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Two Exams -Same Opinion -Should I still be concerned?
Hello, and thanks in advance.
I've posted questions here before, and the doctors, as well as some of the visitors, have been very helpful -many thanks for that. I appreciate your time. But I have new questions and would like one of the doctors to tell me what the best course of action should be.
My first posted question here was about clouded vision in my right eye. Quick recap: I've been wearing -10 contact lenses for 16 years w/o glasses. I slept in them and everything. Then, about 7 weeks ago now, I developed a "haziness" in my right eye. One of the doctors here advised that I do an amsler grid test and see an Optho -I've done both.
The grid test has been taken several times, by myself, not my eye doctor, and I've passed each time. But, I'm still cloudy. The optho examined me and told me that I had dry eyes and that they were the cause of the misty vision. She put collagen plugs in and told me to use artificial tears. She says, the dryness is stems from contact lens overuse and that I need to lay off of them
I have. I went out and got glasses -the transition was horrible but I'm using them. The Optho thinks the Rx isn't strong enough and I agree. She gave me an appt for a refraction today.
Fast forward to now. Over the past few days I've been seeing flashing lights. The right eye (the one that started this) gets a tiny flash of light on the very edge of the peripheral vision (like one light quickly zipping upward on the very edge of my sight. It sometimes happens when my eyes are closed as well (I also saw a few quick flashes that had no pattern, and one was a perfect circle. But mostly, it's the zipping light). This has only happened in dark rooms and/or with artificial light -never during broad daylight, and while it doesn't happen everyday, it happens enough for me to notice. (And just this morning, upon waking, the peripheral flash happened in my left eye for the first time).
This prompted me to go see the doctor again. This time, I have a different MD who also does a pupil exam. She sees nothing outside of retinal thinning in some spots. She called them "holes" at the edges of the peripheral vision and says that it's just another chronic condition of high myopes and isn't going to affect my vision overall. Yet, I now see cloudiness in both eyes that does not go away with a few blinks and there's been a tiny increase in floaters, but not enough to be a true distraction. Also, there are times when I blink and it looks like a film of mucus or something blurry covers my eye. I blink a few times and it goes away (This happened a few times when I was wearing contacts, but it was once in a while. It's happening more frequently now and I'm *not* wearing contacts at the moment).
I told her all of this, and she says "dry eye" and that it also contributes to the slight blurriness I've been getting as of late (horribly, in the left eye. The eye that was fine during all of this, which has now joined in!)
She says I was set to see have another exam in 6 months, but if I like, I can make the appointment to see a retinal specialist now, which I did (Mid Nov. was the earliest I could get). I'm also set to return to them today for a refraction, and again on Tuesday for a contact lens specialist.
Needless to say, I am frazzled, as this is all affecting my ability to see properly when I work. In the past few days, I've even had hazy/blurriness with things I could see just fine when this all started (though I admit that my eyes had been strained lately due to late computer hours over 2 days). I also get quite a few headaches, usually on the left side of my head, sometimes the back of my head, temples, and even in the center of my forehead, which usually brings pain to the backs of my eyes.
Just for good measure, I'll throw in that sometimes the pain makes my jaw ache as well, and a few times a stuffy nose accompanied it all -but I haven't had a cold in some time.
Now, this is where my questions begin.
I read an article about corneal infections, which can include misting. Both MD's were asked about corneal edema and/or infections and they both said no. But, from what I understand, contact lens overuse can lead to "hazing" of the cornea, which is what I'm experiencing. Both of these doctors were seen at the New York Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Infirmary in Manhattan, both done by two different MDs, and yet, I feel like my problem isn't being properly addressed and I certainly don't feel like my fears have been eased in the slightest.
1) Should I ask to be seen by a corneal specialist as well?
2) Have any of you heard of misty/hazy vision in extreme dry eye cases?
3) Would dry eye affect my ability to focus at times, too?
4) Both of my eyes have been diagnosed as "dry", but only one was giving me hazy vision. So, does it stand to reason that hazing would/should begin in the unaffected eye as well? My MD says that if I lay off my contacts and keep well lubricated, I should see improvement with the haziness. In your opinion, is that true?
5) The flashes. I was told that as long as they're occurring in dark rooms/artificial light, they're nothing to be concerned over, but that I should "keep an eye on them". Does that sound about right to you? Because retinal detachment terrifies me, and as I've said before, my fears weren't calmed at all. In fact, they never even told me what's causing these flashes.
6) Can some of my focusing/blurriness problem be due to needing a new Rx? Because this is happening even when I'm wearing my current glasses and contacts (which the MDs have decided are inaccurate presciptions) . I guess what gets me is that I wasn't having any trouble seeing with my -10 before this all started.
7) My headaches, I was reading that optic nerve swelling could cause them, but neither doctor mentioned anything like that. Can an Optho see these things with the dilated pupil exam, or do I need to ask for a specialist?
7)) Lastly, my contact usage will be limited, but I still need them for work and such. Can you recommend any lens that would be good for dry eyes? Also, can you recommend a good brand of artificial tears? I'm using "Refresh Dry Eye Therapy", at the moment, which is a bit thick and it takes me a few minutes to see properly after insertion. I don't mind, but I want to use whatever will give me the best moisture.
My apologies for such a dreadfully long post. But after such a run around with the MDs, I need to know if I'm correct to continue being concerned.
My Thanks.
I've posted questions here before, and the doctors, as well as some of the visitors, have been very helpful -many thanks for that. I appreciate your time. But I have new questions and would like one of the doctors to tell me what the best course of action should be.
My first posted question here was about clouded vision in my right eye. Quick recap: I've been wearing -10 contact lenses for 16 years w/o glasses. I slept in them and everything. Then, about 7 weeks ago now, I developed a "haziness" in my right eye. One of the doctors here advised that I do an amsler grid test and see an Optho -I've done both.
The grid test has been taken several times, by myself, not my eye doctor, and I've passed each time. But, I'm still cloudy. The optho examined me and told me that I had dry eyes and that they were the cause of the misty vision. She put collagen plugs in and told me to use artificial tears. She says, the dryness is stems from contact lens overuse and that I need to lay off of them
I have. I went out and got glasses -the transition was horrible but I'm using them. The Optho thinks the Rx isn't strong enough and I agree. She gave me an appt for a refraction today.
Fast forward to now. Over the past few days I've been seeing flashing lights. The right eye (the one that started this) gets a tiny flash of light on the very edge of the peripheral vision (like one light quickly zipping upward on the very edge of my sight. It sometimes happens when my eyes are closed as well (I also saw a few quick flashes that had no pattern, and one was a perfect circle. But mostly, it's the zipping light). This has only happened in dark rooms and/or with artificial light -never during broad daylight, and while it doesn't happen everyday, it happens enough for me to notice. (And just this morning, upon waking, the peripheral flash happened in my left eye for the first time).
This prompted me to go see the doctor again. This time, I have a different MD who also does a pupil exam. She sees nothing outside of retinal thinning in some spots. She called them "holes" at the edges of the peripheral vision and says that it's just another chronic condition of high myopes and isn't going to affect my vision overall. Yet, I now see cloudiness in both eyes that does not go away with a few blinks and there's been a tiny increase in floaters, but not enough to be a true distraction. Also, there are times when I blink and it looks like a film of mucus or something blurry covers my eye. I blink a few times and it goes away (This happened a few times when I was wearing contacts, but it was once in a while. It's happening more frequently now and I'm *not* wearing contacts at the moment).
I told her all of this, and she says "dry eye" and that it also contributes to the slight blurriness I've been getting as of late (horribly, in the left eye. The eye that was fine during all of this, which has now joined in!)
She says I was set to see have another exam in 6 months, but if I like, I can make the appointment to see a retinal specialist now, which I did (Mid Nov. was the earliest I could get). I'm also set to return to them today for a refraction, and again on Tuesday for a contact lens specialist.
Needless to say, I am frazzled, as this is all affecting my ability to see properly when I work. In the past few days, I've even had hazy/blurriness with things I could see just fine when this all started (though I admit that my eyes had been strained lately due to late computer hours over 2 days). I also get quite a few headaches, usually on the left side of my head, sometimes the back of my head, temples, and even in the center of my forehead, which usually brings pain to the backs of my eyes.
Just for good measure, I'll throw in that sometimes the pain makes my jaw ache as well, and a few times a stuffy nose accompanied it all -but I haven't had a cold in some time.
Now, this is where my questions begin.
I read an article about corneal infections, which can include misting. Both MD's were asked about corneal edema and/or infections and they both said no. But, from what I understand, contact lens overuse can lead to "hazing" of the cornea, which is what I'm experiencing. Both of these doctors were seen at the New York Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Infirmary in Manhattan, both done by two different MDs, and yet, I feel like my problem isn't being properly addressed and I certainly don't feel like my fears have been eased in the slightest.
1) Should I ask to be seen by a corneal specialist as well?
2) Have any of you heard of misty/hazy vision in extreme dry eye cases?
3) Would dry eye affect my ability to focus at times, too?
4) Both of my eyes have been diagnosed as "dry", but only one was giving me hazy vision. So, does it stand to reason that hazing would/should begin in the unaffected eye as well? My MD says that if I lay off my contacts and keep well lubricated, I should see improvement with the haziness. In your opinion, is that true?
5) The flashes. I was told that as long as they're occurring in dark rooms/artificial light, they're nothing to be concerned over, but that I should "keep an eye on them". Does that sound about right to you? Because retinal detachment terrifies me, and as I've said before, my fears weren't calmed at all. In fact, they never even told me what's causing these flashes.
6) Can some of my focusing/blurriness problem be due to needing a new Rx? Because this is happening even when I'm wearing my current glasses and contacts (which the MDs have decided are inaccurate presciptions) . I guess what gets me is that I wasn't having any trouble seeing with my -10 before this all started.
7) My headaches, I was reading that optic nerve swelling could cause them, but neither doctor mentioned anything like that. Can an Optho see these things with the dilated pupil exam, or do I need to ask for a specialist?
7)) Lastly, my contact usage will be limited, but I still need them for work and such. Can you recommend any lens that would be good for dry eyes? Also, can you recommend a good brand of artificial tears? I'm using "Refresh Dry Eye Therapy", at the moment, which is a bit thick and it takes me a few minutes to see properly after insertion. I don't mind, but I want to use whatever will give me the best moisture.
My apologies for such a dreadfully long post. But after such a run around with the MDs, I need to know if I'm correct to continue being concerned.
My Thanks.
I definitely stopped all of the lens use. I've only worn them twice since my first visit to the eye doctor, and slepping in them is just out of the question. I'm changing all of my bad habits! :)
I think I'm going to buy some preservative free drops because these are too odd for me. I did, however, get Refresh's contact lense dry eye drops on one of the days that I wore them and it made the lenses really comfy. Much better than regular rewetting drops. Thanks for the advice, though. I want to use the ointment before bed, just as an extra, but we'll see. In any case, I've adopted all new habits where contacts are concerned, and hopefully, I'll see some improvement.
I think I'm going to buy some preservative free drops because these are too odd for me. I did, however, get Refresh's contact lense dry eye drops on one of the days that I wore them and it made the lenses really comfy. Much better than regular rewetting drops. Thanks for the advice, though. I want to use the ointment before bed, just as an extra, but we'll see. In any case, I've adopted all new habits where contacts are concerned, and hopefully, I'll see some improvement.
Until your eyes heal, you should probably minimize your use of contacts. My eyes always healed completely in a couple of months or less, and I was able to go back to full time contact lens wear. I'd definitely recommend that you select a lens which allows maximum oxygen exposure (brands vary), and I don't think you should sleep in your lenses. But I know that it can be difficult to switch between contacts and glasses when you're highly myopic, and I don't think that wearing contacts full-time is dangerous, as long as you take very good care of them. If your current eye doctor is not a specialist in contact lenses, you might consider consulting a specialist for the purpose of fitting new contacts.
Sad to say, when my eyes were really dry, none of the OTC drops or ointments helped that much. (I was given samples of several different brands/types by my doctor.) I found that the ointments were a little more soothing but blurred my vision temporarily (definitely bad for driving). The problem for me was that the effects of the all drops/ointments didn't last very long. I was told to only use the kind that were preservative-free. You might ask your doctor whether prescription Restasis would help you. The problem with Restasis is that it takes a few weeks to work, and by then your eyes will (hopefully) be just about healed.
Sad to say, when my eyes were really dry, none of the OTC drops or ointments helped that much. (I was given samples of several different brands/types by my doctor.) I found that the ointments were a little more soothing but blurred my vision temporarily (definitely bad for driving). The problem for me was that the effects of the all drops/ointments didn't last very long. I was told to only use the kind that were preservative-free. You might ask your doctor whether prescription Restasis would help you. The problem with Restasis is that it takes a few weeks to work, and by then your eyes will (hopefully) be just about healed.
One more thing. The flashes in my peripheral mostly occur when I am NOT wearing glasses or contact lenses.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Doctor,
One last question if you'll please.
When you said that I should monitor the flashes, can you tell me what I should look for that would constitute an emergency?
I ask because I'm noticing the flashes several times a day now, everyday. The peripheral one that zips up the side is now occuring regularly in both eyes, whether open or closed, day and night.
Example: Yesterday I was on the bus and saw the peripheral flash in daylight. I'm still getting the other kind of flash (looks a bit like white lightening) but not as frequently, and when it does happen, it's usually in my right eye.
As I've said before retinal tears and detachments scare me to death and I want to know when I need an emergency room.
Many thanks.
One last question if you'll please.
When you said that I should monitor the flashes, can you tell me what I should look for that would constitute an emergency?
I ask because I'm noticing the flashes several times a day now, everyday. The peripheral one that zips up the side is now occuring regularly in both eyes, whether open or closed, day and night.
Example: Yesterday I was on the bus and saw the peripheral flash in daylight. I'm still getting the other kind of flash (looks a bit like white lightening) but not as frequently, and when it does happen, it's usually in my right eye.
As I've said before retinal tears and detachments scare me to death and I want to know when I need an emergency room.
Many thanks.
Thanks very much -I appreciate the well wishes.
When I saw my optho, she stuck these super tiny plugs into the tear ducts of my eyes (near my nose). Once they were in, they couldn't be felt at all. Basically, what they did was stopped my tears from draining and allowed them to stay in my eyes longer.
They're helpful, and they fall out on their own (anywhere from a week to a couple of months). Mine have already fallen out, but I'm thinking of asking for more. From what I've heard, some people get all of their ducts closed permanently and it's helped them.
In my opinion, it's worth a shot.
My best. :)
When I saw my optho, she stuck these super tiny plugs into the tear ducts of my eyes (near my nose). Once they were in, they couldn't be felt at all. Basically, what they did was stopped my tears from draining and allowed them to stay in my eyes longer.
They're helpful, and they fall out on their own (anywhere from a week to a couple of months). Mine have already fallen out, but I'm thinking of asking for more. From what I've heard, some people get all of their ducts closed permanently and it's helped them.
In my opinion, it's worth a shot.
My best. :)
Thank you so much for this, really. You've given me a lot of hope. I know that at 36 years old I'm changing, and I definitely know that I did a lot of things to bring this upon myself, but it's encouraging to know that I may still be able to use conttact lenses when I like.
My hope is to wear glasses 100% of the time indoors, and use contacts when I go out or have a special occasion. Wheras before, I was wearing them nonstop, sleeping in them, and just doing *everything* wrong. This has taught me a valuable lesson about abuse.
I just had my refraction and I see a contact lens specialist on Tuesday. I'm going to ask plenty of questions and get the very best kind of lenses I can that will suit my eyes. I'm hoping that by giving my eyes a break, I can still use lenses when I need to.
Question, for your dry eyes, what kind of tears did you use? I'm using Refresh Dry Eye Therapy and I'm not so sure I like it. They're not preservative free, and after application, it takes a little while to get my vision clear. Also, have you ever tried ointment? This morning, for the first time, my right eye was *really* dry (due to a super late night) and I wanted to know if ointment actually helps.
Again, thanks for the insight -made my day. :)
My hope is to wear glasses 100% of the time indoors, and use contacts when I go out or have a special occasion. Wheras before, I was wearing them nonstop, sleeping in them, and just doing *everything* wrong. This has taught me a valuable lesson about abuse.
I just had my refraction and I see a contact lens specialist on Tuesday. I'm going to ask plenty of questions and get the very best kind of lenses I can that will suit my eyes. I'm hoping that by giving my eyes a break, I can still use lenses when I need to.
Question, for your dry eyes, what kind of tears did you use? I'm using Refresh Dry Eye Therapy and I'm not so sure I like it. They're not preservative free, and after application, it takes a little while to get my vision clear. Also, have you ever tried ointment? This morning, for the first time, my right eye was *really* dry (due to a super late night) and I wanted to know if ointment actually helps.
Again, thanks for the insight -made my day. :)
I wish you luck with your problem. I have no advice for you other than to listen to the advice the doctor gives but I would like some advice from you. What is this about a collagen plug? What is it and how is it administered and how does it feel?
TIA
kindredspirit2
TIA
kindredspirit2
I don't know whether my experiences will be relevant to your situation. I'm 53 now and began wearing contact lenses when I was in high school (35+ years ago). There have been several times over the years when I became contact lens intolerant, with dry eyes and distorted/blurred vision. At such times I was told I might never be able to wear contacts again, but I was always able to return to regular contact lens wear after a month or two in glasses. In retrospect, I think that each of these episodes of dry eyes/distorted vision was related to specific things that I had been doing (wrong). One time I had been staying up late for weeks preparing for a professional exam. Another time it was a combination of medications I was taking (allergy and birth control pills, both of which can cause dry eyes). Actually, many OTC and prescription meds can make your eyes dry. So I'd suggest that you make sure that you're not doing/taking anything that could be contributing to your current vision problems.
There are many brands of contact lenses specifically designed for people with dry eyes, and the same brand doesn't work for everyone. Extreme H2O lenses worked well for me in the past. When I was having problems, I consulted practitioners who specialized in fitting contact lenses on patients with dry eyes. (Usually these practitioners had dry eyes themselves and wore contacts.) Best of luck.
There are many brands of contact lenses specifically designed for people with dry eyes, and the same brand doesn't work for everyone. Extreme H2O lenses worked well for me in the past. When I was having problems, I consulted practitioners who specialized in fitting contact lenses on patients with dry eyes. (Usually these practitioners had dry eyes themselves and wore contacts.) Best of luck.
In five minutes you have eased my fears by 100. I'm extremely thankful. I will take all of your advice, and I will ask about the corneal topography. It was just so frustrating when I was dealing with these sort of nonchalant attitudes when I felt like I was going blind.
Again, many thanks. I know that post was long and tedious, but you have a very grateful woman on your hands. :)
Again, many thanks. I know that post was long and tedious, but you have a very grateful woman on your hands. :)
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
1. Wearing contact lens as you did can warp the cornea and cause irregular astigmatism. It can take several months for the cornea to return to a regular astigmatism. During that time the glasses may change and not correct you to 20/20. You need to have a corneal topography done to check for irregular astigmatism also to rule out keratoconus. If it would make you feel better see a corneal specialist. Otherwise consider asking for the corneal topo test
2. Dry eyes can cause blurred vision. If you have dry eyes your return to contacts is "iffy".
3. Yes, so can irregular astimatism or if you are near or over 40 so can age.
4. If you problem is the warped cornea due to contacts with time (3-6 months) you vision should improve.
5. Keep your appointment with the retina doctor. If they don't find any problems monitor the flashes. Sometimes reflexes off glasses can cause this also in patients use to contacts.
6. Glasses and contacts are not the same thing. As mentioned above with time your glasses Rx may change. Also you will see better with contacts due to image minification (makes smaller) with glasses.
7. Doubful you have optic nerve swelling, its realatively easy to see. Suggest see your personal physician for a headache evaluation.
8. Your ability to wear contacts is doubtful. You have dry eyes. You had blurred vision probably due to coreal warpage. You are not the same person that you were when you started with contacts. The percentage of contact lens wearers declines with age especially after 40. You may not be able to wear contacts. If you wish to spend your time and money to try again go with the advise of the CTL feater.
JCH III MD
2. Dry eyes can cause blurred vision. If you have dry eyes your return to contacts is "iffy".
3. Yes, so can irregular astimatism or if you are near or over 40 so can age.
4. If you problem is the warped cornea due to contacts with time (3-6 months) you vision should improve.
5. Keep your appointment with the retina doctor. If they don't find any problems monitor the flashes. Sometimes reflexes off glasses can cause this also in patients use to contacts.
6. Glasses and contacts are not the same thing. As mentioned above with time your glasses Rx may change. Also you will see better with contacts due to image minification (makes smaller) with glasses.
7. Doubful you have optic nerve swelling, its realatively easy to see. Suggest see your personal physician for a headache evaluation.
8. Your ability to wear contacts is doubtful. You have dry eyes. You had blurred vision probably due to coreal warpage. You are not the same person that you were when you started with contacts. The percentage of contact lens wearers declines with age especially after 40. You may not be able to wear contacts. If you wish to spend your time and money to try again go with the advise of the CTL feater.
JCH III MD
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