I finally tried tear duct plugs

[Jenny]

For one day!  I had them put in Thursday and by that night I was miserable in both eyes. The next morning the left quit bothering me so I waited until that afternoon to see if the right would get used to it. It felt like a pencil poking me by noon. Went back to eye doctor and he told me the reason the left wasn't hurting is that it fell out. The right was half way out and poking my eyeball. He removed it easily with forceps.

I'm having a terrible time with my eyes, even on Restasis and lots of eye drops. I'm having to wear sunglasses inside if there is the least bit of wind, even from a ceiling fan or open window.  Getting a little tired of telling people that I "have an issue with my eyes" when they make a joke about sunglasses at night. (Two parties this weekend).

I guess cauterization is next. It just seems so extreme. 

Off to shop for Moisture Goggles.

[eye2dry]

Hi Jenny
Yes, cautery is permenant and could be considered extreme.
I has it done in (lower tear ducts) december 2010 and must say, for me it was a good decision.
It keeps what moisture I still make and what drops I do use on the surface of my eye longer, instead of draining away in my lower tear ducts.

Restasis never worked for me, I tried it 5 months.
Everyone seems to have to find their own way on what works best for them. What really is wonderful, is that here you get important feed back/support on what is out there and has been tried by others. Getting info from other SJS folks is much appreciated by me.

good luck with your eyes, dryness is such a nasty symptom of sjogrens.

eye2dry

[Winnie]

I have plugs in both upper and lower of one eye and just had lower plug in the other.  I also have lost several of them but plugs seem to help. The doctor needs to find the right size for your duct.  At first, they were uncomfortable, but after a week, the pokey feelings subsided.  I believe I will need to get an upper plug for my right eye, but for now I can tolerate the mild dryness.  The eye that I have both plugs in feels so much better during the day.  I actually have tears running down my cheek sometimes. I wish I could make them moist upon demand.  I yawn often!! It is not consistent and really not enough at times, but my eye doctor took me off of restasis because he thought I was allergic to it.   I am not sure, though, but for now, no restasis.  Plugs do not help me at all at nights.  Good luck, problems seem to cycle.  If it is not my eyes, then it is my throat....stomach....etc.

Winnie

[rudytudy]

I hope you can try another size plug with your doctor.....  I had lower plugs put in both eyes about ten days ago...I had them put in on a Friday and I'm glad 'cuz they did poke and feel itchy 'til Sunday morning then the sensation just disappeared.   Mine fit well but I think the first day or two must irritate everyone.   I don't feel a thing unless I shift my eyes extremely left or right.   I've pulled down my lower lids a bit to see them...little white dots.   Has made a big difference for me.
Maybe a different size will do the trick.  But I would put them in when you have off a couple of days to be resting your eyes as you get used to the feel.   I was SHOCKED that the 'foreign object' itchy feeling went away...but it was magically gone.   I hope you have some relief.     Gina

[slccom]

I never did feel my two lower plugs at all, and they haven't fallen out. However, I used to wear contact lenses, so perhaps my eyes were programmed to ignore mild sensations.

Restasis works well for me, but the dark glasses inside sounds like a problem. Could you get some plain glasses without any prescription in them? There are places where having dark glasses on can result in potential legal issues, like banks.

I hope your eyes feel better soon.
Shaorn

[season]

I am going to my opthamologist this Thursday to ask for eye plugs. I have had the lower ones (which came out) but I'm thinking that I need all 4 plugs and maybe cauterized.

I have had enough. I got to try something and I am very sensitive to restasis. I like the lacricerts but I have to use those several times a day too which can be annoying but they do keep my eyes moist.

[Madison Granny]

I've had plugs several times and they kept falling out.  We finally got one to stay in my right eye.  They left one fell out so my eye md decide just to leave it out.  He only had 2 sizes.  I went to have my yearly exam for glasses at my optomist and he had several different and we try one and it is still in there.  It's been over 1 1/2 year and they are both still there and have help a whole lot.  My eyes are the best they've been in quite a while.

[Jenny]

Thanks for the suggestions. Maybe I'll ask my Optometrist about a different size and brand of plug at my appt. next month. He did say I have very small Puncta openings, so maybe that was the problem. 

[gurs]

I dont think your supposed to feel the plugs at all? Ive had mine in my lower for 8 years now. If they are irritating you, something isnt right? maybe an allergy to the material in them? I was also advised not having all 4 ducts plugged at the same time, as it can increase infections.
I had them do it, and I had this hot, liquid running out of my eyes all the time, which caused blurry vision and then I was dizzy from that!
I would also see an opthmamologist...I myself, would never have them cauterized.

My eyes are super-duper dry from the SS and hormone issues, like menopause..alot medications, even anti-inflammatories can have drying effect...healthy suppplements too..you have to be very careful, as Im sure your aware. I go to bed at 8:00pm just because my eyes hurt so
bad by evening....its so painful isnt it? ughhhhhh

Ive been taking a dry eye supplement for years called "Hydroeye" and it really helps. Couldnt live without it.