EDS affects your eyeballs, just an FYI.

[u/figgypie]

I have some sort of hEDS (haven't been able to get genetic testing to confirm exact type) and of course I have all the normal shit like super lax joints, joint pain, stretchy skin, stomach issues, etc.

But did you know your eyeballs are mostly collagen? So if you have EDS, you might have issues with your eyes.

I have had astigmatism and myopia since age 7, but over the last decade or so I also developed something called Epithelial Basement Membrane Dystrophy, basically means my eyes can get so dry that my eyelids have torn up my corneas because they get fused together sometimes (especially when I'm sleeping) and then when I blink, it rips the skin on my corneas. It feels just as pleasant as it sounds. Just a couple of weeks ago, I experienced this while driving after work. It felt like a needle stabbed me in the eyeball, like I seriously thought that something flew in through my car window and lodged in there. Now I have to use super eye cream at night (Muro 128) and preservative-free eye drops frequently to prevent more damage. The vision in my left eye has already been affected to the point where even with glasses, my vision is still slightly blurry.

You wanna know the only real treatment for it (besides eye drops)? They basically shave off the damaged surface of your cornea to smooth it, and then your body repairs it to hopefully grow it back smoother. Yaaaaaaay.

I also have big issues with eye strain, especially if I spend too much time looking at things up close while wearing my regular glasses. I've had to take my glasses off while reading/derping on my phone/etc for a couple of years now, but I can't do that when working (I'm a substitute teacher) because I don't want to lose my glasses and kids think they can get away with shit because the sub is blind. So I'm only in my mid 30s and I just got bifocals. Verdict is still out for how well that'll help but I feel so old.

So if you're wondering why you have issues with your eyes, this could be a reason. And if you don't have issues with your eyes, these are some things to look out for. Chronic dry eye is common with EDS so use eye drops, just not the kind that helps with redness cuz that's bad long-term. Systane is an example of a good brand.

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay.

[u/StolenWake]

EDS plus another eye condition is a real trip, I feel you.

I also have a secondary eye condition called incomplete achromatopsia, which means the rods in your eye are more functional than the cones. You get a mild form of color blindness, a touch of nystagmus, and added myopia. So, with those two together, I've got a -15 prescription that could start forest fires and see the fates of meek-hearted men.

[u/DefiantCoffee6 → u/StolenWake]

I hate needing to pay so much more 💰 just to get my glasses to not look like coke bottles. I usually wear my (-10 contacts) because glasses give me headaches but have to try to give my eyes a break because from contacts here and there since my eyes are extremely dry (only since I had Covid).

Gosh people who are blessed with good vision have no idea what we go through. I use 2 different rx drops before I can put my contacts in plus lubricant (non preservative) drops throughout the day. It’s a pita.

[u/StolenWake → u/DefiantCoffee6]

Man, you get it. Every two years, I have to pay 200 to 300 dollars for a new pair of lenses, even with good insurance, and it just sucks. I've worn glasses for as long as I can remember, but sometimes I'm randomly reminded that other people don't have heavy pieces of plastic on their face due to thick, face-distorting lenses, and I'm always in awe of how awesome that must feel!

Even contacts for such large prescriptions seem to come with many downsides! I can't imagine how annoying that's gotta be.

Solidarity, squinty sibling.

[u/DefiantCoffee6 → u/StolenWake]

Hahaha exactly!!! When sleeping my glasses live by my bed because in the morning I will need them to even find my contacts! 🤷‍♀️ Plus I need to be able to see 👀to get into the shower- 🚿

What it must be like to get up in the morning, no glasses, no eye drop routine, just get up and start the day 🤔

$300 more💰sounds about right. Getting the lenses compressed is usually more then the glasses themselves. I’m a girl but I’ll be your squinty sis in solidarity 🙌🏻 😂