Dry eyes / Blepharitis / PVD - affecting my job

Thanks Jane. I think you're right. I am due to see eye specialist in a month so I will ask then and, in the meantime, will explore other employment options. I can't be off sick forever, it's driving me mad already! X

Hi Trip,

?For me, these conditions came on at exactly the same time. So much so that I assumed the dry eye/blepharitus symptoms where a result of the PVD and didn't consider that they may be a distinct issue. I was ignorant of all of these conditions up until this point so had no clue what was happening in general. I saw three different opthamologists before I was finally told I had the dry eye/bleph also. I'd never even heard of PVD or blepharitis beforehand so it's been a massive learning curve for me.

?I, too, have a great deal of anxiety because of these eye issues. I think most people do, judging from the posts on here. It's awful to live with isn't it. Did you have laser treatment for your retinal tear? I have a hole that's been there for years but hasn't been treated because it's not a tear. I have found the opthamologists to be quite dissmissive and unsympathetic actually. They don't seem to acknowledge how frustrating these things can be too live with. I've been told I'll "get used to" my symptoms. Anyway, thanks for replying and all the best :-).

Cara Where are you based?

Is it possible to get other opinions from specialists?

Hi Cara,

well I got bang to the head that triggered a PVD which led to my retinal tear. Id no idea that as you got older any sort of severe jerk or bang could triggar this. Then I had an accident at home with hair dye and cutting a very long story short, at one point I had an MRI and it was literally hours following the MRI I suddenly developed the dreaded bleph. I agreee, Ophtamologists are very lacking in sympathy about this condition. I appreciate their first priority is to save sight but they should acknowledge the anxiety and trauma bleph and severe dry eyes cause people, especially women. My confidence has been destroyed due to all this as I dont feel I will ever look like myself again, Im finding it hard going withoug eye makeup.I know in the overall context of eye issues this is minimal but ye cant help how ye feel and also livin with these conditions does place limitations on the sort of environment you can and cant be in. I worry a lot about the retina as I have many floaters due to the tear and Im supposed to contact Eye Doc immediately if any further floaters develop but Im at odds to know how can I identify more when there are so many....

Cara I hope you get to see someone soon, waiting doesent help any of us, just generates more anxiety....

Trip....

I never used to have awareness of how fragile our retinas can be. I was diagnosed with a genetic condition that affects colagen in my body (never had any obvious symptoms prior to this, but family members were affected in various ways). I was told that I was a high risk of retinal tears/detachment as a result of this and, upon examination, they did find that I have a hole in one retina. This was years ago and it hasn't been treated. I'm only 29, which is quite young for PVD but I guess it's due to the genetic condition. You're quite right about the affect is has on self confidence and I too don't like going without make up.

?The floaters cause a great deal of anxiety don't they because, I suppose, they are a constant reminder of possible retinal detatchment. My dad had a retinal detachment in one eye a few years ago too so this makes the possibility seem more real to me somehow. He left it too late though to be treated. It's so important to go to the hospital immediately if you think there are any changes at all, even if just to have your mind put at rest.

I am using eye drops for the dry eyes and a hot compress for the blepharitis. There is no available treatment for a PVD unless it results in a retinal tear, which will then be lasered, or detatchment, which will require surgery. The eye drops do make a significant difference and a consistent eyelid cleaning regime does seem to prevent the blepharitis from worsening. I'll be seeing a specialist at the eye hospital next month so I think I'll have to ask their opinion, as you say. Thanks for replying :-).

Can you bring  your appointment forwardor go to the walk in  clinic of your nearest eye hospital?

I'm in the UK. With the NHS going downhill here, services are not as readily available as they used to be. I had to go on a waiting list to get the appointment for the eye hospital. I was being seen in opthamology department of my local hospital and requested that they keep seeing me regularly for next few months, which they said they would but I had have recieved no further appointments from them.

I swear I could have written your posts,ive all the same issues,my family and friends and even doctors dont sympathise much and my anxiety at times is through the roof. One doctor just told me to forget about it,needless to say,i dont go back to him. I dont wear eye makeup but ,i do wear,foundation,conceiler,blush and lipstick but still dont look myself. All these issues came on within 3 years of each other,im menopaus age,but i too have had some nasty jarring falls that i think made the pvds worse. Tip from me,sunglasses. In or out of the house if glare or blurriness bothers me. I wear them. Especially helps in stores with fluorescent lighting. I have brown toned lenses.

I also have an anxiety med as needed.

It's just awful isn't it. I don't think people can fully understand unless they have experienced it. I do wear sunglasses an awful lot, but sometimes I feel a tad self conscious if it's not sunny out and when I'm wearing them around the shops. Perhaps I could get some tinted lenses though from the opticians, that might help. The ones I currently wear are standard sunglasses and very obvious looking.

?It's nice to speak to someone who understands, it can feel very lonely when the people close to you have no sympathy or understanding for what you go through on a daily basis.

Wishing you all the best xx

I was thinking of tinted lenses also,i had begun isolateing my self to avoid bad vision experiences,in the summer its easy to get by with leaving them on in stores,dont think many think much of it,i just put them up at checkout,finally starting to shop,at this point i dont care what others think,i dont think they could care less,i know i wouldnt. In my mind i figure they either think you just didnt bother taking them off or youve had your eyes dialted for an eye exam lol. Cloudy days,its sudgested on the net are also bad for the eyes,so i feel im just protcting them more. Funny how much different light situations affect how much the off vision is noticed,in some lighting,its much more tolerable. Hugs!

I think you're right, life has still got to be lived hasn't it and the important thing is being as comfortable as possible. I wonder if there's a chance these symptoms will improve in time or if they're definately permanent. I wish there was a magic pill for this! I'm really surprised that there isn't really anything and people are just expected to go off and 'get used to it'. xx