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Dear Rebecca and other Dry Eye Zoners,
I have lurked in the bushes for long enough, and feel as though I've read about half this amazing website in my desperate quest for sensible information about this condition. So here goes:
I contracted DE after medically necessary cataract surgery, which had many complications; I won't say too much about this. It has been 8 months since the last lot of surgery, 11 months since the first. Like many of you, I had never heard of DE until sort-of diagnosed after months of mysterious awful pain, accompanied by the airy observation that it 'may or may not' ever clear up, just on its own! This sent me scurrying to the Internet for much lacking information, and also tipped me into the darkest and most wretched misery I have ever experienced.
In this respect, DEZ can be a rather scary place for a newcomer - all one's worst fears seem to be confirmed; the pain is awful, it can go on forever, there is no cure etc. However after that shock of ice water, other themes emerge - there is an absolute wealth of information generously provided by fellow sufferers, and much kindness, humour and, yes, hope - that with time and perseverence, things can be much, much better.
Already, a little mini-triumph:
For a couple of months post-surgery, some pain is to be expected. However in this case it just went on and on - two eyes like blazing oil wells, and maddening 'foreign body', a combination impossible to imagine until experienced. Then to be told it might go on forever...
I believe much of the pain of dry eye comes about from the condition being initially ignored then CULPABLY left to deterioriate - the underlying issues will still exist, but a lot of symptomatic relief can be achieved, and most importantly, the eye structures preserved from greater damage.
The following simple measures, bolted together Frankenstein-like from various sources brought me (physically) from absolute AGONY to plain old discomfort -
Hot compresses/eyelid scrubs/gland expression for blocked meibomian glands - some relief, then later, more improvement with -
Doxylin (doxycycline hydrochloride) for bacterial infestation of same.
Endep for suspected neuralgic (nerve) pain, though I doubt this was an issue.
Clear close fitting wrap-around glasses outside - I had no idea how much damage the smallest breeze could cause!
(There was no sensitivity to light, or reflex tearing).
However this is like falling off a cliff and landing on a friendly ledge. Very nice considering the alternative, but how can we identify the best approaches instead of just 'try this, try that' to nurse our various systems back to normal, rather than feeling sort-of-OK but hovering on the brink?
I'm really interested in evidence-based treatments for dry eye, and would like to know more about the various tests that can be used to measure tear film health, such as for osmolarity, goblet cell density etc. I worry myself senseless about corneal nerves (are they severed, abnormal?), meib glands (are they kaput??), goblet cells (are they dying off???) and much else besides! Little help forthcoming from most professionals...
My opinion of a certain medical specialty is digging it's way to China.
I'd be happy to hear from other Australian victims, esp those from Sydney. We are very poorly served for resources and need to compare notes.
Many thanks to Rebecca and to so many regular contributors, I feel as though I know you already.
Oh, and here's a hot tip for everyone - Have you considered using DROPS!!
SimpsonDesert (a very dry place, TBUT 1 & 3)
I have lurked in the bushes for long enough, and feel as though I've read about half this amazing website in my desperate quest for sensible information about this condition. So here goes:
I contracted DE after medically necessary cataract surgery, which had many complications; I won't say too much about this. It has been 8 months since the last lot of surgery, 11 months since the first. Like many of you, I had never heard of DE until sort-of diagnosed after months of mysterious awful pain, accompanied by the airy observation that it 'may or may not' ever clear up, just on its own! This sent me scurrying to the Internet for much lacking information, and also tipped me into the darkest and most wretched misery I have ever experienced.
In this respect, DEZ can be a rather scary place for a newcomer - all one's worst fears seem to be confirmed; the pain is awful, it can go on forever, there is no cure etc. However after that shock of ice water, other themes emerge - there is an absolute wealth of information generously provided by fellow sufferers, and much kindness, humour and, yes, hope - that with time and perseverence, things can be much, much better.
Already, a little mini-triumph:
For a couple of months post-surgery, some pain is to be expected. However in this case it just went on and on - two eyes like blazing oil wells, and maddening 'foreign body', a combination impossible to imagine until experienced. Then to be told it might go on forever...
I believe much of the pain of dry eye comes about from the condition being initially ignored then CULPABLY left to deterioriate - the underlying issues will still exist, but a lot of symptomatic relief can be achieved, and most importantly, the eye structures preserved from greater damage.
The following simple measures, bolted together Frankenstein-like from various sources brought me (physically) from absolute AGONY to plain old discomfort -
Hot compresses/eyelid scrubs/gland expression for blocked meibomian glands - some relief, then later, more improvement with -
Doxylin (doxycycline hydrochloride) for bacterial infestation of same.
Endep for suspected neuralgic (nerve) pain, though I doubt this was an issue.
Clear close fitting wrap-around glasses outside - I had no idea how much damage the smallest breeze could cause!
(There was no sensitivity to light, or reflex tearing).
However this is like falling off a cliff and landing on a friendly ledge. Very nice considering the alternative, but how can we identify the best approaches instead of just 'try this, try that' to nurse our various systems back to normal, rather than feeling sort-of-OK but hovering on the brink?
I'm really interested in evidence-based treatments for dry eye, and would like to know more about the various tests that can be used to measure tear film health, such as for osmolarity, goblet cell density etc. I worry myself senseless about corneal nerves (are they severed, abnormal?), meib glands (are they kaput??), goblet cells (are they dying off???) and much else besides! Little help forthcoming from most professionals...
My opinion of a certain medical specialty is digging it's way to China.
I'd be happy to hear from other Australian victims, esp those from Sydney. We are very poorly served for resources and need to compare notes.
Many thanks to Rebecca and to so many regular contributors, I feel as though I know you already.
Oh, and here's a hot tip for everyone - Have you considered using DROPS!!
SimpsonDesert (a very dry place, TBUT 1 & 3)
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