Bifocols
Question
Hi,
I had seen an optometrist that gave me a regular exam but did not find any cataracts or major damage. I wear glasses with bifocals. I have no insurance. I had medicad paying for the ophthalmologist and they said I had a torn cornea.
The eye gel was the only thing they recommended but it doesn't help long term. Went to a low income doctor couldn't get them to send me for laser surgery which another doctor suggested. Lost my medicad benefits so back to square one again.
My left eye has been bothering me for five years. Mostly bothers me at night when my eye is closed, my upper eyelid sticks to the cornea, I wake up every night with pain and have to keep it closed until it reattached.
Then I have found that natural coconut oil or castor oil is the only product that stays wet and keeps me from waking up from the dryness. The eye drops went in the trash they make the eye dryness worse. The sodium chloride ointment sort of works during the day but is not strong enough to work over eight hours at night.
However, I do notice blurriness in that eye during the day. Just when I'm trying to sleep is when the eye hurts. It is effecting my ability to drive because something is making my eye blurry and sensitive to light. I haven't been able to work a full time job or get a proper night's sleep. Would laser surgery be a better option? Or is this from some other underlying problem?
I do notice that certain foods will cause my eye to dry out more only on the days I drink soda, have alcohol, or chocolate. I have already had thyroid blood test did not find anything. Already had seen neurologist for my headaches did not find anything.
Already had seen allergy doctor. Please help me save my eye I don't have out of pocket money to waste anymore.
Thanks
Answer
Thanks for your Question
You have something called recurrent corneal erosion syndrome in which the epithelial layer of the cornea has weak attachments with the underlying corneal tissue. Minor trauma or sometimes blinking can tear this epithelial layer and cause eye pain that can last for few days.
There are two approaches to treat this, either medical or surgical. I think you are in the category that needs surgical treat with Phototherapeutic keratectomy which is special type of laser that is used to ablate the superficial layer of the cornea so that a new epithelial layer will have a stronger attachment with the underlying corneal tissue. You should waste your money on other things just go straight a head with it.
Sodium chloride ointment can be helpful but it causes dry eyes with blurry vision. You should keep using lubricant eye drops during the day.
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