Questions

[Jeff]

Hi Dr. Latkany and thank you for taking the time to field my questions!

I have what I understand to be LASIK induced dry eyes, surgery was done 5 years ago this month, before the surgery an eye drop was a foreign thing to me.

1. It seems to me when I don't get enough sleep my eyes really suffer the next day. I have a real problem getting more than 5 hours sleep each night but I'm concerned with the thought of furthering my dry eyes with a sleep aid, any thoughts?

2. I am curious as to any connection with the barometric pressure and my eye disomfort, it seems when there is a thunderstorm my eyes experience more pain/pressure? If I go to Mexico and return to Michigan in the winter months I have a real adjustment period for a couple of days. I also notice the same thing when the weather changes from cold to warm here in Michigan any thoughts?

3. I often notice a foreign body sensation in my left eye (even after adding drops) and I'm sure there is something in there like possibly a growth on the eyelid, is there any chance this is true?

I have been told I have Raynauds Phenomenon or Primary Raynauds can this be connected in any way to the dry eyes?

Thank you,
Jeff

[Robert Latkany MD]

The number one treatment for dry eyes is good quality and quantity of sleep.

Your barometric pressure question may be linked to you having rosacea.
Do you have ocular rosacea? If so then these fluctuations are classic.

Your foreign body sensation also sounds like rosacea.

And the connection to Raynaud's may also be rosacea.

[Jeff]

Thank you Dr. Latkany,

What type of doctor do I need to see to determine if I have Rosacea?

[Robert Latkany MD]

An ocular surface specialist and there are only a few in the world. Rebecca can help you with her directory but this is an area that is a complete unknown for most dermatologist and eye doctors. I see about 5 or so patients a day that I tell they have rosacea and they have been seeing a dermatologist for years who never said that. So what we are dealing with is not that dermatologist do not know what rosacea is but rather a undiagnosed mild form of facial rosacea with an active ocualr component. So whenever you have a disease that crosses the boundaries of two specialties you usually get inadequate care. This is an exciting topic for me now as I plan to do some research on thsi subject matter and will submit this soon. So find an ocular surface specialist. If you are ever in NY I would be happy to help you.