DRY EYE VETERNS!!! Advice please

[LaDiva]

Eye drops are used to protect the surface of the eye, even if they do not provide long-term relief. Drops can serve as a buffer and reduce existing inflammation and also lesson the friction caused between the lid and eye surface. I also had PRK, but did not suffer severe dry eye until several years after the surgery. I think that it started with an eye infection, and then progressed from there. Also, I had mild dry eye before the PRK, and did not know that PRK is not recommended for anyone with any level of dry eye. I have improved, but I am not sure that it is because the disease has regressed. I am quadra plugged, which helped quite a bit. I have dry eye, Ocular Rosacea and MGD. If your dry eye did not develop until after the second surgery and you do not have MGD or allergies, I think there is a very real possibility you could improve. If you don't already have plugs, I'd definitely look at getting plugs as I think they might provide you with a great deal of relief. You are very fortunate not to have MGD. Wishing the best for you nori.

[savino]

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[nori2015]

I had lasik 6 years ago - zero issues. I had a PRK top up 9 months ago - lots of issues!

I have read older stories by Prattstar, Jovver, Hangus etc and I see that they went through a really terrible time. And they seem to be much much better now. They seemed to also have a lot worse of a time that I'm having now, which hopefully bodes well for me improving. I hope so anyway, as its that thought that keeps me going.

The good news is :

1) I use drops 4-6 times a day (others use them every hour)
2) My TBUT is 5 seconds (not great but not zero!)
3) I get corneal erosions every 6-8 weeks, not every day like other people
4) I sleep through the night quite easily

So that's 4 things I have going for me that the above did not, as far as I'm aware.

What I have tried:

1) Every artificial tear known to man! (Currently favouring Hylo-Care and Systane Ultra)
2) Night time gels (don't like them, don't use them anymore)
3) Lower plugs (no real difference made, I have had them for 4 weeks now)
4) Warm compresses (I have the eyesoothe mask which is really warm, I use it twice a week at most now as I didn't see much difference when I used it nightly)
5) Omega 3 (taken daily for the past 9 months, no visible difference but I'll keep at it)
6) Flaxseed (taken daily for the past 9 months, no visible difference but I'll keep at it)
7) two litres of water a day
8) Cutting down on sugar (only started that this week)

Next to try is :

1) Restasis (Getting prescribed this in a few weeks, Hoping it'll be my cure)
2) A trip to Moorfields for a second opinion


My symptoms are
1) swollen eyelids every morning
2) red veiny eyes all day
3) No tolerance to air con, heating, fans (causes burning sensation)
4) Eye makeup causes more burning and redness so I can't wear it anymore (at 28 this is quite devastating)

My question is, with everything mentioned above.... what are the odds of an improvement in my case? Those of you who have been here for years, I think I value your opinion more so that the various doctors I've been to see!

Does anyone think maybe I could just be healing slowly?
Is there anything else I could try?
Is patience key now?
Should I demand a confocal microscopy? If nerves is the issue, maybe I should be looking for serum drops?

If anyone can offer any insights I'd be so grateful. I'm not expecting to be perfect,but if I could wear eye make up or even lessen the appearance of the red veins in some way I'd be happy. The burning feeling is horrible.

What are my chances???

Any advice or hopeful messages would be so gratefully appreciated.

ps - i do not have blepharitis, mgd or allergies.