Need advice

[jivgil]

I did PRK refractory surgury 2.5 years ago.
Since then I am suffering from dry eyes.

for the last 7 weeks I have been treated for Blepharitis, and I am feeling much better.

My doctor thinks I have mild dry eye. He thinks it will go away by itself in a few months. He told me the same thing by the way 3.5 months ago.
I asked him about Restasis but he said I shouldnt use it because it is for severe cases.

I dont have severe pain, but my eyes annoy me all the time, and I wake up once or twice in the night with dry eyes.

I put lubricants every hour.
I can hardly walk outside in the wind or be in airconditioning.

I dont feel like it is mild at all.

I wonder if I should wait to see if it improves by itself, or try another doctor/treatment/restasis.

Thanks and happy new year

[aga]

What is your Schrimer test score? severe dry eye is below 5mm, moderate between 6-10mm, mild 11-15mm,healthy eyes-above 15mm.
If you put drops every hour it is not mild. I,ve got mild dry eye and I use drops 2-3 times a day. I suggest another doctor...:-)

[Rebecca Petris]

for the last 7 weeks I have been treated for Blepharitis, and I am feeling much better.

Glad to hear there's some progress- that's great.

My doctor thinks I have mild dry eye...

I dont have severe pain, but my eyes annoy me all the time, and I wake up once or twice in the night with dry eyes.

I put lubricants every hour.
I can hardly walk outside in the wind or be in airconditioning.

I dont feel like it is mild at all.

Based on what you describe, you do NOT have mild symptoms. Anybody dropping that much and in that much discomfort in wind and waking up at night is at least moderate. So you're right. But you might have mild CLINICAL signs, so your doctor may be right in that respect.

Here's something to try:

Download the OSDI. Score yourself. If you feel the score reflects how you feel, take it to your doctor. This questionnaire was used in the Restasis clinical trials, so if your doctor blows you off even after seeing your elevated OSDI score, it is probably time to go find a new doctor. You might want to have a look at my article about how to get better care from your doctor too.

[jivgil]

Thanks

He didnt even take a shcrimer test.
just looked with the light machine.
This doctor has helped me untill now, more then other doctors,
But he doesnt seem to appreciate my dry eye condition.
3 doctors I went to, untill now said I have mild dry eye. And that was even a few months before,
when my symptoms were worse. I am frustrated.
By the way, my grade in OSDI is 46- moderate dry eye.
But I dont believe he will look at this test. I dont think he will have time for it whith all the other patients.
Probably I will try another doctor.
Also I have a question.
If I put lubricant before I go the the doctor, does it change the dry eye test?
Mabe this is the problem?

Next question is how do I find a good doctor?

[aga]

It won't change the score result- the test looks this way- the doctor puts some strips on the edges of your low lids to check the production of your glands.. As we all know drops help for 3 seconds, then they disappear:-). The test lasts for 5 minutes

[jivgil]

Doctor is right...

I finally managed to find a dry eye specialist.
Yesterday he checked me thoroughly.
He then told me there is nothing wrong in the surface of my eyes, and tear production is completely normal.
He said there is a phenomen that poeple feel the way I did even the eye is normal.
He told me to stop using artificial tears or anything.
I think irritation I am feeling comes from the inner skin of my eyelids.

Anyway, after almost 2.5 years of terrible suffering, since refractory surgury I have been completely cured.Tonight I slept the best I did in 2.5 years .

Probably this sensations will also go away.
Thanks for everybody here that supported me, and I am going to write a new thread with my story.