[toothnet]

#1019757

I’ve been suffering from severe dry eyes for about a year now. I use Lacricerts which help tremendously in daytime, but at night even with the gels and ointments I’m waking up 5-8 times a night with eyes stuck to eyeball and need to reapply. I’ve learned to apply the drops in the corner of my eyes and let them filter under my lids to moisten everything so as to not pull off layers of my eyeball.

I went in for a checkup from my GP and she told me the possibility of Graves. After looking up online all the signs and symptoms I’m pretty convinced it’s right down my alley (blood workup will be back in 5 days or so). My eyes in the last week have felt achey too…like on the backside of them. Heart palps, fatigue, etc….sound familiar??? Anyway, if this turns out to be what I have, and for those of you who have had the sever dry eyes, do they resolve with treatment of the Graves??? I’m feeling desperate. Please help!!!

[DianneW]

#1073867

Hi!

I too have severe dry eyes, so understand what you’re talking about. Have you tried wearing goggles that have moisture pads in them? I’m trying to think of the name. Do a Google search for the Dry Eye Zone, and you’ll find them there.

Have you tried having plugs put in your puncta (the little holes in the corners of your eyelids where the tears drain)? That can help keep the tears and drops in your eye.

Another disease that causes severe dry eyes is Sjogren’s Syndrome. Many people who have Graves’ Disease also have Sjogren’s. I’m still being tested for that, and my sister was just diagnosed with it.

You asked if the dry eyes will improve when the thyroid is treated. The eyes may improve somewhat when thyroid levels are normalized, but the eye disease is basically a separate issue. It will depend mostly on what’s causing your dry eyes. If it’s caused by eyelid elevation and other eyelid dysfunction that are a result of thyroid hormone stimulation to the muscle, then that part will improve when your levels are normalized. If it’s a result of some kind of autoimmune destruction to the tear-producing glands and you have lost some of your ability to produce tears, then you may not see much improvement. There can also lid retraction caused by scarring (fibrosis) to the lid muscles from antibody attack to the eye muscles. While that may improve somewhat in time, the eyelids may never function totally as they did before. It’s a very individual outcome.

If you haven’t seen a good ophthalmologist who treats Thyroid Eye Disease and/or severe dry eyes, that should be your next step as soon as you find out whether or not you do have Graves’ Disease.

I understand how much true suffering is involved with dry eyes, so I understand why you’re feeling desperate. Contact me if you need more help or information.

Best wishes,

[npatterson]

#1073868

A second doctor to look for is a neuro-ophthalmologist. They are usually the ones that see a lot of Graves’ patients. There are several procedures that can help with dry eyes, and many of us aere "experts" at taping our eyes closed at ngiht. We have some literature available on dry eyes. "nancyngdf@bellsouth.net" will get an e-mail to me, and I can send you a couple of things. I can’t do it with the personal message function.

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