Ophthalmologist Appointment

I saw my new Ophthalmologist for the first time yesterday. Of course I had to go through all that’s been happening to my sinuses and tear duct for all of last year. I told him about my general health issues and that I had had lachrymal implants a couple of times several years ago to treat dry eye. The implants fell out, but stayed put long enough to give the eye a chance to heal. Or so I thought.

This doctor pressed hard for what seemed like forever right on the spot in the corner of my eye where the swelling has been, and where it is very tender. It was all I could do to make myself lean into the head device, despite the pain.

He thinks I have one or more of the lachrymal implants logged in my tear duct. Once again my body is the exception to most rules. I never know when MITO is going to rear its ugly head and cause problems with my healing process.

I explained to him about my upcoming sinus and septum surgery. And I asked his opinion about what should be done first. Hubby is having a vein procedure done next week, so I don’t want to have any procedure done until after he is well.

He said there is no time push for this to be done. He made an appointment for me with the Oculoplastic Surgeon for a month from now. And he also re-filled the eye drop prescription my Optometrist had me on while he tried to clear up the infection in the duct. After all that hard pressing he did, I’m sure I’ll need the drops to calm down the tissue again.

Oculoplastic Surgeon

So what does this kind of eye doctor do? They operate on the lids, among other things. He will likely make a slit along the top edge of my bottom eyelid and attempt to remove the blockage. He may find implants or maybe just scar tissue. Whatever it is, it needs to come out.

Then he will put a stent in the tear duct to keep it open. My Ophthalmologist says this is a relatively simple procedure. He said that sometimes they do it right in the doctor’s office. I sure hope it’s as simple as he tried to make it sound. It makes me squeamish and apprehensive just thinking about it.

ENT

I’m calling my ENT today to try to determine when I will have the sinus and septum surgery. Looks like we’re going to have a very busy calendar for the next month or so!