Diana's story Part 1

[jcorbett]

plugs

I had plugs for about a year and I would go back to them in a heartbeat. Restasis and other things are keeping me at a pretty good level right now so I don't need them. I had the ones with the little head on and they didn't bother me at all. Everybody is different in that respect.
Make sure your doctor has a lot of experience with plugs....how they fit etc. A good fit helps them stay in longer. Ask him what plugs he uses and why.
I would try the temporary ones first, if I were you. Have no idea what the cost is for those. I know I came across some that would last as long as 6 or 9 months. Since people do have problems losing plugs, I would expect that we will see some improvement soon. Perhaps ones that take about a year or two to dissolve.
I would be very skeptical of the non-dissolving ones without a head on. I would think these are the ones that get imbedded easily.

[Cindy]

by jcorbett:

I would try the temporary ones first, if I were you. Have no idea what the cost is for those.

My former OD used to put the temp dissolveable collagen plugs in me for free. Many, many times. Other people have said that they were charged. I have no idea why some docs decide to charge for them or how they arrive at the cost for their patients or why some docs do it for free but I think it's worth noting that they sure don't need to cost a lot.

[jcorbett]

Plug cost

Cindy brought up a good point.....the cost of plugs. I have had the 3 day temp ones put in for free also, but have never tried the longer lasting temp plugs and don't know if I would get charged or not.
But if you are thinking about plugs, don't be afraid to ask what the cost is. I have heard of people who have paid $100 for plugs, and others who have paid $1000! Sometimes shopping around pays. In my area, it is the larger clinics who charge an arm and leg, and it seems the smaller practioners charge far less.

[juninho]

Untkicker 29-i was very apprehensive about getting the plugs put in and
made sure i asked lots of questions.nearly 5 weeks now and i dont know they are there.size 0.6mm was tried but jumped out and then 0.4mm and they
have been fine.i am starting to feel a bit better and have definitely decreased
my drops,gels.I also was lucky because i was about to go private and pay the earth but luckily i went to a different specialist and she put them in on the nhs (national health service)free.as others have said its a personal choice but i think it was a good move for me.
Regarding the football-our type is the round ball and goals,I mixed yours
up.Brian Mcbride is probably the most famous in our premier league followed
by Brad Friedel and Kaisy Keller.
good luck.
Graham

[rocco]

Hi Dianat

[Hi Dianat,

I had PRK about 1 yr. ago. It was the worst experience of my life, and am learning to deal with a severe dry r. eye. I had corneal erosion and felt like I had to live with it or get it fixed. They told me that my eyes shouldn't be any drier afterward. They were wrong. I use muro 128% ointment at night, am wearing the goggles that keep in moisture at night, and am considering buying a pair of the glasses to keep in moisture in the day. I also have puncutual plugs in 4 tearducts. I went to the Centre for Natural Healing in Ashland, OR, and talked to Donald Yance who advised washing my eyes with Prickly ash extract diluted (7drops in an eyecup, then fill with distilled water). I wash my eyes with this 2 x a day and use sesame seed oil drops that I have a pharmacist compound for about $45. They last about 2 mo. I use them about 3 x a day as well as non-preservative tears. I also do hot packs on my eyes, and a baking soda wash for my eyelids. I think its all helping. I also want to look into the DHEA eyedrops. Taking primrose evening oil and essential fatty acids too. Just some ideas. Anyway, good luck. Rocco

[Guest]

Thank You

Diana,

I forwarded the link to your story onto a colleague's sister who has dry eyes and is currently considering Lasik.

Whilst she is well aware of the challenges and misery I have faced since my surgery 10 months ago (and mine is touted as the "less invasive" "dry eye" friendly version). She is adament that using drops a few times a day isn't such a problem for her - if only it were that simple. I thought your story told it "like it is" and I am only regretful that I didn't read it before I underwent my 10 minute miracle procedure.

Like you, I choose not to read my own original post, it is too upsetting. I live with the effects of the decision everyday.

This site is fantastic as it allows me to unload my problem and hopefully other people reading it may just reconsider their procedure or at the very least have some information that they can quiz their surgeon with.

Fortunately, I have a doctor that is committed to helping me resolve this as best as possible, I have had some improvements in the past couple of months so I live in hope that it will continue to improve and I too get my Graduation Certificate very soon.

Even when I do graduate, I will still hang around as this site has been fantastic in helping me to cope with this and hopefully I can help others in turn.

Unfortunately, I get quite depressed with this whole thing and the fact that I live in the UK whilst the rest of my family live on the other side of the world, coping is sometimes very difficult.

On my bad days, I use this site to read others progress and it inspires me that I will be one of them one day soon.

Thanks again for your inspiration

Ian

[Judy]

Ian (and Diana too)

There is NO WAY I would consider Lasik after listening to both of your stories, along with many others. I have very painful dry eyes, but nothing like what you both have and are going thru (yet, anyway). The thought of doing Lasik to get rid of wearing my eyeglasses is SO NOT WORTH IT. When I had to stop wearing contacts (probably forever), that was a tough day, but nothing in comparison to chronic dry eye pain... Hopefully your stories will continue to touch many others and help dissuade them from LASIK surgery and all the risks incurred, particularly if they already have dry eyes...

[dianat]

Judy and Ian,

I have certainly come a long way since I wrote my story. The biggest change is in my coping abilities and not so much in my eyes. I am more manageable I'll admit, which is no small matter. But, being past the post-traumatic stress of it all has been a huge improvement. I really think the mental game can be worse than the actual eye pain.

The birth of my son last year has been another victory for me. I often think of what a gutsy move it was and how a couple years ago I never thought I'd manage it.

I am happy that my story - which I've noticed is now stuck up at the top - has been meaningful to everyone. It is great to know that it can successfully be used to dissuade people from this risky surgery. I also know of LASIK casualties who have shared my story with family to help them understand the problem better. It's surely a tough thing to try and communicate to those that are close to us. My story seems to put it all in perspective.

God bless Rebecca for all her hard work for making this site available and keeping this site going. It means a heck of a lot to me.

Diana

[Mellie]

Dry Eye Sympathy

Diana, I'm new to the site and still exploring, but I read your story and sympathize so much. It also made me realize again that my situation could be much worse! I have severe chronic dry eye due to radiation therapy..it damaged my tear ducts to the point they don't function at all now. I had to stop working since I am no longer able to stare at a computer screen for 12 hours a day, let alone read regular print. I use ointment at night and gel artificial tears several times an hour. I avoid ceiling fans, air vents, wind, smoke and direct bright sunlight. I cannot drive at night. On a good day I can read large print books in short spurts, but I normally listen to audio books now. I'm sure you can understand about the need to control your environment.....and sometimes being out in public is just plain miserable! I cannot imagine having to wear goggles all the time as you do..I get annoyed enough having to wear sunglasses as much as I do. I have at least progressed from having almost constant blurry vision to only when I overwork my eyes. And I can wear my regular prescription sunglasses instead of the huge wrap arounds now. It seems that the degree of lubrication and rest I'm giving my eyes is helping to some extent at least. It's still frustrating in many ways, but I must say you have much more to deal with having small children plus a baby. I'm glad to hear you have such great support from your husband and family. I'm fortunate there as well....in a couple of days I'm marrying a wonderful man who has stood by me thru my cancer diagnosis and all the surgeries and radiation and having to stop working. It must be true love! Anyway, this seems like a great site for support and information and I hope my message finds you happy and hopefully more comfortable as you continue to dig for information to help yourself. Sometimes I guess that's all you can do when the docs fail you. Take care!

[Jennifer]

Confused

Hello everyone

I hope your dry eyes are okay today, I have DES and have not had any surgery...yet. My eyes have rejected contact lenses now, I have swam competeively all my life and would love to be able to see the end of the pool. I'm 23 and very active. I am looking to have epi-lasek done, that's the one without the cut. I have researched this for months and have read many of the posting on this website. I am volunteering in Africa this Summer and will be there four months and have considered surgery before I go however I am confused about whether to go ahead with this procedure. I have dry eyes now, do you think this would just be worse after surgery? From what I have read I am thinking yes, you all have had lasik, does anyone know if this is the same for epi lasek? Ian on another thread had induced dry eye after epi lasek but my posting didn't work there. Hope none of you mind advising me as I am seriously doubting whether to go ahead now.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Take care

Jennifer

[Rebecca Petris]

Ian on another thread had induced dry eye after epi lasek but my posting didn't work there. Hope none of you mind advising me as I am seriously doubting whether to go ahead now.

Hi Jennifer,

Actually, your post DID work but I moved it to a new thread so that more people would see it and comment on it. I'm sorry for the confusion! Please click here to see your original post and the replies to it so far.

[Jody]

Your story could be mine.

I am so sorry that you have gone through so much. I have written my story, "Years of Hell," and I think we have so much in common. As do so many on this site. I have not "come out on the other side" yet, as you seem to have done. Perhaps I never will. I am still very depressed and very angry at myself and the doctors who did this to me. Congratulations on your new little one(s).

Jody

[dianat]

Hi Jody.

My heart aches when I hear stories like yours. Nobody should have to cope with this, and for so long. It is a crime what has been done to us.

In response to your previous post, I believe the surgery will never be banned. We may see with some pressure the the pre-surgery qualifications become more strict, which is a step in the right direction. Naturally I don't think cutting into anybody's healthy tissue is appropriate, but a complete ban...I don't think so.

I didn't exactly come full circle in my LASIK story, but I'm living again and managing. I am far better than I was when I wrote my story. But make no mistake...I'm still lousy on a good day. My story probably deserves a follow-up, but it was originally written to tell the untold truth about LASIK. I also wanted it to dissuade people from having the surgery.

I am no longer angry at my surgeon...I just never really had the energy for it. It wouldn't do me any good anyway. He was of no help to me when I was at my worst and led me to believe my obvious anxiety was caused by something other than my eyes. He also should have also listened more closely when I described my years of contact lens intolerance prior to surgery. This is a key point that apparently LASIK doctors overlook. So I guess that makes my LASIK doctor an unfeeling ass. Still, hating him gets me nowhere.

I know this sounds like a tall order, but do try to throw the anger and guilt...especially the guilt. It's a waste of time and in some way gets in the way of your mental and physical healing. It's just totally non-productive. Spend your energies on more productive things.

We didn't sign up for this, nor did we intend to induce pain upon ourselves. Your LASIK doctor didn't intend for it either. Mine was intending to cut into his own daughter as soon as he felt she was old enough.

Have you given any more thought to a dialog with the Boston Foundation for Sight? This would be far more productive than dwelling on guilt and selfish LASIK surgeons.

Diana

[Jade]

Hi, Diana,
My name is Diana too. Today is my first time on this website. I have read your stories and you sound so similar to me. I had RK in early 1993 and in a few months I had the intense eye dryness and pain. I traveled all over searching for an answer to no avail. I went through a pregnancy, and yes, at the beginning the dryness was unbearable, towards the end the dryness was non-existent, and the day I had the baby, the dryness came back worse than ever. I didn't work for 5 years because of the severe symptoms.
I suffered with dryness and pain for 7 years after the RK and then it went away for 6 years. I had a few mild symtoms in those years but they were nothing compared to what I had gone through before. Then, suddenly, a year ago my symptoms came back in full force. I had a temporary reprieve last summer using erythromycin ointment in the lower eyelids at night, but it stopped working in late August.
Now my concern is survival. I'm not sure how much longer I can keep working--I have to be on call at night and work really early in the morning and really late at night--all of which is hard on dry eyes. My dry eyes were very hard on my marriage. I'm divorced now and of course am my sole supporter. Functioning at work is sometimes almost impossible. I keep thinking any day now will be my last day. I've thought about social security disability, which I know is hard to get. I too, have had suicidal thoughts. I'm just so sick of living like this.
I am so sorry for what we all have had to go through. Back in 1993, all of the corneal specialists I went to told me that I was the only RK patient who had these severe dry eye symptoms. I truly think it's way more prevalent than they want to admit. All of these doctors were RK surgeons as well as corneal specialists. I think they wanted to do the surgeries because it was a new advancement in their field, and they weren't going to let dry eyes stop them.
Have your moisture chamber glasses/goggles helped you with your symptoms? I ordered some onion goggles. I'm hoping they help with reading and TV.
Thanks for sharing your experiences. Not that I want anyone to go through what I've gone through, but I've never heard from anybody else who experienced what I have.
Diana

[dianat]

Diana, check your private messages.

Dianat