Ipl

[cynic]

I did find a local cosmetic laser company - Nu Image that advertises IPL on their site. Again, not sure how much experience they have with dry eye or if it matters that much. While Googling I saw a 2 day course which teaches IPL to doctors and nurses - so it doesn't seem too involved, but then again some Googling has shown some bad outcomes of IPL. I think I will see what my doc thinks first - although I am pretty sure this will all be new to her. Would prefer to have an actual dermatologist or ophthalmologist do the IPL. In Regina it won't be an ophthalmologist - I have seen most of them and all are pretty clueless (and uninterested) with respect to dry eye treatments, especially anything new.

IPL, PDL, or laser are considered cosmetic and not covered by Health Canada. Therefore, you'll get in right away!

That was my experience also... you can save a little bit of money by getting a referral from your GP though... because I did NOT have a referral, I had to pay an initial consultation fee of $75 to see the dermatologist.

[spmcc]

RE: IPL/PDL/laser in Canada

IPL, PDL, or laser are considered cosmetic and not covered by Health Canada. Therefore, you'll get in right away!

I find where I live (BC), the laser places are like 7-11s... on every corner!

[cynic]

Thanks SAAG - I will give the yellow pages a try, but in Saskatchewan we need a referral from a GP to see a specialist (like a dermatologist or an opthalmologist). And once we do get a referral we typically wait 4 months to 18 months for the appt - yeah universal health care in Canada is great (unless you die, usually slowly and painfully, while waiting to see one of our "best").

I ended up finding a derm. to do IPL via the yellow pages

The ones that do a lot of cosmetic laser treatments and such seem to be the same ones that offer IPL...

[cynic]

Local Dermatologist

Thanks Painless..I made an appointment to see my GP next week. I am going to ask her if one of the few local Dermatologists might use IPL. From my reading it sounds like dermatologists know more about (and have more experience) with IPL. That may be a better way to go for now - kindof an 'off label' approach - which is how Dr. Toyos found out about its use for Dry Eye. If nothing local, then I think you are right - one visit to Dr Lee may let me know if it will work for me or not - I need to try something ...

[painless]

It is entirely possible that one session of IPL would have no apparent effect on you, and it is also possible that it would. Some people experience improvement after one session and others do not. However, I would not expect that one session alone would be sufficient -- even those who experienced some improvement after one session seem to have needed multiple treatments for a sustained effect.

If I were you, I'd probably try the one session just to see if it helped at all. If it did, you might feel it's worth it to get yourself down to the US a few more times. I think there is a doctor in New York doing IPL for dry eye, too, and there are 2 in California.

(However, even if one session doesn't help, that doesn't mean more sessions wouldn't.)

[cynic]

One IPL Session?

Hi - I am in Canada, and have been SUFFERING from dry eye for over 2 years now. I am not sure if I can get IPL where I live or even trust any local docs for this. I will be near Houston for some training in July. Does anyone know if 1 IPL session with Dr Yee would be worth it. I know most people here say 4 sessions (1 month apart) are the norm, then follow-up sessions (4 months to 1 year apart?). Since this treatment is new (for DE), I expect it will come to Canada if successful (of course, this could mean 5-10 years the way Health Care works up here). I should have time for 1 IPL session - is it worth it, without the additional sessions?

[lasikdryeye04]

Hi irish eyes,
I actually lose 3-4 lashes every day; however, my lashes grow up pretty fast. It bothers me so much because I have to get the falling lashes out of my eyes almost every day.

I wear shades outdoor; however, still feel irritated from the wind.

How long have you suffered from dry eyes? How did it happen to you?

Thanks

[irish eyes]

Hi again

Yes, I get glands that look like that. Otherwise - your eyelashes look much better than mine! I wouldn't dare send you a picture.

Do you wear shades when you are outdoors? I don't like the wind either; a few months ago we had really heavy snow and I hard to walk backwards because I couldn't bear the snow biting into my eyes.

Maybe you could do your exercises indoors? I attend a gym where the climate is well controlled.

[lasikdryeye04]

Hi irish eyes,
Are you blocked swelling gland like mine? I post another picture of my blocked gland.
http://i903.photobucket.com/albums/a...p/IMG_6594.jpg

My eyes are so dry. I cannot stand the wind when jogging outdoor.

[irish eyes]

Hi Lasikdrye04

Yes, I do have blocked glands. Sometimes they are very `fiddly' to deal with but I perservere - using the force of my thumb rather than a Q tip.

I lose a lot of eyelashes - they grow back but at distorted angles and some of them lacking pigment. Lid hygiene; I have tried lots of things but none of them really help so I often use something as simple as salt water to keep them clean. Baby shampoo is out of the question although there are one or two brands that are not as harsh as others (Burts Bees and Neals Yard).

I do agree with your final statement; be attentive to the rest of your health and take exercise where possible. I'm lucky in that exercise comes reasonably easy (genetic) but I had let things lapse a bit. I'm now building up my stamina to participate in running events. I just love the idea of gaining control again.........!!

[lasikdryeye04]

Hello irish eyes,
Do you have blocked glands often like me? 5-6 blocked glands per month.
The opthamologist destroyed the blocked gland by using something like a pair of scissors but not sharp. ( I don't know the English name)
I asked him to record this video for me.

He and most other opthamologists suggest me destroy the blocked gland myself every time it happens by using a cotton bud.

"I tend to lose eyelashes regularly and they grow back in odd directions" is exactly the same as mine. Does the lid hygiene help you? Do you use baby shampoo on the eyelash base?
When my eyes were normal 3-4 years ago, I hardly lose my eyelashes.

I lived in Thailand and Azasite is not available. The Azasite sample was sent from the U.S. from my doctor's friend. However, it expired April 2010. Due to heat in Thailand during delivery maybe destroyed the drop. I wanted to use it longer, but it irritated my eyes so much.

Thank you for link. I will read it through.

I wanted to say to you and all dry eyes people that dry eyes will go away. I had dry eyes since 2004. Cured for 4 years. And here comes dry eye again. From my feelings, exercise and hormone have a link with dry eyes. I think it better to make your overall health good by exercise regularly while treating dry eyes.

[irish eyes]

Hi Lasikdryeye04

I watched your video - are you (or someone else) using a pair of scissors on the blocked gland?

Like you, I tend to lose eyelashes regularly and they grow back in odd directions! It's most frustrating and for some reason, it is getting worse but I battle on with the lid hygiene.

Sorry, I cannot comment on Azasite because it's not available in UK but I have heard that it can burn & sting. 4 days isn't very long - could you try tolerating it for a while longer?

A number of members have been trying IPL - André has been kind enough to group these together - if you haven't seen these already:

http://www.dryeyezone.com/talk/showthread.php?t=11475

[lasikdryeye04]

This is the first time I post in this board.
I had severe dry eyes since Lasik in 2004. I had most traditional treatments like you guys have: warm compress, lid scrub, baby shampoo on eyelash base, steroid drops, antibiotic drops and gels, restasis, and doxycycline. Nothing worked. After treating my dry eyes for 9 moths after Lasik, I stopped all treatments. I just gave up. Then, a couple months later, a miracle happened, my dry eyes problem were gone. My eyes were 90-95% normal from July 2005 to Oct 2009. I did even realize how or when my eyes were normal. I don't know it is because of working out and exercise regularly 3-4 times a week.

Sadly, I have dry eyes again for the second time of my life.
I stopped exercise since May 2008 because I had broken my finger.
Dry eyes started again since Sept 2009 till Now. It is the same symptoms.
- Loss of eyelashes almost everyday
- Swelling oil gland every 7-10 days
Is it MGD? I posted my left eye on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgwrmGtQF2I
- Burning, tearing and gummy eyes

I just tried AzaSite last week for 4 days. It did not work and I could not stand it. It is very very sticky, like a gel or glue. Is this normal characteristic of AzaSite? It was irritated too.


I am very interested in IPL or MG probing since I need an immediate relief.
Are there any people having IPL for dry eyes, but not getting better or worsen because of IPL?