Really dry eyes

[Tracy68]

Hi, I've been vaping for six months now but about 2 months ago I started getting one really bloodshot eye. Wasn't sore or irritated at first - I was just annoyed by how red it looked. It soon began to irritate me at night though - feeling scratchy and slightly sore.
Finally went to the doctor and after a few visits and being diagnosed by all kinds of weird,wonderful and misdiagnosed things (Like eye herpes!) it turned out that really it seems they (even the eye specialist) didn't really know what started the irritation but I ended up with a really abraded cornea and BOTH my eyes apparently are very dry.
I've recently finished my treatment - some kind of eye drops, for the abrasion and that eye is fine but now the OTHER eye is starting to get bloodshot!

I'm paranoid that it may be vaping causing this and I don't even want to SUGGEST it to my doctor (because I'm sure he'd blame the vaping!) but what else can it be?
The thing is is that I DO feel very dry. Hard to describe but it's like I'm dry from the inside out DESPITE drinking copious amounts of water.
I really honestly can't drink any more than what I drink. As it is I spend my life ...... and it's VERY annoying!
It's like the water goes in and just comes straight out and I still feel "dry".

Anyone else had problems with very dry eyes since starting vaping?

 

[Cyberpixie]

If it's been 6mths since you started vaping it's unlikely. Have you been checked for Sjogren's syndrome?

 

[DaveP]

That's not something I've heard discussed on this board and I've been here going on two years. Lots of people talk about being dried out in the throat area and don't realize that PG absorbs water from the mucous membranes. I don't see vapor getting in the eyes though, like cigarette smoke, since most goes into the mouth and doesn't appear as side stream vapor that gets in the eyes.

I'd pursue your problem in the medical arena and see what happens. Frequent urination is one of the signs of diabetes. Is your blood sugar testing high?

 

[Tracy68]

Cyberpixie -I'm going to check with my doctor to see about Sjogrens.
Dave, no,my blood sugar levels always come back completely normal.
The only thing I've had is a bout of hyperthyroidism - lost a tonne of weight very quickly and now since vaping I've gained about 7 kilo's.
I keep telling my doctor "something is not right" and he keeps running tests that show nothing.
I'm beginning to feel like I'm going mad.

 

[Pyro13]

I have like same thing even the eye drops lol iv had it for the past 5 years now but after the drops it goes away for me and then I'm fine for a year. I never vaped any of the times iv had it so I know for me it's not vaping related.

 

[sam.8]

I had a similar issue when I first started. It happened a few weeks into vaping. One particular liquid seemed to be worse, it was a pure PG liquid with an dark orange color. Anyway, I changed liquids, upped the VG, used some eye gel for a couple of weeks and it's never happened since. I have used pure pg liquid since although I mainly puff VG and it's never happened again. I think it was a reaction to the coloring. I don't have allergies to anything usually.

 

[LucentShadow]

I would not discount vaping as a cause or contributor of such symptoms. I'd also tell the doctor any information that may apply. They can't force you to change your habits, after all, but they may be able to find a way to mitigate or eliminate symptoms.

Both PG and VG are known irritants. Ironically, glycerin is often used in soothing lotions. It depends upon the formulation and administration. Here's another tidbit that you may not have known: Glycerin (oral) is prescribed to lower eye and brain pressure.

Personally, I would suspect that it may well be the mist getting in your eyes and sapping moisture from them. Or, possibly something in the flavoring could be an eye irritant. We still have much to learn about the effects of what we vape, though. Maybe you could try taking steps to keep your eyes protected when you vape, and see if it helps. Not very convenient or easy, though.

 

[sweetmeat]

Maybe you should get some moisturizing eye drops and put them in a few times a day, or wear googles when you vape .

 

[spaceballsrules]

Get a hygrometer and measure the humidity of the air in your home. If it's not between 40-60%, get yourself a humidifier, especially one for the bedroom for when you sleep.

Also, drink LOTS of water.

 

[ardelleg]

Cyberpixie -I'm going to check with my doctor to see about Sjogrens.
Dave, no,my blood sugar levels always come back completely normal.
The only thing I've had is a bout of hyperthyroidism - lost a tonne of weight very quickly and now since vaping I've gained about 7 kilo's.
I keep telling my doctor "something is not right" and he keeps running tests that show nothing.
I'm beginning to feel like I'm going mad.

I have been vaping for a year this month.

I have been 'treated' for hyperthyroidism for the last 6 months and just started having red eyes and double vision, which I am guessing is related to the Grave's disease which they now 'think' is the cause of the hyperthyroidism. I feel more like I am being monitored instead of treated.

I have an appt with my eye doctor to have my eyes measured again.

Your bout of hyperthyroidism.. did it resolve itself or do you still have it?

I don't necessarily assume there is a connection between vaping and the thyroid and these symptoms. Since I have no idea what percentage of the population comes down with thyroid issues and what percentage of vapers have come down with the same it could very well be coincidental.... I have read some anecdotal evidence about people who quit smoking having a higher incidence of thyroid issues, like smoking and/or nicotine were controlling the symptoms.

But I understand the hesitation in telling a doctor about anything that has changed in the time just before the onset of any problem because most of them are more than willing to jump at what they see as an easy answer.

Good luck with finding the resolution to your eye issues....

 

[Tracy68]

Thanks everyone.
My thyroid issues happened shortly before I started vaping so for me I don't see any connection with that and vaping.
The hyperthyroidism bout resolved itself. My doctor seems to think that now I might be going hyPO. (apparently common after a hyper episode)
I'm going for more tests to see what my thyroid is up to and also to be tested for Sjogrens.
The eye specialist I saw mentioned that either hyper or hypo thyroid issues can sometimes be the trigger for dry eyes so perhaps it's just that?

 

[mekks]

Have you ever had problems with rosacea? It is possible to get ocular rosacea and the symptoms are similar to what you are describing.

I know I'm having the same problem with one eye getting really bloodshot in one area with that dry itchy feeling. But I have also had probs with minor rosacea on my face which has actually improved with vaping. Plan on getting some artificial tears and trying that a few times a day for a bit to see if it helps. If not I'll be off to the Dr to see what I can do.