Starbursts and ghosting, dry eye sensation without actual dryness.. HELP

[Hokucat]

phenix01 , it’s good news that probing appeared to unblock additional glands besides those unblocked from LipiFlow. Those additional glands might have had scar tissue LipiFlow could not unblock, did you probing doctor mention it seemed like some of your glands had scar tissue as he was probing them? That’s when I found out I had scar tissue.

Either way, from LipiFlow and probing you know that your glands were blocked, and when unblocked your glands your eyes felt more moist and better. Even though it didn’t last, I would consider that a success, as that’s a key first step. After several probe procedures, each time my eyes would feel better and more moist for ~week, then revert back to severe dryness, until I found the right diet changes to help my meibomian glands (and lacrimal glands) to better function so they didn’t get so blocked up again. So as you suspect, you likely now need to find what thing(s) help your glands function better now that you’ve done significant unblocking and see there are oils underneath all that...it might be maintenance LipiFlows, IPLs, expression, diet changes, doxycycline, etc. or some combination of those. Everyone is different what works.

Also keep up the blinking exercises regularly (every 20 minutes is usually recommended), and make sure to take regular breaks from using electronic devices.

[phenix01]

Thanks Hokucat I'll keep that in mind and bring it up with my Dr when I speak to him. post-probig instruction were warm compresses 1x/day. Maybe I need something more aggressive. Maybe I should try gland expressions? doesn't look hard to do with the right equipment.
#justwantmynormallifeback

[Hokucat]

Yes definitely warm compresses if that helps you, maybe even 2x daily. Many in this forum have found compresses helpful and are experts at which compress masks are best, the ideal temperature, how long to leave it on, etc. I’m sure they will chime in on this.

I forgot to mention compresses as they never really helped me, it actually irritated my eyes more, plus I have not used them for a few years! But for many warm and sometimes cold comoresses are a daily necessity.

Besides the blinking exercises and breaks, try at least one of the other things I mentioned above in my previous post if warm compresses don’t help soon. You don’t want to give your glands the chance to get too blocked up again.

[MGD1701]

Hi Houcat

warm compress
wonder why it does not help you? too long, too hot?

You also mentioned you dont need it (at all)? But Dr Korb and most doctors recommend it to make oil flowing and glands wont block.
So how could you manage it without compress? How to monitor it to make sure glands are not blocked?
But I remember phenix dr also told him/her that he needs to do it for the rest of his/her life??

[ebi1368]

I also can not tolerate warm compress. I am not sure how to prevent my gland from blocking.

[Hokucat]

MGD1701 , I think after finding the right diet changes, my glands are able to produce good oils now by themselves from the inside out. It’s been three years since my last probing and key diet changes, and my eyes have continued to get better as I further adjust my diet, without compresses, so I doubt my glands are getting clogged up again. However I plan to have my glands checked the next time I have an appointment. These days I do better when I don’t do too many things to my eyes!

[ebi1368]

Hokucat Sorry to jump into this conversation. I was diagnosed with Rosacea after my lasik.

Can share your diet with us ? I cut sugar, coffee, black tea, liquor from my diet. I do not know what else to cut.

I think my gland are not blocked, they just donot produce much oil. I can see on the mirror that there is small dots on my eyelid and I have pretty loud blink.

[Hokucat]

ebi1368 , sure, am happy to share my diet. As far as diet, everyone has different underlying conditions, so the diet that works for one may not work for another. In general my diet has many anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant foods. Here is what I typically follow each day ~80% of the time, in case something here helps you:

I limit gluten, dairy, and sugars. These three things always made and still make my eyes feel worse.

BREAKFAST - I've found I need to start off the day with my main meal:
-Drink one cup water as soon as wake up.
-Spinach or dark leafy greens salad. Extra virgin olive oil with fresh grinded peppercorns and a little salt for dressing. Recently started adding raisins and raw sunflower seeds.
-One cup fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries)
-Small portion of protein (usually chicken or salmon, but find a good cut of steak or filet mignon for some reason always makes my eyes feel even better)
-Green tea with juice from 1/6 of medium to large meyer lemon and slice of crushed ginger
-Supplements related to eyes - Ocuvite-type eye vitamin, flaxseed oil, fish oil, vitamin A, bilberry

DURING DAY:
-One cup fresh vegetable juice (or thawed from frozen - I juice once a week and freeze it). A rainbow of colors: Kale, chard, parsley, bok choy, cucumbers, beets, carrots, butternut squash, apple.
-Snack on nuts and fruit (bananas, melons, dried prunes-for potassium & fiber).
-Drink lots of water.
-Green tea with lemon and ginger (but these days I often skip this second round of lemon/tea)
-If I’m going to eat something not so healthy like pasta or a sandwich, cookies, chips, etc. I’ll eat a small portion here in the middle of the day, as it seems to have the least negative effect on my eyes, as long as I had my good breakfast.

DINNER:
-Small portion of protein
-Vegetables (usually broccoli, asparagus, etc., something dark green)

EVENING:
-Chamomile tea
-Drink a cup of water right before bed

[ebi1368]

ebi1368 , sure, am happy to share my diet. As far as diet, everyone has different underlying conditions, so the diet that works for one may not work for another. In general my diet has many anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant foods. Here is what I typically follow each day ~80% of the time, in case something here helps you:

I limit gluten, dairy, and sugars. These three things always made and still make my eyes feel worse.

BREAKFAST - I've found I need to start off the day with my main meal:
-Drink one cup water as soon as wake up.
-Spinach or dark leafy greens salad. Extra virgin olive oil with fresh grinded peppercorns and a little salt for dressing. Recently started adding raisins and raw sunflower seeds.
-One cup fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries)
-Small portion of protein (usually chicken or salmon, but find a good cut of steak or filet mignon for some reason always makes my eyes feel even better)
-Green tea with juice from 1/6 of medium to large meyer lemon and slice of crushed ginger
-Supplements related to eyes - Ocuvite-type eye vitamin, flaxseed oil, fish oil, vitamin A, bilberry

DURING DAY:
-One cup fresh vegetable juice (or thawed from frozen - I juice once a week and freeze it). A rainbow of colors: Kale, chard, parsley, bok choy, cucumbers, beets, carrots, butternut squash, apple.
-Snack on nuts and fruit (bananas, melons, dried prunes-for potassium & fiber).
-Drink lots of water.
-Green tea with lemon and ginger (but these days I often skip this second round of lemon/tea)
-If I’m going to eat something not so healthy like pasta or a sandwich, cookies, chips, etc. I’ll eat a small portion here in the middle of the day, as it seems to have the least negative effect on my eyes, as long as I had my good breakfast.

DINNER:
-Small portion of protein
-Vegetables (usually broccoli, asparagus, etc., something dark green)

EVENING:
-Chamomile tea
-Drink a cup of water right before bed

Thanks for sharing this. Just wondering what is your diagnosis?
Sorry for asking many question.

[Guest]

ebi1368 , doctors think my severe MGD and aqueous deficiency was due to autoimmune disease (but I never tested positive), complicated by many years using computers and driving a 3-hour round trip work commute, possibly also long term use of regular contact lenses.

My dry eye journey, along with others in this forum, is detailed here in our Dry Eye Stories, if you’re interested:

https://www.dryeyestories.com/new-bl...ous-deficiency

[Hokucat]

ebi1368 , doctors think my severe MGD and aqueous deficiency was due to autoimmune disease (have never tested positive), complicated by many years of computer use and driving a 3-hour daily work commute. Long term regular contact lens wear also may be a contributing factor.

I detailed my journey here in Our Dry Eye Stories, in case you are interested:

https://www.dryeyestories.com/new-bl...ous-deficiency

[ebi1368]

Thanks for sharing the link.
Your story was quit sad and encouraging. Lots of my symptoms are like you like dry skin and etc. They told me I have rosacea as I have rashes as well.

[Guest]

ebi1368 , have you had extensive tests including for autoimmune disease, vitamin deficiencies, hormones, etc.? There are studies recently indicating rosacea has ties to autoimmune issues. Have you seen a rheumatologist? Diet changes could potentially be a key factor in helping you.

I didn’t mean for my story to sound so sad! Several people have also told me that, but like by you, I’ve been told by many that it was encouraging for them to read, which was the main reason I felt I had to share my journey. Although I suffered so many years, because of that I so much appreciate being able to function decently again. When my family went to Europe for vacation last month, throughout the trip I often had tears in my eyes from just appreciating so much how I’ve been given my eyes and life back. I took it all for granted before. I’m sure you all will feel the same once you get better.

[Hokucat]

ebi1368 , have you had extensive test including for autoimmune disease, vitamin deficiencies, hormones, etc.? Recent studies have associated rosacea with autoimmune issues, in some cases. Have you seen a rheumatologist? Diet changes may be one key factor in helping you.

Sorry my journey was so sad, others have commented the same. But like you did, they also told me it encouraged them, which was the reason I wanted to share it. The many years and degree of suffering really helps me appreciate everything so much more now. Last month when my family went to Europe, I constantly had tears in my eyes knowing that I was given a second chance with my eyes and life, to enjoy a trip like this with my family, which I never thought I’d be able to do again. I took so much for granted before getting dry eyes. You will likely experience this, once you get better. It’s something to look forward to.

[ebi1368]

My GP though I have lupus because of my symptoms. I did blood tests and it turned out I don’t. I will ask him to him to prescribe me the test for vitamins and hormones. No I have not seen rheumatologist here. Canadian medical system is stupid. I have to wait months to get an appointment with specialist.

This forum helped me a lot. All doctors that I have been dealing couldn’t give me an answer. I learned all these stuff from this forum.