Hi - any members in London and UK?

[kateanne]

I'm a recent dry eye sufferer - only got really severe this last month. I work a lot overseas and have had to cancel my next post as the condition has deteriorated considerably. I have seen an opthamologist and he has confirmed my tear production is very low.

I'm going to be back in London next week to start the process of consulting opthamologists etc to try and get some relief and find out what my options are. I have heard positive comments about the optometrist Michel Guillon and William Ayliffe - any words of advice, support or suggestions would be much appreciated. I am currently extremely depressed. I am single and now also unemployed and very worried about my future.

But reading all the posts and the comments here has been a great source of comfort to me over the last couple of weeks. It helps to know that I am not alone in this and that there are a lot of people battling the same issue and still managing to continue their lives.

Kate

[littlemermaid]

London dry eye

I would try to see: 1. Moorfields anterior segment team for better diagnosis. They are overstretched in NHS so any problems, track 'em down in private practice. 2. Western Eye Hospital, Marylebone, is looking good. M Guillon, optometrist, is expensive but sympathetic and useful. Anyone know if he is qualifed to prescribe though?

Local hospitals are still not good at diagnosing dry eye specifics. If you suspect they don't know what it is or don't regard it as serious, leave fast.

Large regional teaching hospitals like Oxford John Radcliffe, Manchester etc are good on dry eye now (see NHS website). Watch those lengthy follow up times (find informed local optometrist for backup). When you book follow ups, maybe ask for specific person if you like them.

GP or optometrist referral is best route, although emergency eye clinic (you need to look awful) might get you into NHS lists depending who's working that day.

Also, here's a new independent triage business servicing the NHS Primary Care Trusts and private practice, which I'm loving for many reasons: http://www.thepracticeplc.com/index.jsp.

Another interesting new aspect is that that the booming high street LASIK businesses are employing 'corneal specialist optometrists' (yeh right) to 'assess' pre- and post-surgery dry eyes, so if you want a local optometrist for backup you might find one you like in that scenario.

There's no substitute for your favourite ophthalmologist though. Good luck finding him/her ~ happy to PM.

[kateanne]

Thanks for all that info. I'll get onto it as soon as I'm in London next week. It's good to have practical advice from someone who has 'been through the system'. I'm starting off with visit to my local optometrist (who has been fantastically supportive of my mother through various eye issues) on the day after I return. Will take it from there.