[naiyt]

I've had a lot of issues with dry eye, largely related to my computer usage. (Although it's sort of a combination of 3 factors: I work on the computer, I'm a T1 Diabetic, and I live in a dry climate. All contributors to dry eye.) At times it was bad enough that I could barely read what was on the screen, or I would leave the building and have to sit in my car for 5 or 10 minutes before driving home because the sunlight was causing enough pain to keep my eyes closed. It was impacting my life significantly.

Here's everything that I tried, along with a comment about how well it worked:

- Switched from monthly contact lenses to dailies (Helped moderately, but at that point my eyes were getting worse fast enough for me to not notice a real difference

- Switched from contact lenses to glasses (Helped with comfort once I got used to glasses again, but not with dryness)

- Various OTC eye drops (Retaine MGD is still the best for my eyes, but overuse seems to make it worse)

- Eye doctor prescribed a 2 week steroid eye drop regimen. (So no difference)

- 10 minute warm compress on the eyes twice a day (This helped a lot when done consistently, but my eyes were still really bad throughout the day)

- Omega 3 supplements (Seemed to help a bit when I was consistent with the dosage)

- Various eye exercises (helps a lot, but I HAD to be consistent for multiple days before seeing results)

- Restasis (no benefit after 3 months)

- Xiidra - okay, so this has given me the MOST relief out of anything, even consistent eye exercises. My eyes actually feel normal again, and I saw results after just a couple weeks. Using a new medication kind of makes me nervous, and it's incredibly expensive (even with insurance), but I got to the point where I was willing to take the risk because I was getting desperate. Having severe dry eyes can negatively effect every waking moment.

I'm hoping that after a few more months on Xiidra my gland inflammation and tear composition will be in a good enough place that I'll be able to stop using the medication (which I'll be following up with my eye doctor about soon).

If you're just getting started with a career on the computer START TAKING CARE OF YOUR EYES NOW. Take frequent breaks and perform frequent eye exercises. Hopefully that will help prevent you from getting to the place I did, where it takes a significant amount of work and money to get back to having healthy vision.

[blablabla123]

Thanks for all the detail. Things that I do are:

- keep at least an arm-length distance to the screen (that's what I've heard is good)

- have f.lux installed (my eyes feel noticeably more relaxed)

- make sure rooms is properly lightened, i.e. no window in front, not too dark (I have a vague idea this helps)

(FWIW, I've heard that all kinds of flat screen have a non-adjustable backlight that is supposed to quite strong. I think I read that on HN but I couldn't find references at that point.)

I wish this would become more of a well-known topic. There is a lot of information available about hands/arm ergonomics, special devices/tables and many companies have things to improve on that. But the eyes part it pretty much ignored, I don't really understand why. During the CRT screen times, you could at least choose more or less ergonomic screens. But now I feel the topic isn't there any more.

[walterbell]

This community has an active mailing list with various experts and motivated patients: http://www.fiteyes.com

[cgmg]

Have you been diagnosed with meibomian gland dysfunction? Did you, by any chance, ever take a drug called Accutane (Claravis/Amnesteem/isotretinoin)?

[naiyt]

Nope, never took Accutane. I got a full examination from a specialist (including a LipiView analysis) and the conclusion was that I don't have MGD. My glands look mostly fine, and my issues stem primarily from inflammation as a result of the factors I mentioned (working on the computer, dry climate, diabetes).

[walterbell]

Consumer Reports (Jan 2018) did not have a high opinion of dry eye medications, https://www.consumerreports.org/vision-eye-care/dry-eye-symp...

"However, both drugs are expensive and can cause side effects that can worsen eye irritation and discomfort—Restasis in up to 17 percent of people and Xiidra in up to 25 percent of people. "Judging from the clinical trials data, the benefits of those two drugs are not that much more than the risk of adverse effects,” says Marvin M. Lipman, M.D., Consumer Reports’ chief medical adviser. “Their use should be relegated to a last-ditch measure, when all else has failed.”

Yawning can stimulate tear production: https://iristech.co/yawning/

[naiyt]

Believe me, I'm more than aware of the negative side effects and potential dangers (especially with Xiidra, which is a new medication without long term studies). Xiidra is costing me about $200 a month, after insurance. But in my case it was literally the last ditch measure, because I had tried everything my ophthalmologist suggested as well as every "home remedy" out there. (When you have severe dry eyes stuff like yawning is not going to help.)

For me, Xiidra has been the only thing that's given me relief. The side effects have been fairly minimal (stinging for a minute or two, somewhat blurry vision for up to 20 minutes) and my life is mostly back to normal now. But the cost and lack of long term studies of the medication prevent me from recommending it unless you and your ophthalmologist have determined that there are no better options.

[WillReplyfFood]

Question: Can you still emit tears?

[EADGBE]

That sounded like one of those low-budget cable commercials for regional lawyers.

[pdfernhout]

Definitely second the omega-3 recommendations. In general, eating better (especially more vegetables) has definitely improve things for me.