Dear Diary, I Scratched Out A Punctal Plug

I’m 47 years young and most days I cry like a baby. No, I know what you’re thinking. You think I’m a big baby but no, that’s not it. It’s the culprit DryEye Maximus. He’s a big, bad bully and I absolutely hate him.

He is more like a sneaky coward. He shows up without being invited. How RUDE! And he brings his evil friends with him only because he knows he’s nothing without them.

Dry eye symptoms

Today he showed up with Burning Eyes. This evil friend made my eyes feel like they were on Fire. I had to call on my friend Cequa to put the fire out.

Then the next day Gritty Eyes had the nerve to show up un-freaking announced. I’m tired of their rudeness.

Today it’s been at least 5 days with no symptoms. I said yes, I’m free! Well my freedom came to a screeching halt because the very next day Eye Irritation came with Itchy Eyes and Achy Eyes. They sent me into Panic Mode.

For days I suffered even with my friend Cequa by my side. I screamed, I trembled and just wanted to go and hide. But no, not away from DryEye Maximus and His friends. You can run but it’s impossible to hide because He comes with His friends that travel with Him side by side.

Visiting my eye doctor

Ok diary I give up! But my eyes scream, “No not yet, there’s something that can be done. You cannot quit.”

Today I visited my eye doctor and he stated to me, “We’re going to have to treat this thing aggressively”. I said ok, what do you need me to do? He said, I want you to come back in a month or two. He said, I may have a solution.

My eye doctor introduced me to a friend. Her name is Lacrivera Punctal Plugs and he let me know that she would close the tiny opening (punctum) that you have in the inner corner of your upper and lower eyelids. The closure conserves both your own tears and artificial tears you may have added. I felt hopeful.

One approach to treating dry eyes is plugging the openings to the tear ducts with tiny silicone plugs (punctal plugs). We will see. I’ll be back with an update. Until then, Good Bye, Arrivederci, DryEye Maximus.

Punctal plugs

I returned to the Eye Doctor after 2 months and things were a little better. He informed me that I was one of his most difficult cases. He examined my eyes and noticed that I still had a band of dryness and not only that. I had scratched out one of my plugs. He was shocked and so was I. DryEye showed up and showed out again. You talk about devastation. I am not giving up because I believe there is HOPE as I choose to Hold. On. Peacefully. Everyday. Trusting and knowing that a way will be made out of no way.

I’m an overcomer and I have friends in great places. I’m not the only survivor or thriver. There are others that provide great support in the Dry Eye community. I’m thankful that I am not alone and that I can share a piece of me, a piece of my story that can and will make a difference in other Chronic Dry Eye sufferers.

Today is a new day as I embark on a lifelong journey feeling free, inspired and loved by a team of others through DryEye.net. They share techniques and tips that may work for many. I truly appreciate them.

Today the windows to my soul, my eyes are clearing the way for greatness and hopefully a cure or permanent relief of DryEye Maximus and his evil friends, The culprits of Chronic Dry Eye. A disease that attempts to steal away the joy of many. However, with perseverance, we all shall overcome and we all shall rise above as we continue to run this race side by side and hand in hand.

Talk to your doctor if you are interested in finding more information about punctal plugs and finding new treatments that work for you.

Devastated ShortyB
AKA Mrs. J.