I Need some serious Help

[Rdm]

Ok I would first like to say I been to see over 4 opthamologist in the last month, and I still have horrible pain in the corners of my eyes. It all started when I traveled to Los Angeles to go to my school orientation, and I was so stressed about money and where I was going to stay and by the time I came back my eyes had this gritty feeling in them. I had no idea what was going on, so I went to the doctor, and was told I had dry eyes. He gave me some refresh dry eyes drops, and that only made it hurt worse. Then I was treated by another opthamologist and gave me night cream and it helped a little. Then I got seen by another opthamologist and he gave me restasis and plugs. been on it for 2 weeks. Its seems to be the sides of eyes is where the pain is coming from(probably inflammation). Is there anything I can do to ease the pain? I tried a lot of drops, and it just seems to irritate them more. I feel like i'm about to drop out of school because I have such a hard time reading, and i'm a straight A student in nursing school and I worked very hard to get here. Someone please HELP

[calli66]

Did the pain in the corners of your eyes start after you got the plugs? Sometimes the extra moisture causes inflammation in and around the plugged puncta.

If I were you, I'd seriously consider stopping the Restasis until you get the pain and irritation under control. If you start with dryness, and throw tons of drops, ointments, gels, and meds at it, your eyes are probably going to feel worse.

Especially the vaseline and mineral oil ointments---they're rough on the tear balance, so quit them now, if you haven't already. Make sure you're using only PF drops. Genteal Gel works for many people--for use at night. Use a lot! Put it in several times--wear a sleep mask.

If you have to read a lot, you could try the Onion Glasses (foam lined) sold here---until you get your eyes more comfortable. That sometimes cuts down on the frequency ---when you have to use more eyedrops.

Warm or cool compresses help, too---that depends on what sort of inflammation you have.

Look for environmental irritants---eye makeup, perfume sprays, hair products (well i'm assuming you're a girl?--), bad air pollution, cleaning products, fragrance detergents, etc. in your living space.

Keep reading the site here and post whenever you need to---we're here to listen and help if we can.

Calli

[Rdm]

only PF drops. Genteal Gel works for many people--for use at night. Use a lot! Put it in several times--wear a sleep mask.

What are PF Drops? Where can i get them?zaditor?What kind of sleeping mask? Also how do i do the eye lid scrub thing?

sorry about all the questions. I tried researching on the website.

[Terri]

Start with the Dry Eye Encyclopedia. There are several articles there that will give you the basics.

I agree with Calli's recommendations: stop using ointments and check into protective eye wear. The warm compresses (Dr. Latkany's Eye Spa routine) may give you a great deal of relief.

If you need drops, I love Dr. Holly's drops (NutraTear, Dwelle and Dakrina), so you might want to pick up samples from the Dry Eye Store. You don't need to use them very often, and they're better by far than any drugstore drops I tried. (BTW, "PF" means "preservative free," which is a good recommendation if you're going to buy drugstore drops.)

Let us know what city you live in, and we might be able to point you to a doc who actually can help you. (Most, as you are already aware, start throwing treatment options at you without finding out first what's causing your problem. All of the "treatments" they are giving you can also make your dry eye problems much, much worse.)

[Rdm]

I just got done buying the drops and stopped the restesis. I bought some lid scrubs and and a rice bag. I'm not sure what to expect but i'm really desperate. I'm also taking daily vitamins and omega 3. . I just feel nothing seems to work and im wasting my money. I also bought a humidifier.

[Rebecca Petris]

I just got done buying the drops and stopped the restesis. I bought some lid scrubs and and a rice bag. I'm not sure what to expect but i'm really desperate. I'm also taking daily vitamins and omega 3. . I just feel nothing seems to work and im wasting my money. I also bought a humidifier.

RDM,

The first essential step is getting a decent diagnosis. Is there anything you can share from your doctor visits thus far about what they told you? Did they get any more specific than "dry eye"? If they did not, you need a new doctor. If they did, anything you can share here might help us help you sort things out and figure out what to focus on. I know that appointments can be stressful and it's not always possible to absorb all the information. It wouldn't hurt to call or stop by their offices and ask for more information from your chart.

Are you in LA now? There is a terrific dry eye support group in Orange County which meets down in Laguna Hills every two months. They can give you great tips on who the good local doctors are.

I'd also highly recommend that you get a copy of Dr. Latkany's book "The Dry Eye Remedy". It's a good resource for getting 'the big picture' of dry eye and for a lot of practical strategies. Also rather more portable than the internet.

p.s. If you were given a prescription for Restasis, I'd stick with it unless you have intolerable side effects. It's unlikely to cause any harm, it may help, and you will find your eye doctor more helpful if s/he can see that you're doing your best to be 'compliant'.

[Rdm]

RDM,

The first essential step is getting a decent diagnosis. Is there anything you can share from your doctor visits thus far about what they told you? Did they get any more specific than "dry eye"? If they did not, you need a new doctor. If they did, anything you can share here might help us help you sort things out and figure out what to focus on. I know that appointments can be stressful and it's not always possible to absorb all the information. It wouldn't hurt to call or stop by their offices and ask for more information from your chart.

Are you in LA now? There is a terrific dry eye support group in Orange County which meets down in Laguna Hills every two months. They can give you great tips on who the good local doctors are.

I'd also highly recommend that you get a copy of Dr. Latkany's book "The Dry Eye Remedy". It's a good resource for getting 'the big picture' of dry eye and for a lot of practical strategies. Also rather more portable than the internet.

p.s. If you were given a prescription for Restasis, I'd stick with it unless you have intolerable side effects. It's unlikely to cause any harm, it may help, and you will find your eye doctor more helpful if s/he can see that you're doing your best to be 'compliant'.

I actually do live in LA(Pasadena). Also, the doctors keep saying they see dryness in my eye, but my dry test only range in the 13's and 12's. That isn't so bad is it? I been under a great deal of stress and am wondering if i have some sort of immune disease. The sad thing to all this is i never have time to go to the doctor due to constant studying. I have kaiser and i have to get a referral to see a rheumatologist, and I have to wait 2 weeks to see a reg doctor. its a bad process. The restasis i believe is causing some sort of irritation in the sides of my eyes. I have no idea why this is occuring but it makes it almost impossible to read for over 10 hours a day if i have a burning sensation. I dont know... im soo confussed

[Kyle]

Hi Rdm..I live in LA too and have some suggestions...

HI Rdm,
My name is Kyle (female) and I live in LA too. I'm in Brentwood, but travel to Pasadena occasionally. You live in a beautiful area!
I've been dealing with severe dry eyes (plus other symptoms) for over 3 years now. I'm on about my 12th doctor....everything from corneal specialists, eyelid specialists, medical training hospitals for dry eyes, etc...I can definitely point you in the right direction for doctors that can help! I know the ones that "speak our language" (meaning they don't look at you funny when you say you have pain due to dry eyes). Most of my docs are in Beverly Hills or the Santa Monica area, but, trust me, they are worth the drive!
Feel free to e-mail me back on this website or shoot me a personal message on my own e-mail which is actinupagain@aol.com
Hang in there! If you need a shoulder to cry on I'm right around the corner, ok?
I'm good for coffee (or even a margarita!) anytime!!
Take care,
Kyle