Recurrent corneal erosion

[genewells]

For 2 or 3 years I kept having a foreign object feeling both eyes (never at the same time). It would do it for a day or so then go away for anywhere from 1 - 4 weeks. About a month ago my right eye got extremely painful and tearing. My regular eye Doctor refered me to the corneal specialist who did lasik on me 12 year ago. He said I had a coreal ulcer in that eye. He gave me Vigamox to use every hour until the next day when I saw the corneal dr. Overnight it totally went away, and the specialist felt it was healed. 1 week later the same thing happened in my left eye. It was so painful (and was a weekend) I went to the E-room where the Dr there said it was a nasty abrasion, and gave me cream stuff to put in the eye and an eye patch. The next day, it was gone. Now every 3-5 days my left eye would reoccur. I went back to the specialist who said I had RCE that was being caused by a staff infection in my eyelids. He prescribed an antibiotic pill and put a contact lens on my eye for 5 days then removed it. I went 2 weeks with no issue but now it's coming back again. I talked today with the specialist and we discussed laser surgery or wear a lens for a week at a time for 10 weeks. I choose the lens idea for now, but I'm wondering if it'll cure the problem.

Should I seek a second opinion if the lens bandage doesn't work or should I opt for the laser surgery?

Thanks,

Gene

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

The contact lens may help.  If it doesn't you may want to seriously consider a laser keratectomy procedure which is extremely effective.  It is very important to be sure that it is indeed recurrent corneal erosions that are causing your problems.  The corneal specialist should be able to figure that out for you.  It sounds like you are getting good advice.

[genewells]

Thank you!

Gene