\ because the skin on the body is different all over. So appropriate preparations for appropriate areas ?
I had a large red inflamed area suddenly appear on a scar on my face, I thought my skin cancer had come back. I couldn't get a GP appointment for weeks and googled what do doctors prescribe for inflamed skin and it said hydrocortisone cream. The instructions said not to be used on the face but I did anyway and in a week the inflammation had greatly reduced and my skin is now back to normal. Sometimes we have to think outside the box for ourselves, so happy I did this as the thought of my cancer returning put me into a deep depression.
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Thanks Kathleen and Alibeau