Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/26007
Monday, February 28, 2011 – Daily News – 5A FEATURES Causes and treatment for watery eyes DEAR DR. GOTT: I am writing in response to the woman who complained of the watery eye. I suffered with bouts of watery eyes for a num- ber of years. I first noticed it while visiting Las Vegas. After trying everything and having my eyes checked (the exam yielded nothing), and checking with my allergist, it was my sis- ter who finally diag- nosed it. I have dry eyes. Apparently one of the symptoms of dry eyes is watering, as unbeliev- able as that sounds. I immediately started using preservative-free artificial tears (at least two or three times a day) and haven’t had a prob- lem since. It seems the dry hot air in Las Vegas escalated the problem, which continued when I came back home to Pennsylvania. The drops certainly are an easy solution. DEAR DR. GOTT: I enjoy your column and appreciate your com- mon-sense approach. In regards to the woman who wrote about a watery eye, it sounds exactly like the problem I had last year. Fortu- nately, the surgeon I was referred to recognized the real problem imme- diately — lost elasticity in my lower eyelid. The lower lid sagged so much that tears over- flowed instead of drain- ing into the tear duct. I hope this helps. DEAR DR. GOTT: I read the column regard- ing the lady bothered by dry eyes. I have found a great product. I was get- ting up several times a night to use eyedrops. Maybe she should try Refresh PM for Sensi- tive Eyes. It is a simple night- time lubricant, easy to use, and does not irri- tate. It has no preserva- tives and is made by Allergan. It costs about $8 a tube and lasts about two months. I hope it might help her. DEAR DR. GOTT: I have had dry eyes for years. I use Restasis, compresses and drops, but the pain didn’t become manageable until I started taking Eyebright each morning and night. I gave it three months to make a differ- ence and have now been using it for three years. Hopefully, some- one else will have success, too. Dr. Peter Gott DEAR READ- ERS: Thank you for all your sug- gestions. I did briefly mention that dry eye was a potential cause of excessive eye watering. Other symptoms include sensi- tivity to light, eye fatigue after a short period of reading, stringy mucus around or in the eyes, excessive eye irritation due to wind or smoke, difficul- ty wearing contacts, blurred vision that often worsens as the day pro- gresses, and stinging, burning or scratching sensations in the eyes. Eyebright is an herbal supplement. It has not been proven in the treat- ment of eye disorders and is not FDA approved, and there is little scientific proof that it works. It is typi- cally used as a compress on the eye. I do not feel comfortable suggesting this option. Refresh PM is an ointment that is applied to the affected eye(s) at night. It is longer lasting than drops. Anyone interested in using this should first speak to his or her eye doctor. Artificial tears are a common over-the- counter dry-eye treat- ment and are often rec- ommended by physi- cians. The product is an excellent first step in the treatment of dry eye. Lost eyelid elasticity can cause dry eye, as you experienced. In other cases, it may sim- ply represent a cosmetic annoyance. To the best of my knowledge, surgi- cal repair is the best and the only permanent solu- tion. Anyone with dry eyes should be under the care of an ophthalmologist, who can offer the great- est number of treatment options and determine whether there is an underlying cause, such as Sjogren’s syndrome. Dr. Peter H. Gott is a retired physician and the author of several books, including “Live Longer, Live Better,” “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Diet” and “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook,” which are available at most bookstores or online. His website is www.AskDrGottMD.com. Husband’s heinous harangues hurtful Dear Annie: My hus- band and I are in our early 60s and have been married for eight years. ‘‘Troy’’ has a temper. One minute he will be sweet as pie, telling me he loves me, even singing love songs. The next minute he will fly into a rage and say every nasty thing possible, screaming at me and saying he wants a divorce and that I’m the worst wife ever. When I tell him he’s a bully and a little nuts, he gets angry. Later, he usually apologizes and tells me he doesn’t know what got into him and he can’t live without me. Other times, he apologizes but says I am at fault for being so annoying. In other ways, Troy is a good husband. We have a beautiful home, and he is very generous, so I try to ignore most of these tantrums. He is already taking an antidepressant and blood pressure medications. Could he be bipolar? Schizo- phrenic? I’ve asked him to return to his specialist, but he won’t. — Would Like an Answer Dear Would: We don’t know what is wrong with Troy other than the fact that he has uncontrollable outbursts and berates you. He could be bipolar. Or he could be having a reaction to his medications. Or his antidepressant may not be doing the job. The next time Troy is professing his adoration and singing love songs, ask him to make an appoint- ment with his doctor and discuss the Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar anger issues. Explain that you want this marriage to work out, but there are obvi- ous problems and you need to know he is medically OK. If he refuses to seek help, it may be necessary for you to walk away. A generous hus- band and a beautiful home don’t seem worth this abuse. Dear Annie: I have a friend who, when she does- n’t like the conversation, loudly interrupts, saying ‘‘I don’t want to hear that!’’ She then proceeds to make fun of the person who was talking, calling her a ‘‘downer.’’ When I told her one of my rela- tives had lost his eyesight, she immediately said, ‘‘I don’t want to hear anything negative!’’ I find this extremely rude. I don’t dwell on negative things, but the news isn’t always a bed of roses, either. Oddly enough, if the conversa- tion is centered around her, there are no interruptions. How should one handle her rudeness and name calling? — Life Isn’t Always Posi- tive Dear Life: Your friend seems self-centered. She doesn’t want to hear anyone else’s sad or difficult stories because that might require that she express concern and inter- est. Hearing only the good news may be pleasant, but it isn’t the mark of true friendship. Dear Annie: You have printed a few letters about teaching children manners, and one writer suggested a game called ‘‘Pass the Piggy.’’ When I was 4 years old and first learning to use utensils, I dropped something off my fork. My father leaned over and said, ‘‘Am I going to have to get you a pig trough?’’ The next night he watched me intently, and when something fell from my trembling hand, he exclaimed, ‘‘That’s it!’’ He had nailed together a wooden pig trough, which he dropped in front of me and then laughed like it was the most hilarious joke in the world. Since then, I have felt shamed and unlovable. When I started school, I was terrified that somehow the other children would find out about it. I have had two bad mar- riages and don’t date. I’m now 59 and was only recently able to talk about this incident in a support group, and only after both of my parents died. When your psyche is damaged in childhood, it is irreparable. Don’t ever compare your children to pigs. — Texas Single Woman Dear Texas: Your father chose to bully you to make his point, but we doubt he wanted it to have life- long consequences. We hope you can continue to work on your feel- ings with your support group. Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please e-mail your questions to anniesmailboxcomcast.net, or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Ste. 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045. Youth camping grants announced by Lassen Park Foundation The Lassen Park Foundation (LPF) has announced that not-for- profit youth organiza- tions and schools may again apply for the foundation’s annual Youth Camping Grants. These grants are given for the purpose of providing disadvan- taged children equal access to experiencing the natural beauty of Lassen Volcanic Nation- al Park. LPF is funding three to seven-day camping trips to groups of young people that establish they need financial sup- port in order to experi- ence the wonders of the national park. Grants include funds for trans- portation, food and equipment costs or rental. Youth groups will camp at the Crags group campsite in Lassen Volcanic Nation- al Park that accommo- dates 25 people (up to 18 youth and seven adults). Youth Camping Grant groups are responsible for the orga- nization of their trip, Kindergarten Pre-Registration Reeds Creek School Date: March 16, 2011 Time: 3:30 - 5:00 PM Place: Room 1 Children must be five years old on or before December 2, 2011 to be eligible for enrollment. Please bring proof of residency, birth certificate and immunization. If you have any questions please call Reeds Creek School at 527-6006 must maintain their own supervision of youth and must show evidence of insurance coverage. Youth groups or schools from: Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, and Tehama counties are especially encouraged to apply, though youth groups from all North- ern California counties are eligible. The dead- line to submit applica- tions is May 1. For the past 15 years, the LPF‚s Youth Camp- ing Grant program has provided “life-changing experiences for youth,” said LPF Executive Director Jane Ziad. “This year, we are com- mitted to providing such experiences to even more groups of disad- vantaged youth. Our goal is to help youth, who would not other- wise have the opportu- nity, to visit and experi- ence Lassen Volcanic National Park.” The Lassen Park Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organiza- tion whose purpose is to provide philanthropic support to preserve and interpret the natural and cultural resources of Lassen Volcanic Nation- al Park and its environs, for present and future generations. Areas of focus include youth pro- grams, enhanced inter- pretive and educational activities, trail restora- tion, wildlife research, and cultural resource development. More about the LPF’s pro- grams is found at www.lassenparkfounda- tion.org. • Everyday Cheapskate •Coupon Queen • Gleaners • Savage Truth on Money The Daily News - At your side when times are tough