SLK treatment

[jkb1948]

I was dx'ed with SLK about 9 months ago (have had s&s x 4 years). Being treated by a corneal specialist.  Have cauterized lower puncta and have tried plugging upper puncta with no success. Have worn large contacts.  Have tried every eye drop known to the medical community.  Had silver nitrate treatment x 2.  Now am on 1% Cyclosporin, which burns like acid. Nothing has even begun to work.He said the next step was to have  ocular surgery where the mast cells are literally scraped off, but he said it's not always successful.

I continue to have extreme photophobia and feel like I have gravel under my eye lids. Please advise as to treatment, as am one miserable and discouraged woman.
JKB

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[jkb1948]

Thanks again for your note back.  I've been taking Restatis for about 1 1/2 years.  No stinging interestingly enough.  I continue to use it in my R eye, as it's not as bad as left.  
I think I'm one of those difficult patients, as none of the "routine Tx. plans" is working.  My doc does do the the surgery, but I'm not excited about having it and he say's it doesn't always work...thus the reason for getting on line and seeing what's out there.
Thanks again, Judy

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Do ask your ophthalmologist before starting it. NOTE: most ophthalmologists including myself when we start patients on restasis (cyclosporin) use a steroid for 2-3 weeks because more people have trouble with stinging burning and pain than don't. Some become discouraged and stop the medicine. I have said this before on this forum but my wife has been on restasis for about 4 years and it has made a world of difference in her tears dysfunction syndrome (formerly dry eyes).

I have no experience with the resection, none of my SLK patients have been that severe.

JCH MD

[jkb1948]

Thank you for your prompt response.  I've taken Lotemax before, but not in combination with the Cyclosporin...can't hurt to add it to the regime if it will decrease the burning.  I'm a nurse practitioner and really have read about everything I can get my hands on about SLK.  What do you think about the resection surgery?
Thank again, Judy

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Use the search feature and archives to read about SLK and various forms of treatment. Ask your ophthalmologist about putting you on a steroid drop like lotemax for several weeks to stop the cyclosporin burning.

JCH MD