I had no idea there were so many RCE sufferers out there!

[Road Wanderer]

Hello RCE and dry eye sufferers! I have been dealing with RCE in both eyes for nearly 5 years now. I have felt so alone! My most recent episode was last Monday morning. I awoke with such pain and felt like a million shards of glass were in my left eye. I am alone, no family and had to rely on a friend to get me to my eye doctor that morning. I know all too well what you all go through. My RCE has been getting more frequent lately (every other week or so) but this last one was real bad and has taken 6 days now to feel half way better. I now wear night-time contacts in both eyes for protection but do remove them during the day.

I will be seeing a surgeon on the advise of my doctor to look into having a Kerutectomy. I am interested in hearing if any of you have had this done and if it helped! I am also taking supplements for the eyes; fish oil and Bilberry Ginko Eyebright Complex with Lutein. It can't hurt, right? In addition, I use "NON-Preservative" eyedrops (the kind in the vials).

I drive for a living and because of not being able to focus I have lost a week's worth of income. Something has got to give. I am hopeful that the surgery will work.

I wish all of you the best.

Donna

[LindaLa]

Hi Donna,

I had very bad issues with RCE's. I eventually had PTK laser surgery which was successful and has made such a big difference in my life. I still have issues with dry eye, although I seem to have found a regimen which keeps them pretty much under control. I have not had an abrasion or RCE since the surgery. I am having a little difficulty adjusting to my new prescription, but no more pain and pretty good vision. My problem started with dry eye, then abrasions, which then progressed into almost daily RCE's. My problem was the result of the dry eye combined with Map Dot Fingerprint dystrophy. It took over 2 years to appropriately diagnose it. My opthamalogist, who tried everything eventually said I needed to go to a corneal specialist. The corneal specialist immediately diagnosed the problem. I have almost finished my report that I plan to post. I googled Kerutectomy and nothing was found. What type of procedure is it?

[Road Wanderer]

Hi Donna,

I had very bad issues with RCE's. I eventually had PTK laser surgery which was successful and has made such a big difference in my life. I still have issues with dry eye, although I seem to have found a regimen which keeps them pretty much under control. I have not had an abrasion or RCE since the surgery. I am having a little difficulty adjusting to my new prescription, but no more pain and pretty good vision. My problem started with dry eye, then abrasions, which then progressed into almost daily RCE's. My problem was the result of the dry eye combined with Map Dot Fingerprint dystrophy. It took over 2 years to appropriately diagnose it. My opthamalogist, who tried everything eventually said I needed to go to a corneal specialist. The corneal specialist immediately diagnosed the problem. I have almost finished my report that I plan to post. I googled Kerutectomy and nothing was found. What type of procedure is it?

Hey LindaLa! Sounds like you went through a lot as well! Perhaps I am spelling it incorrectly but the procedure is the same as PRK. They remove the top layer of the cornea in hopes that it heals stronger. I am so afraid to sleep at night but with the contact bandages I'm not as worried. They do dry out as well but I am so conditioned to putting eyedroops in my eyes before opening them that it really isn't that big a deal. The biggest thing I've noticed with this last episode is my vision is really bad now, even with my glasses! I drive for a living and by the end of the day all I want to do is close my eyes because they are so strained. All I know is I am really tired of all this and hope the next procedure helps. I wish you well and let me know when your report is complete! I'd really like to read it.

~donna