Hi all, I'm from the Netherlands and suffer from pinguecula too, in both eyes. I hate it! I have a couple of questions:
- Could anyone send me pictures of their pinguecula(e)?
- Also people who've had them removed: before and/or after pics?
- Does anyone have tips on how to best care for your eyes (like lubrication, food, vitamins - and which), so that the pingueculae and dryness wil diminish (or: won't get worse)? I'm already using the fake teardrops.
I still don't understand that little is known about it, or that doctors say: it's 'nothing'. It looks very unkind! (And could give sigth problems etc. in the future.) In my case, I really don't think the sun/UV has been the cause. What hás been? I haven't been in the very best shape the last months because of 'anemia' (a lack of ion etc. in the blood), maybe that had something to do with it. I also read that pingueculae are some sort of protein-thing, is there maybe a relation to food/nutrition or food/digestive disorders?
I also think about having the pingueculae removed, but untill so far, I'm not sure about that (some people/doctors say it will only make things worse etc.).
Thank you very much!!! Byebye,
_[removed]_
**edited by moderator**
- Could anyone send me pictures of their pinguecula(e)?
- Also people who've had them removed: before and/or after pics?
- Does anyone have tips on how to best care for your eyes (like lubrication, food, vitamins - and which), so that the pingueculae and dryness wil diminish (or: won't get worse)? I'm already using the fake teardrops.
I still don't understand that little is known about it, or that doctors say: it's 'nothing'. It looks very unkind! (And could give sigth problems etc. in the future.) In my case, I really don't think the sun/UV has been the cause. What hás been? I haven't been in the very best shape the last months because of 'anemia' (a lack of ion etc. in the blood), maybe that had something to do with it. I also read that pingueculae are some sort of protein-thing, is there maybe a relation to food/nutrition or food/digestive disorders?
I also think about having the pingueculae removed, but untill so far, I'm not sure about that (some people/doctors say it will only make things worse etc.).
Thank you very much!!! Byebye,
_[removed]_
**edited by moderator**
<message deleted>
Hi, I am scheduled to have the surgery at Dr. H's at Harvard Eye, but I have already postponed twice. I am really nervous about the recovery time. My pinguecula in my right nasal side of the eye has been much more manageable lately. It was hideous before, but for the past month, it has improved dramatically. Still, it gets really red when I am in the sun or it is really hot. I am in Northern California. I have to wear my glasses all the time now because the contacts made it really bad. I am worried about the recovery because I had red eyes for a long time and finally they are a little better. I just don't want to go through the redness for months. Especially since I just moved here recently and am trying to meet new people. But one of the recent posts said she recovered in a WEEK! That is amazing and I would totally go for it if it was that short of a recovery. My pinguecula is small and only a few red, but prominent red veins feeding into it.
MLS or anyone else think that the recovery time is shorter when the pinguecula is smaller?
ALSO to reduce inflammation, I used XIBROM, which is an NSAID (non-steroidal drop). It took a week or 2 to really kick in, but really helped. Now I use it whenever my eyes flame up again every so often.
MLS or anyone else think that the recovery time is shorter when the pinguecula is smaller?
ALSO to reduce inflammation, I used XIBROM, which is an NSAID (non-steroidal drop). It took a week or 2 to really kick in, but really helped. Now I use it whenever my eyes flame up again every so often.
Hello,
I finally fouind a surgeon in the NY area (where I live), although he uses the conj autograft technic, he doesn't use the amniotic membrane but regular stitches because he said that the amniotic procedure has been linked to the mad cow disease.
From what I read on line using stitches takes longer for the eye to heal (up to 6 months or more) and people who has the surgery with stitches said they had a higher recurrence rate, although the doctor I spoke to here in NY claims that with his technique they had a recurrence rate of less that 3% (can he claim so if it wasn't true?).
So now I have this dilemma ...
On one side I have the famous doctor in Miami who spent thousand of dollars in marketing to let everybody know how great his surgeries are, and who uses the autograft technique with amniotic membrane and never mentioned anything about the risk of getting the mad cow disease through it.
On the other hand there is this doctor in NY (where I live, much easier for me) who I never heard of but he claims that they have done the most number of pinguecula surgeries in the Northeast and uses the autograft procedure with regular stitches ....
I really need opinions from people who know what I am talking about, I am sure that whoever is on this forum took some time to do some researches, just like I did .... so I would be glad if you could share with me your knowledge ....
Thanks for any help.
p.s. I asked a couple of my eye surgeon friends about this pinguecula ... one of the doctor said that he would do the surgery for free because it's a very easy thing to do (and even said that the docs who charge £3k per eye are basically thieves) although he also said that it will come back worse, the other said not to bother removing it at all if it doesn't bother me physically .... so many different iopinions out there and I am scared to take the wrong step, after all eyes are a very delicate subject and I wanna be sure I'll make the right decision.
I finally fouind a surgeon in the NY area (where I live), although he uses the conj autograft technic, he doesn't use the amniotic membrane but regular stitches because he said that the amniotic procedure has been linked to the mad cow disease.
From what I read on line using stitches takes longer for the eye to heal (up to 6 months or more) and people who has the surgery with stitches said they had a higher recurrence rate, although the doctor I spoke to here in NY claims that with his technique they had a recurrence rate of less that 3% (can he claim so if it wasn't true?).
So now I have this dilemma ...
On one side I have the famous doctor in Miami who spent thousand of dollars in marketing to let everybody know how great his surgeries are, and who uses the autograft technique with amniotic membrane and never mentioned anything about the risk of getting the mad cow disease through it.
On the other hand there is this doctor in NY (where I live, much easier for me) who I never heard of but he claims that they have done the most number of pinguecula surgeries in the Northeast and uses the autograft procedure with regular stitches ....
I really need opinions from people who know what I am talking about, I am sure that whoever is on this forum took some time to do some researches, just like I did .... so I would be glad if you could share with me your knowledge ....
Thanks for any help.
p.s. I asked a couple of my eye surgeon friends about this pinguecula ... one of the doctor said that he would do the surgery for free because it's a very easy thing to do (and even said that the docs who charge £3k per eye are basically thieves) although he also said that it will come back worse, the other said not to bother removing it at all if it doesn't bother me physically .... so many different iopinions out there and I am scared to take the wrong step, after all eyes are a very delicate subject and I wanna be sure I'll make the right decision.
Hello all. My name is Mike. Just like everyone here I have been diagnosed with two pingueculas/pingueculums in each of my eyes. As it has been discussed in earlier posts, many insurance companies will not cover the new surgery for a pinguecula. They claim it to be "cosmetic." Those of us with the problem know it is much more than that! My insurance company told me I could send in an appeal. This appeal is a claim to try and get them company to cover the cost of the surgery. The claim is taken to a group of people (board of directors maybe) and voted on. Does anyone have any experience with sending in an appeal? If so what are some tips to getting the insurance company to cover the cost? Thanks.
By the way, this website is extremely helpful and thank you to those who have shared great success stories!
By the way, this website is extremely helpful and thank you to those who have shared great success stories!
Well I don't have much experience with it because I never went through with trying to get it covered, but I was definitely considering trying for a while.
My doctor ALSO told me about the cosmetic aspect and I figured out that the only way insurance will cover it is if you say it is detrimental to your eye health. I think if you say you wear contacts and the pingueculas prevent you from wearing them without irritation, some may consider covering it. And I guess you would have to say that it is so irritating you can't wear your contacts, and you need them (rather than glasses) for your lifestyle. OR they will cover it if it affects your vision.
It is SO LAME that they say it is cosmetic. It is not improving your appearance, but bringing it back to normal! Ugh, hope you get it covered. If there is any irritation to your eye due to the pinguecula, I would definitely emphasize that.
My doctor ALSO told me about the cosmetic aspect and I figured out that the only way insurance will cover it is if you say it is detrimental to your eye health. I think if you say you wear contacts and the pingueculas prevent you from wearing them without irritation, some may consider covering it. And I guess you would have to say that it is so irritating you can't wear your contacts, and you need them (rather than glasses) for your lifestyle. OR they will cover it if it affects your vision.
It is SO LAME that they say it is cosmetic. It is not improving your appearance, but bringing it back to normal! Ugh, hope you get it covered. If there is any irritation to your eye due to the pinguecula, I would definitely emphasize that.
Yes, I completely agree it is lame that insurance's won't cover it. I actually just got a letter from my insurance company and they said they have denied my request to get the surgery covered, unfortunately. So I will continue to appeal their decision. I have heard if you continue to appeal it, they sometimes give in and just pay for it. But as of right now my surgery is in 7 days from today! So I will just pay for it now on credit and continue to appeal . I will give an update of my surgery for anyone who wants to read it.
Is he on 32nd in NYC? I think he's great, but the decision to have surgery is is scary. My pings aren't terrible to anyone else but me probably, but that's enough. They literally drive me nuts every time I look in the mirror. Have you decided to move forward with the surgery from either doctor? It would be wonderful to actually meet someone who has had pingecula surgery in the New York area. I can't believe that we live in one of the top cities in the world for medical science and it seems like everyone is traveling to Florida or California for this issue.
Meacham:
How did your surgery go? My pingueculas are small, but there is so much red and yellow from the pings in my eyes that I am conisdering surgery. How did they look on day 1, 2,3,...etc..
Would you be comfortable with emailing me before and after pics of your eyes? Let me know...
Thanks :-)
How did your surgery go? My pingueculas are small, but there is so much red and yellow from the pings in my eyes that I am conisdering surgery. How did they look on day 1, 2,3,...etc..
Would you be comfortable with emailing me before and after pics of your eyes? Let me know...
Thanks :-)
Hi all,
I'm 36 and having a pinguecula in both eyes for more than a year now. I really hate them! I'm thinking of an operation, and maybe having it done in the USA (I'm from Europe), as they might have better techniques?
The prices are very high though! Here in Holland, one clinic has it done for 1100 euro per eye. They use membrane and can use glue instead of stitches, although the doctor says sometimes glue can cause problems (with bigger growths).
But as in America much more is written about it (on fora like these), and specialists sometimes really are better, I still wonder if I should turn to the States. If I dare to have this operation... I still have my doubts and I'm kind of scared. Maybe it will only make things worse in the end?!
I also met this person who says that a pinguecula can become less when you (eat the right stuff and) take certain vitamins. But until so far, I've never found someone with a pinguecula that became less or went away. Has anyone heared stories about these spots/growths becoming less visible?
For now, I'm taking a multivitamin, lots of vitamin C, lutein/zeaxanthine, alfa-lipon acid and omega's. I guess it won't help, but I have to try something.
I really hate these growths! They make me self aware and depressed. Does anyone have tips (you can mail me at _[removed]_)? And what are the best places to turn to in the USA, Harvard Eye and dr. Gulani in Florida?
Regards,
Evelijne
I'm 36 and having a pinguecula in both eyes for more than a year now. I really hate them! I'm thinking of an operation, and maybe having it done in the USA (I'm from Europe), as they might have better techniques?
The prices are very high though! Here in Holland, one clinic has it done for 1100 euro per eye. They use membrane and can use glue instead of stitches, although the doctor says sometimes glue can cause problems (with bigger growths).
But as in America much more is written about it (on fora like these), and specialists sometimes really are better, I still wonder if I should turn to the States. If I dare to have this operation... I still have my doubts and I'm kind of scared. Maybe it will only make things worse in the end?!
I also met this person who says that a pinguecula can become less when you (eat the right stuff and) take certain vitamins. But until so far, I've never found someone with a pinguecula that became less or went away. Has anyone heared stories about these spots/growths becoming less visible?
For now, I'm taking a multivitamin, lots of vitamin C, lutein/zeaxanthine, alfa-lipon acid and omega's. I guess it won't help, but I have to try something.
I really hate these growths! They make me self aware and depressed. Does anyone have tips (you can mail me at _[removed]_)? And what are the best places to turn to in the USA, Harvard Eye and dr. Gulani in Florida?
Regards,
Evelijne
Hi everyone!
I'm glad to have found this online community, and it's quite a relief to find support and also know that I'm not the only one suffering from pinguecula!
I am 25 years old and I was diagnosed with pinguecula in both of my eyes (nasal side) in February 2007. My left eye had become severely inflamed, so I went to see the eye doctor and was given Alrex to help reduce the inflammation. After seeing several ophthalmologists weeks later, I was told that the only treatment I could do is to use artificial tears and protect my eyes by playing with UV sunglasses. I've seen four ophthalmologists/surgeons in Texas, Chicago, and Toronto. All of them have discouraged me from having surgery.
I also had 2 plugs inserted in each eye to help increase the moisture, and I used Restasis for a year. The treatments helped somewhat, but my left eye is still irritated, inflamed, and tired. My right eye is not nearly as bad as my left, but it does bother almost daily. Some days, my left eye itches so much that no amount of natural tears can help. I’ve been going in and out of depression for about a year. I have struggled with an eating disorder and excessive exercise to numb the pain I felt inside. I know that there are far worse conditions out there... but everyone that suffers from pinguecula knows that it's very hard to deal with; emotionally and physically.
I am at a crossroad right now in my life, and would love to move forward and pursue my new career path. However, I am stuck because I want to have the surgery done, and I don't know how long the recovery will be. I'm about to schedule a consultation with Dr. Hovanesian at Harvard Eye. Although I am scared about the surgery, I am optimistic and will do almost anything to get rid of my pingueculas. Any advice would be helpful...
Thank you!!
Stay strong, there is light at the end of the tunnel! :-)
Jenn
I'm glad to have found this online community, and it's quite a relief to find support and also know that I'm not the only one suffering from pinguecula!
I am 25 years old and I was diagnosed with pinguecula in both of my eyes (nasal side) in February 2007. My left eye had become severely inflamed, so I went to see the eye doctor and was given Alrex to help reduce the inflammation. After seeing several ophthalmologists weeks later, I was told that the only treatment I could do is to use artificial tears and protect my eyes by playing with UV sunglasses. I've seen four ophthalmologists/surgeons in Texas, Chicago, and Toronto. All of them have discouraged me from having surgery.
I also had 2 plugs inserted in each eye to help increase the moisture, and I used Restasis for a year. The treatments helped somewhat, but my left eye is still irritated, inflamed, and tired. My right eye is not nearly as bad as my left, but it does bother almost daily. Some days, my left eye itches so much that no amount of natural tears can help. I’ve been going in and out of depression for about a year. I have struggled with an eating disorder and excessive exercise to numb the pain I felt inside. I know that there are far worse conditions out there... but everyone that suffers from pinguecula knows that it's very hard to deal with; emotionally and physically.
I am at a crossroad right now in my life, and would love to move forward and pursue my new career path. However, I am stuck because I want to have the surgery done, and I don't know how long the recovery will be. I'm about to schedule a consultation with Dr. Hovanesian at Harvard Eye. Although I am scared about the surgery, I am optimistic and will do almost anything to get rid of my pingueculas. Any advice would be helpful...
Thank you!!
Stay strong, there is light at the end of the tunnel! :-)
Jenn
Jenn,
I have been seeing several surgeons too, but it seems like they do not understand. I have also been struggling with this for some time now and I am actually not working at the moment because of the pian that i feel.
It is both a feeling that I have something in my eyes all the time (I cant drive because of it) and a cosmetic problem that has made me feel so sad about this. I have always had clear white eyes and now they are not.
I would be so glad if you could let me know how it goes for you at the harvard eye. if you will do the surgery and what they say it will look like after.
sorry about my bad english, I´m Swedish
I have been seeing several surgeons too, but it seems like they do not understand. I have also been struggling with this for some time now and I am actually not working at the moment because of the pian that i feel.
It is both a feeling that I have something in my eyes all the time (I cant drive because of it) and a cosmetic problem that has made me feel so sad about this. I have always had clear white eyes and now they are not.
I would be so glad if you could let me know how it goes for you at the harvard eye. if you will do the surgery and what they say it will look like after.
sorry about my bad english, I´m Swedish
It's real bad to hear you suffer so much!
I am working, but am sometimes hiding myself from people also. I don't enjoy meeting and talking to people (especially in daylight) anymore. Maybe I need a therapist... but it is a shitty problem! My growths aren't really big, but I can't stand them! When my first eye developped a pinguecua, my doctor was laughing about it (I felt bad). Some months later the other eye started also. My eyes turned out to be dry, was that the cause of the pingueculae? And the doctor kept on 'laughing' about my problem with my eyes.
I guess lots of people suffer from these growths, which makes the hurt sligthly less for me, but still: the look in the mirror every day is bad!!
If you have so many pain, maybe an operation is thé thing, but ofcourse we are all thinking: what will be the results in the end...
Take care,
Evelijne
I am working, but am sometimes hiding myself from people also. I don't enjoy meeting and talking to people (especially in daylight) anymore. Maybe I need a therapist... but it is a shitty problem! My growths aren't really big, but I can't stand them! When my first eye developped a pinguecua, my doctor was laughing about it (I felt bad). Some months later the other eye started also. My eyes turned out to be dry, was that the cause of the pingueculae? And the doctor kept on 'laughing' about my problem with my eyes.
I guess lots of people suffer from these growths, which makes the hurt sligthly less for me, but still: the look in the mirror every day is bad!!
If you have so many pain, maybe an operation is thé thing, but ofcourse we are all thinking: what will be the results in the end...
Take care,
Evelijne
Hi, Evelijne and all of you
I have pinguecula two, and i hate them. I think that pinguecula grows if you have dry eyes, so maybe you should use some eyedrops (whitout perservative). Maybe you should change doctor if he was laughing about it, because this is not fun. I am actually looking in to it to have the ugly things removed because they are making me blink a lot and i have a feeling that I have something in my eyes all the time. Do you have that feeling? How big or small are yours???
I have actually seen a therapist and she told me to look for a doctor to have them removed she could actually understand. she said that she could not do so much for me before I have talked to a doctor about this.
I have heard that you should go for a surgery where they put the stiches under the eyelid, it would be the best cosmetic result.
take care,
I have pinguecula two, and i hate them. I think that pinguecula grows if you have dry eyes, so maybe you should use some eyedrops (whitout perservative). Maybe you should change doctor if he was laughing about it, because this is not fun. I am actually looking in to it to have the ugly things removed because they are making me blink a lot and i have a feeling that I have something in my eyes all the time. Do you have that feeling? How big or small are yours???
I have actually seen a therapist and she told me to look for a doctor to have them removed she could actually understand. she said that she could not do so much for me before I have talked to a doctor about this.
I have heard that you should go for a surgery where they put the stiches under the eyelid, it would be the best cosmetic result.
take care,
Even though this is an old thread I thought I would comment.
I had Lasik in September of 2005. I had instane correction- BUT my eyes were so dry that the next day when I went back for post op check I coul barely get there! My eyes were so dry the doc said the cornea looked like 'scabs'. I had to stay another day before he would let me drive home- and I had to use drops every 10 minutes.
I have had to have them looked at a few times because I will not be able to see, and there is horrible pain in the eyes. The eye doc says it is 'dry eye'. Now that the complication of dry eye is known, I am not certain I would have the surgery or not....
When I go south, where the climate is more humid I don't have such a problem, but here in northern Wyoming it is dry. Yesterday and today I can't read a book, cook a recipe because I can't read. I tried to use the phone book and can't. If there are errors in my tyoing I cannot see them. When my eyes are not dry, I like the results- I guess now I realize that I couldn't stand the contacts because my eyes were so dry. Mixed feelings...
If you are thinking about LASIK, be CERTAIN you question your doc about the status of your eyes- if they are dry at all.
It has been found that when the cornea is sliced, the 'lubrication/tear' nerves are damaged. They eyes become more dry.
I had Lasik in September of 2005. I had instane correction- BUT my eyes were so dry that the next day when I went back for post op check I coul barely get there! My eyes were so dry the doc said the cornea looked like 'scabs'. I had to stay another day before he would let me drive home- and I had to use drops every 10 minutes.
I have had to have them looked at a few times because I will not be able to see, and there is horrible pain in the eyes. The eye doc says it is 'dry eye'. Now that the complication of dry eye is known, I am not certain I would have the surgery or not....
When I go south, where the climate is more humid I don't have such a problem, but here in northern Wyoming it is dry. Yesterday and today I can't read a book, cook a recipe because I can't read. I tried to use the phone book and can't. If there are errors in my tyoing I cannot see them. When my eyes are not dry, I like the results- I guess now I realize that I couldn't stand the contacts because my eyes were so dry. Mixed feelings...
If you are thinking about LASIK, be CERTAIN you question your doc about the status of your eyes- if they are dry at all.
It has been found that when the cornea is sliced, the 'lubrication/tear' nerves are damaged. They eyes become more dry.