I am a long-time lurker on the boards. I feel compelled to write how I got control of my dry eye/blepharitis. After years of struggling withe eye washing, infections, miserable symptoms I finally found a dr. who tested me for hormone imbalance. Not estrogen but progesterone and testosterone. I am a 37 year old female who typically drs woudl look at and say you are fine. I looked long and hard to find a dr who woudl listen to me. Personally I think I have some low level auto-immune problem (many times blepharitis is not an infection per se, but your body over reacting via your eyes) brought on by a hormone imbalance. This is why most dry eye sufferers are women. I can not speak for dry eye sufferers who have eye trauma like Lasik or other disease/injury.

I can say that after spending thousands of dollars on tests, specialists, etc. Ophthalmologists are USELESS. They mean well but they really are not looking for a systemic process. This is why we dry eye sufferers are typically unhappy with our Ophthalmologists. You need to find a "integrative" doctor who will look at your hormone levels. I live in the SF/Bay Area ans found one after much trial and error. I had very little progesterone and almost no testosterone. Yes, women need some testosterone. Once I started using a physician prescribed cream that included these two in precise measurements I feel 100% better. It is amazing and I am sure no one will believe me. The testosterone has made my skin more oily but I am sure it is doing the same to my eyes. I will take a few zits to be rid of the ever present eye discomfort/dryness.

Do NOT take over the counter hormone creams without a physicians care. These are powerful drugs and should be monitored closely. I go in to check levels every 4 months. I remain convinced that hormone imbalances are the culprit behind much of the blepharitis and dry eye. Run, do not walk to your closest dr. who gets this stuff! Rant off.