New Member (Ahmet)

[Ahmet]

Hello,

My name is Ahmet. I have been a dry eye sufferer for more than year now. My symptoms just started after being on the computer for long periods of time due to my work. Initially, I was very confused about my symptoms. Burning and red eyes, that mentol feeling. My optometrist thought I had an infection and prescribed vigomox (very strong antibiotic). After no response to vigomox, I went and saw and ophthalmologist who then told me I had dry eyes but didn't give me any other info and told me to use systane 4x a day. However redness seemed to go down but other symptoms continued especially after being on the computer or reading more than 1 hour.

That was when I discovered this website and realized there are a lot of people out there like me. I went to another optometrist and demanded some answers, he used schirmer test and told me that I had no tear deficiency problems then he ran the TBUT test and it was over 10 on both eyes. His conclusion was that I had a medium level MGD. recommended some warm compresses omega 3s and PF eye drops.

However months after warm compresses and omega 3s, there were no improvements and my symptoms have gotten worse now I started having burning and red eyes 30 minutes after being on the computer or reading which greatly effects my work ( I have a office job).

Next optometrist I visited recommended trying lotemax 4 x a day and then tempering down to once a day. I have tried that for 2 months and my symptoms improved up to 70% with just once a day application. He wanted me to stop and see how long it would take for my symptoms to return back and it took a week.

Now he says that my problems is most likely due to inflamation and restasis should help. I am not sure if should start a long term commitment to restasis or try something else ?

I would appreciate and comments and opinions you may have.

Once again thank you for this wonderful website and support. I have been following this website for a year and it was an incredible support.

[liz56]

Welcome, Ahmet.

Your symptoms and experiences sound all too familiar.

After reading what you've tried and the problems you still face, it sounds like moisture chamber glasses are something that might be helpful for you.

Keep us posted on what you try and how you are doing.

--Liz

[msienkiewicz]

The restasis has helped me to reduce inflammation. I think you should give it a try. You can always quit.

Best wishes,
melissa

[Ahmet]

started restasis

Thank you for the suggestion Liz. I tried using swimming goggles but they fog up very quickly and I still get the symptoms. I started using restasis as of last Saturday. They burn a little bit after application for about half an hour. Hopefully it will make a difference.

On the other hand I am always having sinus problems,ear pressure and skin inflammations (dermatologist calls it dermatitis) too. Are these also common problems with dry eye patients?

[liz56]

Hi, Ahmet.

I hope that Restasis works for you, and I had the same problem with swimming goggles.

Your symptoms sounds like they might have something in common, like an allergy to something or a hormonal problem or a thyroid problem. I'd make a list of symptoms and ask a doctor about their possibly stemming from a common thing.

--Liz

[Ahmet]

Dry eye specialist

Thanks Liz, I hope so too. I have asked my doctor and eye doctors. However they don't think they are related. I have had a skin alllergy test done, nothing major came out. Does anybody know any good dry eye specialist in Los Angeles or in Long Beach area ?