I've suffered from dry eyes and MGD for several years, along with growths on the conjunctiva (pingeculae) and numerous surgeries later for removal of these growths as well as what the doctor diagnosed as conjunctivochalasis, my eyes improved somewhat but not significantly.
After experimenting with everything including great recommendations via this board, my doctor's suggestions, informative websites, OTC drops (every product known to man), prescription drops (steroids, NASID's, Restasis, anti-inflammatories - you have to see my medicine cabinet to believe it), I stumbled upon a full regime that has changed my life. I felt it was my personal obligation to share this with those of you on this board who have suffered much like me, and thought it might make a difference for you too (I'm hoping and praying it will).
I'll summarize it as follows (I apologize if it sounds rudimentary but I promise it has done wonders for me):
AM routine:
- Use a qtip soaked in diluted baby shampoo (use a fair amount) and clean debris around eyelid region (lower and upper). Wipe clean.
- Boil water (not completely boiling, but simmering) and put into a deep bowl and close your eyes (make sure they're completely shut as it is the eyelids itself that you want to target) and let the steam loosen up the eyelid/glands. After five minutes or so stand in front of a mirror and pull one eyelid back towards the ears until their taut and use the index finger to move the fingers in a circular motion to get the lacrimal glands to break up and loosen. By now, you should hear a squishing sound which is really good and do that repeatedly until your eyes look very wet. Now keep the eyelid taut and use the index finger to gently sweep the lid from the inner portion to the outer portion of the eye. Do this six to eight times. Now switch and repeat on the other eye.
- Ask your doctor for a prescription of castor oil eye drops (available through a compounding pharmacy - Leiter's). These are preservative free, drug free and completely harmless for your eyes. There have been studies conducted by eye doctors and the results have been excellent. Do a search on google and you should find the article. They've shown that the drops are especially good for dry eye sufferers and for those who suffer from MGD. This has made the biggest and most profound difference for me. But I find it isn't as effective if I don't incorporate the other elements in my routine. I've also found that effectiveness has increased significantly now that i use it five to six times a day versus three. It's harmless to your eye, so I'm not concerned whatsoever.
PM routine:
- Same as above, although I skip the steaming and move on to the eye massage routine. I also dip a qtip into some castor oil (available via the Internet - Edward Cacye foundation is probably the best) and I apply it to the upper and lower eyelid region without getting it in the eye although if a little does get in, it doesn't irritate it at all.
- I use my castor oil drops (preservative free and needs to be refrigerated) and go to sleep. I used to wake up with my eyelids glued shut and in the am my eyes were bright red and now they are completely debris free and white and very moist (It's a miracle in my opinion).
Daily supplements:
Don't waste your time with the OTC EFA's. I've found that the brand and how they process it makes the biggest difference. I take a tsp of the EFA that's available as a liquid supplement (requires refrigeration) plus I take Barlean's (the best in my opinion) flax seed oil, and Dr. Barry Sears fish oil supplements (little to no trace of mercury making it safe to use long term - they consider it pharmaceutical grade).
I also use tumeric and bromelain - both of which are great anti-inflammatories that all natural and good for you.
Please let me know how the above suggestions work for you. It has drastically changed my life and I hope it will do the same for you. I've utilized this routine for over a month and didn't want to post anything until I felt it was a proven method for myself.
Most of all, have faith and know that God's delays are not his denials. Keep praying and don't take no for an answer. Keep trying different methods until you find one that works for you.
Susan
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