Dry Eye Sufferers
EDS Skin Care Forums Forum Index » Skin Care and Makeup Forum

free skin care · Thu Mar 17, 2011 4:36 pm

I've had excruciating eye pain for over 6 years. I'm going to get intense light therapy (IPL), what they use for the skin and rosecea, they've found it works for meibomian gland dysfunction too.

In that I have a little rosecea on my nose and they pass the light over your cheeks and nose I'll get double benefit....!!

Has anyone had it? I found some info online and my main concern now is that the price is very high compared to Dr. Toyos, the Dr. who developed the technology.

The treatments are once a month for 4 months and should start to feel better after 3 months. Also said my eyes would look healthy, yay, the sick eyes are not a good look trust me.

Then he's going to give me an rx for latisse, another yay, my DILs mom uses it for glaucoma and her lashes are amazing...and hopefully contacts instead of glasses although they can't tell me for sure if I'll be able to I have to wait on that.

free skin care · Fri Mar 18, 2011 7:09 am

I suffer terribly from dry eyes. Have done for about 20 years. I have never heard of the treatment you are talking about. I have to use Lacrilube (ointment) in my eyes every night, if I am tired, or don't get enough sleep they are really bad.

I wish there was a cure. Wish you luck with your treatments, let us know how you go.

free skin care · Fri Mar 18, 2011 8:20 am

Bermie2 wrote:

I suffer terribly from dry eyes. Have done for about 20 years. I have never heard of the treatment you are talking about. I have to use Lacrilube (ointment) in my eyes every night, if I am tired, or don't get enough sleep they are really bad.

I wish there was a cure. Wish you luck with your treatments, let us know how you go.

No one knows how painful and debilitating dry eyes can be unless they have experienced it. I had it for a year and a half and honestly thought I was going to have to stop working because of the pain and inability to function as I needed to. i went to four doctors before I found one that could really help. I had plugs, restasis, and an antibotic...I was told that I was have to be on retasis for ever and also the antibiotic(issue with the gland that produces oil). Well I improved and had lens replacement surgery and have perfect vision. No longer trying to wear glasses and on occasion contacts is such a relief and my dry eye has vanished into thin air.....I found one of the best doctor's in the country and for me it turned my situation around. I was told by the dry eye forum not to give up until I found a doctor that could help me....that motivated me to keep searching and i am glad I did.

free skin care · Fri Mar 18, 2011 8:20 am

I feel for you very deeply. I use hot compresses, sensitive eye ointment alternated with tobradex at night, restasis, drops during the day, omega 3 supplements, eye washes, etc etc etc.

My tx is on the 13th of April so I will most def let you know how it is, and when it starts to work!!!

much sympathy!!!!!! Crying or Very sad

Toby can you explain how lens replacement works to cure the meibomian gland dysfunction? I have one of the best drs. also - one of them is the SD chargers official ophthalmologist the other has operated on 100s of eye doctors etc. They are both at Nvision. I can ask them about it and for sure they will know.

free skin care · Fri Mar 18, 2011 8:37 am

secretly wrote:

Toby can you explain how lens replacement works to cure the meibomian gland dysfunction? I have one of the best drs. also - one of them is the SD chargers official ophthalmologist the other has operated on 100s of eye doctors etc. They are both at Nvision. I can ask them about it and for sure they will know.

There is NOTHING that lens replacement surgery will do to help the dry eye issue...but what it did help was my vision, therefore I wasn't trying to wear contacts that only worsened the dry eyes. The last year I had dry eyes I couldn't hardly wear contacts at all and glasses never corrected my vision as good as contacts did. But there was tremendous stress in dealing with all of this and once my vision was corrected I felt wonderful and honestly was so excited to have perfect vision I couldn't settle down to sleep at night. After that the dry eyes just left. I think the antibiotic treatment for six months and restasis played a big part but being able to see and not being so stressed helped also.

free skin care · Fri Mar 18, 2011 8:40 am

Oh great to know, I'm going to talk to them about that. Is lens replacement different that lasik? I know nothing about any of this so..........

my vision has really deteriorated because of the chronic inflammation in my eyes, looks and feels horrific!!!!

free skin care · Fri Mar 18, 2011 8:48 am

secretly wrote:

Oh great to know, I'm going to talk to them about that. Is lens replacement different that lasik? I know nothing about any of this so..........

my vision has really deteriorated because of the chronic inflammation in my eyes, looks and feels horrific!!!!

Oh lens replacement is VERY different from Lasik....lasik could be disastrous for someone with dry eyes. The dry eye forum is full of members that had no eye issues until Lasik surgery....now satisfied lasik surgery folks don't throw rocks at me Laughing

but one only has to hear some of the stories on that forum to be aware there are people that have not done well with that surgery as far as the lubrication of the eyes.

free skin care · Fri Mar 18, 2011 8:55 am

Good to know, I've also heard that lasik can cause dry eyes, why would anyone risk that? Because they cannot conceive the misery!!!

I will ask about lens replacement though, because they couldn't tell me if I could wear contacts or not and being a slave to glasses is not good.

I got a pair of Prada sunglasses at Ross (MAJOR SCORE!!), they're aviator with large lenses so they keep the air off my eye when outside and they stay on my face when hiking etc. I'm very eye conscious about everything, fragrance is another thing that will SLAY my eyes.

free skin care · Fri Mar 18, 2011 11:02 pm

I had my tear ducts sealed up but I still use Restasis. I have scarring inside the lining of my eyelid by the outer corners, which makes my eyes look smaller. I need an eyelid specialist who does grafts -- cuts out scar tissue, then puts a patch from a healthy part of the lid over the scar removal site. Any recommendations? I may be willing to travel anywhere west of the Mississippi.

Then I was thinking of seeing if I was eligible for ICLs - implantable contacts. I like the idea of being able to change the prescription if necessary but no more fussing with contact lenses and solution. I am not a good candidate for regular lasik because of my irregular astigmatism. Supposedly doctors in other part of the world use a special laser that isn't approved in the US yet.

free skin care · Sat Mar 19, 2011 4:32 am

Another dry eye sufferer here - I couldn't function without eye drops. They give relief initially, but long term use makes the eyes worse. So then I switched to saline drops.

I have never heard of IPL being helpful for dry eye but I will say this - ever since I started using an LED my dry eyes have improved. I no longer use any drops at all. I have never worn protective goggles when using the LED and use it very close to my eyes. Of course, this could just be a coincidence, but you mentioning IPL as a course of treatment made we wonder if, indeed, the LED is responsible because my eyes improved around the time I started LED treatments.

free skin care · Sat Mar 19, 2011 11:14 am

What kind of LED do you use and how do you use it?

free skin care · Sat Mar 19, 2011 11:38 am

SoftSkin wrote:

What kind of LED do you use and how do you use it?

yes please tell!!!!!

free skin care · Sat Mar 19, 2011 11:46 am

I use the Lightstim constantly and that might be Keliu's choice of LED. When I started using it constantly I was worried about my dry eye condition and I called Steve Marchese at Lightstim about it. He said that there really shouldn't be any issue of concern because some of the treatment to the eye involved using lights that where way more powerful and intense than Lightstim. So I continued to use the Lightstim as much as five days a week. I also noticed when I do the facial exercises(especially the eye ones) it greatly improved the lubrication. All the facial exercise programs have eye exercises that are good. I think they stimulate the tear and oil glands in the eyes.

free skin care · Sat Mar 19, 2011 12:46 pm

Toby wrote:

I use the Lightstim constantly and that might be Keliu's choice of LED.

This looks really amazing, what does it do for your skin too? do you have great results using it? THANK YOU!!!!

I've reached my limit for looking a computer screen, by tonight I will barely be able to open my eyes, such a drag I cannot even tell you!!!!!

free skin care · Sat Mar 19, 2011 5:26 pm

secretly wrote:

Toby wrote:

I use the Lightstim constantly and that might be Keliu's choice of LED.

This looks really amazing, what does it do for your skin too? do you have great results using it? THANK YOU!!!!

I've reached my limit for looking a computer screen, by tonight I will barely be able to open my eyes, such a drag I cannot even tell you!!!!!

As Toby stated, I use the Lightstim. Secretly, there is so much info on LEDs here on the Forum it's hard to know where to start. Have a look on the Skincare Tools Forum, there are multiple threads on LEDs. This is the Lightstim thread:
http://www.essentialdayspa.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=29297

free skin care · Mon Mar 21, 2011 8:13 am

Thanks all, I'm going to scrape up my pennies and buy this light, looks like a great investment.

I'm amazed at the wealth of super awesome information that I always find here!

free skin care · Wed Mar 23, 2011 9:20 am

Toby - I'd really appreciate it if you would describe lens replacement: is it a long surgery? Long recovery time? Did your insurance cover it? If it's easier to post a good link to info on this procedure that would be fine. Also, from your experience, what's the best way to find a good eye doctor?

Thu Mar 24, 2011 11:24 am

For dry eyes I use the organic calming eye drops from Lakshmi.. Its based on ancient indian ayurveda and I really notice the difference.. Also, Im always working with a computer, even when I get home so this stuff really is a lifesaver for me..

free skin care · Thu Mar 24, 2011 11:49 am

Jax wrote:

Toby - I'd really appreciate it if you would describe lens replacement: is it a long surgery? Long recovery time? Did your insurance cover it? If it's easier to post a good link to info on this procedure that would be fine. Also, from your experience, what's the best way to find a good eye doctor?

forgive me for not responding sooner but this has been a crazy week at work. I will try to answer this tonight or tomorrow
Toby Wink

free skin care · Thu Mar 24, 2011 11:56 am

Toby wrote:

forgive me for not responding sooner but this has been a crazy week at work. I will try to answer this tonight or tomorrow
Toby Wink

Thanks Toby I'm really interested in this too. I'm going to check out the eye drops from Lakshmi too.

I would SO love not to hassle with glasses and to actually be able to see well. In the morning it takes a couple of hours for my eyes to equilibrate and by nighttime I can barely see at all, from the inflammation I'm pretty sure.

Thu Mar 24, 2011 5:54 pm

If I'm reading this right, I think the lens replacement sx is the same thing they do when they remove the lens in cataract surgery.

They replace it with a corrective lens and it slips right into the "pocket" where the old, clouded lens used to be (the one you were born with.)

If you get it as part of cataract surgery, insurance covers it, but if you pay out of pocket, it is pretty expensive.

free skin care · Thu Mar 24, 2011 8:15 pm

Nanci Wyatt wrote:

If I'm reading this right, I think the lens replacement sx is the same thing they do when they remove the lens in cataract surgery.

They replace it with a corrective lens and it slips right into the "pocket" where the old, clouded lens used to be (the one you were born with.)

If you get it as part of cataract surgery, insurance covers it, but if you pay out of pocket, it is pretty expensive.

Nanci is correct and explained it better than I would have. I had the surgery last summer, one eye at a time. I was in the actual operating room 5-10 min. in the prep area about an hour (they were putting drops in preparing me). Absolutely no pain and my eye showed no sign of any redness or trauma whatsoever. As soon as the dilation left my eye (a day and a half) my vision was perfect. The only hassle was putting drops in my eyes three times a day for about two weeks. I had the surgery around 10:00 am and was back at work the next day after an early morning check at the doctor’s office. I was so excited about my eye sight I didn't sleep for several nights. There is not a day that I don’t appreciate the miracle of perfect vision. My life is so simplier because I am not searching for glasses, or popping in contacts. Also my dry eye problem is gone. As far as the cost, I didn't have actual cataracts but qualified under the night glare issue for insrance coverage. If you are over 40 there is a great chance anyone would qualify. By qualifying my insurance covered the surgery and I covered the lens. Most places have a CARE CREDIT card system where you have 12+ months to pay without interest.

free skin care · Thu Mar 24, 2011 8:50 pm

I might add that I could get carried away with designer glasses Laughing

and after a year of buying several pairs I realized lens replacement would be so much cheaper in the long run. Very Happy

free skin care · Fri Mar 25, 2011 6:58 pm

Nanci & Toby - Thanks for all the info! It sounds like you were awake during the procedure? Toby, any particular reason you did only one eye at a time? Also, I see an opthamologist every couple of years for exams, but if you have any suggestions on how to find the top 3 or 4 drs. for this surgery in a particular geographic area, please let me know.

free skin care · Fri Mar 25, 2011 7:26 pm

Jax wrote:

Nanci & Toby - Thanks for all the info! It sounds like you were awake during the procedure? Toby, any particular reason you did only one eye at a time? Also, I see an opthamologist every couple of years for exams, but if you have any suggestions on how to find the top 3 or 4 drs. for this surgery in a particular geographic area, please let me know.

I was wide awake in for the procedure....they give you a little something to make you relax but that stuff never works on me. This is not a complicated surgery at all...it is bascially cataract surgery and even though I didn't have cataracts my natural lens was taken out and the new one is now in place. I will never have to have cataract surgery now. Wink

I asked around for a good opthamologist and I went to four before I found one that was helpful with my dry eye issue. After he worked with me on the eyes I just asked him if I was a good candidate for lens replacement and due to my vision issues I was. I wouldn't opt for surgery if I could have successfully continued to wear my contacts but that wasn't the case and glasses just never gave me the best vision.
The reason I had one eye done at a time is that is the way their practice does it. Other places I heard of do both at the same time. Waking up and being able to see the clock in the morning is just wonderful. I had been fortunate to have great vision until 45 and then I went to contacts and they worked so well. When I suddenly developed dry eyes 15 years later it threw me into glasses...they never worked well for me. This surgery was so perfect for me but again it is surgery and you don't want to jump and do it unless other measures aren't working for you.

Automatic Message

If this is your first visit to the EDS Forums please take the time to register. Registration is required for you to post on the forums. Registration will also give you the ability to track messages of interest, send private messages to other users, participate in Gift Certificates draws and enjoy automatic discounts for shopping at our online store. Registration is free and takes just a few seconds to complete.

Click Here to join our community.

If you are already a registered member on the forums, please login to gain full access to the site.