Dry and red eye

[Karen]

Any of you with a numb cornea, how often do you put gel or gel drops in your eye?  I am trying to use the Refresh PM at night and GenTeal gel rops during the day.  But every time I try and think it looks wet I end up with a red eye.  Any suggestions?  Also how can you use the ointment without looking all greasy?  I pull the bottom lid down and put ointment corner to corner about every 2 or 3 hours.  I am constantly wiping my eye!  Karen

[Jeanlea]

Karen,

I am currently putting Liquigel in my eye every hour because it is so dry and it seems like I'm constantly fighting the "red eye" syndrome.  You may need to try several brands to find one that works well for you.  Some drops I tried earlier seemed to make my eye red.  When I do put in the ointment I only need to do it about once a day because it is so thick it stays in. I run a line about 3/8 - 1/2 across my eye.  Actually, I have my husband usually do it.  It is a challenge taking care of an eye that neither blinks nor feels. 

Jean

[tony]

Yes - finding the exact "way" for you may take some time but there
are a few suggestions
Firstly day and night are different situations
(you need to see daytime - and nightime is when damage or exposure
injuries are more likely )
So for nightime make sure a good liberal coat of the thicker grease
is applied as you retire
- equally care is required cleaning in the morning
poor cleaning first thing can mess you for the whole day !
Daytime :
Firstly I now have many pairs of sunglasses and many clear glasses
- basically it reduces the wind factor
Clear glasses look like normal reading glasses and cost $10-20
You might look a bit more interlectual but they dont
affect or correct your vision in any way
I also have "plastic" safetly glasses (wraparounds) - these are for sports
or DIY situations - they reduce wind to nothing (outdoors)
and protect me from wood or metal splinters
You might be vunerable from hot fat or household cleaning sprays
- bleach is very painfull - get some protection
Once you have improved protection I go with the suggestion
of trying different brands - it depends on your condition etc
Next is blinking - I assume you no longer blink automatically
You need to remind yourself to blink "manually"
Finally depending on your  situation there are further OPS,
one puts a small weight in the eyelid - to assist with closing
the other raises the lower eyelid to get a better fit
These are options if the rest does not work
- best to check with a specialist if they are really right for you
Just a few suggestions
Best regards
Tony

[nancyann]

Hi Karen:
My cornea isn't numb - I can 'feel the burn' when my eye gets dry;
I use Refresh eye lubricant pretty much exclusively -
put approx. 1 inch in, use it about 5 or more times a day.
Once in awhile I'll use Systane eye drops (if I'm in a meeting and can't leave-
I've gotten really good at putting drops in; need a mirror to put in the lubricant.)
I also had the gold weight put in & the lower lid pulled tighter 1 month after AN surgery.
Yeah, it is greasy, so I end up wiping my eye several times after use.

Best wishes Karen,    Nancy