Help!

[pharmacy91]

Hi. I have just recently started to suffer from dry eyes. I was working in the aseptics lab and a colleague of mine asked me to spray this alcohol sporicidal spray to kill mould. However he failed to mention to wear goggles and mask. So spray goes in eye and now I'm suffering from dry eyes. I am grateful that nothing severe to my eyes occurred but this condition is hard to live with. I have joined this site for support and guidance as I won't come across young people who suffer from this condition.

[Hokucat]

Hi there. Sorry to hear about your incident. Am assuming you have seen an ophthalmologist about this, and continue to follow up with them? If so, what have they prescribed so far? Is your condition permanent, or does the doctor think your eyes will heal and go back to normal? That could determine which treatments are most appropriate and cost effective for you.

There are treatments to help reduce inflammation and/or heal the surface of the eye, including rx drops like steroids, Restasis, Xiidra, autologous serum tears, and amniotic membrane transplants or tissues like Prokera, etc.

There are also many levels of products and treatments to help manage the dryness symptoms, which although do not solve the underlying condition, provide relief and comfort, which is just as important. This can include OTC preservative-free artificial tears and gels (don't use any with preservatives if possible, especially BAK, which could further exasperate your condition), indoor and outdoor airshields/goggles to keep moisture in like 7Eye/WileyX/Ziena which come tinted or clear and can be fitted with rx lenses, nightwear to keep your eyes moist like TranquilEyes/EyeSeals 4.0, scleral lenses, etc. I am not certain sclerals would be ok for you if your sclera/white part of your eyes are also damaged, since the lens edges lay on the sclera, but wanted to mention just in case. Here is some info and resources:

AIRSHIELDS/GOGGLES:
https://www.dryeyeshop.com/mobile/br...wear-c149.aspx

NIGHTWEAR:
https://www.dryeyeshop.com/mobile/br...ucts-c148.aspx

SCLERAL LENSES:
http://www.bostonsight.org/PROSE/PRO...y-Eye-Syndrome

Some of these eye products and treatments may not be appropriate for the unusual circumstances causing your dry eye, so best to discuss with your eye doctor. Hope you find some relief soon.

[PhoenixEyes]

Like Hokucat my first question would be have you seen an opthalmologist and did they do a flourescein dye test to check if corneal erosions from a chemical burn occurred? If so Prokera amniotic membrane lens may be a good idea to quickly heal things with less scarring.

The tear film of the eye is composed of three layers which they can also look into.

~ Top lipid layer supplied by meibomian gland oils: They can press the eyelid margin to check whether meibomian gland oils come out of the pores near the base of each eyelash or whether the chemical scarred them, in which case you may get a diagnosis of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and be prone to evaporative dry eye, they can check evaporative tear breakup time with the dye test.

~ Middle aqueous layer supplied by lacrimal gland tears: They can curl the upper eyelid up to look at the lacrimal glands and check if they were scarred, if so you may be aqueous deficient.

~ Bottom mucin layer supplied by goblet cells: This is typically too difficult to properly check for as confocal microscopy is a bit invasive. It may occur with chemical burns however so depending on severity of the burn you could just assume a reduced goblet density. Cyclosporin (Restasis, Ikervis etc.) is meant to help increase goblet cells. Amniotic membrane may also help with this.

- They can also flip the eyelid inside out to check the tarsal plate under the eyelid, if there is scarring or bumps there they may be irritating the eye.

Each component of the tear film have different possible treatments, so good to get a proper diagnosis.

[pharmacy91]

Hi. Thanks for your advice and help. I saw an ophthalmologist last week. I wasn't really impressed by him. He had a look and couldn't see anything serious. But when I asked him about the tear break up test. He said that I have got a good tear film, so there is no need. Basically, I feel like he didn't do all the proper tests that were needed and he just dismissed me. I did see an optometrist and they said that my tears were evaporating quickly. I think they lasted 3 seconds.

Right now I am just putting in artificial drops. I just feel so alone with this condition.

I am planning on seeing a private ophthalmologist to get a second opinion. I just feel like the spray has caused something, which is causing dry eyes.

[PhoenixEyes]

For the fluorescein dye test it's a yellow eye drop.

If your tears are evaporating too quickly then definitely worth getting a second opinion and asking them to check your meibomian glands. The condition I had is treated a bit like a burn to the eye and I do have meibomian gland dysfunction.

What drops are you putting in at the moment? A lot of people with dry eye learn that preservatives are too irritating for them and so maybe there are preservative free options you could try instead. It depends on your country as to which are easily available or you can order online.

[pharmacy91]

I am using hyloforte. I know I will have to accept this condition is with me now. I am just really struggling at the moment. Everytime I think about how my eyes were before this incident, I just burst out crying.

[CharlieGreenEyes]

Hi - I haven't really got any advice to add, but just wanted to say I really hope things get better for you - and also do see another (better) opthalmologist. I find it so shocking that so many are so ignorant or dismissive of dry eye issues, but sadly it seems quite a few are. Try to ensure the private one you see is experienced in dry eye - a corneal surface specialist. I saw several on the NHS and one privately before I found my current one who seems to understand and have the right expertise.

I really do hope you can get something done for your eyes. I can relate to feeling like crying and despairing at times. But please try not to give up. It's so hard not to sometimes - especially when shockingly it seems so many opthalmologists are able to be so dismissive of dry eye issues. I don't understand why there isn't a better standardisation of testing and diagnosis for all dry eye related problems.

I think the advice PhoenixEyes and Hokucat have given you is really good - they gave me some good tips. It's a frustratingly slow process sometimes - treatments may work or at least help ease pain and discomfort - but it can take time. I'm cur

I use hyloforte at times too. I find it helps to use a combination of several different drops. I currently use mostly Thealoz Duo. Try an ointment at night. It's helped me - I use Xailin Night.

I'm also on a short-term course of FML steroid eye drops. I had damaged corneas and I think one of the reasons I've been given steroid drops is to prevent infections and also speed-up healing (but I think they can also reduce inflammation - if that's your issue, it might help).

[pharmacy91]

Hi. Sorry for replying late. Thank you for the advice. Which ophthalmologist are you seeing. I live around Birmingham area. I have looked at a few private ophthalmologist online. I don't know if they are cornea specialist.

[CharlieGreenEyes]

Hi - sorry also for replying late (can't always use computers or read when my eyes get bad).

I was advised by people here to check that the opthalmologist was a corneal surface and/or external corneal disease specialist (ask the hospital/clinic/PA if they don't specify what areas they speciaslise in) before making appointments.

I can PM you the name of the opthalmologist I'm seeing if you want (they're in London). Sorry for not writing their name publically but I'd rather they didn't guess who I am (just in case they happen to read this forum and get offended by anything I write).

[pharmacy91]

Hi. Thanks. That would be great.