20/20 vision and "dry eye"

[debbrancheau]

I have perfect vision. 20/20 in my left and 20/15 in my right. But I have severe pain due to "dry eye".

Does anyone else have perfect vision and dry eye? Most of the folks on DET seem to have vision issues.

I'm not bragging, trust me. In a way it's been a problem with my docs because they seem to think that since I have perfect vision then my problem isn't bad. And they won't prescribe scleral lenses because they tell me that those lenses are only helpful for people who already use contacts but that need ones that are better for their dry eye.

Maybe they're right. I don't know. But I feel like I'm being dismissed because my vision is fine and I have very little damage to my corneas.

I think it's corneal neuropathy since my eyes are in good shape but I'm experiencing severe pain. It did have one doc recently tell me that he thought it was neuropathic and he referred my to a neuro-ophthalmologist (who costs $431 just for a visit). So needless to say, I have seen him yet.

As with many of you, this pain is extremely disabling. I haven't left my house but once in the last month. I'd really like to go shopping again but I haven't done that in years. It's the little things, for me, that I can't do anymore that make me so sad. Those things that most people take for granted.

I'm even missing a baby shower this weekend.

But hey, I'm making all of this up, right?

[lizlou29]

Hi, my vision is the same as yours (just opposite eyes) and I have severe dry eyes. Mine is caused by meibomian gland dysfunction and aqueous deficiency.

You can have sclerosis even with perfect vision. I've been told my eyelids are too sensitive for them.

As you say your eyes are in good shape does this mean they have told you you have a good Schirmers number and normal tear break up time?

Liz

[lizlou29]

Sclerals not sclerosis. Stupid predictive text ��

[debbrancheau]

Hi Liz,

Sorry for the late reply. Thanks for your reply.

I was told I had MGD, dry eyes, ocular rosacea, yada yada... But none of the treatments my docs tried did anything.

I was also told that my eyes are too sensitive for lenses, but I think I should be allowed to judge for myself. My docs refuse to prescribe them. Literally, they refuse. I don't understand why. I've heard a lot of people on the forums here that they have found quite a bit of relief from them. I really want to try them.

I'm not sure anymore about all the different tests I've had. I've done the Schirmer test a number of times and each doc says something different. Most of them don't even trust that test so why they have me do it, I don't know. I've had saline tests done, all the eye drop tests, lipid tests, infection tests... My saline was mildly off, my lipids were fine (even though I was diagnosed with MGD ), there is no infection... And really there are only very mild signs of dry eye. My docs have said that the level of "damage" to my eyes was insignificant and really shouldn't cause pain.

I've been told by pretty much all my docs that my symptoms are far worse than what they are observing.

Just recently though, one of my docs "numbed" my eyes and then asked me if they felt any better with the numbing drops. Before I could answer he said, "Now, take a moment before you answer and really think about how your eyes feel. Is the pain COMPLETELY gone?"

After a moment, I said, "No. The pain is still there. It's not as bad but it's still there."

I never told any if my other docs that because I thought they would think I was crazy. I always lied and said my eyes felt great.

This doc told me that the numbing drops should completely stop the pain and the fact that it didn't means it's neurological. He then referred me to an ocular neurologist. He said he had never seen this before and had no idea what to do.

So I'm waiting to see the specialist. I need to get my health insurance first.

I should mention that I'm now taking cymbalta and it has helped bring the pain level down from a 6-7 to a 4-5 on average. And now I can go outside for about 3 hours before they become a problem.

[Rebecca Petris]

Lots of people have no vision complications from their dry eye.

And they won't prescribe scleral lenses because they tell me that those lenses are only helpful for people who already use contacts but that need ones that are better for their dry eye.

Ignorance, sigh. But understandable. The use of sclerals specifically for ocular surface diseases with no vision component is not all that well known (yet). Much better known now, however, than it was 5 years ago. For the record... I know people who wear sclerals for photophobia, for pain, for aqueous deficient dryness from various causes and for MGD - with or without any vision correction needs.

I was also told that my eyes are too sensitive for lenses, but I think I should be allowed to judge for myself. My docs refuse to prescribe them. Literally, they refuse. I don't understand why. I've heard a lot of people on the forums here that they have found quite a bit of relief from them. I really want to try them.

Might be doing you a favor: You do NOT want to have your lenses fitted by people who do not understand this type of application of sclerals. Regarding sensitivity: Sclerals don't touch the cornea, so corneal sensitivity is not normally an issue. That's not to say there might not be other issues. Eyelids can be a problem for example. But at that pain level it sure sounds like a rational thing to try... only, you may have to look at a different source. Not all sclerals are equal.

I'm sorry you haven't found more compassionate, knowledgeable care (yet). But we all understand here for sure. Is there anything you are doing now that gives you relief? Have you tried moisture chamber glasses?