Who is the #1 Dry Eye Specialist in the United States?

[MikeM]

I did a Google search and also looked on here for suggestions and see there are some good regional docs but is there a real heavy-hitter out there that is nationally recognized?

I have tried everything (Fish oil, humidifier, serum tears, Restatsis, every artificial drop heard of, punctual plugs, night goggles, gels, etc) and need to get this problem solved. There is a small patch of dryness smackin the center of my left eye pupil that degrades my vision. No pain or discomfort, just can't see. I would rather have the pain and deal with pain management then degraded vision.

I am about to commit a significant amount of resources to fixing this. Will travel anywhere, cost is not a factor. Denver area would be nice but will fly anywhere.

Who is the absolute superstar?

Thanks

[lasikdryeye04]

Dr Robert Latkany, Dr. Scheffer Tseng, Dr. Steven L. ****** and Dr. Toyos

[Rebecca Petris]

Whoever you end up seeing I would suggest reading my article How to find a better dry eye doctor.

I am pretty jaded when it comes to the idea of the 'superstar' dry eye doctor. Believe me, there is no highly reputed doctor in this country or elsewhere who does not have a dissatisfied dry eye patient (I say this because I've talked to so many of them over the years). What's to guarantee you'll be one of the satisfied ones? When people go to a top rated doctor their expectations alone practically guarantee a certain level of disappointment because what they can do in the first visit is often so limited. If you go to one of the ones who will do $2k worth of testing it may feel very impressive but I don't know if you're more likely to feel better six months later. All this to say, you're right to ask for help finding the right doctor, but there is no right answer to the "who's the best" question because (among other reasons) each one is better at certain problems/treatments than others.

[Sniffles]

I admire you for looking for the best doctor! This takes courage, time, and a lot of energy to do. However, who is the best doctor for one patient, may not be the best doctor for another patient. The right thing to do it, take your medical chart and start the search. If you find a doctor that you get along well with, refuse to take no for an answer, and get your solution. Best of luck to you.

[MBC]

I would highly suggest the large university research centers. I see Dr. Reza at Harvard because I am in that area. However, Johns Hopkins has a highly regarded dry eye research facility. Single doctors are not part of the same group that has the most cutting edge meds out there. I have been on drops that are still under clinical trial and have been quite helpful -- no miracle but helpful enough to get me through the day. The doctors that you have mentioned to do not have access to such information. They are waiting for others to create the new science and let it trickle down to them. Only my opinion. I have seen some of the doctors you have mentioned and none are as knowledgeable as the ones in the large medical research centers. There is also the large eye hospital in Philadelphia. I have not been there, but have heard many great things about it

[spmcc]

I heartily agree with MBC! After seeing ophthalmologists at the Wills Eye Institute in Philly, PA, I am now very partial to research and teaching hospitals. I think you get the best care there.

[georgiav]

Clinical Trial Drops

Dear MBC,

I am interested in learning more about the drops that you have used that are under clinical trials. I wonder how I would be able to try these drops, as I am out of options. I am located in the Chicago area.

[MBC]

Dear georgiav,

I take two types of drops. One is serum tears. In short, these are stem cells (your own) mixed with saline. It is easy to do but they get backed up due to only having one pharmacist so you can't run out and expect them to make them in a day or two (learned this the hard way). The other drop is called Kineret. It is now under clinical trial but I am not keeping up with the results or process. The purpose is to reduce inflammation. It is currently used as a pill for those with RA, but has not yet been proven for dry eyes. It is only available through MEII in Boston because they are the ones running the study. It works but has some annoying side effects like excema on the lids, etc.


It would be great to see what other experimental treatments people are trying because it is only available at a certain research facility. I recently got very excited about a study I was certain would help me but then discovered it was only in Taiwan.

[fdasdf]

What is the study that is only in Taiwan? I go there frequently and would like to look into it.

Dear georgiav,

I take two types of drops. One is serum tears. In short, these are stem cells (your own) mixed with saline. It is easy to do but they get backed up due to only having one pharmacist so you can't run out and expect them to make them in a day or two (learned this the hard way). The other drop is called Kineret. It is now under clinical trial but I am not keeping up with the results or process. The purpose is to reduce inflammation. It is currently used as a pill for those with RA, but has not yet been proven for dry eyes. It is only available through MEII in Boston because they are the ones running the study. It works but has some annoying side effects like excema on the lids, etc.


It would be great to see what other experimental treatments people are trying because it is only available at a certain research facility. I recently got very excited about a study I was certain would help me but then discovered it was only in Taiwan.

[mgshutterbug]

I started out with a corneal specialist at University of Maryland, had never been to one before because didn't have DES previously. Because of dissatisfaction I thankfully left him (but only after I'd spent 9 mis-informed months wtih him - I hadn't yet found this forum). I then went to Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins. The first corneal specialist I saw there lasted exactly 1 appt. I had to see a retinal specialist too, and if anyone needs that kind of specialist I highly recommend Dr. Baranano. (I know that's not the focus of this forum). I just saw a new opthm at Wilmer recommended by Dr. B: my first impression is very favorable. She recommended starting with a bandage lens in my L eye because I had significant erosions which I am once again getting when I wake up. I'd had nonstop RCEs for 3 weeks prior to seeing her - my fault - I just couldn't believe it was happening all over again. I had gone about 6 mos without any in that eye. I hadn't changed medicines, nothing...just started up again. She said w/o the bandage lens, my cornea never was going to heal. She said I'm a good candidate for sclerals...after my corneas are in better shape. Anyhow, I'll wait to see how things go with her before I post her name. I'm sure I won't agree with everything she says and would like me to do, but at least she NOTICED I had severe DES, something that the corneal specialist I saw there in Nov failed to diagnose. (It was in my head...yes, my eyes are in my head....hmmmm).

Maria