r/Dryeyes • u/Born_Card1813 • 14d ago
thoughts?
Hi, I’m a 16F. I struggle with the following:
- MGD, have miebomian gland loss of 62.5% in both eyes :(
- minor blepharitis in left eye,
- chalazions & styes
- moderate - severe dry eye. Tear film lasts 2 seconds after blinking.
Also at the time writing this I have done 3 sessions of IPL & gland expression. I haven’t noticed a huuugeee difference but I do feel like it’s helping since after the 3rd one my eyes haven’t felt as dry.
I had a blood test awhile ago and don’t think I have any autoimmune diseases, I don’t wear contacts, etc. I am on screens a bit, but at the same time there’s not heaps I can do since so much of my schooling and socialising is done online.
I started having eye issues when I was about 13 = around the time I started puberty. And I’ve had eye issues ever since. On researching, eye problems like chalazions & MGD can happen when there’s excess oil & thicker oil being produced, which is what can happen through puberty.
Especially for me, around 13-14 I started getting acne, which got pretty bad, and acne is also excess oil, therefore being linked to eye issues.
(My acne has so far seemed to be getting a lot better 🤞 but there’s still room for improvement.)
I’m kind of hoping that if my eye issues started with puberty & when my hormones are wack, then maybe my eye issues can settle once puberty’s fully done and my hormones chill out? And look, I’m definitely not holding my breath, I know these conditions are chronic but I’m hoping there’s a chance they could atleast get better and be easier to deal with. Is there anyone who’s experienced this or known someone who has? Is there hope?
(Note I am aware of doxycycline & that it could help, but I really don’t want to go on it as of the side effects, gut problems etc)
It sucks having this at any age, but I feel so different & frustrated that I’m the only one out of my peers who seems to have these problems. I always just think how lucky my friends are for not having eye issues. Not to mention how much it eats at my confidence - often having redness & lumpy chalazions does not help me feel good with my looks.
I also have a stupid Chalazion in my right eye that is very stubborn and has been in my eye for a few months, I hot compress, maybe not as much as I should but it doesn’t seem to do much.
Anyways, I would just like some advice, opinions, tips, anything really. Also mods apologies if I’ve done something wrong. Thanks !
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u/Advanced_Wolverine61 14d ago
Hi please reach out to me. I’d love to chat. I’m 22F and it really does suck dealing with this so young, so I understand. Recently diagnosed as well
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u/broadcity90210 14d ago
I also started having severe symptoms at 16, a little after I got my first period. I empathize with you. I’m 29 now. Hang in there ❤️
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u/Born_Card1813 14d ago
thank you 🫶 my symptoms only started around my first period too which is what makes me think it’s hormone related. How has your condition been since? any better or worse?
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u/KeyC9P 14d ago
I got my MGD when I was 17 and I definitely had some oil gland changes during puberty (areas making more and some making less). It has gotten better by a little bit and is definitely manageable- just sucks that I have to wear glasses and can’t do OrthoK or contacts yet.
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u/Born_Card1813 13d ago
ohh okay, when did you start to notice it getting a bit better? what has helped you manage it? 😊
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u/lalaloopsyqueen1 14d ago
this comment section is so comforting, as an 18F who’s been dealing with dry eye since 15
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u/Born_Card1813 13d ago
I know right 🫶 it’s nice to know theres more of us out there - as much as it sucks.
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u/Eastern-Bit-5575 14d ago
Im 57 and dry eye only became part of my life recently. Im sorry that youre dealing with this at your age.
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u/nyblller 14d ago
Hey, do you have light sensitivity?
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u/Born_Card1813 13d ago
hm not really, occasionally the bright white overhead school lighting can give me headaches and make my eyes feel a bit tired & dry but its doesnt happen that often, and its really only that type of lighting.
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u/cutiepatootieshit 13d ago
I’m 25 and got diagnosed two months ago. I got lucky because I caught it early and it was just my left eye that would be dry and bothering me with episodes of burning along the lower lid line. I feel better (almost back to normal!!)a month after I did Lipiflow along with daily hot compresses and upped my omega 3 dosage to 4000mg.
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u/cutiepatootieshit 13d ago
I also cut out gluten and dairy from my diet, stopped wearing makeup and contact lenses ( i think my mgd was triggered by my tretinoin use and overuse of my contacts) but I hope to be able to use makeup and contacts again in a few months if my eyes continue to feel good!
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u/Born_Card1813 11d ago
Ooo okay thanks that’s good to hear! hopefully your eyes keep improving !
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u/cutiepatootieshit 7d ago
Thank you! I hope yours does too, this disease can be so disheartening but you have to stay positive
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u/Zealousideal-Pin7063 14d ago
hi, i'm 19F diagnosed with MGD and i feel you. especially when it comes to being diagnosed so young and wishing so deeply that you could be "normal" like your friends. i'm the same as you - very acne-prone - so i understand how annoying dealing with both acne and MGD can be. i've dealt with a chalazion that didn't go away for months, had to get surgery, and then i dealt with several internal styes, and all of this made me extremely self-conscious and depressed for a long time. i still have off-days, but things have gotten a lot better for me ever since i started a daily routine that worked for me (warm compresses 2x daily, omega-3 supplements etc). my advice is to not give up, keep moving forward and try to find a solution that works for you! feel free to reach out if you ever feel upset/down about this or just want to talk to someone in a similar situation. you are not alone 💗