Unexplained eye floaters and disappointing appointment (venting)

[Blue96]

Hello, all.

I got my blood taken for signs of autoimmune disease, and my doctor suspected from the results that I have autoimmune hepatitis and might require a liver transplant. I was given this diagnosis the day that I woke up with several prominent eye floaters in my right eye, and light flashes. This caused a lot of concern for my doctor who had me go to an eye doctor immediately.

I waited THREE HOURS in the clinic only to have the doctor constantly interrupt me and dismiss anything I had to say. He looked in my eyes for two seconds and told me eye floaters were normal and to not worry. I know they are but the sudden numerous amount of floaters and the concern of my doctor seemed to be a red flag! I told him eye drops do not work for me and the pain is severe, he gave me a coupon for theratears (that we later found out was expired) and told me to see him in 6 months. I still have the eye floaters and am constantly aware of them on top of the headaches I get from my eyes being in so much pain.

A week later I went to a specialist that the doctor who took my blood test referred me to. He took a look at my test results and said that they were very borderline and inconclusive, and that he highly doubts I even have an autoimmune disease. Just to be sure he scheduled an appointment for an ultrasound on my liver that I'm going to in a couple of hours.

I am so tired of all of this. No doctor I've been to has been able to agree with another on what's wrong with me, and all this talk of autoimmune disease and then no autoimmune disease has been scaring my family and I. I've been unable to leave the house much since last year due to this pain and I can't take it anymore. People my age are going out and living life and I'm just stuck here scared and in pain. Why isn't dry eye taken more seriously!? I wish there were as much awareness for it as there are for other diseases. I don't want eyedrops meant to only mask the symptoms that don't work, I want a cure and more people actively looking for said cure. I want people to know that while it can be just a minor annoyance for some, it can be extremely debilitating for others. I'm not even in my 20s and I find it very difficult to leave the house on account of the suffering I'm going through. Why is this not more of an issue!?

I'm very sorry for the rambling, I'm just so frustrated and depressed. I want to be out and enjoying life, I was working so hard on my goals and ambitions when this started and now I feel as though I've hit rock bottom. I've spent so much of this year so far crying from pain and hopelessness, and I don't know what to do. My heart goes out to everyone here suffering with this terrible disease. I think I might create a blog soon about dry eyes and hope that it gains some attention from a younger demographic.

[Arcluce]

Keep your head up. I used to be a welder and I loved it, but I am not letting my severe dry eyes get in my way of having my own welding shop. Its all about working on managing the pain. Like I tell everyone you could cut off my arm and I would still be unable to shed a tead, because I can no longer. Right now I am working on obtaining disability, I will see how that goes, and I plan on fighting for it. Dont give up and keep on pushing forward one day at a time. On another note, when my eyes get really bad I usually just have to close them and that tends to help. I met a 9 year old with my condition and that killed me inside seeing her having to go through this crap.

[epicjinx]

Blue: It is very difficult and i can both relate to both of your points. BUT, I'd like to point out... There is HOPE, for me its difficult much like both of yous, but lacritin, bioengineered lacrimal glands, and ML-7 ARE potential cures. They just arent here... yet. For me it hit me with computer use and feel like an idiot now, because much like you i wanna go out but cant althought i dont have much pain my mgd does my head in every day i cry most days because of it and no relief.It's hard gripping onto hope, but people are turning their heads because of this disease and trying to figure out more ways to help it mainly inflammation wise. Arcluce: That is horrible that a 9 year old has it, but i bet you its down to better technology thats made that happen. Sadly due to better technology more and more will obtain it.

[BMR777]

I'm sorry to hear about your flashes and floaters. I have also had some experience in this area. I've been dealing with flashes off and on for the past few months. When I would have an episode I would usually see a single floater, then have the flashes occur for up to a week afterwords. Nearly every time I have had the flashes I believe it has been related to inflammation. The first time I had the flashes it was after taking Ilevro, an NSAID eye drop meant to reduce inflammation. Then I had the flashes after taking TobraDex steroid drops. Then I had them after taking some supplements I hoped would reduce inflammation. Maybe see if there is some link between getting the flashes and inflammation, either where it is going up or down? For me it seems when I try to get it down that's when I would see the flashes.

[hirentherock]

Search on internet for health benefits from Serrapeptase. Its a natural enzyme that my help clear floaters if taken regularly.That has other health benefits too like relief from swelling etc.
This is just for inflammation and floaters though.

[Klee]

Have them check you for posterior vitreous detachment. Flashs and floaters can signal this.