Dystrophy and dry eye issues - is PTK best thing?

I am over 40 and now experiencing servere dry eye after having a severe cold for 3 weeks.   I woke up one morning with my eyes stuck shut and i finally got them open and experienced the most severe pain in my life and of course I could not see after that.   Been going to a cornea specialist for a while with a series of anti biotic drops (Zymar 4x day) and steriod drops (Pred Forte 4x day) and lots of Refresh PM, every 2 hours, to keep my eyes lubricated during the day and night.  

Now dr is also saying i have a dystrophy of my eyes that is pretty severe and that she should be able to fix with PTK.  If it isnt fixed via PTK then this will problably occur routinely.  

I have never had dry eyes before this, dr is saying this genetic version of dystrophy typically doesnt pop up til after 40 yrs of age... so i am left wondering about getting a second opinion and if laser surgey is the only way to fix and how successful PTK surgery really is???

Since she also mentioned the results of PTK surgery may only last 5-10 years... it also sounds like i would need to have this done somewhat routinely... is that also true?

LOL... at times i wonder if i have heard all the bad news and if there is some other good news with this eye issue.

From the sounds of it my prescription is going to change due to this dry eye episode so i will also need to get new eye glasses prescrption. However, dr said she may be able to do some eye correction at the same time.  Is this the right thing to do?  Or should that really occur after my eyes have settled down.    I have never really thought about lasik since i have worn glasses / contacts since I was 5 yrs old and miss them even when i am wearing contacts.  

As for contacts not sure if they are advisable any longer either since in my teens/twenties i wore the Boston Gas Permiable, then took a break for 10 years from contacts then in the last 2 years i have been wearing soft contacts.
I took the long break between while having kids and loads of migraines.  I still have migraines but more used to them.

sorry for the book on my situation, but just trying to figure out if PTK is the right way to go.


This discussion is related to Corneal errosion?.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

You should definitely get a second opinion from a corneal specialist if for no other reason then you peace of mind.

If you have disease of the outer layer of the cornea such a basement membrane disease causing recurrent corneal erosions and medical therapy has not been successful than PTK may be the way to go.

However for some corneal dystrophies or pure dry eyes its not the way to go.

Get a second opinion.

JCH MD