Extreme sensitivity to ACTUAL Foreign Object in eye

[missahroo]

For years various eye doctors have ignored me when I say my debilitating eye pain is caused by a foreign object in my eye. They generally say something like, "yes, I know it's common to have that sensation..." But for me, it's more than just a sensation. Unlike many folks I've read about, I actually get foreign objects in my eye (cat hair, lint, eye-lashes, etc) that cause me an extreme amount of pain and discomfort on a regular basis. As complicating factors, I have been diagnosed with MGD, severe dry eye and am post-lasik. I have been seeing Dr. Gagnon in Pleasanton, CA (thanks to this board!) and he has been great. But he has told me that my situation (sensitivity to actual foreign objects) is pretty uncommon and wonders if this might be a nerve issue (in addition to MGD and dry eye). I have tried the following treatments with limited, to no success: restasis, omega 3s, refresh plus, regular eye washes (I literally end up flushing objects out of my eye on an almost daily basis - and while this helps stop one episode, it is not a cure), oral and topical antibiotics, various steriod drops, warm compresses, plucking eye-lashes regularly (they tend to grow the wrong way), and more recently dexamethadone (sp?), which helps minimize the discomfort somewhat. Does anyone else suffer from these symptoms? I am near the end of my rope (e.g., job is in jeopardy and family life is a complete mess). I'm wondering if some sort of nerve blocker might be the answer - any thoughts?

Thanks!
Michelle

[GinaJ]

Has your doctor suggested you see a neuro opthamologist? Or a neurologist in general? For myself I was having severe eye pain and pressure and so I had an mri of my brain and the ear area. Also I had some kind of scan of the eye,xrays etc. I am on nerve medications like neurontin but not sure it helps with the eye.
On a side note when I get a hair or lash in my eye it hurts so bad and even when it is out it flares me up. Even too many preservative free drops do this. I just assumed that when a person has eye pain that they become so sensitive that these things just add more pain to a sensitive area. I hope you get some direction and feel better.

[missahroo]

Thanks Gina! Very good suggestions. Now if I can just get Kaiser to refer me to an eye/neuro person....wish me luck! The more I think about it, I don't think my main problem is dry eye or MGD, especially since I only have problems in one eye. The other one is totally fine (a little dry - but compared to the right eye, it's not even noticeable). But when doctors examine my eyes, they both appear to have about the same degree of dryness/MGD.

[Michael2]

hmm I just wanted to add that when I first got DE only one eye was affected, though both eyes looked equally dry (actually my right eye looked worse, but it felt perfect). my right eye eventually caught up but that doesnt mean yours will, Im just saying that its totally possible to have unilateral pain and have DE

[missahroo]

Hmmm.....that sure doesn't sound good. I think I'd pull my hair out if both eyes felt this bad. Yikes. Thanks for your comment though.