[Q45] 3. I believe there was a TRIGGER  Some of us associate the beginnings (or the sudden worsening) of dry eye with a specific cause or trigger. We may not be able to prove it, but we have always felt that it must be related. It might be a health or medical trigger (e.g. a surgery, an eye infection, a medication we started or stopped taking, a flare­up of an existing disease, or a hormonal change), or an environment trigger (a change of home, work, or climate), an emotional trigger (a traumatic event or major life change) or something else. If you associate your onset with a specific trigger, we would like to know.
Answer Count Percent
20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Yes: It was obvious, or I'm confident 187 38.96%
Maybe: I suspect or wonder 160 33.33%
No: There's nothing that I can think of 133 27.71%
Total 480 100 %
3. I believe there was a TRIGGER Some of us associate the beginnings (or the sudden worsening) of dry eye with a specific cause or trigger. We may not be able to prove it, but we have always felt that it must be related. It might be a health or medical trigger (e.g. a surgery, an eye infection, a medication we started or stopped taking, a flare­up of an existing disease, or a hormonal change), or an environment trigger (a change of home, work, or climate), an emotional trigger (a traumatic event or major life change) or something else. If you associate your onset with a specific trigger, we would like to know. - Dynamic Text / Comments
02/28/2021 102555558 [Yes: It was obvious, or I'm confident] Serious problems occurred after surgical removal of a Vestibular Schwannoma (2014). Facial nerve damage caused a cascade of problems with my affected eye, DRY EYE to a level I had not experienced before.
02/28/2021 102534910 [Maybe: I suspect or wonder] I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2004. Treatment was chemotherapy and radiation to the primary lesion in my left cheek. Following the radiation my doctor noticed my dry mouth and eyes. He said the radiation did not touch either and he thought I had Sjogren's Syndrome. My blood markers were negative, but I had the symptoms.
02/28/2021 102532371 [Yes: It was obvious, or I'm confident] I first noticed dry eyes at 13 when i got gas permeable contacts. They were so hard to wear b/c my eyes were so dry. It continued to be an ongoing problem until 23. I developed Fibromyalgia. Dry eyes got worse, either due to the condition or the medications i was taking for pain control and also the guaifenesin i was taking at high doses for fibromyalgia. 2400 mg! Symptoms got much worse at 46 when i became peri-menopausal.
02/28/2021 102520970 [Maybe: I suspect or wonder] It started becoming more of a problem when I began taking a low dose of antidepressants as I was also addressing the need to gain weight after becoming severly underweight.
02/26/2021 102406585 [Yes: It was obvious, or I'm confident] A trip to Santa Fe and the extremely dry climate there. I was extremely dry while there. Once I got home, I had an episode where I could not keep my eyes open because they were so dry and painful. I barely see. I had to leave work early.
02/26/2021 102401015 [Yes: It was obvious, or I'm confident] I got lasik and then it was all over for comfortable/easy eyes. Later, I found out I also have MGD that has been developing since I was a teen.
02/26/2021 102396780 [Yes: It was obvious, or I'm confident] Sjogrens
02/26/2021 102386556 [Maybe: I suspect or wonder] Onset began soon after hysterectomy/oophorectomy.
02/26/2021 102366559 [Yes: It was obvious, or I'm confident] Linked to seasonal allergies.