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Hi!
Some update: After 2 month waiting I yesterday saw the dry eye specialist, who was the 5th ophtalmologist that I have seen since February.
He spent almost an hour with me, aeven taking photos of the corneas - wow, finally someone who cared to try to understand!! I felt releif only by that, so all respect to him!
However, as I thought the treatment will consist of drops. drops and more drops and ointment....
This is what he said:
- Schirmer test: 15 (unanesthetic) - although considering I hav lower plugs it is still good (altough he said it was at the limit of healthy tears)
- Corneas look good - nice to hear!
Reason for dry eye: Multi-factorial!
1. LASIK scarring that prevent the tears from flowing as they should, not sure if this was only in my left, worse, eye, in which I have had serious eye pain in June (he said probably due to corneal ulcers). I had a visible scar afgter my second refractive surgery, LASIK, in 96, in that eye which sort of disappeared, but he took photos of it and should me, it is still there affecting the tear film because of irregularies in the ephitelium. BUT since I have had this since -96 without any problems there must me more factors now. Anyway, he said LASIK nerve damage was NOT a factor... although another doc said I had a too low blink frequency.
2. Allergic factor - visible in the eye lids. He saw something called Folliculoses which I have never heard of, but after looking at pictures at the internet I think this is what the optician talked about (big blisters) and mistook for GPC.
3. Calcium stones in the lids - could interfere with tear films and could be due to extensive use of make up!!!
4. Meibomians glands are working - but not as good as they could - but not bad enough to explain the DES, acoording to him.
5.Hormones? Could be part of this. I think so, since I have noticed for a long time now the my visions gets significantly worse during periods a lot of the times. Could be swelling or whatever.
So the whole system is not functioning properly and what happens is then that the tears are not distributed on the cornea as they should.
I was told to start with Viscotears Gel 4 times a day and ointment night and morning! And stop the frequent use of saline since this would disturb the mucin layer. I thought that saline was better than lubricant drops, but obviously no.
So Now I do not know how to get to the root of this - the allergy - to what?? I now wear no make up, only use unscented hair products etc...
Hormones - i have made a private appointment with a hormone specialist in october, I have to pay like 400$ for each visit to him, but I will do what it takes.... Of course also hae an appointment with my gyno next week.
And I quess this explains the abscens of result with all my omega 3 and fish oils, etc etc.... as well as the warm compresses and such. Hmm....
And what to do with folliculois??
well, I have finally accepted that I need to take drops throughout the day - I think I have been scared to get used to them, and hence waited to long before dropping, and then it has been too late - may be...
Anyway, I will be back in 2-3 months, a long time I think, since I already have been testing everything in 6 months. BUT I feel better only to have met an interested doctor. I am still planning to go the Dr B in Paris in Dec, though, could not hurt with a second opinion. Also. I have the problem with my deteriorated vision which I was NOT allowed to bring up this time... Everything is so compartmentalized even in the eye speciality.
Any thoughts on this is most welcomed! I am so happy that I have this forum, since friends are not that understanding - I have become a bore since I am not able to got out at nights and have fun like before... spending a lot of time resting at home as as now many of us are....
Some update: After 2 month waiting I yesterday saw the dry eye specialist, who was the 5th ophtalmologist that I have seen since February.
He spent almost an hour with me, aeven taking photos of the corneas - wow, finally someone who cared to try to understand!! I felt releif only by that, so all respect to him!
However, as I thought the treatment will consist of drops. drops and more drops and ointment....
This is what he said:
- Schirmer test: 15 (unanesthetic) - although considering I hav lower plugs it is still good (altough he said it was at the limit of healthy tears)
- Corneas look good - nice to hear!
Reason for dry eye: Multi-factorial!
1. LASIK scarring that prevent the tears from flowing as they should, not sure if this was only in my left, worse, eye, in which I have had serious eye pain in June (he said probably due to corneal ulcers). I had a visible scar afgter my second refractive surgery, LASIK, in 96, in that eye which sort of disappeared, but he took photos of it and should me, it is still there affecting the tear film because of irregularies in the ephitelium. BUT since I have had this since -96 without any problems there must me more factors now. Anyway, he said LASIK nerve damage was NOT a factor... although another doc said I had a too low blink frequency.
2. Allergic factor - visible in the eye lids. He saw something called Folliculoses which I have never heard of, but after looking at pictures at the internet I think this is what the optician talked about (big blisters) and mistook for GPC.
3. Calcium stones in the lids - could interfere with tear films and could be due to extensive use of make up!!!
4. Meibomians glands are working - but not as good as they could - but not bad enough to explain the DES, acoording to him.
5.Hormones? Could be part of this. I think so, since I have noticed for a long time now the my visions gets significantly worse during periods a lot of the times. Could be swelling or whatever.
So the whole system is not functioning properly and what happens is then that the tears are not distributed on the cornea as they should.
I was told to start with Viscotears Gel 4 times a day and ointment night and morning! And stop the frequent use of saline since this would disturb the mucin layer. I thought that saline was better than lubricant drops, but obviously no.
So Now I do not know how to get to the root of this - the allergy - to what?? I now wear no make up, only use unscented hair products etc...
Hormones - i have made a private appointment with a hormone specialist in october, I have to pay like 400$ for each visit to him, but I will do what it takes.... Of course also hae an appointment with my gyno next week.
And I quess this explains the abscens of result with all my omega 3 and fish oils, etc etc.... as well as the warm compresses and such. Hmm....
And what to do with folliculois??
well, I have finally accepted that I need to take drops throughout the day - I think I have been scared to get used to them, and hence waited to long before dropping, and then it has been too late - may be...
Anyway, I will be back in 2-3 months, a long time I think, since I already have been testing everything in 6 months. BUT I feel better only to have met an interested doctor. I am still planning to go the Dr B in Paris in Dec, though, could not hurt with a second opinion. Also. I have the problem with my deteriorated vision which I was NOT allowed to bring up this time... Everything is so compartmentalized even in the eye speciality.
Any thoughts on this is most welcomed! I am so happy that I have this forum, since friends are not that understanding - I have become a bore since I am not able to got out at nights and have fun like before... spending a lot of time resting at home as as now many of us are....
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