5 years with dry eyes, just back from the doctor

[alaron]

Ever since I tried contacts 5 years ago, I learned that my eyes were dry. I've tried contacts once a year, for a month, since. I've been recommended Refresh, Systane, rubbing shampoo on my eyelids...

Went to an opthalmologist for the first time yesterday, and she said I had "blepharitis" and "keratoconjunctivis sicca"; I'm still trying to learn what that means. She she gave me the 5-minute tear test, and her response at the end was "oh, that's not good."

I'm trying Focus Dailys and Acuvue Dailys now, both with decent results for the last couple days. Also started on Restatis, which I don't think my insurance is going to cover, but the doc assured me that they will fight for it.

Any suggestions on what I can do to relieve the itching and burning?

[kitty]

Keratoconjunctivis sicca is a fancy medical term for Dry Eye Syndrome. You can use it to impress people at a party, or if you want to get some sympathy. I'm just kidding with you. Are you sure that some of the itching is not due to allergies? I have found over time the only things that relieve the burning are lots of Theratears and environmental controls. Some days I do OK, mostly the days that it rains and I don't have to be on the computer. My plugs have helped about 50% as far as the burning goes. Trial and error with finding the right drops and lots of time and experimentation in learning how to manage your disease can help to reduce the discomfort. Good luck!

[alaron]

Four days on Resitatis and my eyes started to really burn. doc gave me Alrex for that.... more meds *sigh*... I hope I'm in the lucky 15%.

[Rebecca Petris]

Went to an opthalmologist for the first time yesterday, and she said I had "blepharitis" and "keratoconjunctivis sicca"; I'm still trying to learn what that means....

I'm trying Focus Dailys and Acuvue Dailys now, both with decent results for the last couple days. Also started on Restatis, which I don't think my insurance is going to cover, but the doc assured me that they will fight for it.
...Any suggestions on what I can do to relieve the itching and burning?

Personally I would not try to wear contacts until you can get the blepharitis and the dry eye under better control. Try warm compresses and lid scrubs for the blepharitis. Baby shampoo works for some people but for many of us it is too harsh. You might try plain saline or the Ocusoft lidscrub or something similar. I have been using the Ocusoft foaming scrub lately and it seems to be gentle enough for me.

When I get itchy/burny I sometimes do saline rinses now and then to relieve it.

Here is a link to help you understand more about dry eye:

Dry Eye for Dummies

[alaron]

Are you sure that some of the itching is not due to allergies?

I'm sure some of it is. I have plenty of sinus problems due to environmental stuff.

I have found over time the only things that relieve the burning are lots of Theratears and environmental controls. Some days I do OK, mostly the days that it rains and I don't have to be on the computer.

I'm a software engineer, so that's not possible in my current career =/

My plugs have helped about 50% as far as the burning goes.

I asked the doc about that and she dismissed them immediately. Odd, since many people on this board report good results.

Trial and error with finding the right drops and lots of time and experimentation in learning how to manage your disease can help to reduce the discomfort. Good luck!

Vial drops with no preservatives feel so much better.... but they're really expensive. I've been considering getting the trial pack from the store here; do any of the 3 not have a "preservativy" feeling?

Thanks for your support!

[Rebecca Petris]

If you normally use something like the Refresh Plus or Theratears PF vials then of the three in the store here I would suggest NutraTear. It has a lighter consistency than the other two (Dwelle/Dakrina) and personally I find it helpful for a combination of dry+itchy.

[Disclaimer/conflict of interest statement: I own the company ]

p.s. Unfortunately the trial pack is not going to be available for awhile as we're running low of trial-size Dwelle.

[alaron]

I started feeling heat and tingling in my forearms about 2 weeks into my Restasis treatment. Called my doc and she sounded surprised and told me to stop taking it.

[alaron]

Just got back with my first follow-up with the doc. Her bottom line is that she can't do anything special for me other than suggest supplements (flaxseed or fish oil) and non-preservative eye drops. I asked her about my diagnosis, since she didn't explain it to me at the first visit, and she said that my tear glands are blocked and there are blood vessels growing over them. Anyone here know anything about that? I asked her what supplements in particular to take, and she said that "it doesn't matter, they're all the same".

I'm gonna go see her again in 3 months.

Any help, further suggestions, stuff to try in the meantime until I see her again? I almost feel like she's apathetic and doesn't want to help.

[Rebecca Petris]

I generally encourage people to give their doctor a fair chance and to be as proactive as they can to get their doctor more engaged, but frankly I see little benefit to going back if by her own admission she cannot help. There are far more treatment options than drops, Restasis and Omega 3s (here are some examples).

But getting a more detailed diagnosis is a key step. From your description it does not sound as though you're likely to get further in the diagnostic puzzle with this doctor. Perhaps a next step would be to look for a specialist.

[alaron]

*sob*
According to my medical insurance, she *is* a specialist. They consider a "specialist" to be anyone other than my primary physician. What do you mean by "specialist"?

[Rebecca Petris]

*sob*
According to my medical insurance, she *is* a specialist. They consider a "specialist" to be anyone other than my primary physician. What do you mean by "specialist"?

Sigh... I'm sorry . She's a specialist in that she's an eye doctor. And strictly speaking there is no such thing as a dry eye specialist.

What I personally mean by a specialist is either (1) an ophthalmologist whose subspecialty training is in CORNEA (also called anterior segment), or (2) any optometrist or ophthalmologist who takes a sincere interest in diagnosing and treating dry eye, because without a serious level of interest many doctors simply do not know what they need to know to help people like us. Someone who is really interested will attent extra continuing ed courses in this area and read current medical literature so as to keep up with diagnosis and treatment trends and products that can help.

You might want to check in our Dry Eye Yellow Pages - it's a new site so the pickings are quite thin but we've got some SoCal doctors listed there who were suggested by the Orange County support group. If any of them is near enough to you, you could call and see if they take your insurance?

Or, you could post here where you live and see if any other user has a suggestion for you of someone to see.

[alaron]

Or, you could post here where you live and see if any other user has a suggestion for you of someone to see.

Sure, let's do that. I'm in the LA/Burbank area in Southern California.