Time off Work due to Dry Eye

[kkahthesea]

I was wondering if anyone has had to take time off from work because of dry eye? I'm a teacher and I had a terrible time with my eyes at work last school year. The building was dry and dusty and dealing with the stresses of my job got to be excruciating much of the time. I had a very hard time connecting with the kids while I was in so much pain. My eyes felt better and seemed to be healing over breaks when I was at home in a clean, humidified, lower stress environment. Unfortunately, I'm hyper sensitive to medications and have very bad reactions to all topicals (steroids, antibiotics, dyes) put on my eyes (that's what started my problems). My stomach is also sensitive and I cannot tolerate the oral antibiotics either. I have a combination of blepharitis, ocular rosecea, and eyelid dermatitis. My days are spent dealing with either burning pain or foreign body sensation or both. I'm relying on warm washcloths and flaxseed oil and trying to reduce stress to get me through this.
I'm going to take time off work next school year to try to get ahead of this by being in a good environment...letting my body heal and hoping that this condition will eventually calm down....
I'm not sure how to approach my doctor...I need a doctors note to get benefits from school. Has anyone else had to take time off work and received benefits due to eye problems?
Since I can't take traditional treatments, ie medications, I'm going to try the natural approach to give my eyelids a chance to get better.
My principal agrees that time off would be good for me...she has seen how my eyes look after the lastest steroid or antibiotic treatment. The eyelid dermatitis flares up with stress and seems to get everything else going. So if I can get that to go away, I think things will settle down.
Thanks for any replies!
Karen

[William53]

You have my heartfelt sympathies about DES at work. I've dealt with this too and it's very difficult. You want to live a normal life and do your job well but your eyes won't let you. In my case, I figured out after a few weeks that I had a meds conflict; a drug that was helping my allergies and asthma was totally drying out my already dry eyes.

My only use of employer benefits was straight-up sick day pay for the time I couldn't work. My employer treated it like a flu or any other sickness and I got paid. So your situation is different. A couple of thoughts:

~ I've had a couple of appointments with my primary physician that were more about brainstorming broad strategy than solving some small problem.

~ Make sure you've read the long, detailed version of your healthcare benefits plan.

~ If I were in your situation, I'd be angling for a written justification from my Dr that describes amount of time off needed, whatever treatments are indicated, etc. And then I'd want written clearance on this document from my health insurer.

Best of luck to you getting your eyes back to good health.

[rubyslippers]

I am also a teacher and lost time due to dry eye as well as GERD and LPR this spring. My very compassionate employer went right out and bought me a lovely humidifier for my classroom. It has helped a lot.

[kkahthesea]

William53,
Thank you for your thoughtful post. I appreciate the support. I looked at your other posts, and saw the one about lower lid tightening surgery, written a while ago. I was wondering, what ever happened to that idea? Did you ever pursue or find out more about that theory (tightening lid to help MG secretions) ?
I have blepharitis too. I've just aquired it after an awful reaction to a topical antibiotic. It's been about 6 months. Before that, my eyelids were fine. But I wonder if maybe they're loose or something that predisposed me to this awful reaction in the eyelids.
I'm really hoping that I can get this under control.
Thanks again,
Karen




Ruby Slippers,
Thank you for your reply too. I had a humidifier in my classroom, but I don't think it was big enough...it really didn't make too much difference. My classroom is rather large. What kind of humidifier do you have?
Thanks,
Karen

[rubyslippers]

I will have to look at the brand. I run it on high and run it 24/7 so the humidity never gets low. I also change the filters every 2 months instead of the recommended 3. I work year round and teach 223 days a year. I dry the humidifier and filter out on the weekends starting FRiday night and then refill and restart on Sunday evening. The kids feel better when it runs too.

[William53]

Karen - your focus on getting your condition is IMO healthy. I find just working on the next hoped-for solution gives me strength and optimism. Chronic Schmonic, I want my eyes to feel better.

Regarding tightening the lower lids, my ophthalmologist referred me to an ophthalmological specialist to explore whether this was a good idea. The specialist said a) my lid condition didn’t justify the risk of lid tightening surgery which b) is not a sure thing. I think you’d have to ask your ophthalmologist about this. You probably don’t want someone who makes a living doing eyelid surgery whether you “need” the operation. This specialist is also the guy who in the same session recommended I look at my allergies, asthma and eye issues as one set of problems that are tied to my immune system and inflammation. I’m not suggesting this as something you should do, just forever grateful to him for his insights.

[kkahthesea]

William,
I'm very motivated to try to figure out this thing. It came rather suddenly, and has had a dramactic impact on my personal and professional life. The pain has taken it's toll on my usual cheerful disposition. It's been really rough!Topical medications given to me by doctors only aggravate my condition and it gets worse. This whole thing was definately brought on by a topical medication. I'm so sensitive that I'm probably allergic to things and that may also be contributing to my condition.. My doctors haven't mentioned that yet, but I suspect it. I haven't found a good eye doctor and anyway, all of their dyes and drops set me back for weeks or more. I'm always in worse shape after an eye Dr. visit. Did you go to an allergist to get your allergy testing? I know inflammation is a problem. I'm just trying to get my eyelids to calm down...they're red and swollen...and I don't know if the warm washcloths are helping or just making it worse.
I'm really trying to stay positive (a huge challenge)and hope I can alleviate symptoms enough to feel better.
I'm thinking of going to a naturopath..any experience with that?

[bassfan]

I'm really trying to stay positive (a huge challenge)and hope I can alleviate symptoms enough to feel better.
I'm thinking of going to a naturopath..any experience with that?

My advice, if you can afford it...make a trip up to NYC and get in to see Dr Latkany. I've wasted quite a bit of money and time seeing all sorts of different doctors and have come to the conclusion that there are only a few good ones in dealing with DES patients. Even if they are big into research in the area...doesnt mean they can do anything with a patient. Latkany takes a lot of time, is good at dealing with people...and just seems to be better at diagnosing and helping people manage their DES.

Daren

[William53]

Hi kkahthesea,

Regarding allergists and naturopaths my ophthalmologist referred me to an allergist, who turned out to be a good one. He administered the allergy tests and developed the serum for the shots that I’ve been on since last fall. I’m wildly allergic to dust and cats and pretty much nothing else. He’s very smart and methodical. On the downside, like most specialists, he’s WAY too focused on my allergy program. (To help manage the dueling meds that he and my ophthalmologist have prescribed I asked my primary physician to play review any med changes before I implement them.)

The allergy test was a standard “prick” test on the inside of both forearms for about 26 or so potential triggers. I’m not totally sure, because I’ve got so many factors in motion with eyes, asthma & allergies, but I’m fairly sure that the allergy shots have helped minimize eye inflammation to the point that, e.g., environmental factors that bothered me last year – dust in the air, wind, changes in light – are non-factors now.

I’ve not seen a naturopath and don’t know much about them.

Best,

[Caroline]

Hi

HI

Do you have an occupational health department at your school? Asked to be referred to them or refer yourself to them. Ask your doctor for referral to hospital appointment/ specialist so they can confirm you have severe dry eyes. Then your occupational health people should request this information from the specialist and see proof. Ideally then your school should then help you make the necessary adjustments such as humidifcation of room etc. Dry eye IS DISABLING.

If you work in one particular room can you use a personal humidifier and also could you turn down the heating to try and keep it below 22C. If there are a lot of computers in the room each one acts as a dehumidifer and heater so bear this in mind. You also need to consider drafts from air con or windows. Its not so bad having the windows open on one side, less of a draft that way. Also lightning, espically flourescent, can make dry eye seem worse. Perhaps try not to have one on directly over you or any lights blinding you when looking at your students. ALso the more you can look down on something rather than up at say a white board the less strain and drying of your eyes. Perhaps read notes in your hand than up at the board.

There is a lot to think about with having dry eye, i'm still learning after 4 years. If you don't wear glasses then these can help a lot, the bigger the better.

Goodluck and hope you find useful tips on this site.

[dryeyes2]

moisture chamber glasses

Hi,

Have you considered having moisture chamber glasses made? I know they are not the greatest alternative, but it might help making work easier for you. I am going to have some made so I can find work outside the house. I don't have dry eye from lasik, but the optician who is going to make mine told me about a pharmacist who had lasik surgery and ended up with dry eye. He made this guy a pair of moisture chamber glasses and they helped him a lot.

I hope this information is helpful to you.
Best wishes,
dryeyes2