Eye drops for dry eyes?

So, thanks to the advice I received in this forum about non-prescription eye drops for allergies, I've been using Zatidor this spring to keep the itching down to a minimum. If this year is like the past few years, as spring turns to summer I won't need the allergy drops anymore, but I will have problems with dry eyes before early morning rides.

I always wait until after I shower to put my contact lenses in, and most days my eyes are fine with this. But on days when I get up super early (which is usually for a bike ride) my eyes are still so dry when I put the lenses in that they burn for a while.

The eye drop section of the drug store is a bit overwhelming. Does anyone have a recommendation for drops that lubricate your eyes and are okay for contact lenses, assuming you wait at least 15 minutes or so to put the lenses in?

Thanks!!

Is it possible you're sensitive to your disinfecting solution? I switched to ClearCare a year or so ago and my eyes are a lot happier.

I got a raging case of allergic conjunctivitis a few weeks back though and now I'm afraid to quit using the Patanol...

My lenses are disposable. The only solution I use is saline.

My optometrist recommends TheraTears Liquid Gel. I'be using it at bedtime and in the morning with my contacts out. It does sort of sting a bit when you first use them, and your vision will likely blur for a few minutes, too. But it has helped me with dry eyes.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ny biker

My lenses are disposable. The only solution I use is saline.

---

you can use clear care on disposable lenses. I use it with my air optix aqua lenses. It seems to get them cleaner so that they actually are wearable for the full month they're rated for.

Dry eyes - try systane. My rheumatologist recommended it to me for OTC dry eye treatment.

Actually my lenses are daily replacement. New ones every day.

Thanks!!

What about trying something like "re-wetting drops"? I use a re-wetting solution on my daily disposables all the time...especially at work where my office has extremely dry air. Right now, I'm using the Target house brand (Up & Up) but I've used just about every other brand of rewetting drops on the market and they all seem pretty similar.

Then there's just dousing your eyes with plain saline, if you can tolerate the preservatives.

They used to have single-use vials of unpreserved saline. I hate the waste, but for occasional use, they were great - but I haven't been able to find them recently.

I've tried putting a few drops of saline in my eyes, but that only helps a little. That's why I'm thinking something made for dry eyes might be better.

Bausch and Lomb SootheXP emollient drops. They're thick, and make things a little blurry initially, but my vision clears up within a few minutes. Once I can see clearly again, I can put in my contacts. I use the drops when my eyes feel dry and tight, but not itchy, and they work great.

I hope you find a good solution, NY. All this makes me really happy that I wear glasses!

Blink is what my eye dr. recommended to me - and I love them. They do seem to last a bit longer than regular drops.

My brother has dry eye - his opthamologists recommend refresh plus during the day, and then refresh celluvisc at night. THe latter is quicker and will blur your vision for a bit. He's been using those constantly for a few years now.

He doesn't wear contacts, so you'd have to check if there was something in either that would interfere.

I don't remember the exact name of what I was using but a few years ago when I had a similar problem my optometrist had me using a night-time drop that was more of an ointment. It would dry out by morning and didn't interfere with my contact lenses. (I replace mine monthly but I do not wear them to bed). Bottom line, check with your eye Dr. to see if he/she can suggest something appropriate for you.

+1 on Blink for during the day.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Blueberry

Blink is what my eye dr. recommended to me - and I love them. They do seem to last a bit longer than regular drops.

---

Thanks for the suggestion. I see that Blink is suitable for rigid gas permeable contacts, which is what I wear. I might have to try it.