dry eye drops / treatments

In talking to other dry eye patients and reading on dry eye support sites as well as excellant input from this site I have concluded that,

1. many patients do not understand dry eye. ( myself included -although much informed now)
2. Too many doctors downplay or ingnore the pain discomfort and lost visual acuity from dry eye
    ( I have had many examples  )
3. Dry eye is extremely varied in its severity.
4. Many who complained about severe dry eye have had other conditions or have had  conventional surgery or Laser surgery also .
5.  Have talked to several dry eye patients and I don't know if any two have the same treatments . I have actually had people  that complained to their Docs and that nothing seemed to work, try my Celluvisc and end up getting their own because it relieves burning and lasts for more than a few mins.

6.  TOO many patients that are retired and a bit older just deal with reduced visablity and discomfort
  and do not get available treatments that would help.


One question--  Since some of the severe dry eye situations are from a gland not producing the oily film needed--Why isn't their a transplant or something to fix that gland.  Sorry I am not a Doc and may be a stupid question-but they can put a man on the moon why can't they make my oil gland work? ( was told it works but not well enough )    I don't know how Restasis actually works but I tryed for 8 months and actually feel my eyes were worse.  I am happy for those that it has helped- just frustrated it didn't for me ( and others I have talked with )

Thanks

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

You can't just transplant A gland to solve the problem because it is literally thousands of small tiny glands that secrete a great part of the tear film.  Restasis works by reducing chronic inflammation of these tiny glands and hopefully they wake up and start working better.  Don't be confused by the large lacrimal gland which produces reflex tears to wash out an irritated eye.  This gland does not produce much of the minute to minute natural tears that lubricate the eyes.  

Other thoughts - oral flax oil helps your glands to produce healthier tears.  Oral Omega 3 oil helps to reduce inflammation to some degree in the tear glands.  There are some oral medications like pilocarpine that help with dry mouth and can make the eyes water a little more - but it is used only in severe cases of sjogren's syndrome.

MJK MD