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OVY recounts her trouble finding the right doctor and how her ocular rosacea and MGD symptoms took a toll on her during the pandemic. Luckily, with the help of her husband, her corneal specialist and others, she’s doing much better.
A long-time dry eye sufferer, Alexandra, found her symptoms were reduced by taking probiotics. She hopes to inspire readers to keep searching for a solution to their symptoms!
Reese recently got in touch with the Dry Eye Foundation and is looking to help others through sharing her story. One of the hardest parts she describes in her story is moving from doctor to doctor.
“I am a pretty positive person, but this condition has definitely been trying. At times it is a lifestyle adjustment that I am just not ready to accept… To anyone that is just starting this process, I guess having patience is a big key. There is no immediate answer or relief solution, as everyone is different.”
Rom developed RCE over 10 years ago and learned to manage it by cutting out inflammatory wheat products. He hopes his story can help others!
“I wanted to share my story with others to break the isolation that this condition can cause us to experience. I hope that my story can help others to recognize there is someone else out there who is struggling too, and that while we are each on our own unique path, we don’t walk it alone.”
Ellen shares fabulous advice from her mishaps with doctors: take things one step at a time and find a doctor who listens.
Jonathan is burned out after trying sclerals and RGPs for Keratoconus, among other things.
Andrew used to be self-conscious about his red eyes caused by dry eye and blepharitis. Now, he writes, the whites of his eyes look much more clear and more healthy. Read his whole story to find out what works for him.
Like many, Jean struggled to get an accurate diagnosis after cataract surgery. Her journal of past treatments helped her new specialist isolate the problem.
This user finds that sclerals are the only thing to help them pain and light sensitivity resulting from radiation.
This user’s dry eye got worse after cataracts, which they regret. However, they’re seeing improvement after three months of Restasis.
This user recounts their experience with eye infections, dry eye, and red eyes.
Eric’s been dealing with Keratoconus for over 20 years. As his eyesight has worsened, there’s always been a procedure available to improve his vision. Although he’d known about sclerals, he’d been putting them off as long as possible, but was eventually able to find relief with PROSE.
Kate is still looking for a diagnosis after trying out multiple doctors. While they haven’t been able to help her much, she’s developed skills and a routine to deal with dry eye on her own. The hardest parts for her? Invalidation from doctors, trouble navigating social situations in a world that doesn’t understand dry eye, and planning her life around her condition.
Gary’s breakthrough happened after switching specialists. Now that he has scleral lenses, the only time he’s in pain is when he doesn’t have his lenses in.
Hanns succinctly recounts what's helped his ocular rosacea and how online forums helped him get to where he is today.
Judi details the process of her most recent diagnosis and all the tests performed. She also talks about the lifestyle modifications necessary for her, and lastly shares the importance of speaking with other patients.
JAH1973 shares a bit of her dry eye journey and management strategies with us. After 10 years she has bounced back and received a promotion.
Adaptation was key to Jewell’s story. After a former doctor was unable to help, she took matters into her own hands to find solutions online. Note: this post mentions suicidal ideation, but Jewell says today she feels better.
Glinda recounts how troubles with unhelpful doctors eventually led her to do her own research. Along the way, she found out that exercise, in addition to her normal regimen, was one of the best ways to keep her dry eye under control.
A year after finding out she had dry eye, Scoelicolor wants answers and proper treatment from her doctors. She recounts how SLK has impacted her life, work, and studies; the mental health impact of dry eye; and what keeps her going.
Sara relates her surgery-induced dry eye story and how scleral lenses have helped her. Make sure to be careful about insurance and check out her personal blog!
If you’ve never read Rebecca’s dry eye story in full, now’s the time. Rebecca talks about her initial LASIK surgery, dry eye complications, and her deepening understanding of mental health — her own, and the health of those in the online communities she found. Today you may know her for her advocacy work and as founder of the Dry Eye Company.
Hokucat eventually learned how to manage her severe MGD through paintrial and error of diet, supplement, and medicine routines.
The title explains says it all. Alexis shares her tricks for managing dry eye in a dry and windy climate.
Scleral lenses have helped stabilize Bill’s eyes after a corneal ulcer.
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Paul has dry eye and got scleral lenses in late 2014. In 2024, he stopped wearing his lenses due to having long-COVID, and he discovered he no longer needed to wear his lenses. His dry eye is no longer bothersome.