Thanks but I'd have more questions because I am not reading English very well.
1. Do you mean Omega 3 supplements is more useful than those blueberry thing?
2. Sorry what is tear duct plugs or restasis?? I don't understand.
Most of them have a tip (like the head on a nail or screw) that keeps the plug from sinking deep into the tear duct. In the past they made plugs without these heads and they were pushed deep into the duct and could not be removed. Many of these type caused problems, infected tear ducts and had to be removed surgically by an oculoplastic surgeon.
I HAVE PLUGS IN BOTH LOWER DUCTS. I NOTICE HOWEVER WHEN I USED DROPS(RESTASIS, SYSTANE ETC) THAT THE LIQUID STAYS IN ONE EYE MUCH LONGER THAN THE OTHER. THE EYE THAT HOLDS THE LIQUID LONGER HAS A SMART PLUG. THE OTHER EYE IS A DIFFERENT PLUG(SORRY I CANNOT REMEMBER THE TYPE). WHEN A TEAR DUCT IS PLUGGED CORRECTLY DOES IT COMPLETELY ELIMINATE TEARS FROM DRAINING IN THAT DUCT. THE UPPER DUCTS ARE NOT PLUGGED BUT I STILL THINK IT IS STRANGE. THANKS.
Our practice doe not use "permanent" plugs that go below the surface such as the "Smartplug". They are diffiult and sometime impossible to remove, frequently irritate the eye and require an operation by an occuloplastic surgery to removed.
All "permanent" plugs in my opinion should look like a tiny umbrella where the pointed top is above the lid edge and consequently easy to remove.
- Persistent pain and feeling of burning sensations. Difficult for her to sleep as a result.
- Light sensitivity.
- Multiple cases of severe red eye. Most recent issue lasted for two weeks in her left eye and was painful throughout.
- Constant feeling of strain.
She is using several inflammatory medications/eyedrops but none are helping that much. I also bought her a humidifier to use during the nighttime, but that doesn't seem to be helping much either.
On my patients I use tear duct plugs only AFTER a 4-6 month trial of ReStasis. ReStasis is a revolutionary eyedrop that has changed the treatment of dry eyes world wide for the better. In the USA it is the second most widely prescribed medication. My wife and many of our friends are on restasis.
Also recent studies indicate that 2 or 3 Omega 3 (enteric coated fish oil) greatlyhelp dry eyes. Takes 3-4 months to kick in.
As long at tear duct plugs that can easily be removed (not SmartPlugs or intracanular plugs) are used there is very little downside to plugs.
Read this also:
General Information on Dry Eyes
a Schirmer test of zero indicates that you have severe dry eyes. I'm assuming from your posting that you have tried both preserved and unpreserved artifical tears, gels or lubricating ointments at bedtime, environmental modification, etc. Don't discount eye drops.
I had LASIK at a very well regarded opthalmologist office last Thursday. My vision never improved to what I would call "good." I started off at 20/450 in both eyes, approximately. Currently, my right eye reads at 20/40 and my left at 20/70.
I saw 3 ophthalmologists and had all kinds of tests done. My tear quality was poor among other things. I was put on restasis and steroid eye drops which helped immensely with the irritation.
I eventually stopped the restasis (the steroids were of course a short course) and everything has been pretty good with only occasional issues that with a day or two of warm compresses have alleviated symptoms. I tried to keep a mental note of what might have caused the flare.
Restasis is the treatment of choice for dry eyes and it takes 3 months to start working and it gets better and better for up to 6 months.
Some eyes are hard to fit with plugs.
One final word. If this was not a MD eye physician ophthalmologist you saw and it was an optometrist then I would not believe a word and would go to see an Eye MD. Find one at www.aao.
can plugs be used with Restasis? (Restasis info says no but Dr. says yes) 2. Should I try plugs 1st and if not successful, then go back to Restasis? 3. In reading about Restasis, are there future bad side effects in continued use such as cancer? I am starting to question if I should get another opinion. Thank you for any suggestions that you may have.
If you have severe dry eyes and are using artificial tears more than 4 times/day consider going on Restasis. Both my wife and I have are on restasis for severe dry eyes. My wife has the type (lipid deficiency) where her eyes watered all the time and I have aqueous deficiency where I have no tears at all. It takes 6 month to "kick in" but if you are mid-20s and having severe problems it will only get worse as you get older.
A careful history, artificial tears, tear duct pugs, omega 3 use, environmental modification, and if needed Restasis (the new Xiidra is wildly expensive) can handle 99% of the patients. Below is a previous post on dry eyes:
General Information on Dry Eyes-Now known as Tears Dysfunction Syndrome or Ocular Surface Disorder.
a Schirmer test of zero indicates that you have severe dry eyes.
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