Welcome to new members...

[Súil Eile]

What was the underlying condition that he diagnosed?

He reckons I probably have allergic conjunctivitis, which has been reacting to preservatives. His approach is to start treatment again from scratch. Currently I'm taking Vividrin for the next 3 months (and switching to SDU versions of everything). His hopes being that changing the ph balance of my eyes may help reduce the levels of bacteria. So in November he's going to take another look, see if the conjuctivitis has settled down and see if there's anything else lurking behind the scenes.

He's not convinced at all by the general 'blepharitis' diagnosis, but wants to treat one thing at a time to eliminate possibilities. I like his attitude so so far so good!

[Rebecca Petris]

Hello and welcome! Glad you're here (though sorry you need to be). I'm so glad you've found a more sympathetic, confident doctor. That's such an important step.

[kelly1977]

What was the underlying condition that he diagnosed?

I'm very excited at the moment for two reasons!

Firstly, I found this forum! It's so nice to read other people's stories and know there's a community out there that understands what I'm going through. I actually know nobody else with dry eye and as all of you know it's a very difficult condition to explain.

Secondly...I've found the whole grail (and hopefully just not a dry eye induced mirage of one)...an opthamologist who actually seems to care and know what he's doing!

I've been suffering with dry eye and blepharitis for 5 years. Went to a public sector opthamologist and got shrugged shoulders and a bottle of artelac. My eye drop collection has grown into an impressive arsenal since then! However, my eyes have been getting progressively worse, and the doc had no recommendations except use more drops. At the moment I use them every 10 minutes or so.

They got so bad recently that I could no longer read...a bit of a nuisance when I'm trying to write my thesis!Desperation led me to a private opthamologist and I'm kicking myself for not splurging on a third opinion years ago.

My new doc's attitude was 'that's pretty severe; but don't worry we'll sort it'. He used more eye tests that I've seen in my life; diagnosed an underlying condition; and told me the drops I had been told to take before were actually aggravating this condition! Within half an hour he had a treatment plan for the next 9 months. I'm not expecting miracles but I've never had a treatment plan before! So even though they are quite bad now, I have a bit of hope that I'll be able to manage the condition better in the future!

Sorry for making you read such a long post...I just couldn't help myself!

[Súil Eile]

Excited first time poster!

I'm very excited at the moment for two reasons!

Firstly, I found this forum! It's so nice to read other people's stories and know there's a community out there that understands what I'm going through. I actually know nobody else with dry eye and as all of you know it's a very difficult condition to explain.

Secondly...I've found the whole grail (and hopefully just not a dry eye induced mirage of one)...an opthamologist who actually seems to care and know what he's doing!

I've been suffering with dry eye and blepharitis for 5 years. Went to a public sector opthamologist and got shrugged shoulders and a bottle of artelac. My eye drop collection has grown into an impressive arsenal since then! However, my eyes have been getting progressively worse, and the doc had no recommendations except use more drops. At the moment I use them every 10 minutes or so.

They got so bad recently that I could no longer read...a bit of a nuisance when I'm trying to write my thesis!Desperation led me to a private opthamologist and I'm kicking myself for not splurging on a third opinion years ago.

My new doc's attitude was 'that's pretty severe; but don't worry we'll sort it'. He used more eye tests that I've seen in my life; diagnosed an underlying condition; and told me the drops I had been told to take before were actually aggravating this condition! Within half an hour he had a treatment plan for the next 9 months. I'm not expecting miracles but I've never had a treatment plan before! So even though they are quite bad now, I have a bit of hope that I'll be able to manage the condition better in the future!

Sorry for making you read such a long post...I just couldn't help myself!

[B-Ray]

Newbie

With 6,700+ vieers of this forum and only 101 posting here, where are the odds that the site is really being used by the masses?

I am a 71 year old American retired in the Philippines for some 6 years. I have warn progressive eye ware for some 31 years and the pair are 15 years old and the local eye test shows little change needed.

I am not happy with the local services being given for my eye problems!

I DO NOT understand how ~~sticky tears~~ (internet research term used, therefore NOT "dry eyes"), leads to the forum for ~~DRY EYES~~?

So far, I have recieved two different liquid drops with no benifit. Another time, three drops which included two ointments 3X a day and a liquid in the morning and an nightly oral pill.

So far nothing has removed the ~~grit~~ JUNK, (sticky tears??), in my eyes that I put up with ALL DAY and PAINFULL!!!

Therefore, trying to find what type of service I should expect for such a condition?

BTW, across the counter eye drops helps the condition, but only last a short time, sometimes only 5 minutes, before JUNK forms again during the day.

If my quest for information is better servered elsewhere on the site, PLEASE MOVE.
B-Ray

It seems like we're growing in leaps and bounds lately - several new members almost every day. I hope you are all able to find helpful information here and on our main site at www.dryeyezone.com.

I am curious to know how you are all finding Dry Eye Talk. For example are you searching on a dry eye term and the bulletin board comes up... or are you finding us through the dry eye zone or dry eye shop... or seeing links on other sites... or?

[Lucy]

Brooklin, did they give you a trial of mono-vision with contact lenses before surgery? They could have and should have.

The RLE is something they also do for high myopes. I had Lasik 10 years ago and in all liklihood, this would have worked better. They are doing different things now for high myopes and people with high astigmatism.

I wish you well. I am curious as to the cost of the operation. Would you mind PMing me if you don't want to post it here. Thanks, Lucy

[brooklin]

Hello

My name is Paul, i live in the suburbs of Toronto, Canada.
About 3 mths ago I decided to have Refractive Lens Exchange surgery to correct fairly bad astigmatism...they opted to do monovision.
Things havent progressed very well...the distance vision is fine, but i cant read anything without reading glasses 3 ft from my nose!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyways...one of the big issues is dry eyes... apparently it is contributing to SOME of my vision problems. Im have been using Restasis (it causes burning of the eyes!) for about a week. I got it for free from my DR. They apply to get it from the States...its free.

I use "Refresh" tears like they are going out of style...Costco has the best price!!

By the end of the day my eyes are toast...like gravel in the eyes!!!

Two mths after the intitial surgery, I went back and had laser correction on my (left) close vision eye.....still no improvement and the dryness is worse in my left eye now.

Im now at a loss for what to do other than wait for improvement from healing...

Thx
Brooklin

[buddha]

Thanks for the great information

I started suffering from Recurring Cornea Erosion in Oct 2009. It started after my puppy scratched my cornea. Started treatment with artificial tears and nightly ointments, went on to anterior stromal puncture and debridement, bandage contact lens, and different combinations of all them. Finally I had laser surgery and so far I am doing well. My doctor thinks that either punctal plugs or restasis would be helpful to me (to keep good lubrication at night).

I have found a lot of good information on this site (my wife found it shortly after my diagnosis) that has helped me ask my doctor good questions and to find good products. Thanks to everyone who has contributed here!

[frankiebobs]

Hi I am a new member. I am an UK optometrist studying for a diploma in Independent Prescribing and one of our lecturers recommended this site.

[morgaine101]

Google Search...

...'Eyelid Sticking to Eyeball' (lol)

[frankzhang]

New chinese member

Hi all,
it's quite lucky for me to find this website as I don't think there is this kinda of forum in china. I got dry eye problem right after my lasik surgeon in March last year in washington DC and came back to china last summer for work. I am still trying all kinds of overcounter eye drops that my friend help me shipping all the way from the states. Yeah, it is a life altering accidence. And I am an architect, my job is drawing in front of computer all day long. But i do belive there are lots of patient here using computer for living as well. So you can do it, I can do it too! it's quite depressing that the reason why I am doing lasik is to correct vision and toss away the glass, now the situation is just getting worse. but now, I start accepting the reality. People get troublesin their life. which more important is how you deal with your troubles... anyway, lets cheer up and make things better and better.


frank.

[liz56]

Hi, SuperDave.

Nice to meet you. I'm sorry that you're sharing the struggle that many of us face, but I am glad that you made it here. Rebecca is a lifesaver for so many of us.

I hope that you find support and information here that continues to help you.

--Liz

[SuperDave]

First Timer....

Hi, my name is Dave. Screen name SuperDave because thats what the kids around school call me. I am a teacher/coach at the High School level. The kids think I look like a super hero in my goggels that I have had to wear dailey for the last 2 years. They have adjusted well. They have seen me go from walking into walls and doors to actually taking off my googels for a few minutes every now and then. Kids adapt well. I am a ex-pro athlete and very successful coach. I am very independent, a lone wolf type. So this experience has taken a toll on me to say the least. Ten Doctors couldnt tell me anything. My school libraian diagnosed me. Or at least cared enough to do some research and called her eye doctor son who dabbles in problem cases and refered me to someone who could help me. Its lonley out here isnt it? I beleive in this site. I have been reading and learning how to handle my situation from all of you out there. Please keep the good stuff coming. There are probably many more site stalkers out there benifiting from you than you realize. I have taken so long to write because I am still so confused about so much. It has been hard to get a handle on any one thing because the variables seem to change so much. I know that I have chronic severe dry eye. I dont know if there are any other problems. I have 4 plugs in and do restasis and just started oasis tears plus this past week. I have done many other things but have found my only improvements have come when I started my less is best theroy and quit putting so much into my eyes. By improvement I mean I can drive short distances and and have some of my independence back. Its also not so horrible to go outside. My whole story is much too long to tell here. But I will make an effort to give back to you what I can by replying to some of the postings that come up. Let me be clear though about one thing...My story is a success story!...I have come from misery and thought I would have to retire on disability to enjoying the little things like the 2 minutes my eyes stay open when I take off my googles and the colors are so vibrant and details jump out at me. Happy to be here!

[liz56]

Hi, PaintGirl.

I'm also in Michigan. I hope that you keep us up to date about how your treatment progresses. Best wishes to you!

--Liz

[Lucy]

Hi Virginia-
I'm a long time dry eyed gal. I also live in Michigan, but on the southwest side. I've been to the little berg of South Lyons. There is a drug store there that compounded my serum eye drops I had made at U of M.

I'll be seeing you here. Lucy