Eyelid Weight and Scleral Lens or Just the Lens?

[Mimispree]

Hi Everyone:

On January 22, I have an appointment to talk to an ENT that does the eyelid weight.  I am so happy to be moving forward on this front. 

Do you recommend the weight and the lens?  Or one or the other? 

I read two posts where users of both think the weight interferes with the lens, but I can't imagine having the lens without being able to close my eye.

During one of three disability exams during Christmas week, one doctor told me, "I can fix your eye for you.  I can put a weight in your eyelid and if it gets better we will just take it out."  He then told me his office number and reminded me he could fix my eye.  I was a bit taken aback because I thought the DI docs weren't supposed to solicit you as a patient.

Anyway, I said, "What about the Scleral Lens?"  He acted as if he never heard of it so I briefly described it and he said, "No you don't need that.  Just call me and we'll fix your eye."

I don't know if I've become totally cynical but I don't trust this guy.  He was either unethical or he was trying to be helpful.  Nonetheless, he didn't know what a Scleral Lens is.

I think I'm a perfect candidate for the lens and weight but I thought I'd see what you think.  I trust your advice more than a doctor's at this stage.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Mimi (Mimispree)

[feline]

What about a permanent tarroplasty?
Feline

[Kerrybr92]

I have both. I started with the eyelid weight but that was not enough for me. A year later I was fitted for the scleral lens. The weight did make the fitting process a little more difficult but we got it in the end.  I think the weight does help at night when I no longer have the lens in.

[saralynn143]

I have both. A well-placed eyelid weight should not interfere with a scleral lens. I wrote some weblog posts about my experiences. See http://www.sarahartman.com/category/scleral-contact-lenses/ - read from the bottom up.

Do not let your eye doctor get away with telling you that you don't need a scleral lens. It's absolutely indicated for our situation. Change doctors if you need to.

I can't begin to describe how much a scleral lens improved my quality of life.

Best,
Sara Lynn

[saralynn143]

feline - do you mean a permanent tarsorrhaphy, where the eyelids are partially (or fully) sewn together?

Decision-making varies for everyone, but I would personally much rather wear a scleral lens, which protects the entire cornea, improves my vision and keeps my appearance as close to normal as possible in my situation.

[feline]

Partially sutured for a lot longer then the temporary that can be taken out once if blink and tears come back

[Mimispree]

I'm going forward with the eyelid weight, but I'm going to wait until the 18-month post-op date before I consider any other options.

Thank you for all of the input.