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Ask HN: Any of you with current or past dry eye (mgd, blepharites)?

by user0x1d on 11/17/23, 2:08 PM with 3 comments

I've had Lasik surgery and it didn't go particularly well. I've developed meibomian gland dysfunction and it's been a pain to

- look at screens - work in environments with heavy AC - survive in cold weather (I'm currently in the UK, it's cold and windy, and my pores (glands) basically don't open so less tears come out of my eyes.)

I wonder if anybody else has been through this and has found a way to cope, a cure or something that works for them.

I just want to go back to coding 10 hours a day in front of a screen

  • by solardev on 11/18/23, 12:16 AM

    I got lasik too and got dry eyes ever since. Most eye drops started causing irritation cuz I was using them dozens of times a day. The preservative free ones were better. I use Biotrue Hydration Drops now and they are great.

    Thankfully the dry eyes got a bit better after 2 or 3 years, and I only need the drops 2 or 3 times a day now, vs dozens per day in year 1.

    FWIW it's a very common side effect of lasik, unfortunately. If it's really bad you might have to consider disability or at last workplace changes. I had to get a big monitor, turn up the font size, use dark mode, and lower the brightness (while maintain contrast) to be able to work again. And still need to take frequent eye breaks.

  • by startages on 11/17/23, 2:31 PM

    You should probably ask your doctor to prescribe a safe eye-drop that you can use to help with dryness. Also, use protection glasses.