Welcome to new members...

[Virginia Woodworth]

Dry eye survivor

Hi everybody! This is my first time here or in any online community. I'm not sure how I found this site -- always looking for any new info on the dread dry eye problem. Anyhow it's nice to know I'm not alone.

Hi Paint Girl,
I too am a Paint Girl, actually I'm referring to my very small company, I am, or was an artist, until dry eye reared it ugly and painful head. But, I love people and thought I'd join the group. We're all in this strange challenge and we can learn from others. To that end, I'd like to recomment a 12 year old book by the M.Ds., Marc and Michael Rose, in California. The book is:
"Save Your Sight," and covers many eye ailments, including severe dry eye. Dr. Marc Rose, actually called me after writing him for a recommendations of a dry eye specialist in Michigan. He was very helpful, and recommended additional supplements specifically for dry eye, including Viva Vitamin A drop. He says I should see improvement in about 3 months. I'll let you know. In the meanwhile, stay well, safe, and we'll "talk", I'm hoping
God bless
Virginia Woodworth

[Posie]

New member from the UK

Hi Rebecca
I came across this site when searching for information that would help me with DES. I have been struggling with getting decent medical help here in the UK and finding eye drops suitable has been through my trial and error, rather than medical expertise. I have valued this site for the information shared by you and the members. It seems far more treatment options available in the USA.
I think there should be a dry eye clinic in every city and not just New York!

Best wishes

Posie

[regina]

newbie to forums but not to dry eye

Been suffering for over three years now. It appeared the day I moved into a brand new building with the dryest air for all the stinking computers. It just kept getting worse everyday till I was literally crying from pain. I have been to 4 docs and this last one is my fave! He does what he can, he doesnt minimize my pain and suffering...and will try anything new treatment I suggest to him..lol

After caterizing my ducts...using restasis and all sorts of steroid drops...all diifferent over the counter eye drops...nothing worked. All the eye drops gave me a rebounding effect...The only thing that gave me relief was the eye ointment and goggles. I now use burts bee balm without mentholatum...close eyes and roll over. It keeps the moisture inside and does not evaporate on the lids. When I need some moisture...i use the mentholatum burts...just a dash in the inner corners to make them water! It actually feels good. I also have quite the collection of moisture goggles that have been a god send. Using them religiously ....the eye ulcers have almost healed! Once they started mending...I didnt have as much pain! I am still working on the left eye though.

I also get my oil gland pinched....hard...once a week religiously. They used to be toothpaste consistency and now they are vaseline consistency...so better but still not there yet! I wont give up! I want to wear make up again dang it! I want to go on vacations in the dessert...ie palm springs! i want to date with my make up on and no ugly moisture googles....good grief!

[Moonraker]

Further to my introductory post of November 29, I had an appointment at the eye clinic today, where the doctor said my dry eye was showing some improvement compared with my visit to Casualty 16 days ago.

She said that the muscles and nerves affecting the eye can deteriorate with age and this might be the reason for the increased dryness. I conceded that I might have become a bit complacent with my daily regime - with reduced use of Viscotears and just a dab of Lacrilube at night.

She noticed posterior capsule opacification in the right eye, a not uncommon side effect of cataract surgery and easily treated by laser. This explains the slight deterioration in acuity. She confirmed her colleague's reassurance that I could continue to take Viagra.

There's no need for me to visit the hospital again unless I want the opacification treated. The eye is still drier than three months ago and for a while I'll be using Lacrilube on it when outdoors - and will continue to tape the lids at night.

Moonraker

[Moonraker]

Newcomer (acoustic neuroma removed)

Back in 1996 I had an acoustic neuroma removed. A facial nerve was weakened, but luckily not severed, as is sometimes the case, but my face still has a “Bell’s Palsy” effect

For several months after the op, the right eye gushed tears but when these dried up a couple of stitches were inserted to close the eyelids slightly. In windy conditions I wore an improvised shield on the right arm of my spectacles and used Viscotears several times a day and Lacrilube at night. For some years the left eye was prone to a stinging seepage of tears lasting up to a minute when affected by pollen or petrol fumes, but nowadays this hardly ever happens.

I’ve also had retinal tears repaired in my left eye and had cataracts removed from both eyes.

Despite all this, I’ve been able to do long walks (up to 11 hours) in the countryside and carry out dusty and sometimes messy environmental work on a voluntary basis.

Over the past four or five years I’d reduced the use of Viscotears to once in the evenings. I’ve been dabbing a bit of Lacrilube in every night but probably I’ve become a bit complacent about applying enough.

About three months ago, the vision in the right eye became slightly indistinct. (Large letters on the TV screen appeared to be fractured, for example.) The eye also became drier, to the extent that last week I returned to the eye clinic in my local hospital. It was my belief that the dryness was brought on by my use of Viaga on prescription from my General Practitioner - leaflet in the packet does warn that up to 10 per cent of users have their eyes affected.

The doctor completely dismissed my theory and said that I should tape my eyelids at night – something I’ve never had to do before. I was very dubious – all too often the patient thinks he knows best! – but it had been 22 days since last I’d taken a Viagra pill, during which the symptoms had worsened. I’ve been taping for a week now, and they have eased a little.

So far I’ve only glanced at some of the threads in this Forum, but it’s apparently that many of you have worse problems than I do, and you have my sympathy. I’ll be adding my comments to one or two of the threads.

By the way, all my treatment was done for free by Britain’s National Health Service and has been good. Being over 60, I also get free Lacrilube and Viscotears – but not Viagra!

[EternalTears]

Recently diagnosed with Dry Eye as result of chemo

I was diagnosed with cancer twice in 2008, once in Feb and a second time in Sept. The first time I had surgery and cat scan results showed no cancer. The second time the cancer spread and required 3 chemo drugs daily for 3 different weeks over a 2 1/2 month period. I finished my treatment on Jan 01 2009 and in March, my eyes were so dry, I couldn’t keep my eyelids open. I found out the chemo damaged the glands in the eyes by destroying the bodies cells that multiply the fastest, which include the cells that produce tears. Fortunately, my 20/30 vision is still intact and the dry eye has gone from Severe to mild/moderate since March. I tried plugs in lower lids but it made my eyes worse as my ocular surface filled with fluid. I take restatis 2x daily and GenTeal as needed.

I have seen 4 different opthamologists and a dry eye cornea specialist to find out the exact reason for my dry eye and treatments available. I found the doctors I saw to be casual about dry eye and not very helpful. I do not have inflammation in my tear film and my eye lids are fine. I have a hard time keeping my fingers out of my eyes and contribute to the irritation I’m sure.

I used to be a type 1 diabetic for 26 years and insulin dependent until getting 2 pancreas transplants in 2001 and 2004 that "cured" the diabetes (so far). I am a two time cancer survivor, successfully recovered from 2 yrs of back spasms due to a seizure and regained full movement and comfort in my hands from acute neuropathy. But as odd as it sounds, the most difficult and disruptive condition I have experienced is Dry Eye. I have slain the deadly dragons in the form of man's most savage disease but this disease (dry eye), while not as imposing or daunting, is so frustrating. Unlike my past dragons, I will not be able to eliminate this disease from my life.

Most of you here have a more severe form of dry eye and in length of time than I will ever know and I want to say to all of you who participate in this forum, my heart goes out to each and every one of you. Your daily suffering is met with a passion of tenacity and diligence so you can make the very best of each and every day you live with this persisent foe called "Dry Eye".

Steve

[Lucy]

Hi there KelleyO.

Accutane has taken its toll on several of the posters on this forum. Some are former posters and some are newer folks. I will do a search and find a couple of links for you to read and then you can do your own search and continue reading if you like. Lucy

http://www.dryeyezone.com/talk/showt...light=Accutane

http://www.dryeyezone.com/talk/showt...light=Accutane

[kelleyo]

sad eyes

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?

Help, Accutane has damaged my eyes - they're blood red, I blink constantly, my vision is blurred, I need drops all day and around 9 at night, they shut down - no matter what I do... I'm post accutane TX for 2 weeks now and need help, opinions, experiences, hope, etc..... PLEASE!!

Thanks,
KO

[twist]

ipo?

Hi all,

It's been a very long time since I have been here. I have been having moderate success fighting dry eyes by controlling my environment and by placing warm compresses on my eyes. I just saw something on the news that was very intriguing. They showed a type of device, placed below the eye, that generated heat and I believe helped to clear tear producing ducts. I think they called it IPO but I am not sure. Has any ever heard of it or seen it or had the procedure done?

Thanks!

twist

[Rebecca Petris]

I am fortunate to have a doctor who never stops researching online medical publications on every condition he encounters, so he directd me to the products in the dry eye shop....that is how i found about the forums too...

That's awesome. A doctor who actually knows about the forums! Welcome.

my doctor told me about the site!

I am fortunate to have a doctor who never stops researching online medical publications on every condition he encounters, so he directd me to the products in the dry eye shop....that is how i found about the forums too...

[Tempestuous]

googling RCE and various treatments

[Lea]

New Member

Hi,
I found this site while researching dry eye. I have gone to so many doctors and really had no luck. There sure alot of people out there with dry eye. Who knew? Anyways there is so much information on this site and everyone seems so nice. It good to know I'm not alone with this problem. It sure has changed my life and who I am.. I keep hoping that I get better someday. I have tried just about everything I can get my hands on but still struggle every minute of the day. My eyes hurt so badly and I'm not really even sure of the cause. Thinking of making yet another appt with an ophthalmologist. ugghhhhhhhhh
Lea

[jimi51]

Hi, I found this site by Googling "dry eyes." Also, many other sites I have been to referenced this site for help, education and support. So here I am!

[Lucy]

Lots of the people on DEZ were told they really didn't have a dry eye problem and sent packing. Drs are just beginning to "get it" and come up with some realistic treatments, although they are the old standbys.

You will find lots of company here and if you look through the parts that pertain best to you, you will probably find better answers than the docs give you. Best, Lucy