[joansnance]

#1060486

Since 2000 I have had 18 surgeries to remedy a variety of TED issues. All had excellent results until the last three. My left eye will not close all the way causing even more dryness and beginning cornea damage. My highly reputable surgeon has made three attempts to get that eye to close. Due to scar tissue, that top lid seems to have a mind of its own, and just will not cooperate. I see my surgeon next week for a consultation on what to do next. My eye maintenance routine includes baby shampoo eye wash twice a day, drops every time I think about it, PM ointment at night, a Saran wrap moisture shield at night, plus a humidifier in my bedroom. I’m a busy girl! I was wondering if anyone has had this trouble getting an eye to close.

[Kimberly]

#1182908

Hello and welcome! It sounds like you are doing all the right things for an eyelid that won’t close. I’m hoping that Shirley and Nancy will jump in here, as I know they have both dealt with this issue and will hopefully have some additional suggestions.

Some of our members have had good luck with this product; it’s been recommended at a couple of past conferences.

(Note on links: if you click directly on the following link, you will need to use your browser’s “back” button to return to the boards after viewing, or you will have to log back in to the forum. As an alternative, you can right-click the link and open it in a new tab or new window).

http://www.eyeeco.com/category/icategory_id/45/moisture_release___dry_eye__allergy_products.html

Take care!

[snelsen]

#1182909

Hi, not sure which procedures you have had. Wanna take the time to list them?? You can see my lengthy list at the bottom of my post, and I think I omitted a couple. It has been my sad experience with eyelids, that the more they try to “fix” the problem, the more scar tissue there is. But the inability to close you eye may not be related to your eyelids AT ALL, but to your bulging (exopthalmus) eye. Has this been considered, discussed, etc. etc?

I have ordered the products Kimberly mentioned, ordered all of them, they did not help me. I got them from the Dry Eye Zone, located in Poulsbo, Washington. Ir returned them all, for the purpose of donating them to someone else. You might find the site, see if she has done that,save yourself $100+.

The ONLY thing I do that helps, is tape my right eye closed at night. Should be both of them, but the right eye is much worse. The ONLY tape I have found for this delicate job is Mepitape, I order it online.

The beginning corneal damage is a very real problem, and sets you up for a corneal transplant, which won’t help at all, because you can’t close your eye!!!

I also tried Saran, which seems to have worked for others, but definitely not for me.

Please do write again!
Shirley

[joansnance]

#1182910

Hi Shirley,
Thank you so much for your response. It is unique to finally communicate with someone who has had similar experiences in battling TED. Recently, I wrote my entire Graves Disease story. If I can figure out how to do it, I would like to send it to you to read. In 2000, I started with orbital decompressions. I had 2 on each eye and a third on my left eye. After those I had multiple eye muscle alignments as well as multiple eye lid surgeries. I, too, had skin grafts from the roof of my mouth and back of ear lobes to form better lower lids.

I am pretty sure that my inability to close my left eye does not come from eye bulging. I believe that it is totally a lid issue. I saw my surgeon a few days ago and he will not do another lid surgery at this time. He said that there were just too many variables. I already knew that! I will see him monthly to closely monitor my cornea. In the meantime I will continue my eye maintenance daily routine. By the way, I recently tried Saran Press and Seal for my mositure shield at night. I think this is working well for me…no taping needed.

I have had a lovely break from sugeries for about 4 years. My eyes were always very dry, red, watery, and irritated BUT very little dryness of the cornea.
This is a new and stressful development for me. If you don’t mind sharing with me, I wondered if you have had problems with your cornea getting dry spots.
Has taping your eye closed at night helped with this?

Through all my TED issues, my excellent vision has been my ace in the hole.
That has changed slightly and it is frightening to say the least.
I hope we will continue to stay in touch.
Joan

[snelsen]

#1182911

I would LOVE to continue to stay in contact! I’ll be traveling, flying the next couple days. Will writ again on Monday.
Shirley

[Rose_Dire]

#1182912

I have the same problem so I eyes seem to be tearing. This not simply watery but more like a gel at times. I am afraid to get corrective surgery since there is always the possibility that the situation may end up being worse.

When the surgery was first performed, he used permanent stitches rather then the dissolving ones. My eyes seemed fine after this, however, he had preform a second surgery to take out the permanent stitches that were used and replace them with dissolving ones since they were breaking through the surface.
Since then, I noticed that the left eye doesn’t close completely so in the morning my eye is very irritated and tearing extensively.
I have tried everything you have tried except for the saran wrap??

Please advise what your surgeon advises since I believe that the doctor that performed my surgery is not very familiar with the conditions presented by Graves.

[joansnance]

#1182913

Hello Rose,
I certainly don’t have all the answers, but I have had lots of experiences with Graves’ Eye Disease. After reading your response, the first thing that popped into my head was to tell you to do whatever it takes to be certain you have a reputable oculoplastic surgeon who is very experienced in thyroid eye problems.
I was experiencing bulging red, irritated eyes as well as double vision about 8 years after I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. My regular opthalmologist kept telling me I just had thyroid eye disease and I was OK. I waited way too long to see a specialist and I will always believe that may be why I have had such severe issues. Again, do everything you can to be certain you have the best opthal. and oculoplastic suregeon that you can find.

I can’t remember if I mentioned Saran Wrap Press and Seal in my post. I just cut a piece that will go above my eyebrow…big enough to go around the outside of my eye. I just press it down securely and it works so well for me. I also think the humidifier in my bedroom has helped also.

As you read in my post, I have had lots of eye surgeries. Don’t let that freak you out! My surgeon says that my case is the most severe he’s seen in his 27 years of practice. I seriously doubt that you will have any difficulties that can’t be handled easily.

If you have any additional questions, I would be more that happy to communicate with you. Hope things will go well for you.

Joan

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