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Keeping track of time here... 3 1/2 years since LASIK. 1 1/2 years since onset of blepharitis. 7 months since symptoms became acute and I entered "crisis stage".

Well over $2,000 spent on doc visits, acupuncture, books, drops, prescriptions.

And the result. I can live. But I am not yet free.

What has helped my blepharitis/meibomian gland dysfunction:
-Alrex
-Restasis
-Gland expression (It's painful on the inflamed glands ...

Update following last ophthalmologist appointment...

Schirmers: 20+ left eye, 16 right eye. Hardly can even be classified as dry in right eye, definitely not in left.

Doc noticed mild irritation in my left but thought my right eye looked fine.

The question now is why I still feel the constant burning and dryness....

I don't have an answer. She does not have an answer.

It could be mild irritation causing greater than normal ...

This is really one of those conditions that sees great hope and great disappointment all along the way. I am 54 days into my Restasis + Doxycycline + OTC drops + Flax Oil treatment plan. The bottom line: I've seen improvement but still have a long way to go.

When I think about how bad it was three months ago, when the burning was constant and I was ridden with anxiety as my concentration and appearance diminished, I'm thankful for how far I've come. Most days, there is just dryness ...

On Restasis for about 31 days now...

On oral doxycycline for about 24 days...

I have noticed improvement in my eyelid health and I'm thankful for that. Unfortunately, the burning dryness on the surface of my right eye continues and surprisingly, it seems to be growing worse in my left eye.

The possibility is that the burning in my lids was so intense that I was not actually aware of how bad the dryness on the surface of the eye actually was. I'm not sure. ...

Saturday - 75% improved.

Today - Back to awful. Burning along the lid margin, dryness, swelling under the eye. I look terrible and feel terrible. My concentration is shot.

Why? Same treatment. Same everything.

Again, I'm thinking it may be my TMJ pain. I slept poorly last night and woke up with a clenched jaw, even while using my biteguard. I feel tingling in my nose, a plugged-up ear, and my jaw muscles are twitching.

I feel there is a ...