Day +1597 : Follow up at ophthalmology clinic

I am fine today.

I went to UH for eye care follow-up this morning. I prayed that I would see a young and kind eye specialist. One year ago, while examining my eyes, he encouraged me to claim the artificial tears expenses from the government. I didn't do that before as I was told that the artificial tears was not in the list that I can claim.

I compiled the bill and completed the form today. The total bill over the years is more than RM4,500. And the amount could be more as many of the receipts for purchasing the artificial tears in 2008 was submitted to claim for another medicine as they were printed together on the same receipt. Since I didn't have the original receipt, I am unable to claim those artificial tears expenses in 2008 which exceed RM2000 easily :-(

The eye specialist wanted to do something to improve my eyes and after discussing with his colleague, they decided to see if blocking the duct that connect the eyes to the throat would improve my eyes condition. The procedure will prevent the tears to be drained through the duct so theoretically, keeping my eyes moist for a longer period of time before applying the artificial tears again.

However, there is no guarantee that it will work and the cost of putting the permanent plug (punctal plug) cost RM200 per eye. Instead of punctal plug, they blocked the ducts using surgery stitch - two ducts per eye. The procedure took about 15 minutes and there was no pain experienced at all but I could feel something in the eyes after that. Hopefully, I will get use to the feeling. The stitch will be dissolved in two weeks and I have to monitor my eyes condition. I will go for permanent plug if it works.

Apart from the procedure, doctor also suggested me to try another eye drops called Vismed (preservative free). I will only start Vismed next week as I need to isolate the changes in treatment else I wouldn't know which one is effective later. So change one thing at a time :-)

Hopefully, the new effort will be fruitful, at least to certain extent.

See you next post :-)