Tear Duct plugs

[addicted2harleys]

I have had a busy day today which was not scheduled at all.  I will post more about tomorrow.  But I did want to get some opinions on plugs for dry eye.   I had an eye appointment today to see about getting prism glasses for my double vision.  While I did get the appointment for the prisms, I left with an appointment for this Thursday to get plugs.  

Has anyone had this done?  Did they work?   Any opinions on getting this done?   Also, my eye doctor did explain the procedure to me and told me it doesn't hurt.   Is this true?  Lol. I am such a baby.

Any advice or opinions are greatly welcome.  

Thanks,
Addi

[addicted2harleys]

Lulu- thanks for sharing your experience with the plugs.  It does make it easier to prepare for it hearing from someone who has gone through it.  I don't know if I make tears or not...I assume so as when I cry, I get tears!  Lol.  My eye doc has been saying my dry eye is pretty severe.  I can't remember what I ranked on the scorecard on the test strip. :/

Anyway, tomorrow is the day for it (plus a nerve test....eeek).  Hopefully the plugs work for me.  I wish they would have for you.  Do you have double vision?

Michelle- thank you for the explanation.  I really appreciate it.  :)  I have an appointment next week for the prisms.  How is the success rate for those, do you know?

Hey Red- thank you for the support, gf.  :)  I have not done the lip biopsy, no.  I can remember the complete answer, but either my pcp or my neuro didn't believe that was the case for me.  Btw, that is the disease I was trying to say to you when we were talking about your mouth.  *grin*

Thanks again, ladies.  Much appreciated!

Addi

[RedFlame]

I'm interested to hear how this goes too Addi.  

I know you have had terrible time with chronic dry eye.  I am wondering if you have ever been checked for Sjogrens.  Do you know if you make any tears?

Red

[michelleric]

HI Addi,

The plugs do work really well for most people.  They are not hard to insert, and "technically" the patient doesn't feel much of anything, except for some pressure, as Lu mentioned.  Occasionally the patient has to take a bit of valuim if the nerves are to great, but otherwise it is not a big deal.  (easier said that done, since I have never had it done, but have assisted the doc a number of times.)

Did you get some prism glasses?  I hope they help your double vision.

Michelle

[Lulu54]

I had plugs put in and it is painless procedure done in no time at all.  You lean your chin in that eye  contraption and open your eyes wide and the doc uses a pair of tweezers and slips those plugs right in.  It is painless so nothing to be worried about.

I have eyes so dry that they don't register moisture.  The plugs didn't help me because I wasn't making tears.  I am using Restasis to help.  With minimal success, I might add.

You'll do fine.
Lulu

[addicted2harleys]

Hi, Shell-

I have no clue.  Lol.  I do know that they wanted to do the plugs last year but I opted to wait and see how the Restasis would do.  Well, it doesn't work well enough so now we proceed with the plugs.  

I do know that if the plugs are to irritating or my eyes end up being too "wet"... Lol...they can take them back out.  

Also, it will be done right there in the docs office and no drugs are needed beforehand.  He said I may feel pressure.  

So, I am just a little nervous about it and was hoping someone here had had it done and how did it work out.  I guess I will find out for myself on Thursday.  :)

Thanks for the bump!

Addi

[sllowe]

Addi,

Ooh, I don't know. Maybe it's a soft plug? That's why it doesn't hurt?

I hope it at least works!

bump...

-shell