My eye doctor said to try to blink more...he is not a believer in the special glasses.

https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/are-computer-glasses-worth-it

@maddielee apparently that is a problem with dry eyes, you don't blink enough. Because your eyes are uncomfortable, you don't blink - without even realizing it! My eye dr. counted how many times I blinked in a set time (without telling me). It makes sense. My dr. did tell me that studies don't necessarily support the glasses, but said that some patients do report less eye strain when wearing the glasses. It can't hurt. Mine cost 20 bucks or so, so it's not like I put alot of money into it.

We are trying to avoid the prescription meds due to some of the side effects.

My ophthalmologist says they are an expensive placebo.

PS Just saw yours are $20, no harm in that ;-)

agree with Zalco, they're a sham. the issue is that some people don't blink enough when they're staring at screens all day.

@User read my response above. Also, I limit my screen time. It’s funny I didnt have this problem when I worked and spent a lot of time on the computer.

sorry I missed that one. if they work for you, go for it!

Oh my. I was diagnosed with this dry eye thing yesterday.

(I was strangely happy because I thought I'm going blind. Then upon coming home I read that theoretically one can go blind if this thing stays untreated too)

Also was prescribed drops and warm compresses. To try over the counter drops for couple weeks, and if not helping-try prescription,

It was funny when the ophtalmologist added something fluorescent(?) to see tears better..I wanted to ask whether I look like the Hound of the Baskervilles, but didn't.

As for blue light glasses-I ordered them couple months ago- before pain started, actually. That's because I started seeing worse. But they were too big on me, and weren't very cheap, so I returned them. Pity because they were pretty. Probably also leopard print ones. I don't remember, but along these lines.

@aprilneverends thats exactly what my dr. recommended! Warm compresses to stimulate the tears. Drops 4 x a day and I use the thicker, almost a gel at night. It has helped and Ive cut back on my drops. 😁

There's an option on my computer (and phone) to turn the blue light off and use a warmer light, called a night light setting..

I am told by my ophthalmologist not to ever use Visine. I use artificial tears (Refresh brand) as a rule, and the gel drops occasionally.

I have been diagnosed with Meibomian gland dysfunction, and my doctor suggested an expensive surgical procedure that was not covered by my insurance. Haven't gone that route yet. I have episodes where it's worse at times than others, but I absolutely hate the moisture gels as they make my vision blurry. I've tried a number of drops (agree that Visine is bad stuff), and my glasses have a coating that is purported to reduce the effects of spending hours on the computer. I don't know that any of it helps much at all. It's such a frustrating issue to deal with, and one that can really make a person suffer.

Haha! I have recently pointed out to DH a couple of our local TV newscasters who are constantly blinking because of those long fake lashes they're wearing! It's very distracting.

@jmck_nc ha! I can’t imagine!!

@User I“m sorry to hear of your issues. I use Refresh or Systane, their ultra moisture formulas. The gel stuff comes in little vials and i only use them at night. They feel pretty good! But I haven’t used them lately.

My ophthalmologist inserted punctual plugs in my tear ducts to help remedy my dry eye. You can’t feel that they are there.

The only con is during allergy season when my eyes water (more) they sometimes spill over and it looks like I’m crying.

Dry eyes here as well. I use prescription Restasis and over the counter Systane.

I also take Theratears Omega Eye Nutrition daily.

I have dry hair and dry skin, for years I ignored hydrating. When I began to get dizzy I had to address my issues.

I have to purposely drink water. And it is important to drink it slowly. No guzzling it down to be done with it.

I also try to be proactive and use the Systane even when I feel I don’t necessarily need it that day. because in truth, my eyes can always use extra care.

I think you also have to be mindful of resting your eyes after stints on the computer or other devices. Set a timer if you have to.

I also hear those glasses were not needed, so I am glad I did not invest in them.

@maddielee I have a friend who had the plugs put in. My dr. did not mention them. I am hopeful I am not to that point yet. That i one thing I like about her; she is thorough and not in a rush to bring in the big guns!! (plugs, prescrip meds)

@eld6161 I am good about drinking water. As I've gotten older, my skin has gotten drier, but not my hair (especially since I quit coloring). Yes, my dr. is also proactive. She does not want to use the prescription drugs unless we have to. When I went for my follow up - 6 weeks later - she said she could see more tears in the eye. I have quit doing the warm compress and have cut down (most days) on the number of times I use drops. The pollen is factoring in right now LOL.

As I said, my glasses were $20 or so, and they seem to help somewhat. Maybe not the dryness, but eyestrain? I don't know but as long as I can tell a difference, I'll use them. Such as now, I've been doing billing, etc. for my husband's business most of the morning. The glasses stay on my desk, so I remember to use them! I also take eye vitamins (a different formula) as my father had macular degeneration.

Thank you all!

I do not have dry eyes but elected to have the special coating on my glasses to filter out the blue light. I do notice less eye fatigue with it.

you know it's funny, I was listening to a science podcast yesterday (after I left this discussion), and this topic came up! the host has lab safety glasses that happen to have a blue light filter. she didn't choose them, and her opinion was that blue light from computers is not strong enough to cause harm. however, she noticed they did seem to cut down on the glare from screens, possibly reducing eye strain. so all these people with blue light glasses getting good results-- it might be for a different reason! that's only a sample test from one person, but I thought it was worth noting here.

I wonder if people with eyeglasses that have the regular anti-glare coating get the same result?

About 15 years ago I was working in an office where the employees liked keeping the lights off and relying on the light coming in from the windows on just one wall. I was unfortunately stuck in the last desk in the corner, furthest from all the windows. I started having horribly painful dry eyes from it. I wear contacts and had to switch brands to a newer brand and it helped immensely. You didn't mention wearing contacts, but I thought I'd mention it in case you do.

Years ago I had plugs put it, but if I recall, it wasn’t a permanent solution for me.