[Ski]

#1073089

Hi Cathy,

Yes, these are actually VERY common! It can help a lot ~ some people find them uncomfortable, so I think usually the first ones are "dissolving" so you can see if you like them. If you do, after they’ve dissolved you can either have permanent plugs put in or have the ducts cauterized shut. It helps the moisture to stay ON the eyes, rather than draining away.

I hope they give you some relief!

[cathycnm]

#1073090

Thanks Ski – very helpful!

[cathycnm]

#1019649

Hi again to all. I posted last week about my eye symptoms being worse with studying and reading long hours of small type. I went up on drops and with gel at night – got magnifying glasses. It is very hard to remember the drops every 10 minutes and it takes time – which I don’t have much of with work/school. But I am remembering several times a day – more often with reading. Some – but not much – releif so far.

I called my opthamologist and see him in a couple weeks. He did mention that we may have to put plugs into the duct that drains the eye – that it is a very common procedure for dry-eye types of symptoms. Question – has anyone heard of this??? If so – I would love more info – Does it help??? Sounds like a very simple procedure – I am open but have not heard of it before.

As my dad used to say to me "I have tears in my ears from crying on my back" ” title=”Wink” /> Cathy

[Pertie]

#1073091

I’ve had eye plugs – the type that slowly dissolve – put in twice post Lasix. It doesn’t hurt at all and may itch a bit at first and I got used to them within a couple days. They helped so much and got me past some very dry eye problems. I’d recommend them highly.

[Sjefferys]

#1073092

I had eye plugs they are no secure and waste of money. The insurance didn’t factor in Graves, paid 350.00 plugs fell out less than 8 months. not a big fan WASTE of MONEY!

Ask the Dr. for OPTIVAR, cure dry eye irritation, rubbing, oily eye coating, as well reduced puffy eye. Cost 76.36, insurance paid half

[Ski]

#1073093

If you have problems with the plugs you can abandon them, which is why they use the dissolving kind at first. I think there are differences for people depending on the size of the tear duct, and the shape of the eye overall. I have heard some people complain about them. I have heard from a lot of people that love them. There are also two other tear ducts in the upper lid that you can plug, in case you want to try doing those in addition to the first two, or instead of the other two.

[mtbikrchick]

#1073094

I had punctal plugs put in my lower lid tear ducts at least three years ago (maybe longer). The ones the doc used were not the dissolving kind and were sort of fitted to my ducts. Apparently they came in different sizes and the ophthalmologist made a guess at the size of my ducts. The plugs felt really weird at first. The best I can describe it is itchy and scratchy. The right side one fell out in a week or two. I went back to the ophthal. and they put another larger size in the right side. After about it week, it fell out again, so back to the ophthal. I went. The entire time, the left side plug stayed in but because it didn’t really make much improvement in my dry eyes, we decided to not try to put another plug in or cauterize the right side duct permanently. We hoped that prescription eye drops would do the job. The drops worked (thankfully) and I still use them twice a day. One crazy note though, the left side punctal plug is *still* hanging tight in there! I don’t even think about it now unless I rub my eye a little and feel it.

Good luck!
Sheila

[cathycnm]

#1073095

Thanks for all the great info. I had not thought about insurance – but I have very good coverage. Graves – always something new to learn about.

I did get a humidifier for the area where I study – I live in the bone dry western part of Colorado and I am sure that is not helping the volumes of small type reading. Funny – it was a year ago this month that I thought I had pink eye – that turned out to be one of my early Graves symptoms. There could be a seasonal component. I will also check my TSH in a couple of weeks as it is time and I really feel exhausted and irritable again. However, having sand in one’s eyes and spending every waking second either working or reading (except for my joyful 10,000 steps a day) could make one a fearce grump. Thanks – you have given me much to consider!

[npatterson]

#1073096

Dear Cathy,

This will be one more vote for punctal plugs. I have had mine done for more than twenty years. Back in the olden days, they cauterized them, but they made a huge, positive difference. Today’s procedre is kinder and gentler. We have a bulletin that talks about them. e-mail me, and I will send it to you. "nancyngdf@bellsouth.net".

You have all the empathy from me re: small type. The new website will have enlarging capacity.

[cathycnm]

#1073097

Thanks Nancy – good to know. I have my humidifier right by my side now while studying – and my drops in a cup on the table (so my cat’s won’t play with the little bottles). I will wait to see what my opthalmologist finds. The humidity seems to be helping, too. I will let you know!

[DianneW]

#1073098

Another vote for Punctal Plugs. I started out with the plugs and after a few years when it became clear that for me this would be a permanent state, I had my puncta (plural, one is a "punctum") cautarized. Eventually I had the uppers done too. Having the uppers plugged or cauterized would cause most people to have tears running down their faces, so should definitely be done with the dissolving kind first.

A humidifier is also really good for those of us with extremely dry eyes, especially if we live in dry climates too. They also help in the winter when air is heated and tends to be dryer. I always have more dry eye problems in the winter.

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