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Looking for advice on how to proceed with getting the right doctor to help me.
I have Graves disease. I went to one ophthamalogist almost 3 years ago now who said I has blepharitis and I needed to wash eye with baby shampoo, soak eyes with green tea bags and use eye drops. I did that for awhile and did improve a bit. But after awhile I did was not satisfied that it was solving enough of my problem. I still suffered even though slightly improved.
I knew I had allergies so I went to an allergist thinking that may be causing some of the unresolved problem. I am allergic to 5 things and have been going to an allergist for shots weekly for a year and a half now and while the allergies have improved some the eyes are now worse.
I went to a new endocrinologist who put me on steroids (dexamethasone) a year and a half ago and and while I did have some improvement I was still suffering. I sought out an ophthmalogist (neuro?) that is a best NJ doc that treats patients w/ Graves disease. He took me off the steroids. So far I am not showing any worrisome symptoms that could happen to my eyes from the graves disease beyond dry eye problems. I do not want to use Restasis since it contains steroids and I had a very very bad experience coming off the steroids. I have tried most of the over the counter eyedrops & gels including FreshKote prescription. The doc said punctal plugs are next.
In the meantime, I can't go into the office environment in the last 2 weeks so far. Too dry, too much AC blowing, too bright, and I can't even drive in the morning light to get into work. I tried this past week and had to pull of the road with my eyes tearing and burning too much to see. Very dangerous.
I have an appt with an oculoplastic reconstructive surgeon in early Sept that my dr referred me to to get the plugs.
My question is whether this is the right doctor to go to right now. Is plugs the right things to do? I do live in NJ and could go to see Dr Latkany that wrote Dry Eye Syndrome instead. I am not that far from him. Although I do not know if I can get an appt that soon. At this point I am finding it extremely difficult to work and don't go out until the sun goes down - almost.
Should I stick with the oculoplastic surgeon doc and get the plugs first or go to a dry eye dr specialist like Dr Latkany first even if I have to wait?
Should I take temp disability until I can get these things resolved?
I am trying lots of things in the meantime just to see if anything helps - new computer glasses, new homepathic eyedrops, just ordered tranquileyes, crysantimum tea, acupuncture, warm eye compresses, avoiding sun, light, AC etc.
I have Graves disease. I went to one ophthamalogist almost 3 years ago now who said I has blepharitis and I needed to wash eye with baby shampoo, soak eyes with green tea bags and use eye drops. I did that for awhile and did improve a bit. But after awhile I did was not satisfied that it was solving enough of my problem. I still suffered even though slightly improved.
I knew I had allergies so I went to an allergist thinking that may be causing some of the unresolved problem. I am allergic to 5 things and have been going to an allergist for shots weekly for a year and a half now and while the allergies have improved some the eyes are now worse.
I went to a new endocrinologist who put me on steroids (dexamethasone) a year and a half ago and and while I did have some improvement I was still suffering. I sought out an ophthmalogist (neuro?) that is a best NJ doc that treats patients w/ Graves disease. He took me off the steroids. So far I am not showing any worrisome symptoms that could happen to my eyes from the graves disease beyond dry eye problems. I do not want to use Restasis since it contains steroids and I had a very very bad experience coming off the steroids. I have tried most of the over the counter eyedrops & gels including FreshKote prescription. The doc said punctal plugs are next.
In the meantime, I can't go into the office environment in the last 2 weeks so far. Too dry, too much AC blowing, too bright, and I can't even drive in the morning light to get into work. I tried this past week and had to pull of the road with my eyes tearing and burning too much to see. Very dangerous.
I have an appt with an oculoplastic reconstructive surgeon in early Sept that my dr referred me to to get the plugs.
My question is whether this is the right doctor to go to right now. Is plugs the right things to do? I do live in NJ and could go to see Dr Latkany that wrote Dry Eye Syndrome instead. I am not that far from him. Although I do not know if I can get an appt that soon. At this point I am finding it extremely difficult to work and don't go out until the sun goes down - almost.
Should I stick with the oculoplastic surgeon doc and get the plugs first or go to a dry eye dr specialist like Dr Latkany first even if I have to wait?
Should I take temp disability until I can get these things resolved?
I am trying lots of things in the meantime just to see if anything helps - new computer glasses, new homepathic eyedrops, just ordered tranquileyes, crysantimum tea, acupuncture, warm eye compresses, avoiding sun, light, AC etc.
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