Dry eyes and MDFD- need help

[pauldo]

I appreciate any help I can get. I had no real visual problems other than dry eye until April 29, 2010 when a bungee cord struck my right eye. I developed a grade 2 hyphema, corneal abrasion, subconj. hemorrhage. marginal lid laceration, and conjuct. hemorrhage.

In May, I began to start to steaks of light and halos at night in BOTH eyes. I then started having glare and occasional starbursts. These visual aberrations have gradually worsened. I saw at least 5 ophthalmologists including a couple top doctors listed in Philly magazine. Finally one of them said I had Map Dot Fingerprint Dystrophy and a traumatic cataract in my right eye. I was given samples of Systane and told to return in 4 months without a referral to a Corneal Specialist. Nobody can explain why I am suddenly having all these symptoms but I think the steroid drops I put in my right eye immunocompromised my eyes which already had MDFD and were extremely dry from meds I had taken including Accutane and many psych meds.

I have been using Dwelle, Muro 128 ointment and drops and now have eye pain also. Has anyone heard of MDFD and these symptoms from medications? Does anyone have any suggestions ? I am trying to find the best Cornea specialist in Philadelphia or even Hopkins in Baltimore who will do a thorough exam including topography or keratometry ? Any advice sincerely appreciated.

[nycdryeyegirl]

I appreciate any help I can get. I had no real visual problems other than dry eye until April 29, 2010 when a bungee cord struck my right eye. I developed a grade 2 hyphema, corneal abrasion, subconj. hemorrhage. marginal lid laceration, and conjuct. hemorrhage.

In May, I began to start to steaks of light and halos at night in BOTH eyes. I then started having glare and occasional starbursts. These visual aberrations have gradually worsened. I saw at least 5 ophthalmologists including a couple top doctors listed in Philly magazine. Finally one of them said I had Map Dot Fingerprint Dystrophy and a traumatic cataract in my right eye. I was given samples of Systane and told to return in 4 months without a referral to a Corneal Specialist. Nobody can explain why I am suddenly having all these symptoms but I think the steroid drops I put in my right eye immunocompromised my eyes which already had MDFD and were extremely dry from meds I had taken including Accutane and many psych meds.

I have been using Dwelle, Muro 128 ointment and drops and now have eye pain also. Has anyone heard of MDFD and these symptoms from medications? Does anyone have any suggestions ? I am trying to find the best Cornea specialist in Philadelphia or even Hopkins in Baltimore who will do a thorough exam including topography or keratometry ? Any advice sincerely appreciated.

Hi!

I would suggest you see Dr. Esen Karamursel Akpek, who is Director of the Ocular Surface and Dry Eye Clinic, which is part of the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Dr. Akpek has had almost three and a half years of fellowship training at two very prestigous medical institutions (Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and John Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute).

Dr.Akpek may be able to help you as I believe she is an excellent doctor in this field (ocular surface and dry eye disorders).

Pam

[spmcc]

Re: Philadelphia + dry eye

I have no firsthand knowledge of this place but I've heard about it.

Penn Dry Eye & Ocular Surface Center
see http://www.pennmedicine.org/ophth/se...ye-center.html

[pauldo]

re: MDFD & dry eye

Thank you Pam for your advice. Have you actually seen Dr. Akpek or do you know others who have. I need someone who is an excellent clinician but also understanding and willing to very thorough - I don't mind driving 2.5 hours to Wilmer but I want to make sure it is worth it.

Thanks also to spmcc - I actually did see Dr. Orlin today at Univ Penn - head of cornea division.

Dr. Orlin seemed knowledgeable about the cornea and eye in general but all he could find were some dots(microcysts) -part of MDFD. He could NOT find any explanation for the HALOS, GLARE, STARBURSTS, ETC and did NOT seem overly concerned about how they are new and bothering me.

Dr. Orlin also did not think Topography or Wavescan would help and did NOT want to do:
!. Schirmers
2. TBUT
3.Rose Bengal

I need someone willing to take more interest who is an excellent clinician as well - I know that is hard to find.

Pam - do you think Dr. Akpek is the right person by your experience or other's experience ??

Thanks again,
Paul

[nycdryeyegirl]

Hi!

I think that as a consultation, Dr. Akpek would be a good choice. I have not personally seen her but a member of the DEZ forum saw her because of a complicated, serious condition affecting his conjunctiva and cornea and here is a link to his post:

http://www.dryeyezone.com/talk/showthread.php?t=10486

Dr. Akpek did her fellowship training under Dr. Stephen Foster at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (my eye doctor also did his training with Dr. Foster), who is considered to be of the top specialists in the field of ocular immunology (inflammatory diseases of the eye),so I feel that this alone is an excellent starting point. I might add that seeing a doctor who has had almost three and a half years of fellowship training at two very prestigous medical institutions (Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins Hospital) would certainly make me consider seeing her.

I agree with you that finding an excellent clinician, who is thorough and very knowledgeble and who also will take your symptoms seriously, is the type of doctor one would want to see and ultimately, the only person that can make the choice of whether seeing Dr. Akpek would fit the bill for you is yourself.

I hope I have been of some help to you.

Pam