If you haven't been seeing a neuro-ophthalmologist then I would seek a referral ASAP. That is who would generally do the gold weight surgery and who would evaluate your eyes in a case like this. If you live near a major medical center or med school then there should be one on staff.
Anyways, my neuro=ophthalmologist had never ordered the eye weights before but was willing to order them for me. Basically, I went in and he tried the weights (mine was 1.2). They are the same weights used when they determine which one to put in during surgery. The he called in a script (or fax it) to the Blnkeze folksMailing Address:
FCI Ophthalmics
P.O. Box 465
Marshfield Hills, MA 02051 FCI Ophthalmics
20 Winter Street
Pembroke, MA 02359
Tel: 800-932-4202
Tel: 781-826-9060
Fax: 781-826-9062
I called them as well because I wanted them billed to my credit card and shipped directly to my house. It cost $70. The weights were in my mailbox in 2-3 days!
Don't bother calling around, because no one will know what you are talking about and so they will blow you off. This stuff is so rare that regular docs just don't know. Make an appointment with whoever is managing your eyes (even if its the NS) and print out all the information and ask for their help. Since it is something that can't hurt you, I think most providers are happy to help even if they don't know much about the weights. If your current docs won't help, get the referral to the ophthalmologist.
I found the weight slipped if I got hot or sweaty, and it took awhile to get it "right" and it was kind of noticable. But it did allow me to mostly close my eye and keep it moister.
In my case the dryness got a lot better between 3-4 months and now I lubricate several times a day but not constantly. I avoid fans and breezes, wear wrap around sunglasses outside (wearing glasses would help too) and patch at night.
Check out
www.bellspalsy.ws for more eye care ideas.
Amy
