15 mos after surgery and 35 eye appts after...yuk

[tichinose]

I had accoustic neuroma surgery in July 09.  The tumor was 6cm and they had to leave parts of it still on the nerve.  My eye is driving me crazy.  I have been to so many eye specialists and nothing changes.  I have chronic dry eye and have been using drops, restasis, lasarsit ?, and now I am going to cornea specialist who put in plugs that didn't work.  There are days I can't see very clear at all.  Now to glaucoma specialist.  Does it ever get better?

[nancyann]

Hi tichinose:  I would think some get better & some don't - I am one of those who it won't get better, so I have learned to do my best to protect my cornea.
I use Refresh PM ointment (drops don't work for me) exclusively,  put it in at least 5 times daily, usually more.  I have gotten use to the blurred vision in that eye.
I also wear a patch over my eye at night called NITEYE, the dry eye comforter.  It's a plastic bubble with adhesive around it & provides moisture while I sleep.
Also, my eye doc says I have to 'force' my eye to blink since it doesn't on its own, even with the weight in the upper lid.

I don't know, I guess I'm just use to it & I don't let it stop me from enjoying my life.  My tumor was removed June '06.

Always good thoughts,  Nancy

[Jim Scott]

Tichinose ~

I regret that I don't have any suggestions to offer but I wanted to offer you a welcome to the site and the forums.  6cm is a huge tumor!  I'm sorry to learn of your eye issues and I certainly hope and pray that you'll find relief, soon. 

Jim

[tichinose]

Thanks.....I am going back to check out the plugs the dr. put in.  They don't appear to be working.  I use that genteal gel at night and drops all day.  If I could only stop rubbing my eyes.

[Cheryl R]

Have you tried the various brands of eye lubricants?            Genteal never did a thing for me and Refresh products have worked really well.        I never had any trouble with preservatives bothering me but some do.               You may have experimented too and it is hard to find just what is right and not spend a fortune.   
Others hopefully will let you know more about what to with the headaches as there is relief for some.        Many have used rehab for help for the balance.    Just making sure to keep on walking even with the balance issues is important.                  There can be some of the psychological issues with all this and using an anti depressant is not a bad thing.              Low dose valium is given by some for the balance issues too.                                      It does take some work to find what is best to help.  It all can get very frustrating.      Very maddening as it is not always evident to our families too so they don't understand. 
                Hang in there as it is not easy!           It does really vary with each person.                     Cheryl R

[tichinose]

I have tried alot of lubricants.  Refresh seems to help more than the rest as far as eye drops.  I think the frustrating thing is all the darn doctor appts. after surgery.  I take some anti depressant or ambien at night to try to stay asleep.  It seems I can't sleep over 3 or 4 hours at one time.  thx for the input

[Kaybo]

Did you maybe mean that you had surgery in '08 instead of '09?? 

Where are you from?  We are a curious group and would like to know more about you!!  WELCOME!!   

K   

[superrmaren]

Ahh, I feel your pain! 

I had surgery over three years ago and am still having eye issues.  Just dont let it get too dry as I did - I developed a corneal ulcer -- twice!  I now even have a little scarring/blurring over my pupil which is getting better.  I cannot see well either because I put drops in a lot.  I find that Optive works well during the day and then something a little more heavy duty (like a thicker gel) works well at night. 

The best thing ever - I visited a facial plastic surgeon who did a little eye tuck on the inside corner, bringing the bottom lid up a little bit to meet the top lid.  He removed the eye weight, which kept becoming very superficial even after a numerous moves/re-insertions, and now I am able to drive with the car windows open for the first time in years

I still have some issues but feel so much relief.  I am nowhere near 100%, but I'll take 80% over 50%!

-maren

[tichinose]

Sorry I mean 08....I had it done at University of Cincinnati hospital  by doctors from Mayfield group.