despairing new member with questions

[browneyes]

I’m glad to have found this site, although it’s depressing to realize how many people are suffering like me. I just wanted to introduce myself and join the community. I am a male PhD student in my 20s and dry eye problems have brought my life to a complete halt. Last March, I suddenly experienced contact lens intolerance and things have continuously deteriorated. At this point, it impossible to read or use the computer for more than a few minutes. My eyes are constantly burning and irritated and sometimes throbbing/aching, although they are never red or itch. Is it unusual to have irritation without redness? I also have mild but constant headaches and facial pain – but only on the right side (my right eye is also worse), and I’ve never had headaches before. My MRI looked fine. Has anyone experienced anything similar?

I have seen several eye specialists and it seems that I have severe dry eye with meibomian gland dysfunction. My schirmer test was very low. I also have dry mouth, dry throat, and dry nose that came on about the same time, but I tested negative for Sjogren’s using SSA and SSB blood tests (although I realize that the test is not definitive). My current treatment consists of:
Restasis,
Doxycyclone,
Salagen,
lid scrubs using Occusoft,
warm compresses,
various lubricant drops,
Omega 3 supplements,
lots of water,
humidity,
and the Tranquil eyes goggles.

This seems to be the front line treatment. It’s been about 6 weeks and I am not seeing any improvement. If anything, my eyes are still getting worse. Nothing seems to help – the drops provide no relief. The only thing that helps is cold compresses, but that is very temporary. The next step is plugs. Then maybe try the scleral lens as a last resort. Is there any thing else anyone would recommend? Do people have advice for tolerating the computer or reading? I want the Panoptx Rx wraparound sunglasses but my prescription is too high. Are there other options?

[dianat]

Browneyes,

Well, you've certainly landed in the right place, though I am sorry you have reason to be here at all. This site is LOADED with information and will be a great help to you as you proceed. You do seem to be trying all the obvious methods, sans the plugs.

Plugs are a huge help to many of us and should be the very next thing you try. I happen to be cauterized in all four punctae and have written a story about my "plugs vs. cautery" experience. It's posted here somewhere. You can do a search.

I see you've tried drops...which drops? Have you attempted to use Dwelle or Nutratear that is sold on this site? This site does not exist to push product, but Rebecca manufactures these OTC drops and sells them here. They cannot be purchased in stores. Again, you can research the drops and learn more about them. They are affectionately referred to as "Dr. Holly's drops" after their inventor. These drops help a lot of people here including me. I'm a Dwelle user. Honestly, when I was at my driest before my cautery, drops were of little use I'll admit. You may have much better luck once you've dammed up all you can.

If you choose to use the Dr. Holly family of drops, do research here the theories on therapeutic use of the drops vs. as-needed. I think the theory has merit, and I've tried myself to follow a therapeutic schedule of use.

Do you use gels at night? Don't use petrolatum products as they are horrible for tear film. I opt for Dwelle at night, but many opt for the thicker products. The most popular (and safe) is Genteal Gel.

You might purchase the book The Dry Eye Remedy by Dr. Latkany. You can get it in stores, Amazon or right here in the online shop. It's an interesting read, and might tip you off to something regarding your condition that you haven't thought of. Not sure of your locale, but a visit to Dr. Latkany might also shed some light. He seems to be devoted to identifying the root cause.

Keep using the Restasis. It can take a long, long time to see results, but many eventually do.

Lastly, sclerals are something you might consider as a last resort. I think you have a few more things to try here, but should at least keep the notion of a scleral fitting in your bag of tricks. It always feels better to have something there.

Best of luck. You will find relief, but it usually takes some time.

Diana

[Rebecca Petris]

Hi and welcome... sorry to hear of your plight.

Unfortunately with MGD patience/diligence is the name of the game - please do not be discouraged at the lack of progress thus far. Do read up as much as possible on all the 'variations on the theme' of MGD treatment. Even such 'small' differences as the warm compress method can make a substantial difference.

Do people have advice for tolerating the computer or reading? I want the Panoptx Rx wraparound sunglasses but my prescription is too high. Are there other options?

In your situation I'd make moisture chamber eyewear a top priority in order to get you some relief and get functioning again. Check out the MEGs at www.seefit.net... you can put high prescriptions in those. They're very new and unfortunately I'm still waiting for my samples so I can't give you any first-hand feedback but they are so far the only commercial alternative I know of for those with high prescriptions. On the lower end of the price scale there's always the cosmetically displeasing but effective option of goggles over your glasses. On the high end of the scale is custom moisture chambers which can be built onto your glasses by a skilled optician. Search the moisture chamber eyewear on this topic as there are many threads about it including names of some practitioners who make them.

[kimby2007]

Dry eyes

Hi Browneyes:

I am a 26 yr old female with primary Sjogrens. I am seronegative but have all the common symptoms of Sjogrens. Not saying you have it but that it is possible despite lab results. Many on this board have a similar story. I hope your eyes improve soon. Remember we are all here for you.


Kim

[tiredofred]

It Could Be Rosacea

I spent a lot of time going to ophthalmologists regarding my painful, throbbing left eye. They diagnosed dry eye and told me about the warm compresses and antibiotic ointment. This didn't help-in fact, I felt it made the condition worse. My eyelids were completely swollen and painful and there was no improvement in the dry eye. I begged for plugs. They cost a lot to put in and were so painful I had to have them taken out after two weeks. I was completely at a loss until I went to the dermatologist regarding another problem (occasional acne). I told her about my painful eye and just like that she said "Oh, that's ocular rosacea". She prescribed doxycycline. I think it helps somewhat but there is nothing like a CURE for this. Warm soaks are necessary but they can really cause the blood vessels in the eyelid to throb, so I am very careful just to put them on the lid MARGINS, not the whole eyelid. Cold compresses feel good because they cause the swollen blood vessels to contract. Plugs didn't work because the tears of people with meibomian gland dysfunction are actually not soothing like normal tears. They have a different chemical composition, so that even though your eyes are wetter, they don't feel better. You might want to investigate the rosacea aspect of this. I'm having v beam laser treatments on the eyelid to get rid of the swollen veins-they're actually varicose veins of the eyelid. Can you imagine?

A lot of people with rosacea have red faces and eye problems are not an issue for them, but a significant proportion of rosacea sufferers have no facial flushing and the first symptom of rosacea is meibomian gland dysfunction and subsequent dry eye. I would never have suspected that I had rosacea because I don't have a flushing problem on my face at all.

It's a life changing thing. It takes at least an hour a day to take care of my eyes. Treatments have helped but I have not experienced anything like a cure, merely temporary fixes. If I don't get home by 6 pm. my eyes start screaming, so I have to go now.

Good luck to you,

Leslie

[TARYN]

v beam

Who is doing the vbeam laser? I thought it would be dangerous to do it on your eyelids?

[Amy09]

Welcome to the site! There are tons of people here going through the same thing you are and they can provide you with a lot of comfort and advice! I'm a 21 year old who has had dry eye problems since I was a teen. If you can tolerate the Restasis, stick with it for as long as possible... It has been one of the best things I have used for my eyes so far, but it took me about 6 months to start feeling results. Good luck with finding the right treatment for your eyes- i know how frustrating dry eye can be at our age!

[jlg_uk]

You might want to investigate the rosacea aspect of this. I'm having v beam laser treatments on the eyelid to get rid of the swollen veins-they're actually varicose veins of the eyelid. Can you imagine?

A lot of people with rosacea have red faces and eye problems are not an issue for them, but a significant proportion of rosacea sufferers have no facial flushing and the first symptom of rosacea is meibomian gland dysfunction and subsequent dry eye. I would never have suspected that I had rosacea because I don't have a flushing problem on my face at all.

I'm pretty much in the same boat - though my skin can be a little red in the nose and forehead area (I don't flush either). I have largish veins in my eyelids - are the beam laser treatments for cosmetic reasons or is there the suggestion that they could have a positive impact on DES?

[painintheeye]

I sent you a private mail! please check.

Hi Browneyes,

please check our private message box.

Chris

[sazy123]

I spent a lot of time going to ophthalmologists regarding my painful, throbbing left eye. They diagnosed dry eye and told me about the warm compresses and antibiotic ointment. This didn't help-in fact, I felt it made the condition worse. My eyelids were completely swollen and painful and there was no improvement in the dry eye. I begged for plugs. They cost a lot to put in and were so painful I had to have them taken out after two weeks. I was completely at a loss until I went to the dermatologist regarding another problem (occasional acne). I told her about my painful eye and just like that she said "Oh, that's ocular rosacea". She prescribed doxycycline. I think it helps somewhat but there is nothing like a CURE for this. Warm soaks are necessary but they can really cause the blood vessels in the eyelid to throb, so I am very careful just to put them on the lid MARGINS, not the whole eyelid. Cold compresses feel good because they cause the swollen blood vessels to contract. Plugs didn't work because the tears of people with meibomian gland dysfunction are actually not soothing like normal tears. They have a different chemical composition, so that even though your eyes are wetter, they don't feel better. You might want to investigate the rosacea aspect of this. I'm having v beam laser treatments on the eyelid to get rid of the swollen veins-they're actually varicose veins of the eyelid. Can you imagine?

A lot of people with rosacea have red faces and eye problems are not an issue for them, but a significant proportion of rosacea sufferers have no facial flushing and the first symptom of rosacea is meibomian gland dysfunction and subsequent dry eye. I would never have suspected that I had rosacea because I don't have a flushing problem on my face at all.

It's a life changing thing. It takes at least an hour a day to take care of my eyes. Treatments have helped but I have not experienced anything like a cure, merely temporary fixes. If I don't get home by 6 pm. my eyes start screaming, so I have to go now.

Good luck to you,

Leslie

Hi tierdofred, i sent you a pm.