Replied by Diana (Nr Cardiff, Wales, uk.) on 08/17/2011

Well I tried just about all drops from the internet. All the runny ones are useless, but I found MSM SILVER and HYCO SAN EXTRA, this combination has halved the floaters in 3 days. I put the drops in regularly. The funny thing is I had a feeling that my eye was sore under the lid and in one corner, and the first time I used the MSM SILVER it felt a bit burny and I was slightly alarmed. However the next day it didn't burn at all, so perhaps the membranes were tender for some reason. Anyway I am keeping the treatment going as it is working. No mure blurry vision and I am beginning to forget about floaters. Please try it, it may work for you too.

Replied by Lynn (Russellville, Arkansas) on 02/13/2012

I also used colloidal silver when I had a bad sinus infection that affected my eyes. They were terribly bloodshot and stinging. The silver took it away within a few hours with repeated use. I was teaching at that time and all the other teachers had dealt with the infection with drugs. So grateful my chiropractor knew of the cure because it was late on a friday night and no doctors in sight!

Replied by Frank (Thunder Bay, On) on 10/08/2013

Replied by Dave (Fountain Inn, Sc) on 10/09/2013

I too have been diagnosed with dry eye. And like you tried many omega oils and other remedies over the years for this problem. And am happy you got the combination that works and is giving you relief.

What worked for me was something else that seemed to be behind the problem; acidic foods especially coffee and tomato products, chilli products etc. I found when my eyes were stinging and hurting that almost without exception I remembered the two cups of coffee that morning or the salsa at the mexican restaurant for lunch.

One remedy to my acidic foods was to use baking soda (not baking powder! ); I take a quarter teaspoon in a quarter cup of water and with clean fingers just gently rub over my eyelids. Then wipe off with a napkin and reapply. The first application cleans off a residue, I think a bit grimey is how I'd describe it and believe that was from an acidic tearing coming from my eye. Then second application to eyelid and it's like magic. Suddenly the "dry eye" pain is gone.

So the oils that do seem to help some people didn't help with my dry eye problem but getting off acidic foods does and then the application of the alkaline liquid to eyelids is a tremendous relief when hurting. In fact, since discovering the "baking soda" remedy I've not had to buy eye drops for about five years.

Replied by Frank (Thunder Bay, On) on 10/09/2013

The right kinds of oils in the diet are required to form the correct kind of oil layer that can prevent the trapped water layer from evaporating in the same way that oil floats on water. When the water layer becomes exposed and evaporates, the eyes become dry resulting in friction from eyelid movements that causes damage the cornea resulting an inflammatory response.

In Adelle Davis's book Let's Eat Right, she points out on page 91 that the water soluble vitamin B2 combines with oxygen of the air to supply the cornea with oxygen. It therefore follows, that if the water layer evaporates, vitamin B2 would not be able to perform this function even if adequately supplied in the diet, as it is a water soluble vitamin. Symptoms of vitamin B2 non-performance would be expected to be the same as vitamin B2 deficiency which include light sensitivity, confusion and difficulty performing in dim light, and bloodshot eyes as the eyes shoot out blood vessels in an effort to supply the missing oxygen. Supplementing with Omega-3 oils alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), fishoils containing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), or omega-6 evening primrose oil (EPO), supply the correct kind of oils to help maintain a healthy eye oil layer and/or eating fish such as tuna, salmon, mackerel, halibut, sardines or herring. Other than EPO, most omega-6 oils, such as those found in meats, most salad dressings or cooking oils, or a predominance of them in the body are conducive to and not corrective of dry eye syndrome.

A 2008 study showed that applying a .2% or .1% topical solution ALA succeeded in reversing damage done to the epithelial transparent dome covering the cornea of the eye by dry eye, and reversed dry eye syndrome and the resultant inflammatory changes it caused to the eye. Additionally, supplementing with a probiotic such as lactobacillus casei can be helpful in alleviating the severity of allergenic reactions in the mucus membranes. Lactobacillus thrive and multiply when taken with milk and fiber, if not milk intolerant, thereby increasing their effect. Further, symptoms of asthenopia is a condition that may be characterised by ocular muscle imbalance, pain and aching around the eyes, itching of the eyelids, ocular fatigue, dry eye, mental fatigue, stuffy head and headaches to cite some of the main symptoms, were significantly improved when supplements of fishoil containing DHA & EPA, bilberry extract, and lutein were given. A 2011 study found that supplementing with fishoils DHA & EPA and alpha-linolenic acid, ALA, found in flaxseed oil, significantly increased tear production and volume. Another study found that these oils inhibited inflammatory factors interlukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor alpha, promoting a healthier ocular surface and a decrease in dry eye syndrome. If you would like to read more on these studies you can find them here: Http://qualitycounts.com/fpdry_eye.htm