I have hereditary droopy eyelids. Two years ago, my rheumatologist noticed and mentioned getting the excess skin removed. I had an appointment with a opthamologist, at Cleveland Clinic, and the insurance company approved the procedure. I have very dry eyes and backed out. The problem is, they are getting worse. I am scared to death to have anyone touch my eyes because they are so dry. Anyone have experience with this problem.
Thanks,
Anna
Good morning Anna,
I can understand your apprehension. Talk more with the Optho, tell him all of your concerns. Let him explain how the procedure will work to prevent your eyes getting dry during the procedure.
Any post surgery is painful and I imagine the swelling would prevent you from putting any drops in for a day or two, so talk to him about that too.
I wish you luck with it all. Keep us posted
Did the eye doc agree that it was just removing excess tissue? Surgery for this condition usually addresses the muscles themselves.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ptosis_%28eyelid%29
I came down with Bell's Palsy three weeks ago and now my left eye won't close. I have to use heavy ointment and tape the eye shut. Would hate to think how difficullt this would be if I's had excess skin removed from these heavy eyelids of mine.
Does the ptosis interfere with your vision?
Olmphoto2,
I've had two opinions. The doctor at Cleveland Clinic was like no big deal, I've done hundreds of these, you will be fine. I have another opthamologist in Florida, (we winter there) and he spoke more cautiously. He said, I would be very conservative in removing excess skin. He meant we wouldn't necessarily be going for the most cosmetic result in my case. He said, I will do it for you but I can understand your caution since you have Sjogrens. The doctor at Cleveland Clinic barely acknowleged my Sjogrens. Sometimes I feel the heaviness on my eyes but I can still see okay. I'm sure it would be a last resort for me. I manage with my eyes but they are very dry and can't imagine them being any drier.
I'm sorry you are struggling with Bells Palsy.
Thanks to you and Iraisin for your replies.
Anna
I had an eye lift surgery two years ago due to droopy eyelids. I was diagnosed with Sjogrens in 2009. The surgery has been a wonderful thing for me and I am so happy I had it done. I have had a decrease in eye dryness and subsequently a decrease in the use if eye drops. The doctor said the droopy lids were heretary and in part from Sjogrens. Constantly pulling on my eyelids to put in eye drops sure didn't help either.
I was nervous about having the surgery but I am so glad I did.
Rhonda,
How difficult was recovery? Were you able to put eye drops in after procedure. I know the Cleveland Clinic doctor said the first day of surgery he would have me put an ice pack on for 5 hours and second day 3 hours. That was about all he said. I would greatly appreciate your sharing how your recovery went.
Thanks so much!!!!!!
Anna
I would wonder why the droopy eyes are getting worse before I would fix the droop. Hoshimoto's Thyroiditis symptoms for one state that droopy eye lids are common? I am told that one autoimmune disease is rare they travel in groups. Maybe that could be addressed.
Eye surgeries are different for everyone. As far as ice pack for 5 hours?? I would think 20 min on then 20 off seems like the standard for icing any injury which surgery is... As long as they are aware of your dry eyes precautions can be taken to keep them moist before during and after surgery. Many eye drops burn for a bit even if you do not have dry eyes. It is just the nature of the medication. Usually it is very short lived. Guess it is up to you if it is important enough to you to have it done and if it would give you any relief..
Good luck with what ever choice you make. You just need to make sure it is what you want.
I do have Hashimotos but I think my droopiness is inherited from my dad's side of the family. I don't think it has anything to do with Sjogrens. I would do it in a minute if not for fear it might make my eyes drier.
Hopefully, some others will come along with their experiences.
Anna
I think an eyelift may be in my future too as my eyelid rests on my lashes at the moment. My brother had it done; it is pretty simply slicing out a piece of the eyelid that's oval shaped (with points on each end - can't remember what that shape is called) and sewing the lid back together on the fold line to hide any scarring. The eyelids swell and turn black and blue and while the stitches are in, it looks pretty bad. (OT, my brother was in a car accident a few days later and the medics freaked, thinking he had massive head injuries, but not so.)
I looked up the tear glands, and as far as I can tell, they are in a bone pocket in the orbit of the eye, on the upper, outer part of the eye. There doesn't seem to be a logical reason that cutting the eyelid would result in a worsening of dryness symptoms, as long as the glands weren't touched. But who knows what the immune system will make of the trauma.
I know that a large percentage of people having LASIK surgery wind up with eye dryness, many of them with permanently dry eyes. But maybe that has to do with the laser aspect of it.
It would be good to hear from people who have had this surgery. Nothing like experience here.
I had it done several years ago--10? I am sure that I had Sjs at that time, but I had not yet been Dx'd. My eyes had been dry for years, and I could no longer wear contacts. I think they are better now because I take fish oil, flax, etc. I use drops occasionally, not every day.
I do not think my eyes became drier after the surgery. I was Dx'd with Sjogren's shortly afterward.
I am glad I had that surgery, as my peripheral vision was compromised and I had very thick glasses. BTW, my eyes lids did not come out exactly the same, but at my age, even 10 years ago, I doubt anyone was paying close attention to my appearance.
Since then, I have had cataract surgery and no longer wear thick glasses. Of course, now I need trifocals! The cataract surgery may have caused a bit more dryness but only temporarily.
be well,
beth
Thanks everyone!!!!! I have one more question. How long does the bruising and swelling last? Is the first couple of days the worst? Appreciate all your help.
Anna
Anna, The surgery was a breeze. The ophthalmologist did the surgery for me, so I felt pretty confident with his decisions. He did several measurements and tests before he would agree to go forward with it. Once he determined my vision was affected as well as the dryness - not to mention the ingrown eyelashes.... He scheduled it right away.
warning.... this part may make you squeamish..... During the surgery, he actually woke me up to have me open my eyes to determine I could still close my eyes before he continued. Then he had two assistants suture one eye each at the same to avoid suturing after swelling and causing an uneven suture line.
I was given a towel covered ice pack to keep on my eyes during the ride home. I was then instructed to put a frozen bag of peas on my eyes for 10 minutes, off for 10 minutes And so on for the first 4 days. I did not have to use the peas at night when I slept but it was the first thing I did each morning and the last thing each night. He also instructed me to stay in my recliner for these 4 days. Luckily, my husband was able to take the week off to help me out.
The surgeon promised me the pain and swelling would be minimal if I would follow this regimen to a tee. I did and he was right. I had minimal pain that was controlled by a couple doses of Tylenol. I was black and blue and looked like I had been in a bar fight, but I healed very quickly. He also gave me an eye antibiotic ointment to put on my suture lines twice daily.
By the time I returned for suture removal, I could already see a huge difference. I can't tell you how many compliments I receive still on my eyes. Probably because you can see them again. Lol. My insurance gave no arguments about paying for the surgery as even they agreed I needed it!
As I mentioned before my eyes are not nearly as dry and They don't hurt as bad either.
As the others have said the surgery is not one to take lightly and without careful consideration. I have heard horror stories about people not being able to close their eyes after having the surgery because the surgeon removed too much skin. I was lucky but I also checked him out before having it done. I had HIM show me success stories! Only pictures of people's eyes before and after. I was amazed.
Again, minimal pain and with careful post-op care minimal swelling.
Oh, and my vision even improved a bit.
in the mean time you can use topical vasoconstrictors like caffine (blackt tea bags), witch hazel and believe it or not perparation H. I used the last one and it helps quite a lot. You just can't use it everyday.
Thanks everyone!!! I'm sure I will think about it for quite some time before actually going through with it. I will talk with my opthamologist at the next few appointments until I feel comfortable. You have taken away a lot of my anxiety though.
You guys are the best.
Anna
Anna- This is one thing I said I wouldn't do. I',m just thinking of hurting the tear glands etc. I have not looked into it and probably won't. I'm glad you got some positive feedback about others doing it. My eyes have a doubly whammy because I had Lasik surgery before I was dx with Sjogrens. So my eyes are really a mess and my vision is bad. If you do go for this, good luck. Lucy
Yes, I had it done four years ago. Although I was diagnosed with Sjogrens, my eyes weren't very dry yet. The surgery was a piece of cake, very little pain. The brushing lasted about two weeks. I've me Ed regretted it. By the way, I used a plastic surgeon instead of an opthomologist.
Jenny,
Did you feel the surgery made your eyes drier?
Thanks,
Anna
I recommend getting 2 or 3 bags of frozen peas to rotate between freezer and usage.
Humorous note:
My faithful Labradoodle, Merlin, stayed by my side the first night after the surgery. I must have dropped the thawed bag of peas on the floor during the night. In the AM, I found the bag on the floor--empty, a small hole gnawed in it. Huh? A dog with a smile and a wagging tail.
be well,
beth
Merlin was a good dog! My Paige would have stolen the bag off my eyes to eat the peas! Sharon
Well, you learn something new everyday, because I didn't know dogs liked peas. :)
Anna
Anna, no I don't think it made my eyes drier. It was 2 years after surgery that my eyes started really bothering me. Good luck.