Cure For Really Sensitive Eyes?

[Ann]

My eyes have always been sensitive so I have to choose make up brands carefully and tend to stick with brands which are hypoallergenic. But just recently my eyes seem to be worse - even fumes or aerosols set them off - it feels like I have sand in my eyes, full of grittiness and really sore. There is nothing to see, no inflammation or redness, no infection or extra watering, just soreness which can last all day but sometimes just disappears for short times in the day. My right eye is often more sore than the left.

Wondered if Sqad or any of you other kind souls could advise me of a cream or drops I could try please, other than Optrex, which only gives temporary relief at night. Many thanks. Ann x

[Ann]

Forgot to say - I'm sure its not my mascara, been wearing that brand for years. Tried leaving make up off when staying in at home (would never go out without it!) but often makes no difference. Its not happening every day but several times a week.

[Ric.ror]

Oh Ann - I can only share your suffering - particularly about not going out without make up :-))

[jomifl]

Why don't you try leaving the makeup off for a few days so that you can find out what irritates your eyes.

[Sqad]

This sounds very much like keratoconjunctivitis sicca......quite a common eye condition, that gets worse as the day goes on and often associated with fumes and windy, cold weather.

You seem to have tried many treatments with limited success.

Other than steroid drops which I feel would need an ophthalmologist to suggest I have no other suggestion.

See your GP for a referral.

[Ann]

Thanks very much, what service! Will look it up and read about symptoms and then book to see my GP, but it takes at least 2 weeks to get an appointment! Thank goodness for our own AB doc and his valuable advice ;)

[Ann]

Jomifl - have tried leaving make up off - not much difference! Thanks.

[Ann]

Sqad - have just thought - it wouldn't be anything to do with the Sarcoidosis condition returning which I used to have (had it for 17 years but seemed to have burnt itself out about 5 years ago) would it? I didn't actually have it in my eyes just on my face (lupus pernio) and bone cysts.......

[Sqad]

Ann...sarcoid?...perhaps....but a rank outsider, but "outsiders" do turn up occasionally.

[Ann]

Will definitely go to docs Sqad, as just remembered I used to have a special eye test for Iritis? in the early days of the condition. Its high time they did all my monitoring tests again - the hospital just discharged me after 17 years with no aftercare, monitoring etc. I have read Sarcodosis can creep up on you again and as I only had a mild form, I was always aware of it as my nose changed colour and size but I know lesions can grow on any internal organ. Thanks.

[Ann]

I've found an interesting article which shows they can be related

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC509519/pdf/brjopthal00471-0045.pdf

[nazia08]

What color eyes do you have? Blue or green eyes are especially sensitive to the sun, less pigmentation. They are also prone to macular degeneration. Protect them the best you can. Certain medicines can cause sensitivity to sunlight.