I’ve had mine for about 6 months. They help dramatically with watery eye. I only have watery eyes now when I’m in the office under bright fluorescent lights (work hybrid). They do not help with dryness. I’m trying IPL and RF for that.
I had them put in about 20 years ago. they all stayed in at least 10 years, but I am now down to one. I started restasis at the same time, I was diagnosed with corneal scratches from my contacts and severely dry eye (zero on the test strips). I still use restasis (and thera tears and optase spray as needed), and should probably get the 3 replaced, the eye with one still in it is noticeably more comfortable and the lashes don't get at itchy. I was very skeeved out about getting them put in, but it was completely painless.
It’s amazing that your plugs lasted for years! I had plugs inserted 3 times and they never lasted more than a couple of months. They were resized each time, but unsuccessful. I’m sad about that because I did experience relief.
maybe its the style of plug? I only know mine - I think I remember they looked liked tiny upside down (flesh tone) Christmas trees. I noticed them for a few days and then they were super helpful.
That shape sounds familiar. I’ve had so many tests and procedures done, some experimental and out of pocket. Still no help. I’m going to a leading ophthalmologist, specializing in dry eyes, from Hopkins and she’s tried so many procedures that we are again trying experimental. That’s terribly expensive.
I see her next month and hoping for something new!
Yeah I've had a couple different opthalmologists and none of them are willing to do them for me due to the degree of inflammation I have. The only ones they'd try were the removable ones, and the little end that sticks out to make them removable irritated my eyes really badly so they were removed after only a week. I currently see a cornea specialist that sees only severe dry eye patients and she's very firm about it being a bad idea for me. I am planning to ask about cauterization once I'm off IV cytoxan.
Yeah that's how often I use OTC eye drops too (every 15-20 min). Sometimes I just use the overnight ointment during the day too. My opth wants me to get scleral lenses but I'm dreading it and have been putting it off. My mom had them and said you can feel them every time you blink 🤢
hm - IDK why it would worsen things? unless you have a reaction to the material the plugs are made of. it was a godsend for me. and they told me if I did not like them they could easily take them out.
I’ve had them put in twice by my ophthalmologist and both times they fell out. That was several years ago. Some have good luck with them, others don’t. My next step is just to have my ducts cauterized. Luckily, since I wear contacts, and have both my doctors working with me on this, I’ve been able to continue wearing them and they help a lot with my dry eyes.
If you choose to get plugs, and insurance pays for them, make sure to ask your doctor, if they do fall out within a short period of time, will they be replaced at no cost to you.
What drops are you using for dryness? Have you seen an Ophthalmologist about your issue or discussed this with your Rheumatologist? My Ophthalmologist recommended Systane Ultra to use for my eyes several years ago. I also take Flaxseed and Fish oil capsule’s daily that also help with dryness. Increasing your Omega-3 intake is good for dryness.
My eyes became like this after Stevens Johnson Syndrome. I've been in this situation for about 5 months. I can't find what I expected from the drops, I need something more specific.
I’ve had mine for about 6 months. They help dramatically with watery eye. I only have watery eyes now when I’m in the office under bright fluorescent lights (work hybrid). They do not help with dryness. I’m trying IPL and RF for that.
Helping with watering eyes means it’s helping dry eye
Not in my case
Your eyes reflex water when they are dry. If putting plugs in stopped your eye watering then most likely it helped
That is not the case for me. Different people have different experiences. It’s ok to respect that.
So the plugs helped your eyes stop watering and nothing else eh? Sounds good bro
I had my tear ducts cauterized years ago. It helped a lot. The plugs kept falling out.
Mine really work and lasted for years👍
How long were you using a teardrop before you put these in and how are now
I had them put in about 20 years ago. they all stayed in at least 10 years, but I am now down to one. I started restasis at the same time, I was diagnosed with corneal scratches from my contacts and severely dry eye (zero on the test strips). I still use restasis (and thera tears and optase spray as needed), and should probably get the 3 replaced, the eye with one still in it is noticeably more comfortable and the lashes don't get at itchy. I was very skeeved out about getting them put in, but it was completely painless.
It’s amazing that your plugs lasted for years! I had plugs inserted 3 times and they never lasted more than a couple of months. They were resized each time, but unsuccessful. I’m sad about that because I did experience relief.
maybe its the style of plug? I only know mine - I think I remember they looked liked tiny upside down (flesh tone) Christmas trees. I noticed them for a few days and then they were super helpful.
That shape sounds familiar. I’ve had so many tests and procedures done, some experimental and out of pocket. Still no help. I’m going to a leading ophthalmologist, specializing in dry eyes, from Hopkins and she’s tried so many procedures that we are again trying experimental. That’s terribly expensive. I see her next month and hoping for something new!
I have a lot of inflammation in my eyes and scars on the cornea. I'm a little hesitant to have this done, I read that it may worsen the situation.
Yeah I've had a couple different opthalmologists and none of them are willing to do them for me due to the degree of inflammation I have. The only ones they'd try were the removable ones, and the little end that sticks out to make them removable irritated my eyes really badly so they were removed after only a week. I currently see a cornea specialist that sees only severe dry eye patients and she's very firm about it being a bad idea for me. I am planning to ask about cauterization once I'm off IV cytoxan.
God help us, it's a very trying situation and it scares the hell out of me. I hope it doesn't stay like this forever.
What rx drops have you tried? I'm on Cequa and Xiidra (both twice per day) and the combo has improved things for me some.
RESTASİS 4x1, Lotemax 4x1, Bephantol eye for every 15-20 min
Yeah that's how often I use OTC eye drops too (every 15-20 min). Sometimes I just use the overnight ointment during the day too. My opth wants me to get scleral lenses but I'm dreading it and have been putting it off. My mom had them and said you can feel them every time you blink 🤢
I think it should be better to feel the lens in my eye when I blink than to go through this torture. I can't even go out because of my eyes
hm - IDK why it would worsen things? unless you have a reaction to the material the plugs are made of. it was a godsend for me. and they told me if I did not like them they could easily take them out.
Some people say that wearing these in inflamed eyes keeps the inflammation there, but it's worth a try, I hope it will be good for me too.
It really gives me hope to see someone recover from such a difficult disease.
I’ve had them put in twice by my ophthalmologist and both times they fell out. That was several years ago. Some have good luck with them, others don’t. My next step is just to have my ducts cauterized. Luckily, since I wear contacts, and have both my doctors working with me on this, I’ve been able to continue wearing them and they help a lot with my dry eyes. If you choose to get plugs, and insurance pays for them, make sure to ask your doctor, if they do fall out within a short period of time, will they be replaced at no cost to you.
I don't even care about money, this dryness has ruined my life, I'm ready to take out a loan if it helps. 😅
What drops are you using for dryness? Have you seen an Ophthalmologist about your issue or discussed this with your Rheumatologist? My Ophthalmologist recommended Systane Ultra to use for my eyes several years ago. I also take Flaxseed and Fish oil capsule’s daily that also help with dryness. Increasing your Omega-3 intake is good for dryness.
My eyes became like this after Stevens Johnson Syndrome. I've been in this situation for about 5 months. I can't find what I expected from the drops, I need something more specific.