PCOS and dry eye connection

[kittyno]

So I went to the eye doctor today to get contact lenses. I happened to mention that my vision is often blurry first thing in the morning, until I use eye drops or it just "goes away." Apparently, that is a symptom of chronic dry eye, which is caused by PCOS!!! I was very surprised of the connection (it has to do with insulin resistance). I've been taking my meds religiously for 3 years now, and I've been doing yoga and eating well. For the IR to affect me so much that it would cause blurred vision for the first 20 minutes I am awake some mornings was more than a little disturbing. I thought I should share this with others! I had to get special contacts (I don't remember what they're called, but they're more "breathable" than Acuvue Oasys), and I was given a special gel eye drops that I have to put on my eyes at night (TheraTears Liquid Gel). Hopefully I can get this symptom under control with my diet I've recently made more strict! Anyone else out there have dry eyes like this?

[JigglyBits]

I was never able to control my eye dryness problem. I'm like you in the mornings, and I have to use eye drops throughout the day and especially if I'm around things that trigger dryness like being indoors with the A/C on for a long time etc. I use regular eye drops like Natural Tears, let us know if the gel eye drops work better, first time I've heard of those. Good luck

[AmyMCGS]

Interesting! I've worn contacts for years and just this fall for the first time started experiencing problems with dry eyes. I'm on special thick eye drops at night and in the morning, have special moisturizing drops to use while wearing my lenses, and have special contacts for dry eyes. My eye doc and I attributed my symptoms to my seasonal allergies... it never occurred to me to connect it to the PCOS!

[kittyno]

I tried the new eye drops (gel) last night, and I definitely noticed a difference this morning. No blurriness! Also, I forgot to mention that my eye doctor's wife has PCOS, which is why he knew so much about it. My eyes did feel kind of "gunky," but i know that a gunky feeling will not damage my eyes like dryness will, so I'm happy.

Another thing I wanted to mention is that I used to use Rhoto-V eye drops (they're kind of mentholated). My eye doctor made me throw them out. Anyone who uses visine or other redness relief eye drops needs to stop if they have dry eye (according to him), because it will just make them worse because they contain alcohol.

Anyway, I'm glad I got this problem taken care of (even though I had no idea it was a problem until yesterday!

[astrophe]

It happens to me when off BCP. It's weird.

A.

[mhill0823]

Thank you so much for this! I have had such a problem with my dry eyes and had NO idea it had to do with PCOS!!!

[Rana]

I have dry eyes too, but I was told it was because of the BCP that I was taking!

I had no idea this was related to IR!

Wow..... amazing how IR affects so much... I just assumed I need to drink more water (and I do!).