ANA Discussion Forum

Post-Treatment => Eye Issues => Topic started by: Suu on August 17, 2013, 07:53:42 am

Title: A bit of help please?
Post by: Suu on August 17, 2013, 07:53:42 am
Hello wonderful ANers

I'm having the Tarsorrhaphy extended after seeing the eye specialist who said my eye didn't have an eyelash in it but it did look like a desert.  The appointment was only 15 minutes after I'd put drops in it! I've developed spots on the cornea.  I even had the bravery to ask for him to take my eye out and be done with it!
So I'm trying to come to terms with this new hiccup but it's rather hard at the moment to see the positives as I usually do and I've had pretty bad anxiety over it.  I'll come around to thinking of the good reasons for having it done instead of the bad reasons for running in the opposite direction.

My question is - what can I wear over my eye to a wedding that will fit under my glasses?
I may only be 5 days post surgery at the time (if I don't get a surgery date for this Wednesday it will be on the 26th of this month and the wedding is on the 31st)
Do you think an ordinary gauze pad will look ok?  An eye-patch is too rounded to fit under my glasses.
Maybe I could put some diamantes on the gauze?
Thanks for all of you help.
Suu xxoo
Title: Re: A bit of help please?
Post by: Tod on August 17, 2013, 09:06:43 am
Wear the gauze. Why worry about it? Plus it will match the bride's dress....

-Tod
Title: Re: A bit of help please?
Post by: New girl on August 17, 2013, 12:39:35 pm
I agree with Tod - wear the gauze.  Definitely decorate it!  People will appreciate the effort and will be glad you were able to make it to the wedding.

Title: Re: A bit of help please?
Post by: PamJ on August 17, 2013, 01:58:28 pm
Hi Suu I have a similar problem and when I went to a friend's wedding I used Nexcare you can get them on the internet.  They are flesh colour and I could wear them with my glasses.  Hope this helps.
Title: Re: A bit of help please?
Post by: Jill Marie on August 17, 2013, 11:25:00 pm
Hi Suu,

Have you looked into getting a scleral lens for your eye.  My eye looked like a desert as well until I got a special contact lens. Please check out the threads about the scleral lens as there are a few that will give you lots of info about the lens.  Feel free to ask me about it, would love to help anyone get relief from the dryness.  Jill Marie :)
Title: Re: A bit of help please?
Post by: Suu on August 27, 2013, 06:33:21 am
Hi everyone.
The gauze wins! I'll stick some sparkles on it.
I've tried Nexcare and it looks like I have no place for an eye to go LOL
Too late to try the scleral lens unless this latest sewing job doesn't work.

I'm one day post-op and I won't be doing it ever again.  To have the doc come at my face with a scalpel was horrific and they quickly knocked me out again. (It happened the first time too) So it's swollen and sore and is pretty much closed for the time being.  Post-op appointment is tomorrow and I'll know more about the outcome as time goes on.
For your viewing pleasure .......
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v170/suujoy/3c10fc4b-99a4-481d-aedb-000e5ce74785.jpg)
Title: Re: A bit of help please?
Post by: PamJ on August 31, 2013, 01:59:57 am
Hi Suu I've emailed you xx
Title: Re: A bit of help please?
Post by: Suu on September 10, 2013, 05:17:17 am
Thanks for your help and kindness, Pam.  I've emailed back.
The stitches came out on Monday.  Did anyone here me suck my breath in?  It hurt quite a bit as the doc snipped away.
I'm getting used to the new look again and can't say that I'm any better off as I'm still using lube albeit not as often.  There was no talk of reopening my eye back up in the foreseeable future.
The PVA drops are no good as they 'crystalize' and cause irritation.
Coming to terms with losing my side vision is harder than I thought it would be and I've already jumped a mile high when I've realized that hubby or someone else is standing there as I've turned my head.  :o :o :o
AN - the gift that keeps on giving.  :P
Lovenhugs to everyone
Suu xxoo
Title: Re: A bit of help please?
Post by: nancyann on September 13, 2013, 09:06:59 pm
hi there! having total facial paralysis has led me to the scleral lens which has changed my life - please look into this - I use to put ointment in my eye every 1-2 hours - the scleral lens has allowed me to only need lubricant at night with a NITEYE bubble. I've had multiple surgeries on my eye, so I understand what you've gone through. Find a doctor who is experienced w/ this lens, it will give you a freedom you won't believe!
Title: Re: A bit of help please?
Post by: Gloria Nailor on September 24, 2013, 02:22:21 pm
I also have a stitch in my eye and can tell you it was a Godsend for me.  I was able to stop using hourly eye drops and can now close my eye lid with effort.  It was hard to get used to the decreased peripheral vision at first, but you get used to turning your head to see better ! Good luck and Be well!
Title: Re: A bit of help please?
Post by: Jill Marie on September 29, 2013, 10:55:25 pm
Hi Suu,

I second what Nancyann posted, PLEASE look into the scleral lens!  The lens I have isn't a true scleral lens as that one is specially fitted and costs more then mine did.  My lens is a bit smaller than the scleral and cost $250, working on getting the Insurance co. to pay for it.  I used ointment every 15 minutes for several years, 3 tubes a day and cost me $4000 last year, wasn't that bad at first.  Now I use one tube a day and couldn't be happier.  We are all different in what works for us but so far everyone that has gotten the lens is really happy they did.  Look forward to hearing you checked it out and welcome questions!  Jill :D
Title: Re: A bit of help please?
Post by: Suu on October 28, 2013, 03:13:06 am
Thanks so much for the encouragement ladies.
My doc says I'm not a candidate for the lens. I can't remember why so I'll ask him when I see him in a few weeks' time. It could have something to do with having acute angle closure glaucoma.  I had to have holes put in the back of my eye with a laser!?
I'm only using the goop at night now.  I'm not as self conscious now and it's becoming a part of how I look.  ;D