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Hi everyone,
I've been reading this site for a while - it's really great to have the comfort of knowing you aren't alone dealing with these issues.
Brief background: As an otherwise completely healthy 23 year old, last July I literally woke up one day with the inability to look at a computer/tv screen. I work long hours on a computer, and also spend a lot of free time using one, watching tv, etc., so I thought perhaps something just "gave out". At first, I was unaware of Dry Eye Syndrome, I described my symptoms as eye strain. I visited a few doctors (one suggested that a new topical acne regimine of lemon juice had perhaps been interacting with my eyes - I stopped immediately, but with no symptom improvement), and one finally did a Schirmer's test, where he said I was low for someone my age ( I think 8 was the reading). I have tried numerous drops, and one thing that helps a lot are Gunnar Glasses, which are tinted amber and protect my eyes from screen brightness. However, they are annoying and I do experience dry eye symptoms even when not in front of a screen.
I recently moved to Miami, and decided to give Bascom Palmer (the "#1 eye institute") a try. Honestly, I'll say I was hardly impressed with my doctor, though I did decide to try Punctal Plugs which a previous doctor had also mentioned, not knowing how expensive they are ($700 pre-insurance!).
In any case, here's my issue - the left plug was painful from the beginning. I was told to wait in the lobby to see if it subsided. It did not, so we went from what I believe was a .6mm EagleVision to a .4mm. This made it a little better, and I was told to wait a week to see how I responded. It remained irritated, and I decided to get it removed after the week - except the doctor said it was already gone! Subsequent researching I have done has show this to be common, except I am still in pain. It almost feels like the plug is stuck in my lower eyelid, and the pain even radiates through my sinus area. Has anyone ever experienced this? I have seen that intracanalicular plugs are usually the ones that would pose such a risk, but I have found that the Freeman style punctal plugs can do this occassionally. It actually seems like if they do, it requires major surgery. Now my symptoms have not gotten worse in the past few days, and perhaps even have gotten a bit better.
I'm really just looking for any shared experience or advice before I go back to the doctor for a third time. I'm really not excited to have them messing with my eyes again.
Thanks a bunch in advance!
I've been reading this site for a while - it's really great to have the comfort of knowing you aren't alone dealing with these issues.
Brief background: As an otherwise completely healthy 23 year old, last July I literally woke up one day with the inability to look at a computer/tv screen. I work long hours on a computer, and also spend a lot of free time using one, watching tv, etc., so I thought perhaps something just "gave out". At first, I was unaware of Dry Eye Syndrome, I described my symptoms as eye strain. I visited a few doctors (one suggested that a new topical acne regimine of lemon juice had perhaps been interacting with my eyes - I stopped immediately, but with no symptom improvement), and one finally did a Schirmer's test, where he said I was low for someone my age ( I think 8 was the reading). I have tried numerous drops, and one thing that helps a lot are Gunnar Glasses, which are tinted amber and protect my eyes from screen brightness. However, they are annoying and I do experience dry eye symptoms even when not in front of a screen.
I recently moved to Miami, and decided to give Bascom Palmer (the "#1 eye institute") a try. Honestly, I'll say I was hardly impressed with my doctor, though I did decide to try Punctal Plugs which a previous doctor had also mentioned, not knowing how expensive they are ($700 pre-insurance!).
In any case, here's my issue - the left plug was painful from the beginning. I was told to wait in the lobby to see if it subsided. It did not, so we went from what I believe was a .6mm EagleVision to a .4mm. This made it a little better, and I was told to wait a week to see how I responded. It remained irritated, and I decided to get it removed after the week - except the doctor said it was already gone! Subsequent researching I have done has show this to be common, except I am still in pain. It almost feels like the plug is stuck in my lower eyelid, and the pain even radiates through my sinus area. Has anyone ever experienced this? I have seen that intracanalicular plugs are usually the ones that would pose such a risk, but I have found that the Freeman style punctal plugs can do this occassionally. It actually seems like if they do, it requires major surgery. Now my symptoms have not gotten worse in the past few days, and perhaps even have gotten a bit better.
I'm really just looking for any shared experience or advice before I go back to the doctor for a third time. I'm really not excited to have them messing with my eyes again.
Thanks a bunch in advance!
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