Re: Dry/Poor Carity Vision

Posted By Mary on June 30, 1999 at 11:36:55
Dear Henry Ford Eye Doctor.
I am reading here on dry eyes and about these eye plugs.
Can you tell me how safe these plugs are and why do they use them and who should not use them.  
My eyes have been bad now for a few months.  Very dry and poor  clarity and focusing on TV, newspaper,is poor and very sensitive to light.
I failed a Shirmer's Test but had a negative blood test for S?
Syndrome. My mouth is a lil dry too but not bad at all.  
I was put on eye drops called, Cyclos 0.5%  0.625% OPH ML.
I was told that these drops are a permanent cure for dry eyes no matter what the reason.  I was told I would see a dramatic improvement in 7 days.   This has not happened and I am now on my second bottle.  My eyes burn and sometimes pain on top of all the other mess.  I do not wear contacts.  I keep telling the doc all this but he tells me that these eye drops will work.  Can dry eyes cause pressure readings to go up?  Can stress from having dry eyes cause pressure readings to go up?
Do you know of these drops and do these drops hold the cure for dye eyes?
I am considering tossing these drops away and looking into plugs if this is better therapy. Are there different types of plugs?
And when you say permanent, can these not ever be removed?
Pls. advise when you can.
I thank you for the time you spend with all of us here.
P.S.  Can computers with a Glare screen cause these problems?
I am 50 yrs. of age.   Also can dry eyes cause poor claity.  I asked the MD if he was a dry eye specialist and he said he was.

[HFHS M.D.-NI]

Posted By HFHS MD - NI on June 30, 1999 at 12:27:40
There are several treatments for dry eyes.  The first is using artificial tears.  If this does not work, other more specific treatments such as antiinflammatory drops (like you have) can work.  Punctal plugs work by reducing the drainage through the tear ducts.  This makes the tears last longer.  Permanent plugs are not really permanent as they can be removed.  Temporary plugs self absorb and can be used as a test before placing permanent plugs.  Cauterization forms scar tissue to close the ducts and is more permanent.
You should discuss these options with your ophthalmologist.
This information is for educational purposes only.  If you are in the Detroit area, you can call 8003637575 for an appointment and we can check you.  Ask to see a cornea doctor for dry eyes.

[Mary__0__0]

Posted By Mary on June 30, 1999 at 13:48:36
Thank You very much for your most speedy reply.  Those who are close
to Detroit or in Detroit should make every effort to see you fine
Opthamologists at Henry Ford Hospital as our questions are answered
thoroughly.  God Bless You All.

[John__0__0]

Posted By John on July 01, 1999 at 19:05:08
I also have dry eyes, and have had plugs inserted and use rewetting drops several times a day. At the present time, there is NO 'cure' for dry eyes. What can be done is to alleviate the symptoms by plugging the tear drainage ducts and/or putting artificial teardrops into the eye.
Anti-inflammatory drops can only work if there is inflammation. It sounds like you have probably got no inflammation, so those drops will be useless (just like they were when I was put onto them).
There is no danger with the plugs - they are made from silicon and are inserted fairly simply. They can also be removed by your eye doctor, if need be.
With dry eyes, the cornea can dry out, and this can impair vision.
Hope this is of help.











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