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Hi everyone,
A bit of background:
I've been struggling with horrendous light sensitivity for about 5 years now. I had PRK laser eye surgery in 2010 or 2011, and I really regret it. I took accutane a number of years before that, and I think the two together may have caused me some serious problems. I deal with dry eye problems now that are "moderate," but I wouldn't consider them to be as severe as many of you. I have punctal plugs, I do warm compresses, and I often wake up with eyelids sticking. That said, I don't normally experience discomfort during the day.
My most serious concern is that since my surgery, I experience absolutely debilitating light sensitivity under fluorescent lights. Doctors including neurologists have described my symptoms as similar to migraine symptoms. Fluorescent lights feel overwhelming to my eyes after about 15 minutes, so I can't work well in my office, and grocery stores and big box stores are very difficult for me to manage. This has caused major problems with my career and my life. Luckily, I've found that non-prescription tinted glasses (like computer glasses) appear to provide about 50% - 75% relief of my symptoms depending on the day. Because of my job (military), I forked over a lot of money to have custom tinted contacts made, and they made almost no difference with the symptoms. They definitely darken my vision, but for some reason, they don't provide the relief that tinted eyeglasses do.
Here is the interesting thing, and the reason for my post today. I was recently prescribed a VERY small/light prescription pair of clear eyeglasses. Those glasses provide me almost the same relief as the tinted pair of non-prescription glasses! I would say 35%-50% relief! I was dumbfounded when I realized this and put them on. I can put them on, take them off, put them on, take them off, and feel the results almost immediately. For me, it is almost as if the "dazzle" or "overwhelmed" feeling I feel in my eyes/brain is helped by the glasses. I literally can't work without them.
Has anyone experienced anything similar because of their dry eyes or post-PRK or other laser eye surgery? My optometrist said my eyes were healthy other than having a lower-than-average oil film. He said that wouldn't explain my description of the debilitating symptoms, however.
I'm at a loss and could definitely use some advice. Am I stuck wearing glasses forever? Are there contacts that might provide similar relief?
Thanks all!
A bit of background:
I've been struggling with horrendous light sensitivity for about 5 years now. I had PRK laser eye surgery in 2010 or 2011, and I really regret it. I took accutane a number of years before that, and I think the two together may have caused me some serious problems. I deal with dry eye problems now that are "moderate," but I wouldn't consider them to be as severe as many of you. I have punctal plugs, I do warm compresses, and I often wake up with eyelids sticking. That said, I don't normally experience discomfort during the day.
My most serious concern is that since my surgery, I experience absolutely debilitating light sensitivity under fluorescent lights. Doctors including neurologists have described my symptoms as similar to migraine symptoms. Fluorescent lights feel overwhelming to my eyes after about 15 minutes, so I can't work well in my office, and grocery stores and big box stores are very difficult for me to manage. This has caused major problems with my career and my life. Luckily, I've found that non-prescription tinted glasses (like computer glasses) appear to provide about 50% - 75% relief of my symptoms depending on the day. Because of my job (military), I forked over a lot of money to have custom tinted contacts made, and they made almost no difference with the symptoms. They definitely darken my vision, but for some reason, they don't provide the relief that tinted eyeglasses do.
Here is the interesting thing, and the reason for my post today. I was recently prescribed a VERY small/light prescription pair of clear eyeglasses. Those glasses provide me almost the same relief as the tinted pair of non-prescription glasses! I would say 35%-50% relief! I was dumbfounded when I realized this and put them on. I can put them on, take them off, put them on, take them off, and feel the results almost immediately. For me, it is almost as if the "dazzle" or "overwhelmed" feeling I feel in my eyes/brain is helped by the glasses. I literally can't work without them.
Has anyone experienced anything similar because of their dry eyes or post-PRK or other laser eye surgery? My optometrist said my eyes were healthy other than having a lower-than-average oil film. He said that wouldn't explain my description of the debilitating symptoms, however.
I'm at a loss and could definitely use some advice. Am I stuck wearing glasses forever? Are there contacts that might provide similar relief?
Thanks all!
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