Hello...

[msienkiewicz]

Hi!

I am new to this whole dry eye thing - about six months.

I have schirmers of 8 and 12 - not too bad I guess.
The main problem is mgd.

The doctors keep saying that my symptoms are "disproportionate to the look of my eyes."

I, in a hurry to get three kids to school one day, put my husband's ear drop in my eye which caused cysts and dry eye to develop. I had the cyst aspirated, but it did not heal correctly. It left a bump on my eye that is sooo uncomfortable at times. The drier eye is the eye that I did not do anything to - how ironic.

The doctors also say I have occular rosecea, and looking back, I think I had dry eye before, just not as symptomatic. This just put me over the edge.

I have tears, but they evaporate too quickly. I sometimes use a little refresh PM to get me though the DAY. Would plugs help this situation. I am afraid to plug inflamation onto my eye.....What to do.....

I have been lurking for months and can really identify with so many of you.

Blessings-

[msienkiewicz]

Sorry, one more thing.....

One doctor would not give me doxy. Doesn't think things are bad enough, but he did give me lacriserts.

Jenny, if you are out there...

Can you give me suggestions on how to get them in?
The idea of scratching my cornea scares me to death.

[msienkiewicz]

Thought of something else to ask...

What causes this burning. Lack of tears, oil??????

If I got plugs, would I still be burning?

I'm in unknown territory....

[jenny2008]

Hi,
When I insert my lacriserts I make sure I put drops in first to lubricate the eye surface. To put the lacrisert in I also put a small drop on the spatula that is provided to pick the lacrisert in... I put in the lower corner of my eyelid by pulling the lower eyelid pocket out a bit and to the side nearest my temples. I also put in an eyedrop right after I put the lacrisert in.. I haven't had any problems with scratching my corneas doing it this way.. I don't even touch my eyeball. I hope this helps..

Let me know if you have any other questions.. And I hope you like them as much as I do. Good Luck!

[msienkiewicz]

Jenny,

Do you make sure it gets really low?

Does it feel really foreign?

Do you have MGD?

Sorry for the questions, just wondering...

[jenny2008]

yes I put it in the low corner -all the way down so it doesn't come back out..It feels a little sore or different for the first 10 minutes or so... I just keep using drops at that point..i am so used to them now i don't notice it so much.. I used to wear contacts and it definitely doesn't feel that bad..

Yes I have MGD too, sjogrens and ocular rosacea... feel free to ask any questions..i don't mind!

[msienkiewicz]

How many hours do you get out of it?

Does it burn or feel goopy?

I've never worn contacts, and I'm not good with the drops so I really wanted to try this...

My doc gave them to me, but said very few people like them.

I thought it was worth a try anyway....

Thanks for being so kind in answering.

This is all so scary.

I too have been told that I have ocular rosecea.
I tested negative for Sjogrens, but my mouth is always dry too.

I have a friend that works at an eye care place, and she said she would get me in to see a tech that would help me get it in the first time.

Have you had to take them out?
How do you do that...
Do they dissolve fully...

Thanks again for you time.

[msienkiewicz]

Jenny,

Thank you for your words of encouragement. I was able to insert the lacriserts, and my eyes are "bathing" at the moment - almost too many tears at the moment, but that is ok with me. I'll keep you posted on how long it works for me as I have very evaporative dry eye.

My friend works at an eye clinic just minutes from my house, and she had a tech help me with the first one. I did the second on my own. It fell out; I think I went through three, but I DID IT! I'm so glad I did.

I'll keep you posted on how they continue to work for me.
Even if I can get 6 hours in the evenings with them that would be great. That is when my kids need me most.

Thank you again so much....
I pray it can be this simple....
__________________
pianolady

[msienkiewicz]

Jenny,

How do you know when you need a new one?

Do you take the old one out first?

How many hours do you normally get?

Sorry for bothering you....

[jenny2008]

Hello
You are not boterhing me.. I am happy to help!
I put my lacriserts in around 9am and they seem to last for me until around 9pm or so... It depends-I work on a computer at work from 11-8 so my eyes tend to get dry around 4 pm or--depending on what kind of day i am having.. so then I usually have to use some drops with them. but overall I would think you could get away with just using one. I only use one per day.. I take them out when I get home because I do a warm compress and massage and that can't be done w/ lacriserts in--your eyes will get all goopy!

i too have had a few fall out-you have to get used to them and be careful to not rub your eyes!
let me know howyour first day with them went. i hope well!

[msienkiewicz]

They worked quite well actually. I put them in at 2 and made it to 9. I don't think I would get a full 12 hours though. I took them out to do the warm compress also.

How long have you been using them?

Do you know if you produce any oil?
I can't seem to express any...

Thanks again for all your advice. I will use them again today.

Do you think that they will make my own tear production go down by relying on them?

They did feel good; I felt "normal" for a while.
Do you have plugs? I was wondering if that would help as well.

Melissa

[jenny2008]

Yes i have plugs..couldn't live without them!
no they willnot affect your tear production.. i have been using them for about 5 months now and i feel better overall... i have learned the hard way that prescription drugs can affect the tear production--anxiety meds, sleep aids, allergy meds..etc... having lacriserts in or using drops doesn't affect your tear production.. i have discussed it w/my doc-and i go to one of the best who is mentioned on here quite frequently..he is a dry eye specialist and researcher!

[msienkiewicz]

Thanks ...that is comforting to know. I don't want to go backwards...

Do you have two plugs or four?

[jenny2008]

i have 2 plugs in my left eye and a lower plug in my right

[EyeSpy]

Lacrisert Question

Hello,

I am new to the website and am very interested in the Lacrisert inserts. Are they available in the US? Are they covered by insurance?

Also, I have been reading through tons of the blogs getting great ideas to help my dry eyes and one thing that I had done and have not seen any other blogs about is that I had my lower tear ducts cauderized (sealed shut) with a hot needle about 12 years ago as the punctal plugs would not stay in the holes.

Has anyone else had this done? It worked wonders for me....

Looking forwadr to learning many more tips!

EyeSpy from Atlanta, GA