Post Op - Advice - can't close eye / blurry vision

[TylerL]

Hello,

Did anyone have any at home methods to deal with these issues in a short term?

I am experiencing issues:
1) closing, and keeping my left eye closed
2) severe dry eye (even with the eye ointment and drops that were prescribed
3) I’m also having blurry vision if I keep my left eye open.
4) My left eye isn't symmetrically inline with my right eye
5) This is all becoming VERY uncomfortable and making me irritable

10 days ago I had a 14 hour long a retrosigmoid acoustic neuroma surgery to remove my 3 cm AN tumor on the left side of my head. It was pressing into my brain stem

The medical team recommended that, to keep my eye closed at night, I tape my eye shut. That only sort of works. They don’t want me to wear an iPad for fear that I could irritate my eye.

I reached out to my doctors. We’re three hours away from where the surgery occurred for now they say this is just normal. It’s causing me a lot of frustration. There is talk of eventually getting a weight eyelid - but I do not want more surgery if it can be avoided.

Also, today it feels like the bone behind my ear is swollen. But also feels very hard to the touch.

Thanks,
Tyler

[Mark F.]

I hope you find relief, have you had a follow-up MRI yet?  For the length of surgery and the location I imagine that you are going to have swelling.  But be on the watch for CSF leak symptoms.

[Jill Marie]

Hi Tyler,  It sounds like you need to find a really good eye doctor.  I saw 3 tell I was referred to a doctor that really helped me and wasn't afraid to try new things.  My left eye closes on its own abut 90% so I wear an eye patch at night.  I don't know if it would work for you if your eye doesn't close at all.  I use a couple of gauze eye patches wrapped in a Kleenex so I can just throw out the Kleenex in the morning. I put the gauze patches in a regular black patch with an elastic strap to hold it in place.  I'm not sure why they said it might irritate your eye.  It's obviously irritated already. I completely understand the eye ointment and drops not working.  I use a daily contact lens, Acuvue Oasys Hydra-Luxe.  It's different from other daily lenses because of the moisture it adds.  Unfortunately I still have to use ointment as well but not nearly as much as I did before the lens.  I had my surgery in 1992 so of course things have changed since then.  My eye was very dry and painful and the lens changed all that.  I hope you find a good eye doctor that is familiar with your issues.  My doctor specializes in contact lenses and she loves to research to see how to help people with their problems.  I hope you get some help soon.  Please let us know how you are doing!  Jill