Tweet
I had another check-up today and it went pretty well. I've been on doxycycline for 3 months now (50mg) and the doc said my MGD has improved. I now have oil and not toothpaste-like secretions flowing. Finally! (I haven't been doing any warm compresses at all in the past few months since they never seemed to help.)
He also gave me samples of a brand new drop - Refresh Optive Advanced. It contains castor oil and is supposed to work on all three layers of tears like Freshkote does. It is available OTC though which is great since my insurance will no longer cover Frehskote since it's not FDA approved. Here are the ingredients for anyone who's interested: (It is not yet available in preservative-free vials but becomes preservative-free in the eye.) the box says it is "safe to use as often as needed". Active Ingredients: Carboxymethylcellulose sodium 0.5%, Glycerin 1%, Polysorbate 80 0.5% Inactive Ingredients: Boric acid; castor oil; erythritol; levocarnitine; carbomer copolymer type A; purified water; and PURITE® (stabilized oxychloro complex). May also contain hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide to adjust pH.
I also found out that unlike most people, my upper tear ducts are larger then my lowers. I already have the lowers plugged and he has recommended that I have ALPO (Argon Laser Punctal Occlusion) on my uppers. A few years ago I had upper plugs as well, and had over-tearing in my right eye so that is a concern of mine if I were to get cautery. Because of this, he put in dissolvable plugs in my uppers so I can see how it would be for me now & to get a feel for how my eyes would react after having the laser closure on my uppper tear ducts. Has anyone had the Argon Laser used on them? Thanks!
I also mentioned the success others on the board have had with Trueye contacts and I have a sample to try. I will wait to test them out until later next week when I know that the temporary upper plugs have dissolved.
It was nice to hear that my eyes are finally improving a bit after all these years. (I think he is the 7th doctor I have seen over the past 9 years.) Anyway, I just thought I'd share.
He also gave me samples of a brand new drop - Refresh Optive Advanced. It contains castor oil and is supposed to work on all three layers of tears like Freshkote does. It is available OTC though which is great since my insurance will no longer cover Frehskote since it's not FDA approved. Here are the ingredients for anyone who's interested: (It is not yet available in preservative-free vials but becomes preservative-free in the eye.) the box says it is "safe to use as often as needed". Active Ingredients: Carboxymethylcellulose sodium 0.5%, Glycerin 1%, Polysorbate 80 0.5% Inactive Ingredients: Boric acid; castor oil; erythritol; levocarnitine; carbomer copolymer type A; purified water; and PURITE® (stabilized oxychloro complex). May also contain hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide to adjust pH.
I also found out that unlike most people, my upper tear ducts are larger then my lowers. I already have the lowers plugged and he has recommended that I have ALPO (Argon Laser Punctal Occlusion) on my uppers. A few years ago I had upper plugs as well, and had over-tearing in my right eye so that is a concern of mine if I were to get cautery. Because of this, he put in dissolvable plugs in my uppers so I can see how it would be for me now & to get a feel for how my eyes would react after having the laser closure on my uppper tear ducts. Has anyone had the Argon Laser used on them? Thanks!
I also mentioned the success others on the board have had with Trueye contacts and I have a sample to try. I will wait to test them out until later next week when I know that the temporary upper plugs have dissolved.
It was nice to hear that my eyes are finally improving a bit after all these years. (I think he is the 7th doctor I have seen over the past 9 years.) Anyway, I just thought I'd share.
Comment