Recurrent Corneal Erosions

[Vijay]

Hello everyone,

I think I've figured out where a lot of my pain and foreign body sensation has been coming from; I think I've been experiencing corneal erosions, which for some reason, the doctors haven't noticed, or if they have, they haven't bothered to tell me.
Does anyone know what kind of self-care is effective for corneal erosions? I've done some research, but was just curious as to what people have tried. Thank you.

Vijay

[liz56]

Hi, Vijay.

I am really sorry to hear that you are having rce's. I have been having them myself since at least the end of May. However, they are diminishing. My last one was two weeks ago, and it was so mild that my vision was not affected the next day. That's the big thing for me. I read and write a lot for work, so it is important for me to see well.

Like you, it took me about six weeks to find out what the problem was, because by the time I made it to the eye doctor, he said that my eyes looked good. I was on my fourth doctor before the correct diagnosis was made.

Things for me are improving, but it is a long and slow process. I have been at it since July. All through June, I was on Muro 128 drops (and the Muro 128 5% ointment at night for the first two weeks of treatment).

I have been managing with drops, because I am afraid of surgery. I am on Restasis twice each day, and Dwelle, sold at this site, has helped me a lot. A corneal specialist told me to use Dwelle five times each day and that the rce's won't go away immediately, but they will diminish. I use Genteal Gel at night, but sometimes use an ointment (Lacrilube). I also get up at least twice each night to re-apply.

Cindy's posts on this board have helped me out a lot! If you run a search for "Cindy," and pick one of her posts and look at "all posts for this user" (or something to that effect), you will find helpful information for beating rce's.

Other things I have done to help: I started taking fish oil supplements, using Rebecca's rice baggy at least three times each week, using Nutratear between my regular drops when my eyes do not feel good, and getting regular sleeping hours in.

I wish you the best of luck!

[Vijay]

Thank you for the reply Liz.

I have done some of the things you have, but I haven't tried the Muro drops. Have they been helpful? and did you ask your doctor before using them? I have read about hyperosmostic agents such as Muro being helpful for RCEs but I hesitate to throw more treatments at myself.

I was taking fish oil supplements and discontinued them recently and started Theratears Nutrition. I do warm and cold compresses, and use a lubricant at night(genteal gel, refresh celluvisc, and sometimes refresh PM ointment). Since I started using tranquileyes, I have woken up with less dryness, but the last two nights it has not helped for some reason. I'm also taking restasis.

I think a lot of my daytime symptoms are a consequence of nighttime dryness, so eliminating this is a priority. Not looking forward to the winter season here in Buffalo. Thank you for your feedback.

Vijay

[liz56]

Muro 128 5%

Hi, Vijay. It sounds like you are getting good treatment where you are. The Muro drops were prescribed by the first cornea specialist I visited. They are a salt solution and eventually made my eyes feel very dry, and they burned. However, my vision was crisp as a result of using them, and they got me started on the path to healing. They are what is typically prescribed for corneal edema. They used to be prescription, according to Dr. Krebs, that same corneal specialist I mentioned. Now, they are available over the counter. They are expensive. One 15 ml bottle cost me $22 (USD). It lasted a month, and I was told to put in four drops each day.

I hope that you find relief! If you find something that works, let me know!

--Liz

[stuben]

Blanket contact lens

hi
Janice had that: she had to protect her cornea with a transparent barrier called a blanket contact lens (which covers the whole exposed surface of the eye) put in by the ophtalmologist and left in place as long as possible. Janice managed 40 days before it fell out, but that was enough to start the healing.
If the problem is due to Herpes simplex HSV1 then get your doc to prescribe Zovirax eye ointment and to take 2 x Zelitrex tablets 3 x / day for at least 14 days