Eye Care Tips for Computers and Eye Drops

I call my friendly optometrist perfect because he is man of great experience and kindness. He's a person who really is an authority on eyes. My GP, who recommended him, said he gives you "crisp" vision and it's true.

Using my computer for hours at a time was taking a toll on my neck and shoulders. That combined with arthritis was causing a lot of pain. My knowledgeable optometrist suggested that I get a pair of glasses for computer use only - they have only close and mid vision. That stops all the neck adjustments needed to see the screen.

                     Digital image courtesy of the Getty's Open Content Program.

He had very detailed tips for using eye drops.  It goes without saying that you wash your hands and don't touch the opening/dropper. 
Next you look up and pull down the lower eyelid to make a "gutter"
Put the drops in and then shut your eye for 15 to 20 seconds. This stops the tears from running out through your tear ducts because the upper and the lower one meet and seal each other. This helps the tears spread over the eye better.

                Digital image courtesy of the Getty's Open Content Program.

When you use your computer for long periods of time he suggests that you stop every 20 minutes. Shut your eyes and move your eyeballs from side to side. That helps spread the moisture from the corners of your eyes and keeps  you more comfortable.

He also recommends no eye makeup for me because of the Sjogren's Syndrome. A lot of it can end up in your eyes, as I have found out too often. After years with dry and sore eyes I have gathered up all of my eyeliners and plan to use them for an art project before I throw them out. So I guess I give up on smoky eyes.

                          Eyeliner as a halo/My Sainted Smiley      

Interesting fact from Getty.edu   "In Greek thought, large, staring eyes had an apotropaic power, that is, they had the ability to ward off evil and danger." Could that be why large eyes are considered so attractive even now?

Diagnosis and Compliance Mostly

My first GP always said "if it's not broke, don't fix it" so my oldest son has an odd toe that has not caused him any trouble in his whole life.  But this is the same man who I blame for the slow diagnosis of my RA, so I don't fully agree with that philosophy.  "Broke" needs a definition to be useful.

                                 kootation.com

If I were as good at applying make-up as I am with eye drops and eye gel I would be stunning.

                                  merledress.com
My friend says: "The worst news that I have to date, is that going forward, there are no devilishly beautiful high heels ever again, and probably not even semi-attractive flats. Can a woman nearing seventy ever find happiness again wearing orthopedic running shoes?

Answer: Yes if she can happily walk around Italy and pretend the shoes on her feet have nothing to do with her."

In a recent study of ethnically diverse and economically disadvantaged patients with rheumatoid arthritis on oral therapy, the result was that only 21% had took their DMARDS at least 80% of the time.  This led to many headlines about RA patients not being compliant and following treatment plans.

My thoughts: 
Could money have been a factor? Even if they were given medications for this study might they have decided to save some doses and make it last longer into the future.

Those with better mental health were more likely to follow directions.  

Online I read frequently about the struggles people have in reducing their prednisone use. There are a lot of well known drawbacks to prednisone that lead many to attempt to reduce their dosage.
All of these DMARDS were oral. Methotrexate by mouth has gastrointestinal side effects. I can easily imagine circumstances that would lead to a skipped or mis-timed dose.

And chiefly: Why does a study of 107 diverse and disadvantaged patients in Texas lead to generalization in online medical resources about RA patients taking medications?

Here's another study about the medication adherence in RA.  
This one is a review of literature on the topic.  
I like the concept of concordance where two people are involved in the decision.

"In the mid 1990s, the concept of ‘concordance’ was born. The term ‘concordance’ relates to a process of the consultation in which prescribing is based on partnership. In this process, healthcare professionals recognize the primacy of the patient’s decision about taking the recommended medication, and the patient’s expertise and beliefs are fully valued"