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I had RCE (which is terrifying for those who have had it) and PTK surgery to correct it for my left eye, have punctal plugs and use artificial tears and Restasis. While the horror of the RCE is over, thank goodness, I still have irritability and dryness which I must treat from time to time. At my last checkup my opthamologist recommended trying the True Tears device in his office (I asked: he is not personally invested in the company and also has dry eyes himself). I decided to try it and here is what I have learned.
1. It is expensive. Cost me about $900, not including the tips, which are quite pricey and need to be replaced every other day (so they say, but it seems they work better if they are replaced daily).
2. You are given a 30 day trial period to check out the product, money-back guarantee. HOWEVER, it takes quite some time to learn how to use the product effectively for yourself. Every one needs to find the right spot, how long, what strength the power should be on for the maximum tear production. 30 days is simply not enough time. So I swallowed the expense.
3. The results are erratic. In the morning I have no problem generating a lot of tear flow. Towards evening, I get much less and have to supplement with artificial tears. It could be I am not drinking enough water, not sure.
4. Your feedback to the company on their website will not get a response. I have spoken with representatives on their phone number and they have been more helpful but don’t seem incredibly well-informed. They are scripted, and not eye specialists or health care professionals.
5. When you purchase TrueTear, you are effectively beta-testing the product for Allergan. I know they’ve done studies but anyone who has any experience with analysis of these kind of published trial results knows that their conclusions are questionable at best.
6. From their research and my own experience, expect the results of the product to plateau after an initially stronger effect. It just won’t work as well after a while, perhaps the trigeminal nerve becomes adapted to the stimulation? No explanation for this trend is given.
7. The device itself needs reworking. A fully charged unit should be able to be removed from the charger and put in a purse to use throughout the day, but it is most effective when left constantly in the charger. Definitely a product defect.
8. If you try to rely on the TrueTears on its own for ocular lubrication, you may or may not suffer the consequences. I found that I needed to supplement with artificial tears, especially at night. My case may be unique and you may have better results.
9. There are other devices coming on the market to stimulate the trigeminal nerve which may be less expensive and less intrusive and weird (sticking this device up your nose just isn’t the most pleasant or convenient way of adding moisture to your eye). I heard of one which is a nasal spray.
10. In short, stay tuned. The TrueTears device has many flaws although it may work better for others than it has for me. But it only one of many new products that will be flooding the market soon that will use neural stimulation devices to produce tears.
1. It is expensive. Cost me about $900, not including the tips, which are quite pricey and need to be replaced every other day (so they say, but it seems they work better if they are replaced daily).
2. You are given a 30 day trial period to check out the product, money-back guarantee. HOWEVER, it takes quite some time to learn how to use the product effectively for yourself. Every one needs to find the right spot, how long, what strength the power should be on for the maximum tear production. 30 days is simply not enough time. So I swallowed the expense.
3. The results are erratic. In the morning I have no problem generating a lot of tear flow. Towards evening, I get much less and have to supplement with artificial tears. It could be I am not drinking enough water, not sure.
4. Your feedback to the company on their website will not get a response. I have spoken with representatives on their phone number and they have been more helpful but don’t seem incredibly well-informed. They are scripted, and not eye specialists or health care professionals.
5. When you purchase TrueTear, you are effectively beta-testing the product for Allergan. I know they’ve done studies but anyone who has any experience with analysis of these kind of published trial results knows that their conclusions are questionable at best.
6. From their research and my own experience, expect the results of the product to plateau after an initially stronger effect. It just won’t work as well after a while, perhaps the trigeminal nerve becomes adapted to the stimulation? No explanation for this trend is given.
7. The device itself needs reworking. A fully charged unit should be able to be removed from the charger and put in a purse to use throughout the day, but it is most effective when left constantly in the charger. Definitely a product defect.
8. If you try to rely on the TrueTears on its own for ocular lubrication, you may or may not suffer the consequences. I found that I needed to supplement with artificial tears, especially at night. My case may be unique and you may have better results.
9. There are other devices coming on the market to stimulate the trigeminal nerve which may be less expensive and less intrusive and weird (sticking this device up your nose just isn’t the most pleasant or convenient way of adding moisture to your eye). I heard of one which is a nasal spray.
10. In short, stay tuned. The TrueTears device has many flaws although it may work better for others than it has for me. But it only one of many new products that will be flooding the market soon that will use neural stimulation devices to produce tears.
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