Did Rhad get back to us with his cure?

[Shell]

I am just wondering if I have somehow missed this? I recall Rhad was having good results with something but didn't want to disclose until he was certain that what he believed was helping him actually was...

Hope I haven't missed this. My problems are awful (and strange) and I'm really hoping Rhad is onto something...

Thanks, Shell :)

[rhad]

hi Shell,

No I have not yet posted this information, I will at the end of the month, probably around the 1st of March. I have found the solution for Increased Tear Production, but I am still figuring out why the oil composition changes in the Meibomian glands, why some days it is clear like vegetable oil, and others it is like toothpaste..I have seen significant improvement from my treatment for the oil, but not complete fix yet. the tears, are a complete improvement however.

i'll update everyone at the end of this month.
no worries, i'll post what i've found then.

rhad

[Chemia]

I would like to know how you even see the oil in your meibomain glands? Do you own a slit lamp? I know you have the paddle but I know for a fact that seeing the oil secretions and meibomian glands are not possible without some sort of magnification. Please educate me because I have pressed and pressed and I see nothing with a regular mirror.

[irish eyes]

Hi Chemia

A magnifying mirror, a good lamp and a steady hand is all you need. Presumably you have seen pictures of blocked glands.

I can certainly see the gunk that comes out of my glands, both upper and lower.Sometimes, there might be nothing at all, or there can be quite a bit of toothpaste like goo. It can be clear or it can be white / yellow etc. (Sorry to be so graphic. :eek:)

[Chemia]

So how much magnification do you need and do you press on the lids to see any secretions? The reason I ask is because I see nothing but the first time I had it done by a doctor, he said my secretions were normal looking and the glands that have stopped producing anything have atrophied and is normal and part of the aging process. Also, is it common for the oil to change consistency daily.

[irish eyes]

I buy small cheap mirrors from Superdrug - useful for plucking eyebrows! I think they are 10X magnification although you can get them with greater strength.

A doctor expressed my glands the first time and it would have been so helpful if he had actually shown me what to do - he just said it was `easy' but I found it tricky initially.

Lower lid is relatively easy - I tend to use a cotton bud (Q tip) and apply pressure along the lid. That usually does the trick.

I raise the upper lid to locate the glands that look to be blocked - then I press hard on the the outside of the lid - just behind the lashline. If one eye has blocked glands, it doesn't always mean that the other one will be as bad. With me, it's usually the left one that is the worst.

I think the difference in colour is down to lipid composition but I don't know why it varies so much. Some days things look normal ie the oil is clear .

Sketch of meibomium gland plus advice on expression. - http://www.contactlens.org.nz/extra1.aspx

[Chemia]

Here is another question Irish Eyes: You actually can see the 50 or so glands on the top lid and the 25 or so on the bottom? I have a x15 mirror but I don't see much going on unless I am not looking hard enough.

[irish eyes]

I don't know about the actual number of glands, I just concentrate on those that look to be blocked. As my lids are usually sore and swollen, I have to take care not to traumatise them further, so I just do what I can.

I know this link has been posted before, but this shows blocked glands on the lower lid. Can you identify with this at all?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7liNLprZFoE

[Chemia]

That's a scary looking eye - no my glands don't look like that. Occasionally I'll have a blocked gland which I can actually see and feel rubbing against my cornea, but it goes away the next day.

[rhad]

no, you do not need magnification to see the oil coming out of the glands, the oil can be seen with the naked eye. yes Chemia, I use a mastrota Paddle, it works extremely well for expressing the glands. using a q-tip or other method is not the same, you won't see much come out.. as for seeing the actual gland opening you'd need magnification. also, I don't have a slit-lamp either.

rhad

[irish eyes]

Magnification certainly makes it easier for me - I wouldn't be able to see very well otherwise because I need to remove my specs.

The release of oil can blur vision - even if you don't actually see it coming out of the gland.

It's whatever works for you............

[grandsporta]

Does this actually help? I have never tried this before!

[alisonW]

rhad - I am anxiously awaiting your detailed post as I'm looking for any help/relief I can get. Consider posting sooner rather then later.

[GinaJ]

I am not sure about this exactly but what I wanted to offer is that sometimes I think we look at one thing to make us better or that caused this. Now for some who have had lasik or have a specific condition that could be the cause but for some it is a variety of things that contribute. I feel this way about treatment too. For me for a long time I was looking for the cure and the one thing that would fix me. For myself I think any progress I have made and right now I am in a bad flare up but it is multiple things that assist. Like keeping my eyes clean,omegas and healthier diet,climate control in the best way I can,not wearing make up often etc etc etc. Does this make sense? Now of course I do think it is important if one has not had all the diagnostic testing to have it because you may have something like an auto immune disorder that if that is treated it will help the eyes.Also to make sure to have seen an eye specialist and extra opinions. Sorry if this is overstepping and I so understand the frustration and pain. Trust me I wish there was a cure.Hang in there all.

[willwork4tears]

Ok...it's March 5th and we haven't seen any updates. Rhad, what's your solution for Increased Tear production? Or are you going to make everyone wait another month?


hi Shell,

No I have not yet posted this information, I will at the end of the month, probably around the 1st of March. I have found the solution for Increased Tear Production, but I am still figuring out why the oil composition changes in the Meibomian glands, why some days it is clear like vegetable oil, and others it is like toothpaste..I have seen significant improvement from my treatment for the oil, but not complete fix yet. the tears, are a complete improvement however.

i'll update everyone at the end of this month.
no worries, i'll post what i've found then.

rhad

[peepers]

im very anxious to know what rhad has been using!

[Rebecca Petris]

I hate to be rude but it really bothers me to see people tantalized with this kind of thing. Once again Rhad, you need to tone down your claims. If & when you find The Answer (for you), and it works for you consistently for, say, six months to a year, that's the time to tell everyone you've found The Answer (for you). Otherwise, it's all ideas and theories and that needs to be clear to readers.

[rhad]

Don't Worry, I've been typing it up in word today. I'll post a new thread within the next couple days. I'm not finished typing it yet.

sorry,

rhad

[willwork4tears]

I agree. I've been really annoyed by this whole episode. Giving people false hope and making them squirm while you force them to wait for "The Cure" is irresponsible, rude and unfair.


I hate to be rude but it really bothers me to see people tantalized with this kind of thing. Once again Rhad, you need to tone down your claims. If & when you find The Answer (for you), and it works for you consistently for, say, six months to a year, that's the time to tell everyone you've found The Answer (for you). Otherwise, it's all ideas and theories and that needs to be clear to readers.

[cristiandryeyes]

"i have super powers i just don't wanna show you"

How does that sound to you?

[rhad]

wow, you guys are really nice yourselves... maybe I shouldn't share it. obviously you guys are being jerks...maybe you don't deserve to hear it.

what a bunch of jerks..even in your problems...All I'm trying to do is help..I guess you don't need it

[Shell]

Please post the info when you have it all typed up - I'm still interested. Thanks, Shell

[alisonW]

Rhad - I would also still love to see it. Countless doctors and endless internet research has left me with little improvement so I will thankfully consider all options and appreciate any information you can provide. I too noticed the "shoot the messenger" attitude of a few but like every internet post, take those with a grain of salt. I imagine many others are still genuinely interested and am sure they realize (as I do) that what has worked for you may not work for them. :)

[Rebecca Petris]

wow, you guys are really nice yourselves... maybe I shouldn't share it. obviously you guys are being jerks...maybe you don't deserve to hear it.

Dear Rhad,

While I uphold courtesy among all members here, I really don't know how to blame myself or others for expressing their frustration with you right now. I imagine you mean well. I have usually tried to give you the benefit of the doubt, only stepping in from time to time when you make a really unacceptable generalization or claim about cures, fixes etc.

Please feel free to share your document privately via PM or email with anyone who asks for it if you so choose. But this public discussion is done. If it is good information that helps other people, I'm sure they will end up sharing about it.

To those who think I'm going overboard here... I apologize, :( but I can't please everyone. As often happens on a bulletin board, there's some history with this one not readily apparent in the thread itself.