Doctor John C H III:
Thank you very much once again Doctor.Up until now I haven't even really needed artificial tears but I know I will need that and more so I tried to find out about Restasis which is cyclosporine 0.05% suspension ( eye drops) but it seems it hasn't been approved in Europe. Cyclosporine is only available for oral intake for other purposes...I came across a message of a lady who said it was easier to get cyclosporine drops if you borrowed a dog with dry eyes and took him
to the vet lol.I don't really like the idea of buying off the internet but I'll look into it.My eyes are clearing up and though I'm still stuck at home with fever and sore throat, I'm getting better.Root for me, I really want to use my contacts again! You know how much I hate my glasses and I can't see well with them.You are a gentleman, but I am between 35 and 40, not yet over the hill, lol. In fact everyone tells me I look at least 10 years younger. Superficial stuff like that helps me feel a wee bit better when I know I have worse eyes ( retinas...) than most ninety year olds and most people have no idea...
God bless you.
Sophia
kg17:
I really appreciate your suggestions.You know I actually never tried soft contact lenses
because I have astigmatism and just always used high oxygen permeability RGPs. I have always had lots of tears and adjusted to them well. Hope it continues to be the case when I get back to using them.The idea I have is that the only soft lenses with as much oxygen permeability as RGP's are sylicon hydrogel contacts which is probably what you are using.
If I need it, I would like to try Restasis but apparently it would be easier if I were a dog lol.
I will do further research on that.
I do take salmon oil capsules. Each capsule = 1g =180mg EPA +120g DHA as well as vitamin A. I usually have one a day but it can be 2. With certain brands the concentration is so low you have to take quite a few. By the way as with everything there are issues to consider. People who take bloodthinners for example should be careful...
Ground flax seed (better than oil it seems ) is great for a lot of things including tear production. It has ALA which converts ( slowly...) to EPA and DHA . However I've been confused by studies that say that while fish oil seems to contribute to the reduction of some forms of macular degeneration, ALA actually seems to contribute to make it worse...
I will definitely get informed about silicone puctal plugs.
Wishing you the very best
Sophia
marsh613:
Thank you very much for your input. My eyes are actually clearing up and I'm hoping I
can use my contacts again. Believe it or not I have glasses but I never had to wear them. I don't see as well with glasses due to difference between two eyes and eye - lens distance. My husband and son of course treat me the same but I know I look really differnt, my eyes look "teeny tiny" and I feel like a different person. I mean lots of people with " normal" diopters feel better in contacts so imagine me. If I had to of course I would get used to it and I'm sure many people do but I'd really rather not...
Wishing you the very best
Sophia
Doctor John C H III:
Thank you very much once again Doctor.Up until now I haven't even really needed artificial tears but I know I will need that and more so I tried to find out about Restasis which is cyclosporine 0.05% suspension ( eye drops) but it seems it hasn't been approved in Europe. Cyclosporine is only available for oral intake for other purposes...I came across a message of a lady who said it was easier to get cyclosporine drops if you borrowed a dog with dry eyes and took him
to the vet lol.I don't really like the idea of buying off the internet but I'll look into it.My eyes are clearing up and though I'm still stuck at home with fever and sore throat, I'm getting better.Root for me, I really want to use my contacts again! You know how much I hate my glasses and I can't see well with them.You are a gentleman, but I am between 35 and 40, not yet over the hill, lol. In fact everyone tells me I look at least 10 years younger. Superficial stuff like that helps me feel a wee bit better when I know I have worse eyes ( retinas...) than most ninety year olds and most people have no idea...
God bless you.
Sophia
kg17:
I really appreciate your suggestions.You know I actually never tried soft contact lenses
because I have astigmatism and just always used high oxygen permeability RGPs. I have always had lots of tears and adjusted to them well. Hope it continues to be the case when I get back to using them.The idea I have is that the only soft lenses with as much oxygen permeability as RGP's are sylicon hydrogel contacts which is probably what you are using.
If I need it, I would like to try Restasis but apparently it would be easier if I were a dog lol.
I will do further research on that.
I do take salmon oil capsules. Each capsule = 1g =180mg EPA +120g DHA as well as vitamin A. I usually have one a day but it can be 2. With certain brands the concentration is so low you have to take quite a few. By the way as with everything there are issues to consider. People who take bloodthinners for example should be careful...
Ground flax seed (better than oil it seems ) is great for a lot of things including tear production. It has ALA which converts ( slowly...) to EPA and DHA . However I've been confused by studies that say that while fish oil seems to contribute to the reduction of some forms of macular degeneration, ALA actually seems to contribute to make it worse...
I will definitely get informed about silicone puctal plugs.
Wishing you the very best
Sophia
marsh613:
Thank you very much for your input. My eyes are actually clearing up and I'm hoping I
can use my contacts again. Believe it or not I have glasses but I never had to wear them. I don't see as well with glasses due to difference between two eyes and eye - lens distance. My husband and son of course treat me the same but I know I look really differnt, my eyes look "teeny tiny" and I feel like a different person. I mean lots of people with " normal" diopters feel better in contacts so imagine me. If I had to of course I would get used to it and I'm sure many people do but I'd really rather not...
Wishing you the very best
Sophia
Hi Sophia,
I have had this issue, but without the CTL's. I have high myopia, but -11 was taken out with IOL at cataract op, still w/-4.5 glasses. Retina scaring and inflamation post vitrectomy - 60Yr old male. They are very careful with me, due to the stretched eye and thin retina etc.. when anything happens. I had pinkeye and my Prof. Dr. from Bascom/Palmer (#1) absolutely went with the Cipro... drops. The others are Steroids and will "mask" infection! Your goal with pinkeye is to get rid of infection, thats the cipro. Now, dont worry about not wearing the CTL's, keeping your vision is #1, Your kids love you no matter what you look like in glasses, so does your Hus, if not married, so does your boyfriend, if he dont-throw him out, others will! (the new frames etc dont show the -22 much anyway) write back, lets us know whats up. Ciao, Marshall
I have extreme myopia like yourself (-17 both eyes). I developed severe dry eye in my late 30's which made contact lens wear so unbearable. But as you know, cataract surgery is risky for us high myopes. After much trial and error I found the following combination to be tolerable:
1) Wear 1-day Acuvue daily disposable soft contacts. These eliminate need for contact solutions and the presence of protein buildup which irritate the eye. They only come in -12 so I wear thin glasses as an "over-refraction" when I need distance vision.
2) Use Restasis (takes at least 3 months to help).
3) Take 1 gram of fish oil daily.
4) Had silicone punctal plugs put in all four puncti to maintain tear film on eye.
Good luck and don't give up on contacts just yet. There are things you can try.
1. Yes its possible. However ( never ask a lady her age) one of the unfortunate things is that in women the older they get the dryer the eye gets. Once a woman is menstrual or post menstrual the incidence of dry eyes is 5-6 times men the same age. In fact all mucous membranes (eyes, nose, sinus, mouth, vaginal canal) often become very dry. So long term the outlook is not good. I don't know if Restasis is available where you live but it can do wonders for dry eyes.
2. Yes its possible
3. I think it very unlikely that the laser you are receiving is unnecessary. You have had a RD and are at very high risk for RD in the other eye. The laser is to seal the holes/tears/thin areas that might cause another RD.
JCH MD
Dear Doctor,
Thank you for your reply. I will try to get my eyes checked.
I do hope I can still use my contacts after this, but at this point I'm just thankful if my
eyesight doesn´t get worse.
In the hospital I go to here in Portugal I believe I am seen either by a certified
oftalmologist ( possibly even a surgeon) or a "student"who is soon to become an
oftalmologist but is doing internship (?). It's a matter of luck. They have acess to all
sorts of apparatus including the laser room, which is why I unnecessarilly received
laser to prevent retinal tears or detachment.
I did the experience of trying on my contacts for just 30 minutes just to play with my kid without feeling funny ( I know that was dumb, won't do it again...) Anyway the eye that's really affected although not as red is still dry. The other seems fine.
1
I know you can't predict the future but is it possible that this dryness is associated with the infection and that when the infection goes away the eye will get back to normal?
2
I went to the ER yesterday night to be seen by a general practicioner who prescribed antibiotics for my throat. Is it possible that the same bacteria that caused my sore throat
also caused my eye infection?
Thank you once again.I know you're busy and have lots of questions from other people
so I promise not to answer your reply with another question!
Thank you once again.
I can´t tell you how conforting it is to recieve expert advice from so far away when one needs it.
Wish all of the best to you and your loved ones.
Sophia
Hello Sophia I remember you. FIrst you need to leave the CTL until you're over this as you risk getting a sight threatening corneal infection. You should be under the care of an ophthalmologist and should see him/her on Monday for an evaluation.
The lights in the ER are annoying but not serious. The biggest problem is that in the ER you are usually seen by a non-ophthalmologist.
You are on a combination of steroid and antibiotic. In my opinion that should only be prescribed by an ophthalmologist that has looked at your eye with proper instruments including a slit lamp. I would try and contact your ophthalmologist this weekend.
People lose their ability to wear CTLs all the time, often the reasons are unknown.
JCH MD