Punctal Plugs

[sleepyjohn]

Hi

I had Lasik a few years ago. I now have a dry eye problem. They gave me the gel for the night at Ram and I use drops in the day but I'm wondering if anyone has experience of the efficacy of plugs.....and BTW of their cost.

thanx John

[sleepyjohn]

Hi

I had Lasik a few years ago. I now have a dry eye problem. They gave me the gel for the night at Ram and I use drops in the day but I'm wondering if anyone has experience of the efficacy of plugs.....and BTW of their cost.

thanx John

By way of a bump.....am I really the only one with dry eyes?

[Orangutan]

Sleepyjohn,

No you are not. I also had Lasik at Bumrungrad about 4 years ago. I developed very bad dry eyes following the procedure, and continue to have it to a lessor degree. It is at it's worst at night when I have been sitting in a room with aircon on. The doctor never mentioned Dry Eye to me, but I blame myself for not researching enough.

I'm usually OK outside where the humid air is..but obviously keep away from fans and to much aircon. Currently using Hypo Tears Plus, and Tears Natural Free (Preservative Free). I have found that these work the best for me. I also take a few squirts of Saline Solution to keep everything fresh when needed.

I empathize with you, it's a lousy having to deal with it all the time.

-O

[Sheryl]

Sorry, John, I've never even heard of the plugs. How do they work?

Be sure to wear sunglasses when outside, thsi will help reduce drying. Beyond that and ther drops and gel you are already using I'm afraid I have no advcie to offer. Anyone else??

[sleepyjohn]

Thankyou for the sympathy orangutan.

I find it worst when waking in the night or morning. I simply have to have drops handy now.

I went To RAM to ask about plugs. There is a corneal clinic in Changpuak that does them. The lady doc said I should try eye gel at night first and I am. It does help a bit but if i fall asleep without it it is pretty horrible waking up. The doc said it's going to be a life thing.

Sheryl....the plugs block or partially block the inner drain holes of the eyes. There are several types including slowly soluble, partially draining I believe.

Still interested in personal experience and about cost.

Let's hope rainy season helps

Thanx

Edited April 23, 2008 by sleepyjohn

[ricklev]

I also had Lasik at Bumrungrad about 4 years ago and had really bad dry eyes.

I got lower punctal plugs at TSRC. I think its worth doing.

I don't recall the cost .... not really that expensive, maybe 200 dollars at the time. I think the plugs helped, but I'm not sure. Over the last 3 years the dryness has gotten a little better so that I now sometimes go a day or two without noticing it.

http://www.medcompare.com/details/31510/SmartPLUG.html I got these plugs.

I tried a temporary plug for free I believe before deciding to go with the permanent plug.

Might try taking a look at Restasis as well.

Good Luck!

[sleepyjohn]

I don't recall the cost .... not really that expensive, maybe 200 dollars at the time.

Good Luck!

Not much??

They're made of plastic and about the size of a pinhead! I think I can guess where they come from!

Thanx for the good luck though.

You might look at http://www.restasis.com/_learn_about/learn_home.htm

I think Lasik surgery damages the nerves that stimulates of the tears. (may be less simplistic than that). Restasis seems to work to reduce inflammation which may be another mechnaism. If it works howeve i would greatly appreciate a PM.

Thanx.

[sleepyjohn]

Does anyone get Lasik and NOT get dry eyes?

ps: FYI I hear that age and arthritis are both associated w dry eyes.

[moldy]

Does anyone get Lasik and NOT get dry eyes?

ps: FYI I hear that age and arthritis are both associated w dry eyes.

Dry eyes are common if you are in Bangkok or a major city, particularly at this time of year. I'd exclude all common sense possibilities first, eg, if you were back in Farangland do you still think it would be the same?.

[geriatrickid]

Interesting that the dry eyes issue is so common. That is not the impression one gets when one reads about the procedure. By coincidence all this week there have been U.S .hearings on the Lasik procedurres and the side effects being described make life hel_l for the small number of patients that have these problems. Apparently, dry eye is more common than patients realize and most physicians have not explained this. I didn't know that. I'm sort of glad that my opthamologist (in homeland) that runs a clinic specializing in the procedure told me that while I was a good candidate he wasn't going to do it on me just yet. (Said I was a difficult patient and smacked me in the head ).