Cautery - is the punctuation closed immediately or gradually?

[tealeaf]

DCRdryeye,
I read your blog and my heart goes out to you. At the same time, I thank God that you have rebounded and back to work. For a period, I was in a lousy state too where I needed anti depressant due to dry eye and regret. Let the past be past. Let us all strive on for recovery.

You are right to say what the eye specialist sees may not be exactly what it is. Previously I had a lower plug that was protruded and inserted by another eye specialist. He said it should rub on my sclera and side of my eye, but it didn't. It was providing me the relief and comfort.

My current eye specialist is one of the renowned doctors in Singapore. I did ask him to order the flow control plug, but it seems like he will not do so. Being renowned, sad to say, such doctors seem less willing to listen to patients' suggestions. He doesn't believe in permanent umbrella plug either as he said will definitely have infection. Nevertheless, I prefer to have the umbrella plug than temporary ones. There are some people, like SAAG in this forum, who had umbrella plugs in her for good 5 years, with no infection.

[Amanda]

Amanda,
Do you have issue of overflow since you are quadraplugged? My eye which has umbrella plug and cauterised overflow quite a bit every hour (especially in the morning), that is my worse eye.
I am not too sure if I can put an umbrella plug to the other eye (my better eye). This eye is cauterised on the lower and have a temporary plug, but the temporary plug is not providing enough comfort.
I am in a dilemma as I am using this better eye to see when the other eye overflows.

I hope sclera lens will work for me.

Hi Tealeaf,

I have slight overflow issues with the quadraplugged, but would much prefer that to dryness. I don't mind not wearing eye make up or lotion and having to blot a few times/hour to have more comfort!

I have not yet tried the scleral lens! My dr. said this might be something I need in the future, but as DCR said he still has to add tears b/c the friction between the lid and the lens can be irritating due to lack of tears. Ah, the joys of being a dry eye patient! I hold out hope that SOMETHING to make us all more comfortable will come about someday. I am 37 and have too many years of life left that I want to enjoy to succumb.

[tealeaf]

Hi Amanda,
May I know what is the cause of your dry eyes? I am considering to put another umbrella plug in my other eye (currently with temporary plug) but am worried it will obstruct my view with overflow in both eyes. Do you have times when you can't see due to overflow in both eyes?

I am also worried of pooling of tears which may cause toxic tears. Do you still put drops being quadraplugged?

I don't mind not wearing eye makeup too. I am 40 this year and like you, still have may years left and do not want to be always frustrated and worried about the eyes.

I am hoping with sclera lens, I can just live with 1 cauterised punctum and leave one punctum free in each eye.

DCRdryeye,
Understand that you have lower punctum cauterised and leaving the upper punctum free. What do you use at night for sleeping? Any eye gel? Any mask to cover the eyes?

[Amanda]

Hi Amanda,
May I know what is the cause of your dry eyes? I am considering to put another umbrella plug in my other eye (currently with temporary plug) but am worried it will obstruct my view with overflow in both eyes. Do you have times when you can't see due to overflow in both eyes?

I am also worried of pooling of tears which may cause toxic tears. Do you still put drops being quadraplugged?

I don't mind not wearing eye makeup too. I am 40 this year and like you, still have may years left and do not want to be always frustrated and worried about the eyes.

I am hoping with sclera lens, I can just live with 1 cauterised punctum and leave one punctum free in each eye.

DCRdryeye,
Understand that you have lower punctum cauterised and leaving the upper punctum free. What do you use at night for sleeping? Any eye gel? Any mask to cover the eyes?

Hi Tealeaf,

Unfortunately no Dr. has been able to find a cause for my dry eyes. I think it they are mostly aqueous deficient, but a little MGD as well. I have had some blood work done and seen a rheumatologist, but he can't see anything proving I have an autoimmune disorder. I have never had any eye trauma. We just dont know... Which is definitely frustrating.

I do not have trouble seeing due to the overflow. Today I have actually had very little over flow and my eyes have been more irritated. First time since I had the uppers cauterized about 6 weeks ago. I hope it's just an off day.

[Amanda]

Hi Amanda,
May I know what is the cause of your dry eyes? I am considering to put another umbrella plug in my other eye (currently with temporary plug) but am worried it will obstruct my view with overflow in both eyes. Do you have times when you can't see due to overflow in both eyes?

I am also worried of pooling of tears which may cause toxic tears. Do you still put drops being quadraplugged?

I don't mind not wearing eye makeup too. I am 40 this year and like you, still have may years left and do not want to be always frustrated and worried about the eyes.

I am hoping with sclera lens, I can just live with 1 cauterised punctum and leave one punctum free in each eye.

DCRdryeye,
Understand that you have lower punctum cauterised and leaving the upper punctum free. What do you use at night for sleeping? Any eye gel? Any mask to cover the eyes?

Hi Tealeaf,

Unfortunately no Dr. has been able to find a cause for my dry eyes. I think it they are mostly aqueous deficient, but a little MGD as well. I have had some blood work done and seen a rheumatologist, but he can't see anything proving I have an autoimmune disorder. I have never had any eye trauma. We just dont know... Which is definitely frustrating.

I do not have trouble seeing due to the overflow. Today I have actually had very little over flow and my eyes have been more irritated. First time since I had the uppers cauterized about 6 weeks ago. I hope it's just an off day.

Yes, I do still or drops in. I have not had to use as name, but I use restarts 2x/day and Dhea 2x/day. U also use refresh celluvisc at night. Since being quadraplugged I have not had to use drops at other times of the day which I was doing fairly frequently before.

[tealeaf]

Hi Amanda,
Yes, it is indeed frustrating not knowing what is the cause of the problem.

I am also using restasis 2x/day on both eyes. Then systane ultra PF for the day on and off, especially on the eye with the temporary plug.

I just had another temporary plug inserted in my upper punctum since the earlier had dissolved. Am seriously considering a permanent plug the next round, but starting with flow control one.

With the overflow, did people notice it? Sometimes I find it a bit embrassing when I was talking half way with a colleague and felt the tear coming out. It didn't flow down the cheek though but linger at the edge of the eye. How did you manage that?

[Amanda]

Hi Amanda,
Yes, it is indeed frustrating not knowing what is the cause of the problem.

I am also using restasis 2x/day on both eyes. Then systane ultra PF for the day on and off, especially on the eye with the temporary plug.

I just had another temporary plug inserted in my upper punctum since the earlier had dissolved. Am seriously considering a permanent plug the next round, but starting with flow control one.

With the overflow, did people notice it? Sometimes I find it a bit embrassing when I was talking half way with a colleague and felt the tear coming out. It didn't flow down the cheek though but linger at the edge of the eye. How did you manage that?

Hi Tealeaf,

I am almost at the point of not caring what other people think. My sanity and comfort is most important to me now. I worry enough on a regular basis about the long term impact of severe chronic dry eye on my life that I can't put any more effort into worrying about what other people think. My body can't take any more worry and anxiety! I just carry a tissue and blot! I also explain a bit of my issue to them when I do this so that people learn about chronic dry eye and understand that it can be a significant game changer in a person's daily life. At this point, I wear my moisture chamber sunglasses most of the day at work and when I leave my desk I sometimes forget I have them on! Ooops!

Interestingly, I have a coworker who has the opposite problem from me and her eyes tear excessively - not from dry eye though! She has had this for so long she just doesn't care what other people think.

Also, the more you talk about your issue, I think the more other people are willing to share. I've learned that many people in my office have chronic issues of some kind or another... So, we aren't alone!

[tealeaf]

Hi Amanda,

I feel so comforted by your words. Thank you so much!
I have been worrying about the long term impact of chronic dry eye too... Recently, one of the eyes flare up again and making me anxious and cried.

You are indeed right, I have to set my mindset right and not bothered by what others think.

[Amanda]

Tealeaf,

This will in no way be easy, but it is so important for us to try. I had a bad day today mentally today but tomorrow is a new day! . I am so glad this site is get for us to share with one another! Hang in there and feel free to PM me if you need!

[tealeaf]

Amanda,
I know is important not to let our mood fluctuate with the condition eyes, however, when the eyes are bad, can't help to feel down.

Yes, this site is a precious site to know that we are not alone. Tomorrow will be a good day for you and me!

Check with you - with quadraplugged, when applying eye drops, are you able to feel the drops getting into your throat?