New guy. Hypotears, and a Jones Tube in tow.

[Need2Know]

Hi Everyone,

First, thanks to all for this forum as it has made me feel a lot better as I face my eye issues.

And a little about me. I'm 31 yrs old, live in Georgia, and have had a Jones Tube in my right eye for about ten years that replaced my tear duct which was scarred shut from a severe infection 15 years ago. Overall, it has been a success and much better than the constant tearing before.

Now that sounds funny as I may now be facing DES. I've been having constantly red and irritated eyes for the last six months following an infection on my cornea in my right eye. Since treatment my eyes are both suffering even though my right eye bears the brunt of the eye problems, and is typically more irritated and more red. No doctor, as of yet, can fix the situation and after repeated visits they've decided I may have dry eye. The only drops that seem to give relief are Lotemax.

Now I'm guessing as to why both eyes have become problematic. One thought, after looking around in here, is Hypotears, which contains BAC. The surgeon that installed my Jones Tube recommended Hypotears and I've been using it for ten years. Do you guys think that could be a contributing factor? And now I'm really fearful that those years of using Hypotears may have done permanent damage to my eyes. Could that be the case? Is the damage caused by using a BAC product irreversable and permanent?

Thanks again to all.

I'll also post the Hypotears question in the main forum.

[Terri]

You might want to ask Dr. Latkany about whether BAC can cause permanent damage. His forum is under "Q&A Forums with special guest contributors," which you'll see on the main dryeyezone.com/talk page. Also, I saw in your other post that Liz recommended you ask Dr. Holly about Hypotears and BAC. His forum is in the same area.

I suspect that BAC does not cause permanent damage and that you'll feel much better after your corneas heal. Dwelle and Dakrina are good drops to consider for healing the ocular surface, and they don't contain BAC.

You will also find a lot of relief if you get some good eye protection, which will help reduce your need for drops while your eyes recover. There are prescription and non-prescription moisture chamber options, and a number of threads here on this subject.

[lisiamc]

I can only speak anecdotally, but I suspect that BAC doesn't inevitably cause permanent damage. I used random pharmacy brands of hypromellose, mostly preserved with BAC, for 14 years. (Because I hadn't found this site yet and didn't know any better!) My left eye is prone to erosions because I managed to stick the corner of a magazine in it, but my right eye is not. I've been using Dwelle and Clinitas Ultra 3 for about two months, and both eyes are much better as far as dryness goes. So I know the BAC didn't do me any good, but I'm glad that it doesn't seem to have done permanent harm either. Definitely ask one of the doctors on the forum, though - don't take my word for it!

Lisa

[Judy]

Hi Need2Know, Welcome! I've been putting off getting a Jones Tube in my left eye due to scarred tear duct. I'm glad this has worked so well for you. Right now I'm adamant about my daily routine for both eyes. I have very dry eyes as well... Anyway I know it sounds crazy to others when you mention dry eyes as your tears run down your face. BAC also definitely screwed up my eyes, but I am finding that within the last year my eyes are more tolerable. Keep reading throughout this site and you will find much valuable information along with meeting many very compassionate and understanding peers...

[Need2Know]

well now, with this dry eye business, I'd almost prefer the way it was before when the tears just wouldn't go anywhere and I would just wipe my eye as needed. i need tear retention.

at any rate, now my current eye doctor has said there's nothing more she can do for me and will go see a cornea specialist and a ocular surgeon that specializes in tear duct surgeries to see if someone can help. hopefully something can be done to help.

your non-functional tear ducts don't help tear retention for you? and thanks to you and to everyone for your thoughts and comments.

[Judy]

Need2know, What happens (to my left eye) due to the dryness, my eye will spit out more tears (usually more so first thing in the morning), but the tears just drip right away down my face by way of my inner eye/hose area so my eye is not really soothed by the extra tears. I believe due to a lack of oil due to messed up meimobian glands. I ended up with blepharitis and MGD, etc. Now I use the rice baggy every night for 5 minutes and in the morning use diluted baby shampoo, Unisol4 Preservative free saline solution to rinse my eyes and also foaming eye cleanser, etc. Some of these things appear to be helping so I just keep plugging away. I do get the beginnings or more of an infection about once every three months in my left eye near the blocked tear duct area... If this continues my eye drs. are adamant I will need the Jones tube at some point... If you want to see my whole story, click here:
http://www.dryeyezone.com/talk/showthread.php?t=1710

but you may be bored after a bit... Things have gotten better for me. Since my dry eye story, I have also had a migrating punctal plug story, see here:

http://www.dryeyezone.com/talk/showthread.php?t=4595
Take care! Judy