Should I see Dr. Tseng?

[kitty]

Vicki, I too was anxious, scared and frustrated when this DES first hit me nearly a year ago. I was diagnosed about 7 months ago. I am no expert, but I have tried most every treatment there is, other than scleral lenses or surgery. It took me considerable time and lots of support from the people here to accept that I have a chronic condition for which there is no cure. It can only be managed. If I may add one thing to Rebecca's wonderful post, pain management also includes lifestyle changes/lifestyle management.

By this I mean, altering activities that flare the DES. For example, I used to spend at least 12 hours per day sitting at my computer, often with very little in the way of breaks. I even ate some of my meals in front of the thing. Now, I spend no more than 30 minutes, if that, at a time in front of the computer before I go do something else for 30 minutes or more. This is because computer use really flares my DES. Another thing I do is what I don't do. I no longer use the fan or AC in my car. If I must because of extreme heat, I only use the floor blowers and put the fan setting on low. I don't walk outside on windy days. I wear wrap-around sunglasses to protect my eyes from the circulating air. I don't drink wine more than rarely, as alcohol flares my DES. I avoid certain restaurants and stores that have blowers that irritate my eyes. I don't go to casinos or any other place there is cigarette smoke. A biggie here, I quit smoking! I suggest that you get in touch with your DES. Figure out what makes it worse. By doing that, you will learn how to manage it and hopefully reduce the severity of the symptoms. These are the very things I would expect Dr. Tseng or any other DES specialist will ask you about.

[kurt]

anyone have experiene with him?

In 2004 Dr. Tseng did not take insurance. That is, he was not on any plans. So he would be 'out of network', though his office would file the claim. I don't know if any of this has changed.

You might consider William D. Mathers, M.D. at Casey Eye Institute. http://www.ohsuhealth.com/cei/provider/name.asp
He is a dry eye researcher. I remember hearing favorable comments from a patient on a different board some years ago. He was then at the University of Iowa.

[Vicki In Oregon]

Blurry Vision & GPC

Thank you all for your responses. I think besides the pain the blurriness has driven me over the edge. I am trying so hard to relax. But the constant blurry vision makes me insane. It cant all be from the drops since i only use the thick ones at night (refresh PM or Genteal). Daytime I use systane free, steroid drop, and now Patanol. This is not just a little occasional blurriness. It interferes with work, driving and i just cant focus. I know some bluriness is normal but cosntant bluriness to this degree?!?!? I am so confused.

Was told the other day I have Giant Papplilary Conjunctivitis. It changes. Many times they say I just have a lot of inflammation, anothert time it was Keratin Conjunctivitis. On steroids a month no improvment just worse. So I dont know what part of this is the dry eyes that causes me blurryiness and pain, what part is the infection? What came first the chicken or the egg and what are the chances of coming out of this? Meaning getting functional again with less pain and no blurrieness.

Kurt thanks for the referral. I did see one guy at OHSU precisely becuase Mathers was out fo town. But I think maybe i should set up appt with Mathers despite having seen his colleague and having gone to my clinic so many times and seen so many opthamologusts there. Wonder how long i have had this GPC that they told me about just now and tell me it is kinda bad.

So should i expect one infection after another? Steroids and inflammation indefinitely?

So so so confused.

[Vicki In Oregon]

Plugs and Blurry Vision

I dont recall vision loss just last week. Could have the plugs done soemthing? It all happened after I got the lower plugs and then this week got the upper plugs. I cant recall complaining about blurred vision before, just a ton if pain. Ot is it some combination of stuff? Is that coincidental?

[kellz123]

I had blurred vision for years and had to use glasses and contacts until I got lasik. After lasik eye surgery my eyes became 20/20 perfect vision and its worked great for my eyes. I would suggest it if you are tired for you glasses or contacts.

[dianat]

Do you have dry eye Kellz123?