Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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How to cope with eye pain? (self.Blind)
submitted by Mesh1202
Hi! I had a corneal transplant done on my right eye back in 2017, and unfortunately, this past year it failed and had started to hurt a lot at random times. At worse it felt like a sharp stabbing pain, and more moderately it sometimes felt like something sharp slowly slicing into it. The former kind of pain only lasted for a few seconds, and the latter typically would last for a few minutes or up until an hour before going away for the day...only to catch me off guard some random time later. The longest I went was 3 days without any pain before it came back at full force.
My dad already took me to the eye doctors for the pain several times. One of my doctors suspected it was the stitches so some were taken out (The broken ones he was able to take out, he told us the others had to be done by the cornea specialist) and some eye drops were prescribed. The cornea specialist told us he didn't need to take the rest out because normally they wouldn't be felt, so they weren't the problem. He did end up taking another broken stitch out that had been left in my eye from a tube shunt surgery and switched the eye drop the other doctor had given us to a supposedly stronger one that isn't bad for my glaucoma and dilates my pupil as a side effect. I'm not sure if I remember correctly, but I think the drop is mainly a kind of anti-nflammatory. Whenever I use the drop, I'm never sure if the pain went away on it's own or if the drop just takes that long to kick in since it still aches for a while after it's applied. Part of me doesn't think it's helping because the pain doesn't feel like it's from inflammation irritation because it's more sharp rather than stingy.
Regardless, him taking out the broken stitch did help a little and now both types of pain are milder. But they still occur and still catch me off guard. For example: Two weeks ago I was sitting at my laptop during online classes and was immensely thankful I was muted and had my camera off because I had v loudly cussed when one of the stabbing pains happened.
Judging by the cornea doctor having given me the pain killer drop after getting rid of what was supposedly playing a part in causing the pain, he probably expected me to continue having to deal with it. It also kinda hurts/feels strange when I cry or tear up---which is frustrating since now not only am I dealing with whatever emotional woes have me crying in the first place, but physical pain too---this kinda pain almost feels like gently dabbing rubbing alchohol or lemon on a wound.
Sorry this is long, but how do I keep my mind off the pain? Especially when I'm trying to sleep?
My dad already took me to the eye doctors for the pain several times. One of my doctors suspected it was the stitches so some were taken out (The broken ones he was able to take out, he told us the others had to be done by the cornea specialist) and some eye drops were prescribed. The cornea specialist told us he didn't need to take the rest out because normally they wouldn't be felt, so they weren't the problem. He did end up taking another broken stitch out that had been left in my eye from a tube shunt surgery and switched the eye drop the other doctor had given us to a supposedly stronger one that isn't bad for my glaucoma and dilates my pupil as a side effect. I'm not sure if I remember correctly, but I think the drop is mainly a kind of anti-nflammatory. Whenever I use the drop, I'm never sure if the pain went away on it's own or if the drop just takes that long to kick in since it still aches for a while after it's applied. Part of me doesn't think it's helping because the pain doesn't feel like it's from inflammation irritation because it's more sharp rather than stingy.
Regardless, him taking out the broken stitch did help a little and now both types of pain are milder. But they still occur and still catch me off guard. For example: Two weeks ago I was sitting at my laptop during online classes and was immensely thankful I was muted and had my camera off because I had v loudly cussed when one of the stabbing pains happened.
Judging by the cornea doctor having given me the pain killer drop after getting rid of what was supposedly playing a part in causing the pain, he probably expected me to continue having to deal with it. It also kinda hurts/feels strange when I cry or tear up---which is frustrating since now not only am I dealing with whatever emotional woes have me crying in the first place, but physical pain too---this kinda pain almost feels like gently dabbing rubbing alchohol or lemon on a wound.
Sorry this is long, but how do I keep my mind off the pain? Especially when I'm trying to sleep?
meeowth 2 points 2y ago
I've never felt eye pain as bad as you describe! I do sometimes put a warm moistened cloth in front of my eyes, closed eyes, and I have a tiny dab of tea tree oil in the cloth, which seems to have an anti inflammatory effect.
Mostly warm water in the cloth, tiny amount of tea tree oil. Slight sting sometimes but soothing after a few moments.
Mostly warm water in the cloth, tiny amount of tea tree oil. Slight sting sometimes but soothing after a few moments.
AlwaysLilly 2 points 2y ago
Eye pain can be so intense even when it isn’t sharp and it’s really disorienting. I’d see if you / your parents can get in touch with your optometrist or specialist again even if it’s a television to see if there is anything else they can prescribe or suggest to ease the pain when it flares up.
Id also say, if it’s really messing with you emotionally or you’re already having a hard time coping (which is 100% understandable with the state of the world), it’s worth talking to your doctor about it as untreated anxiety/depression can make pain seem worse — at least that’s been my experience.
Id also say, if it’s really messing with you emotionally or you’re already having a hard time coping (which is 100% understandable with the state of the world), it’s worth talking to your doctor about it as untreated anxiety/depression can make pain seem worse — at least that’s been my experience.
TK_Sleepytime 2 points 2y ago
Are you using ointment at all? I have not had a transplant but my cornea is in pretty bad shape and blocking the air from reaching the eye is about the only thing that helps me. Not ideal for when you have to read, but it might help while sleeping? I've also used eye masks and eye masks with a moist sponge insert to keep my eye from drying out overnight which helps. I hope someone here has some advice that works for you! Eye pain is the worst.
siriuslylupin6 1 points 2y ago
Maybe good to see another doctor. I’ve had many transplants but they have never caused these issues very fortunately. So I am good.
Definitely sounds unpleasant. I just try distractions and doing other things and not to think about it it usually works. I have gotten use to the pains of pretty bad eye pressure. It eventually goes away
Definitely sounds unpleasant. I just try distractions and doing other things and not to think about it it usually works. I have gotten use to the pains of pretty bad eye pressure. It eventually goes away
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