Last month I had an eye exam, the regularly scheduled, annual, variety. Everything seemed fine... until the end of the exam when the Dr. asked me if I had noticed any changes. "Well, yes", I responded, "I have a lot of tear-ing, more than normal". He took another look and asked me how my eyes felt first thing in the morning. "Fine" I answered. He cocked his head and looked like he didn't believe me. "Really"? he queried."Yes"
"Hmmmm". He then explained that my eyes were really dry and the surface of both eyes showed significant abrasion because of that.
Then, get this... he asked about the "stage" of life I was in. Yeah, OK, whatever... as if it's not uncomfortable enough dealing with temperature fluctuations and mood swings now I am discussing "this" with my eye doctor? C'mon...
He went on to explain that the aging process can dry the eye and that the tears were a response but my constant tears weren't beneficial tears because there wasn't enough fat in them. ( I really liked hearing that I do produce something with little to no fat... it's those small victories that keep me going...) The advice was to start using drops daily, an opthalmic ointment at night (fun!... like looking through a Vaseline lens... ) and add Fish Oil to my diet in the form of capsules. My daughter in law suggested keeping them in the freezer to diminish the "pleasure" of enjoying them all day long. That works, too! And so, every morning and every evening I pop a "chill pill" for beneficial tears and try not to fret over drying up like a raisin. I go back next month for a progress check; but I can already tell an enormous difference, my eyes do feel soothed and much more comfortable. My skin is softer, too. After reading the label it appears to be good for everything. Fish Oil, it does a body good, try yours frozen!
Life is Good!
25 comments:
Hmmmmm, yes I know the feeling of all this onlt too well so I will also buy some fish oil pills to help me along. . I also have fibromyalgia which effects the eyes in the same way maybe the pills will help with that too.Thanks for the tip!
I didn't know the freezer trick! CVS also makes "burpless" ones. A little more expensive but definitely worth it. Lately I've been taking the ones by Nature Made...odorless with a special coating. They were on sale and I've found coupons in those Sunday morning newspaper inserts.
No fat, more fat.....they need to make up their minds! Red wine is good for you, oh wait, now it's not. How confusing is all this???
You know, this whole "aging" thing is not something I've been enjoying. Doesn't everyone know that we're way too young for this stuff????
I didn't know about the frozen bit but they do like you to take it when your brain has this thing called "Multiple Sclerosis." Along with CoQ10 but have you see the price of that stuff? 250.00 a month for the amount you need. Hello?! I'll be on beans and rice the rest of my life at this rate.
OK this is a bit gross...but when I asked my pharmacist about the fish oil caplets I was taking and how I kept burping nasty fish taste, and if there was a kind that wouldn't DO THAT to me, he said that the less expensive brands are made with, well, nasty fish...as in aging,(rotting) nasty fish. Ewwww.
Buy the more expensive kind...it's worth it!
Ahhh....the "joys" of ageing. Aren't they wonderful, though? I have been taking fish oil pills for years, so I haven't noticed the dry eye phenom (not to say I don't have my share of other "joys"). I haven't thought to put them in the freezer, although I don't suffer from the fishy "aftertaste" anymore. I'm so glad the pills are helping! Life is Good!
I take them everyday! I didn't know about putting them in the freezer. Thanks for that hint. The joys of aging, but it is far better than the alternative!:) Have a great day!
Very interesting. I might have to try this.
I've been taking fish oil pills for a few months now - there is a variety at Trader Joe's that is 'tasteless' Now that's not always the case, sometimes I can taste them. I'll have to try keeping them in the fridge. Thanks for the tip *s*
I'll take a case of those fishy capsules!
I want soft skin and not to be dry...whatever!! (tee hee)
Whatever it takes to grow old "gracefully".
Hugs
Can I just eat more fish?
We eat a lot of fish but I must say that I have felt my eyes have been a little drier lately. I must also say that I am NOT enjoying this "special" time -LOL It almost feels like puberty again - pimples on my chin....
I get mine as perscription from my doctor. It's a military clinic.I take a cholesterol pill and he said the fish oil would help with that. So it does have many uses!
I take Nature Made fish oil daily - have for several years (like Mrs. G. said - it is good for LOTS of issues).
The "burpless" variety costs quite a bit more - you'll get good at shopping the BOGOF (buy one get one free) sales!
Also helps if you take them with a bit of orange juice (something about the citric acid).
Oh, the pleasures of age.
I'm taking Caromega gels everyday and they're not bad. No fishy burp.
Oh, it's so fun being a girl...
I need to start taking the pills. I do have experience with the ointment because, for some odd reason, I sleep with my eyes cracked open. O yes. CarGuy says it looks so strange. Years ago I started using lacrilube and what a mess it made of the pillowcase. A sleep mask solved that problem. I am on my third red satin sleep mask.
OMG, you had me laughing out loud! Now I must add some fish oil to my pills (I feel like an old lady taking my "pills", what's next the M-s box??sheesh!) But I do notice that my eyes are drier esp with my contacts and I have really dry skin so maybe I will give it a try!!
I wonder if just eating more fatty fish will do it for me. I've got the fish but I've never seen the pills in Japan. I'm with you on the age symptoms. Someone better invent a way to divert fat to the eyes. There's enough stored on my body!
My eyes have been feeling dry as well. I'll definitely have to try that.
When I get home, mine are moving to the freezer... (I need them for milk production - apparently they help everything!)
Well that is interesting. I have been taking fish oil for a while so maybe my eyes have enough fat.
Growing Older is NOT FOR WIMPS!
soooo
even after freezing them, i still taste them all day....but it isn't as bad as when i didn't freeze them...
sooooo i might just need to try the burpless ones! either that, or have you make me a burp cloth! :)
both sound like wonderful ideas!!!
Thanks for sharing this; I will share with my Mom AND myself. Good thing to know!
Also, my hubs would be in Nascar heaven if he had met Bobby Allsion. What a nice treat your blog is. I will return.
Always blessed,
Blondie
I take fish oil for my cholesterol. Hadn't thought of putting 'em in the freezer, though.
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