Happier Abroad Forum Community

Does anyone here have a dry eyes problem? If so, what do you do about it? Do you just use artificial tear drops? Which kind?

I mostly have this problem when I'm trying to fall asleep. Suddenly my eyes get gritty and dry and it's hard to close them. And when I do, it's hard to open them. It's like they are stuck. It's very uncomfortable and annoying. Sometimes I can produce tears by forcing myself to yawn.

Even when I put artificial tear drops, after a few minutes they dry out and become gritty again, so they only seem to help for a minute. I'm sure there are longer lasting tear drops. But is there a better solution?

Why does this only happen when I'm trying to sleep? That's odd. I also will get dry mouth at the same time. Are they connected?

This problem started happening after my eye infection from chlamydia was treated. Could there be any connection with that?

Is there a cure for dry eyes? Does it ever get better?

This article says that caffeine in coffee can help alleviate dry eyes?

http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/dryeye.htm

Dry Eye News

Caffeine: A Boon to Dry Eyes?

May 2012 — Your Starbucks habit may help improve your dry eyes, according to a study conducted at the University of Tokyo's School of Medicine.

All 78 study participants produced more tears after consuming caffeine than they did after taking a placebo (both substances were in tablet form).

In the study, tear volume was measured within 45 minutes of consuming the tablets, and none of the participants knew which substance they had received.

All avoided caffeine use for six days before each session, and all were free from high blood pressure, eye allergies, glaucoma, dry eye syndrome, and other problems that can change tear production.

The caffeine may stimulate tear glands in some way, as it does saliva and digestive juice production. The researchers also found that the participants whose DNA contained two genetic variations that are important in caffeine metabolism had more tear production than the other participants.

A report of the study appeared in the journal Ophthalmology in February.

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Winston wrote: This problem started happening after my eye infection from chlamydia was treated. Could there be any connection with that?
Is there a cure for dry eyes? Does it ever get better?

@_@? How did you get chlamydia infection in your eyes??

momopi wrote:@_@? How did you get chlamydia infection in your eyes??

I think I have a good idea of what had gone on behind the curtains.