How to manage severe dry eyes at 45 and get fast relief?

Question

Hello doctor,

I had bacterial conjunctivitis approximately four weeks ago and was treated with Chloramphenicol eye drops. The discharge and redness have resolved, but my eyes remain extremely dry and gritty. By mid-afternoon, it becomes painful to keep them open, yet closing them also causes discomfort due to the dryness. At times, they are so dry that I struggle to open them again.

I have tried various eye drops, including those formulated for dry eyes and for general irritation, but none have provided relief. The symptoms have not improved at all since they began. Screen use does not appear to affect the condition, but being outdoors seems to make it worse.

I am a 45-year-old woman, and this weekend I am participating in an ultramarathon, which will involve several nights without sleep. I am concerned about how this ongoing eye issue may affect my performance and well-being, so I would appreciate any advice or guidance on how to manage or resolve it before the event.

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Thank you for reaching out. I am very sorry to hear about your medical condition, and I truly appreciate that you are paying close attention to changes in your body. Please do not worry, I am here to support you.

Based on the symptoms you have described, I understand how uncomfortable and frustrating this must be, especially with such a physically demanding event coming up. From what you have shared, you may be experiencing severe dry eye syndrome. This can sometimes occur after bacterial conjunctivitis, particularly if Chloramphenicol was used for longer than five to seven days, or if there was a strong inflammatory response. It is also possible that your tear film or meibomian glands may have been compromised, perhaps even before the infection.

Here are some immediate steps I recommend to help relieve your symptoms:

Apply warm compresses to your eyelids twice daily to help stimulate the meibomian glands.
Avoid exposure to wind or dry air, including direct airflow from ceiling fans, heaters, or air conditioners.
Take Omega-3 fatty acid supplements, specifically 1000 milligrams once daily by mouth for one month. This can help improve the quality of your tear film.
Use preservative-free artificial tears every one to two hours throughout the day. Some effective options include Hylo-Forte (Sodium hyaluronate 0.2 percent), Thealoz Duo (Trehalose three percent and Sodium hyaluronate 0.15 percent), or Refresh Celluvisc (Carboxymethylcellulose sodium one percent).

I hope these recommendations provide you with relief. If your symptoms persist or worsen, please do not hesitate to reach out to me for a direct appointment or a follow-up consultation via chat, phone, or video.

I hope this information has been helpful.

Regards.