ANA Discussion Forum
Post-Treatment => Eye Issues => Topic started by: hruss on November 08, 2008, 06:27:56 am
-
hi all,
i am home from a surgery in Germany two weeks ago but i have facial and most of all eye problems.
it is all very red and cannot closes all the way down, so it gets dry .
the only rescue for the eye as the doctor told me is to sew it on Monday. we try to cure the redness with my mom who is here to help me and then on Monday i will have it sewn.
Has anyone had it sewn and do I need a plastic surgery after that to delete the tracks of the stitches? How long have you had it for?
It is very difficult to navigate with one eye and my mom will stay here for one more week, but can't be here during the whole period! how did you cope with the whole situation?
Thank you,
Hrissy
-
Laci-Lube baby! ... eye drops and eye oitment !! gonna keep that eye wet..... do you have a eye gold weight ?.. helped me a LOT.... I would do that before getting the eye sew shut... ouch....
-
one more thing that helped me ...
make sure your eye is clean ... I know it sounds obvious... but when the eye does not blink right it can;t clear out foreign objects.... on close look in the bathroom mirror... (or wash it out in the shower) I would take out eye lasses out of my eye all the time... and is soon as I remove it.. it felt a lot better !!!!!
Females... stay away makeup around the eyes... Guys.... be carefull of electric shavers!! once I stopped using one... my eye got a little better.. I think little bits were getting in my eye...
-
hi, am glad the ops all over for you, did they save your facial nerve i know you were worried about that, plenty of laci-lube in the eye and dry eye gel, i have a gold weight in my eye which helps me blink.
-
Hrissy~
I am sorry I have not been able to sit down & write LONG response to your PM - seems like I always save those for when I can really answer them good and then I have them forever - I never seem to have a LONG period of time time altogether!! SORRY! What have you been putting in your eye so far?? I used Refresh PM (ointment) 24/7 for the first 7 years until I got a wieght put in. The weight was a life saver!! I did have my eye sewn shut for 3 months (from about 3-6 months) because it got scratched and the cornea was damamged SOOOOOOOO bad. Aside from the fact that it didn't look that great (got lots of stares), it was BY FAR EASIER to care for then because I didn't have to mess with it AT ALL!! If you need to have it stitched because it is already damaged, then I would do it so it could heal, but if the Dr. wants to do that indifinitely because he doesn't know what else to do - there are other options - external or internal weights, stitches, plugs, etc. I just had it done in the office (with a local even though I have no feeling in that side) and then when I had it reopened, there was no scarring or anything. I have had 7 operations on my eye now & never any plastic surgery. However, the last one was done by an occuoplastic surgeon so I'm sure he took some care - you could come here and he could work on you & I would take care of you!! We'd have a grand time!! Let me know what happens!
K
-
Thanks for the advice girlies!!
My eye does not close all the way down but the lid moves - the doctors say it needs 3 mm more to close firmly. the doctors want to sew it for a month or two and meanwhile they hope that lip angle will start move so it will be a good sign for them that the eye will move too. I will do my facial exercises and hope that these will help too. There is a slight improvement from surgery till so far although as I say it is very slight.
eye is very red, doctors told me that the outer slice is damaged so they need to shut it. now i use Torbex - antibiotic ointment 3 times a day and every 2 hours i put Vidisic - another ointment on basis of Tears Naturell doctors from Germany gave me.
I will tell my brother who is in NY right now to bye the ones you recommended, we do not have them in Bulgaria unfortunately.
thank you for your replies again.
Hrissy
-
Hrissy~
The Refresh PM (& any ointment I know about) will leave your vision BLURRY, but you must endure to preserve that cornea! Sounds like they are on the right track of wanting to sewn it shut so it can heal. It really isn't bad - kind of good actually after having had to mess with it so much!! If the Refresh PM works well for you, I can certainly send you some later on. I use Systane drops during the day now that my eye has improved and it does not cause vision to be so blurry!
K
-
Hi Hrissy,
I think, for me, the eye has been the biggest pain of this journey. I think it is great we have this forum so you can ask others how they cope. There is no sense in reinventing the wheel. I am sure you will get lots of great advice.
This is how I have coped for the last 5 months:
I wore an patch at first, with a piece of wet gauze and tons of laci-lube (preservative free). I also would add drops throughout the day.
I found when I soaked in the tub my eye felt great.
At night I put tons of laci-lube in and use 2 pieces of paper 3M tape and over that I appy an eye bandage (that sticks) and have no trouble with the eye popping open. I have never had any issues with my cornea.
I shower with clear swimming googles (the strap is way down at the back so I can still wash my hair).
I made my own moisture chamber glasses. Here is the link (hope it works, if not look up eyewear). http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=7688.0 (http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=7688.0) Honestly the glasses have been the best way for me to cope...driving, walking the dog outside.
On the advice of Satman I bought Harley googles and they have been great for on our boat.
All of my doctors suggested having the eye sewn closed and I kept putting it off, in hidesight I so wish I would have gotten an eyelid wieght right away and had it removed when things got better. I tried the external weight and sadly because I have asian like eyes it did not work out well.
I use....
Refresh, Celliuvisc (individual vials, the lids pop off and can be pushed back on)
Good luck, we really do understand. Feel free to ask more questions.
Michelle ;D
-
Hi and sorry for your troubles.
I had bad double vision which has not fixed so i wore an eye patch for the first 4+ months, so i know how hard it is to get by with only one eye (no puripherial vision or depth perspection), but i did learn to get used to it and managed pretty good with just one eye (i did NOT drive though). Now the DV has cleared up and i am wearing the eye patch outside and in places (the subway) where i am concerned about debris. I wear eye glasses at home and at work. I put in drops every hour or two (or as needed to feel good) but really think that the ointment is better... and worth the blur. I put in oitment and then tape my eye closed at night (some advise against this, but it was suggested to me by opthamologist and it has worked great - paper tape only). It was never suggested to me to sew my eye (but either of the two n.surgeons i saw post surgery, or either of the opthamologists i saw, a few times each). i think that was because my cornea was doing well (worst verdict was that it was a little irritated, in the early weeks). I attribute this to wearing the patch and keeping it lubbed.
If the docs say sew it, i would, because your eye is forever, so do what you must in the short-term to care for it.
Good luck and hang in there.
Trish
-
hi all,
i just had my eye shut and will be like that for 3 to 6 months, as the doctors say. they also suggested having an IV with methanol or smth like that every day for 10 days in row which will quicken the process of recovery for the facial nerve and they will be able to remove the stitches in 15 days as they say (i slightly can't believe it to be that fast, but it may help me - even if it takes a month it will be better than 3 months).
trish, I am glad that you no longer have the double vision!!
Kaybo, thank u for the invitation, but my cornea was very irritated and they did not want to wait any longer. There was a kind of wound in my pupil and i have to go on with no hesitation any longer! I will visit you some other time for sure!!!
Michelle, i told my bro to order foam which i can stick to my sunglasses as you had done on yours. Thank you very much for the advice and the link you posted!!
will keep you posted!!
Hrissy
-
Hi Hrissy,
I hope your eye is beginning to feel better after the eye closure. If you get back to eye drops for a while after the eye is "re-opened", try several different brands. When I had dry eye for a while after AN surgery, I found that some brands irratated my eye, causing redness, while other brands did not cause redness.
Regards,
Rob
-
The optometrist said to avoid using drops/lube with preservatives. Even if you don't have a reaction from the preservatives, these drops are not designed for use several times a day, for many months. Apparently eyes can develop and intolerance for the preservatives with excessive use, so for regular use (as many here do) go for preservative free ones. It kind of makes sense because if you are not using drops often, the bottle will sit around for a long time (hence the need to longer shelf life). But if you go through bottles in a matter of weeks, then the preservative is not necessary.
good luck,
Trish
-
Trish, I had not heard about the long term effect of using drops with preservatives, however I haven't seen an eye doctor yet since my surgery. I've had 2 post op visits my ENT/neurotologist and told him my biggest issue is the dry eye. He asked what I was using for eye lubrication and I showed him my Refresh Liquigel bottle that carry with me all the time and use many times during the day.....he didn't have a problem with it. However, even though he's a great ENT and surgeon, I don't think he knows all that much about treatment of the dry eye issue. Thanks for posting this information. Even though is much less handly and economical, I think I'll switch to the Refresh Celluvisc(preservative free version).
I would love to hear from anyone else regarding long term use of eye drops with preservatives.
Patrick
-
Trish,
thank you for the information too!!!
Michelle,
my brother got the foam to stick it to my glasses when he comes back next week! thank you for the advice. Can you post a link or explain how to make it precisely?
Hrissy
-
Hrissy the foam pieces have typically come in sets of left and right and I just read that they willl now be sold in just a right or just a left. That is great news for us.
Anyway to answer you question: the foam will come with a little center piece (throw that away, it is used for the tranquil night dry eye treatment... I bought that but that is another story) there is an adhesive on the back, peel the paper off and stick inside your sunglasses closest to the frame edge. A bigger pair of glasses works best. I change it the first of every month. It ends up with drops, make up on them and I love how a new one feels so fresh. I prefer the unlined foam. Good luck I am here if you need me. Freedom again, you are going to LOVE it!
Let me know what you think.
Michelle ;D
-
Hi Hrissy-
I am sorry you are in the eye-care club now! That remains my biggest aggravation, althoug it does get to be more of a routine over time.
To address the issue of eye drops with preservatives, my neurotologist also told me to avoid the kind w/ preservatives and go for the "single use" capsules (which can be re-capped quite easily). Since I was putting drops in my eyes about every 10-15 minutes for the first few weeks, this was a great bit of advice. After even the first few days in the hospital, the preservative drops were irritating my eyes.
I have found that most of the gels - lacri-lube, pura-lube, Refresh PM all work about the same and they all seem to have the same ingredients. I have tubes everywhere - bedroom, office, car, purse, etc. I try to use thick drops during the day because the gel makes it quite difficult to see/drive, but sometimes the drops just don't cut it.
BTW, I'll post this elsewhere, but I am getting punctal plugs tomorrow for my lower lid.
Deb, eye still doesn't close all the way...
-
Hi all!!
Finally I got the Foam set for Tranquil eyes hydrating goggle. I actually ordered only the right one because this is the eye that suffers. My brother lost it was not able to bring it at the beginning of Dec 2008 when he got back from NYC but fortunately my cousin who came back for Christmas had found it somewhere in his house and as a result I have it here next to me.
It's been really windy recently so I have to use my foam. I did not have problems after the opening of the eye (I had my eye shut sewn for a month and before Christmas they opened it) but nowadays when it gets windy, my eye gets all strongly red. So I think it is time for the foam to stick to my sunglasses.
Before doing it i would like to ask whether you had some problems removing it? Also, what is the inner removable part of the eye patch foam for? I remove it and just stick the contours of what is left, right? Then i have to put some ointment in the damaged eye and to apply the sunglasses and thus to be ready to go out, right? still hesitate a lot about sticking the foam to my sunglasses because I am afraid that this foam might damage them, and I really like them.....
Hrissy
-
Hi Hrissy,
Orginally the foam is used for the tranquil dry eye night goggles. The center part is soaked in water and then placed back in, these goggles are to keep dry eyes moist at night. With facial paralysis the eye does not shut so I thought these goggles would be good for me. I had eye pain after wearing them for one night. I needed a great deal of pressure to keep the eye closed and it hurt in the morning. I am not saying they wouldn't work for everyone they just didn't work for me.
So consequently I had these extra foam pieces I had ordered and thought hey I could stick these to my sunglasses and they could act as a moisture chamber and protect my eye when I am outside. That is exactly what happened and I have never had any issues with my eye. My neurosurgeon was quite impressed. Sadly I did not invent them so could not take all of the credit. I like to pass on things that work for me.
Okay Hrissy.
Throw the center piece away (you don't need it). Make sure your sunglasses are clean and dry. Peel back the white paper and stick the foam to the edge of your glasses, if you do this right you should not see the foam from the outside. The bigger the glasses the better but you can make them work on just about any pair but tiny ones. A little lube or drops and you are good to go.
I change mine the first of every month and use a little dish soap and wash the sitcky off. My sunglasses will be fine once I am done with this ordeal. Saying that my eye comes way before my glasses.
Good luck no more red eye for you. Once you see how great it is you will want to order more.
Michelle ;D
-
thank you for your comprehensive answer, Michelle!!
i was thinking of you when i actually wrote that last night (Bulgarian time)!
how are you?
Hrissy
-
Hi Hrissy,
I am great, thanks for asking. I am going to send an update with photos soon. I am back working full time (kindergarten teacher) so I am very busy.
I can make a small smile and the second tooth is showing. I am pleased just wish my dumb eye would blink and I would be golden. Patience yep I know, heard it before. Hate that word, I am learning. It is so easier to cope when you have a little hope (movement). Things DO get better... it is just very hard to see that at the beginning of this long journey.
Michelle ;D
-
my mom also is a kindergarten teacher - it is a great fun - i know from the horse's mouth :D
i know it is much easier when you see some enbetterment to go on. i haven;t seen any visual change, but i still struggle, and actually this is the only thing i can do! :(
waiting for your pics!!
hrissy
-
Just a little funny.....
I was taking my older son to school the other day and after dropping him off I took a quick peek in the mirror because my eye was killing me although I didn't say a word and my 4 year sitting in the backseat said,
"Mommy, is your eye feeling better?" I thought how sweet for him to ask. I responded with "Well, yes dear it is feeling just fine. Thanks for asking" Then I asked him......Tanner, does it LOOK better?
He responded........"NO NOT AT ALL!"
Didn't do much for the 'ol self esteem but I got a great chuckle.
Angie
still wearing the external eyelid weight and can't wait to purposefully throw it DOWN THE DRAIN! or better yet...the toilet!
-
For the record,
I saw the opthamoligist in early December and she said the preservatives are NOT a problem, if you tolerate them ok. My first opthamologist also did not have a problem with the drops i showed her (which had preservatives). I guess i would probably trust an opthamologist (or two!) over an optometrist (although i think all of these docs are good).
Anyway, i am using preservative free drops as i found ones which are nice. I also use a thinker gel (which has preservatives) sometimes cuz it feels cold and refreshing. And also the ointment (tears naturale PM) which i have happily settled on.
Just thought i would clear up any confusion (from my experiences).
Trish
-
Okay so sick to death with the eye drops. I use the little vials and they are getting expensive so I decided to try a big bottle with perseratives... I got a red irriated eye in one day. Oh well back to the litle vials again. I sit here hoping for my blink and some more tears.
Hey Hrissy how is the foam working out for you? I change mine the first of every month and honestly I could not get by without it.
Michelle ;D
-
Hi all...
Just back from Opthamologist and she said my eye is looking great.
It STILL will not close (not sure i have had any progress in this department, although when i smile, the lower lid does move up slightly now... I am hoping the top lid catches up).
Oh Michelle... your words "when i am done with this ordeal" hit me. Will we ever be?? The reality is that for some their eye never closes; I am not convinced I will not be one of these people. My smile too is coming along well, esp in the last 2 months or so. The facial therapist (who i also saw this week) gave me a 50% on my open mouth smile. Still can't whistle to save my life though! With an improving smile, i am now quite anxious for the eye to close, blink. I am 9 months out now i think.
I asked the opthamologist again about the eye weight...IF my eye is one of those that never recovers (closes). She said what she has for the past 6 months... the weight is not necessary if I am taking good care of my eye (which i clearly am) and there is no ongoing damage. The threat of having it sewn shut is a powerful motivator! She also said that a weight would make my eye droop a bit and look worse than now (which is not bad, although mascara and lashes that curled up would help a lot!). I wear eyeglasses during the day (i have a mild presrciption for distance, but didn't wear eye glasses prior to having these eye issues). Outside, i wear safety glassses that i bought for $10 from home depot. They do not offer the same kind of protection that moisture chambers would, but are cheap, seem to be doing the trick (even through our very cold and windy winter) and look almost fashionable (!!??!?!? from the depot). They wrap around enough to keep out debris and wind well. I am still using the drops (just the preservative free ones, the Refresh Celluvisc as they feel the best) but can go a few hours between drops. Ointment before bed (still taping eye at night, prirate patch for naps), and before leaving the house in the morning, and whenever the drops don't seem to be cutting it.
Like many others out there who have been at this protocol for many months, I have gotten used to the routine and am managing pretty well considering. I do hope that this too shall pass, but must continue to wait and hope.
Good luck to all of you going through this, and especially those just starting out. It, like many things, does get easier over time.
Trish
-
Hey Trish,
I am in exactly the same boat as you... let's sail away. I'll bring whine (I mean wine..hehehe) and you bring the cheese. :o
This is quite a journey isn't it? I pray everyday for spontaeous blink and full eye closure... patience - yuck I hate that word. I am off today to go for facial retraining, things are moving along fine. When I talk or smile of course you can tell and my eye doesn't blink. When it tries I have Bel'ls phenomenon (eye rolls back) so I am sure it looks kind of weird, I try to ignore it and carry on.
Thinking of you.
Michelle ;D
-
I don't know why these doctors aren't recommending external eyelid weights for those that don't want the gold weight put in. I also used a pirate patch for 6 months because my eye wouldn't close and now my vision sucks in that eye from nonusage. The external eyelid weight does wonders! I can blink with it and close my eye. No more patches and it doesn't look that bad. Most people just think it is a tiny bandaid. All you need is a prescription from your opth. doc and have him put on tester weights to see how heavy of a weight you need. It is great to look out of both eyes and to get closure when I blink. I think using the eye has helped me get it stronger then when I just patched it all the time it got even lazier. I just wish someone had told me about it sooner! (my doctors right out of surgery! but they forget about things like this.) I would be crazy without my weight and I HATED the platinum chain that they put in at first. It was a chain and was too heavy and was taken out 3 months later. This external weight is a lifesaver.
Also I leave tomorrow for Nashville for a canthoplasty on the left eye with an Oculoplastic surgeon in Nashville. We were limited in this area of specialty in Arkansas so off I go! The doctor thinks that by doing an upward lift that I will be able to get that 1 mm left to close when I blink and it will look better as it droops some. Will have right eye done in 3 months to match. I also got my prescription eyeglasses tinted a light rose which is VERY soothing on my eyes especially at the computer and also hides the funky eye! Also a lifesaver. Looking through rose-colored glasses~! ya know what they say! Guys.....it does get better with your blink as I am 20 months out and just now am blinking all the way down (except for 1 mm) but it is delayed with the weight off and no Bell's phenomenom anymore. It does get tired though and I stick the weight back on. Okay gotta go pack. Leave in the am.
Angie
-
Angie, first of all I want to say thank you. I just went to see my facial therapist and told her how discouraged I am about the eye not blinking, then I got your post. Ahhh hope is good.
I researched weights like crazy and decided to go with the external weight. Which by the way we do NOT have in Canada. I brought the information to my opthomolgist in TO and he was not too impressed (guess he would be if he had the problem... sorry that was my inside voice). He did not assist me at all so I contacted the company myself and guessed at which weight to get. I started with a 1.8, it was too heavy so I ordered a 1.0. I could not get it to work... others said look for the 'sweet spot'... I was sad that it did not work for me (it kept flipping and hitting my eyeball). Oh I tried, I am not one to give up easily and I wanted it to work so bad. I could wear it lying down for about 30 mins but only with constant adjusting. I became soooo frustrated it now sits in a box... any takers for a 1.8 external weight cheap? I try the 1.0 once in a while to see if there I am able to wear it.
I am so glad it works for you, your eyelids must be deeper set then mine. I could totally see how it could strenghten your blink...hmmm wishing it would work for me.
Michelle ;D
Good luck on your wee trip.
-
Michelle~
Is that a new picture? Looking GREAT!! Better and better all the time!
K
-
Absolutely K, once again, as Billy Crystal's 'Fernando' says, "YOU LOOK MARVELOUS"
Beautiful Michelle, you must be so happy ! ! Can't wait to see next year's picture ! !
K, doesn't it feel so good to see our AN friends regain their movement ? ! ! I know you feel the same way !
It's like "Whew, they're getting movement back ! ! YEAH ! ! ! ! !. "
Always good thoughts, Nancy
-
YES!!
I am so glad when I see progress!! I wouldn't wish this on anyone!!
K ;D
-
Big Hugs my wonderful cyber friends, whom by the way have helped me get where I am - physically and mentally. Thank you!!!
Michelle :-*
-
Michelle is starting to look elegant. :)
Steve
-
Hey Angie...
I am glad that you found something that works for you, and that you are still getting better 20 months out.
I was very keen on getting some kind of weight in the early months, but didn't really make sense for me at that time as i HAD to wear the priate patch ALL THE TIME because i had horrible double vision. So the patch was killing two birds with one stone (allowing me to see straight, and protecting my eye which would not close). By about 4.5 months post surgery the DV had totally recovered and i lost the patch. I did not having any trouble with seeing out of the patched eye before/after the patch. My cornea was in great shape too.
My opthamologist says i have a strong bell's phenomenom and this is good thing and part of the reason for my cornea still looking "great" despite being 9.5 months post surgery and no blink/closure.
I guess in Canada they push things you don't need (although the Opthamologist did ask me if i "wanted" one... i could get one if i did). She is young, attractive lady and said i don't "need" it, and it would make my eye look worse as it would cause my eye lid to drop (effectively introducing new assymetry with my right good eye). I do seem to manage just fine with glasses, so i am not inclined to make my face look more worse without some incremental benefit. I do close my eye manully from time to time to spread moisture around, and i guess this task would be a little less manual (i think the weight requires you look down to blink?) and i can see how this could be very helpful (if say driving a lot, which i don't).
Anyway, for now i am going on the doctor's suggestion to avoid having my eye cut open and droopy eye lid (i would say i have very shallow eye lids, you don't really see my eye lids when eyes open), when i don't need it. Perhaps i will change my mind about this down the raod a bit, if it seems the won't close at all (ever!). I think the eye closes can take up to 2 years for many people with full paralysis and subsequent recovery.
I was also swayed but a few posties here (Michelle included) who had little success with the stick ons (which we don't have in Canada anyway).
I am curious what Kaybo thinks... I know you had weights FOREVER and then had them removed (temporarily) and i think put back in. I know many people here swear by the eye weights. Maybe i am missing out... But i would hate to get it and then not like it. Really i have been cut open enough already!
Thanks all for thoughts and input.
Trish
-
Trish~
The main thing that I kept thinking when I read y'all's posts was that my eye did not droop when I had the weights in unless I was really tired - which it did/does anyway without the weight. If you get the right weight, it shouldn't droop b/c it is just helping your lid shut until it gets to the point where gravity takes over. Maybe I just took it for granted that I have a liitle "strength" in that lid. I will say that my eye wanted to stay OPEN all of the time. I am one of those that are VIOLENTLY opposed to taping or closing your eye in ANY (except sewning shut) because my eye kept coming open under the taping/patch and I got HORRIBLE corneal abrasions - I then HAD to have my eye sewn shut!! I am still doing OK without a weight - I do put in drops and bit more frequently (maybe twice/day) and Refresh PM at night. I have always used the Refresh at night but was only using 1 drop of Systane each morning when I had the weight. If I could, I probably would go back with the weight, just simply b/c it is SO much easier - but this way is really not that big of a deal either. You gotta do what you gotta do!!
K ;D
-
I'm with Kay -- I have a 1.8 gram platinum weight, which is the largest standard size available and I have no drooping at all. I don't know if that is due to my physiology or the fact that my eye surgeon was very, very good.
I am also a proponent of using gel and a patch (from the pharmacy) in lieu of taping. My neurosurgeon showed me a taping technique at the outer corner of the eye rather than over the middle, but I could not replicate it so I opted for the patch and gel until I got the weight. I still use gel round the clock. Some days I only have to put it in at bedtime and not again until next bedtime, but usually i have to use it again mid-afternoon. Rarely in the morning.
Sara
-
thanks Sara and Kay...
I wonder if the the "droop" concept depends the person... The opthamologist told me that MY eye would look worse with the weight (wouldn't she know??). I look in the mirror now, and both eyes look pretty much the same (excluding eye lashes/mascara). I really don't show any eye lid on either side (i guess the skin above my eye, below eye brows, is also heavier).
I looked at Sara's pictures on the facial issues section and it looks like her right eye (non AN) shows A LOT of eye lid.. her natural state. The left (AN) eye lid (which i know has a weight in it) is actually less visible (so presumably the weight is actually improving her overall appearance given she naturally has heavier eyelids).
thoughts Sara, Kaybo (anyone else)??
I have also read that if the curvature of the weight is not "right" for your eye (implying customs as the best way to ensure this), the weight can actually change the shape of your cornea ...bad. Here is something i read on pemedcentral, "It was also reported that gold implants which do not adapt the slope of cornea cause astigmatism".
I have had no real trouble associated with taping at night, but i do know that this often not the case and the idea is often discouraged. I DO NOT like the tape and occasstionally i get worried that it is not sticking well (probably because of the ointment spreading) ...when this happens i just take it off and wear the pirate patch. Not sure the patch is great either as i am a side sleeper and figure it could shift... that's why i generally reserve it for naps. I have been meaning to try those eye patch/bandaids (sold at the drugstore with a kid's picture on the front, but says for adults too. Must get on this...
Kaybo, why are you still waiting for a replacement eye weight? It has been many months hasn't it? If i recall they were waiting for the lid to heal completely...?
I have one other reason for avoiding unneccessary surgery at this time... i am 5 months pregs! I have to do a proper post and tell all, and will shortly. Stay tuned for this biggie!
Thanks guys,
Trish
-
CONGRATULATIONS!! I'll have to write more later as we are off to gymnastics but I couldn't wait to tell you that!! How exciting!! I LOVED being pregnant - after the first 3 months when I was so sick & had to take shots everyday!!
K ;D
-
Trish, congratulations! A baby way trumps an eyelid weight. And who knows what kind of improvement you may experience in the next four months.
Listen, I have a 1.6 gram external eyelid weight that I would be happy to send you as a shower present. You can see whether you think it would help at all, and if it is the wrong size you can go to your ophthalmologist and see about getting a different size.
Sara
-
That is sooooooo wonderful that you are expecting. Children have a way of making life so wonderful! Congratuations to you and your family.
If life was perfect I would not tape my eye at night but I had an AN and I am rolling with the punches. Do I like taping it? NO but it is working and my eye is in really good shape so why mess with it. 9 months later and I am kind of used to it. I use Refresh Laci-Lube (Preserative Free) from corner to corner along my eyeball. I look down and close my eye with my finger. Then I tape the eye with Nexcare Paper Tape , one piece along my lashes to close the eye and then another piece from inside corner across and up to the outside end of my eyebrow. These are not big pieces just enough. I found the plastic too sticky and hurt when I removed it in the morning.Then I apply a Nexcare Opticlude (Orthoptic Eye Patch) Junior Size for Children. This system works REALLY well for me and I have never had any eye issues. It really only takes 2 mins and off to sleep I go.
Strange thing ... last week I pulled off the patch and tape in my sleep.. I woke to a red painful eye. Guess I was sick of it in my sleep.
I keep hoping someday that the eye will back to normal, I haven't given up hope yet. It is what it is and I can't change it so finding a suitable solution was my only option. I think the eye was the biggest shocker for me, in all of the research I did I never clued in that the eye would be affected in the droop. The eye has and still is the biggest issue.
Ahhhh today I am a duck and will let it all roll off of my back. Tomorrow well who knows. :o :o
Michelle ::)