post-LASIK nerve damage + scleral failure

[Rebecca Petris]

Do they suggest where this scrambler procedure might be done? Is it only being tried at the Boston Foundation at this point?

That's the only place in this country where it's being tried for ophthalmic purposes (possibly even worldwide). I don't know anything about the theory of how it's supposed to work so I can't even speculate about it at this point.

[SimpsonDesert]

Corneal neuralgia - hot/cold compress, local anaestetic?

Buntbean, Multiplier

Just this week I spoke to a corneal specialist and the subject of possible corneal neuralgia was raised. There did not (at that point) appear to be obvious damage to the structures of my eyes, but I had been in abominable pain (foreign body, burning) which was spectacularly relieved by the simple application of hot compresses. However subsequent tests on the same day revealed definite dry eye problems - negligible tear break up time, some staining, and diagnosis of meibornian gland issues. So alas I do have a concrete reason to be in pain, and the symptomatic relief from heat application is consistent with that diagnosis.

However, this is what the specialist said regarding neuralgia - apparently the traumatised nerves can become 'trigger happy' in a manner akin to phantom limb and send pain signals willy-nilly, and if this is so, the treatment is to try and disrupt or break that cycle by giving the nerves an alternative signal. Can you believe, the simple application of hot or cold compresses, or local anaestetic was what she suggested! Have you tried this? It does seem too good to be true, and my own relief may not be due to this mechanism. You do not mention having tried compresses, so it may well be worth a go... I am only a patient quoting here.

Rebecca, this may be a short description of the theory behind the 'scrambling'? The issue leapt out at me as I was scrolling through your wonderful site in desperate search of answers, prompting my first post.

Multiplier - so sorry to hear of your ongoing woes. Even at this early stage I'm getting all too familiar with the usual litany - 'try drops', 'it will go away with time' etc.

My dry eyes are a consequence of cataract surgery, and I am like so many others nearly mad with worry about the long term prognosis, sigh. I'm desperately hoping that the actual mechanism of the malfunction (nerves?) can be identified, and long term healing encouraged instead of just a laundry list of symptomatic interventions :-(.

[Rebecca Petris]

Hi and welcome!

However, this is what the specialist said regarding neuralgia - apparently the traumatised nerves can become 'trigger happy' in a manner akin to phantom limb and send pain signals willy-nilly, and if this is so, the treatment is to try and disrupt or break that cycle by giving the nerves an alternative signal.

That's a nice summary of the concepts. I think that a lot of therapy - esp. moisture chambers and sclerals - may benefit neuralgia by insulating the cornea from anything that could stimulate the damaged nerves. Interesting about your experience with compresses - I'd never thought about it that way before. With warm ones I think usually it's helping therapeutically (meibomian glands) but who knows what all the possibilities may be.

[Lucy]

That's a nice summary of the concepts. I think that a lot of therapy - esp. moisture chambers and sclerals - may benefit neuralgia by insulating the cornea from anything that could stimulate the damaged nerves. Interesting about your experience with compresses - I'd never thought about it that way before. With warm ones I think usually it's helping therapeutically (meibomian glands) but who knows what all the possibilities may be.
__________________

Interesting thread. I can understand what "it's almost mental (or similar), eyes are like open wounds, etc.

Through 10 years of post-Lasik, one cataract eye surgery, plus the onset of Sjogrens probably around the time of Lasik, I've got a full plate of dryness, crappy vision, double vision is one eye etc. I was interested in the remarks about the warm/cold easing the pain, even if temporarily.

I was employed as a college secretary during the first 5 years post-Lasik and the most painful and do not know how I managed that long. I spend as much time as I could with a small blue soft gelpack over my eyes. During morning and afternoon break and most lunch hours. For this amount of time, the pain was gone. I knew as soon as the pouch came off, I'd be right back to where I was. I had an interruption of the pain signals and it worked. I've tried to tell others this can be helpful and some have tried it. Others like only warm compresses. I do those for MGD, but I still love the cold/ice for painful eyes.

I did this out of desperation. I so love my iceacks. I've secured one around the side of my head with my worst eye and gone about business at home like cleaning house. It isn't pretty, but it helps. Lucy

[DG65]

... Also, I kind of wonder if in addition to surface dryness you might have tight eyelids?

I have often wondered this about myself. What are tight eyelids? If I stay busy the pain isn't as severe and I have been wondering if my concentration on something else eases my eyelid "clinching" or "hard blinks".

I, too, am told by my doctor that I have very little to no staining. My eyes certainly don't "pool" but I can get by most days without wetting drops.

I also often wake up feeling pain across the surface of my eyes. It's like rapid shots of pain back and forth across the surface of both eyes.

"I feel disoriented and distracted..."
That line has described me since Lasik a year ago.

Sorry, no words of wisdom... just felt a little comfort, somehow, knowing I wasn't alone in this nightmare. I just wish it had been an accident and not by choice.