Tweet
There is a published paper "Corneal Epithelial Opacity in Dysfunctional Tear Syndrome (DTS)" by Pflugfelder, MD and others at Baylor, published American Journal of Ophthalmology, 2009 September.
URL (full text is available at NO cost!)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...ihms125880.pdf
The article suggests "morphological changes in the superficial corneal epithelium of dysfunctional tear syndrome patients can be detected by laser scanning confocal microscopy and may prove useful for classifying DTS severity and MONITORING the efficacy of therapies."
My questions and goals:
I'd be very grateful for any thoughts or advice. Thank you all for your thoughts and for reading this post.
Along with so many other stories on this forum, mine is another cautionary tale. Wish I'd paid more attention to dry eye symptoms and had been more persistent in seeking care. Now I know first hand dysfunctional tear syndrome can cause permanent vision issues requiring multiple surgeries.
Thank you.
URL (full text is available at NO cost!)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...ihms125880.pdfThe article suggests "morphological changes in the superficial corneal epithelium of dysfunctional tear syndrome patients can be detected by laser scanning confocal microscopy and may prove useful for classifying DTS severity and MONITORING the efficacy of therapies."
My questions and goals:
- is there anyone here with corneal opacities, DTS, and being treated and monitored with this technique?
- What type of treatment therapy is available? How effective? Is there a specialty in ophthalmology in opacities? How do you find such a specialist? Do anterior cornea specialists practice surgery exclusively?
- Surgery will remove the opacities, however they will return, perhaps within months of surgery.
This is the only option on offer. Have not had a dry eye workup, but definitely have a history of dry, very sore and painful eyes, and have experienced adverse reactions and extreme sensitivity to various prescribed drugs with with BAK and other common preservatives and artificial tear ingredients. I'm scared about further injury to the corneas from stains used in tests. - My goal is to find an ophth who treats, manages, and monitors corneal epithelial opacities to prevent their return post-op and/or to slow or prevent existing opacities from increasing. A "once and done" surgery without the offer of any other treatment plan seems woefully lacking given the recurrence issue.
I'd be very grateful for any thoughts or advice. Thank you all for your thoughts and for reading this post.
Along with so many other stories on this forum, mine is another cautionary tale. Wish I'd paid more attention to dry eye symptoms and had been more persistent in seeking care. Now I know first hand dysfunctional tear syndrome can cause permanent vision issues requiring multiple surgeries.
Thank you.