Hit the wall today

[Natalie06]

For the last 2 weeks, the weather in Maine has been sub zero with very low humidity. And as you all can understand, my eyes have gone crazy. This morning I woke up with so much pain that thinking about trying to get through another day at work just made me cry. And I've been fighting tears all day.

My rage at the Lasik surgeon who carelessly and needlessly did this to me is unbelievable. But worse is the feeling of absolute violation of trust. I was manipulated and used by a man who put money and ego ahead ahead of my well being. So, in a weak moment, I emailed the AAO and asked them why they recommend this exhaustive list of both clinical and subclinical criteria when screening for DES yet some Lasik surgeons don't seem to even follow the most basic criteria? Why doesn't being an Ophthalomogist supercede being a Lasik surgeon?

I read all your posts under "sad" and it helps so much to not feel so alone. Today my eyes looked terrible so most people could understand my pain. But most days they look nice and white and healthy. They don't feel that way of course but other people can't "see" what we "feel".

I know tomorrow will be better. The weather is supposed to warm up and tonight I will take extra care of my eyes, with my new Rice baggie. I see the dermatologist next Monday about the potential Rosacea (I had to cancel last week due to a blizzard) and hopefully he can help. I also plan to make my appointment with a dry eye specialist whom I want to assume all of my routine eyecare if I feel comfortable with him.

Thanks for listening and being here.

Natalie
Lasik 7/14/06

[Silverlady]

So sorry

Natalie,
I'm so sorry you are having so much pain. Are you keeping a humidifier running? It is just invaluable when the air is so cold and dry and it will help keep your eyes more comfortable.

Billye

[jack_bristow]

Natalie, I strongly recommend Theratears Liquigel/Refresh Celluvisc for the "bad days". Its safe, thick, comfortable and after a while you get used to the initial blurry effect. It should relieve SEVERE symptoms, especially so in the morning.

When you get up, apply it and give it 20 minutes, see if your eyes feel better and "whiten back up up". Its not necessary to keep your eyes closed, you can do other things.

I really don't know what am I going to do if this formula gets taken off the market. There's nothing else like it.

[Natalie06]

Thank you both!

Unfortunately, my employer won't allow a humidifier at work. I totally understand their reasons but work is my biggest problem. I do use one at home.

I have a really hard time with any type of gel. I keep trying them and it just seems to make my blepharitis worse.

I have made an appointment with an ophthamologist who specializes in Dry Eye but can't see her until April.

It's great to be able to come here and vent sometimes. I think people who don't have DES can't really appreciate how much it can take over your life.

The weather is supposed to get above freezing starting on Sunday. I can't wait!

Natalie

[MJ]

Natalie,
It's nice to meet you. I'm so sorry to hear about your pain. I'm posting because following my LASIK in 2000 I was guided into using heavy gels and, like you, they just seemed to aggravate my blepharitis. Everyone kept telling me to hang in there with them but they really did make things worse for me. I know that each individual has different experiences with different drops but yours rang a bell with me, which led me to post this reply to you.

I looked back on your previous posts and saw that you're doing the lid scrubs. I got so tired of doing those but they really do help. Whenever you have all that goop or even eyedrops getting into your lashline you've got to keep them clean. And you have to do it every day, if not twice a day. My tip would be after scrubbing the top lashline, pick up your eyelid and using a Q-tip scrub the bottom of that same lashline. There's more stuff hiding under there, even after we're sure we've gotten it all ... Then when you're done use a hot washrag and lay it on the lashline to melt any leftover goop or remaining soap off. But don't stop doing this.

After I gave up the gels I became a Thera Tears junkie. I overused the eyedrops and made my eyes worse. I think you can actually disrupt your tear film by using too many drops, too often throughout the day. I stopped the drops cold turkey but that didn't do much to help my eyes. Fortunately, for me, Dr. Holly's drops came out (Nutratears, Dakrina and Dwelle) around that time and after using them my tear film got soooo much better. It didn't happen overnight but it sure did happen. Recently, I was put on a medication that dries out my eyes and so, after all this time, I've turned to Dr. Holly's drops again.

Just don't give up hope. And I will keep you in my prayers for that pain to go away.

Meledie

[kitty]

Unfortunately, my employer won't allow a humidifier at work. I totally understand their reasons but work is my biggest problem. I do use one at home.

Have you tried having an MD (either an ophthalmologist or your family physician) write you a prescription to use a humidifier at work? A few drops of bleach in the water would prevent mold/mildew. You could even put it on a lamp timer so that it shuts off automatically, reducing the risk of it being a fire hazard. IMHO, DES is a disability and as such should be covered under the ADA. That means that employers must make "reasonable accommodation". There is nothing unreasonable about using a humidifier at work. Even if it is not considered a disability under the ADA, a physician Rx does go a long way. What have you got to lose?

[Natalie06]

Thanks to both of you!

Meledie, thanks for the tips for the lid scrubs. Funny, my OD tells me not to do them because my lid margins are so inflamed but I do them anyway because the junk in my eyelashes gets into my eyes and hurts so bad. Like tiny bits of sharp glass in my eyes. And it feels good after I clean them up. I think I am going to get some of the premixed pads to use at work.


Kitty, I spoke with a nurse in our employee health department about the humidfier but I didn't push it. I think a note from my MD is a great idea. I've just not been aggressive about it, hoping it would get better by 6 months like my MD kept telling me. Well, it's 7 months now so guess he's wrong.

And whn the heat in the office goes off, it will be replaced by the AC so I need to do something. My company is really supportive in general so I think with a little effort I can get some accomodation. I had put a bowl of water out but it just did not make enough of a difference. But man, it sure did evaporate fast.

Thank you both for the support. Have a great weekend. The temp is supposed to hit 35 tomorrow here in Maine... YEEHAW!

Natalie

Thanks

[cherrybrandy]

Hi natalie06..

Hi ive been reading your post and i agree that lack of understanding from some folk can drive you mad.taday for example i was trying to tell someone what was wrong with my eyes and they said so you cant cry then...not realising that its the glands not the tear ducts that are blocked with me ive got mgd and bleph..personally speaking ive never had so much unrelenting pain, on your down days login to these boards for support as even a kind message from a fellow sufferer can make all the difference..Let us know how you get on..regards, cherrybrandy...

[MJ]

Meledie, thanks for the tips for the lid scrubs. Funny, my OD tells me not to do them because my lid margins are so inflamed but I do them anyway because the junk in my eyelashes gets into my eyes and hurts so bad. Like tiny bits of sharp glass in my eyes. And it feels good after I clean them up.
Thanks

Did your OD explain further? I would like to know the reasoning behind that, because if it's causing you more harm than good you shouldn't be doing it. And, if correct, that knowledge could help a lot of other people on here. If you get a chance pick his brain on the topic.

And have a wonderful weekend!

[skygoddess]

Natalie06,
Gels hurt my lids too, so I just take a ice cold cloth and wipe the excess off the lid. My eyes seem to need one thing , and the lids another.
Hope it helps.

[Judy]

Hi all,

I just have to repeat myself once again and say that a quick rinse of my eyes in the shower every morning with Unisol 4 preservative-free saline, then a quick scrub of my eyelids using the same saline and q-tips (once out of the shower), has REALLY MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCE FOR ME. This is done right before I use my Restasis eyedrops. I have an eye dr. appointment tomorrow and will ask if long-term use of this saline will harm my skin or eyes, and will report if I learn anything new on this subject!

Of course, this is in addition to warm compress soaks (before the shower and while I'm stretching my sad back)...

Have a great day everyone!

[Judy]

I meant to follow up regarding preservative free saline usage. Last week at my eye appointment I checked with my Dr. and she was fine with my using the Unisol preservative free saline for a quick rinse in the shower, and for eyelid scrubs (with a q-tip)... She basically said any preservative free saline solution would be fine. This was a relief as I really did not want to give this habit up!