Tear stimulator

[Nymph]

https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/aao/69263?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2017-11-15&eun=g475607d0r&pos=1&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20Headlines%202017-11-15&utm_term=Daily%20Headlines%20-%20Active%20User%20-%20180%20days

You will have to register to see it but you do not have to be a physician.

[Sharon]

This is great Nymph and is what I've been waiting for!
Do you know if it's currently available anywhere?

[Nymph]

My understanding is that the article is presenting the results of a Stage 3 trial, which means it should become available as soon as it's approved.

[Sharon]

Looks like it is already available and FDA approved!
https://www.truetear.com/

I'll look into where I can buy it.

[bluegardenia]

one year ago or so we had some news for a device for dry mouth, remember?more or less the same device

[Sharon]

blue- the idea was similar but it worked differently and I had read studies that the device for saliva ("Saliwell") wasn't recommended for SS patients.

For the "True Tears" device you need prescription from eye doctor and I think they only sell it in the USA.

[Nymph]

Awesome!

[markt]

My Ophthalmologist had her office demo the True Tear device for me a while back.  Basically it has two agitators on prongs that go into your nasal cavity and stimulate a nerve, triggering a response in the lacrimal glands to produce tears. It doesn't make you produce crocodile tears, but rather makes for a steady-state glossy tear layer over the eyes while being used.  The device itself is not yet covered by most insurers unfortunately, and the prongs/tips have to be changed out after x number of uses; these are another additional expense.

My thoughts... is it nice to have? Yea sure.  Is it worth the cost, no... not yet.  I can make myself tear just as effectively by looking at pictures of my two girls.

[Sharon]

Markt- Can you tell us what the price of the device is? They wouldn't give me that info when I called the Allergan company. Also: Do the tears only remain so long as it's used or does it promote tearing throughout the day as well?
The tears I get when I cry (naturally) are inflammatory. From what I've read the True Tear device produces healthy tears, though I don't know if they tested it on SS patients.

[tiredndryinTN]

I wish I could get a hold of one of those.