Those of you with eyelid implants . . .

[saralynn143]

I got my implant (thin-profile platinum) on Tuesday. It works really well when I shut my eye, but I don't seem to have much blinking action going on. Is that because my eyelid is still swollen? Does it work better as time goes on?

Also, my eyesight on the left seems to fluctuate over the course of the day. Does that settle down?

Thanks,
Sara

[Jeanlea]

Hi Sara,

That's great that your eye closes well now.  It is my experience that the weight does not cause the eye to blink, as in move open and closed quickly.  It allows gravity to pull the eyelid down.  There's nothing there to pull it up quickly.  I've had my weight for nearly three years now and still have no blink, but I can close my eye easily.  I'm sure others will share their stories as well.

Jean

[saralynn143]

Thanks, Jean. So we basically need to train ourselves to close our eyes more slowly in lieu of blinking?

Sara

[Jeanlea]

Sara, yes we have to learn to consciously close our eyes.  You are not that far out from surgery so maybe your blink will come back. 

Jean

[satman]

it's your blink reflex. if you concentrate can you blink your eye,if so try to make it blink 10 times each hour,so i was told.

[Kaybo]

Saralynn~
Is your weight on your left side?  My vision fluctuates on the AN side - the Dr. says it is because of the irregularity of the moisture that is being "swiped" over the eye (he uses a windshield wiper example).  It is different every time the eye does close or "blink."  I have found that I hardly use any drops (ointment at night) during the day now.  I always had to use ointment 24/7 (which greatly distorted my vision) so my vision is MUCH better with the weight - but not perfect!  After not being able to see at all out of that eye for 7 years (time before I got a weight), I'll take what I can get!!
 

K

[28Lisa]

Im recovering from A.n. Sept 11th will make one year since the removal.  Im 27 now.  Two months after I received an eye weight, since I have partial facial paralysis.  A couple months after, my eye turned really red and I went to three different drs. and got all antibiotics which didnt help with the redness, so I made an appt with an optomologist because I started to see a white part on my lens....Got a full exam was washed with some solution and my eye looked "ok"  Turns out that they said my cornea is scarred and the incision in my eye is closed, Im like I never agreed to eye surgery why is my cornea scarred???  The only options are to wait or to receive a cornea transplant, which sounds scarey....

My brain surgery was 13 hrs and Ive been affected severly, loss of balance, poor eyesight, I now wear glasses for the first time in my life, my speech is poor, due to the trache I had in for two months after,the partial paralysis of the face, left side, deaf in the left ear, cant feel temperature or pain on the right side of my body from the shoulder down, low motory skills in my left hand

All my friends have neglected me and it was depressing since Im stuck ay home after being in the hospital and rehab for four months, prior to being in acoma for 3 weeks after surgery...

I wasnt expecting this.  had no major symptons, only blurriness..........went in thinking I need glasse to be then sent to the E.R.

Its been a rough year but Im an A.N. survivor..

I was googling last night, can only type with one hand, its ashame cuz I  was a typist bedore everything now I gotta look at the keys ughs....Im glad theres an ANA  Its a comfort knowing Im not alone on this journey.

~Lisa~

[leapyrtwins]

Wow, Lisa, you have been through the mill    and as you say, you definitely are  a survivor.  I am so glad you found this forum.

The number of complications you have run into simply floors me.  Do you mind if I ask, how large was your AN?  and where did you have your surgery?

Jan

[mimoore]

Hi Lisa,
Welcome! It is such a bummer that you had to have an AN to find such great friends but we are here for you!
WOW you certainly have had a lot to deal with... When I joined this forum I could not read enough and to know that others shared the same issues was comforting. I have met so many WONDERFUL people who have been a great support - {{{{{{big cyber hug}}}}}}}}}
Michelle 

[Kaybo]

Lisa~
Hello from Texas!  You will not find a better group of people than here - sorry you had to have an AN, but this is a good place to be.  I, too, am very curious about all the details of you AN - Inquiring minds want to know...

K

[nancyann]

Hi Sara:  what I do is close my eyelids with a squeeze when I blink, I do this often as per instructions from my opthalmologist. 
If I don't, even with a 1.6 gram weight, my AN eye will not move.

Just keep squeezing, it protects the cornea.

Always good thoughts,  Nancy

[Joef]

Lisa - keep up with those eye drops!!

I know its hard with the typing .. as a programmer.. I had several months where I had a great deal of trouble typing  ,but I stuck with it .. and now 3+ years later.. its back to "normal" (which was not very good, but its normal for me!  )   You have been thu the mill ... but please stick with it .. it wont get better on its own .. you basicly have to re-learn to type ...

ps .. I have only recently been seen improvement in my writting ... that was very very poor... plus I dont write much! (its alll on the computer)  so it has taken longer...