What is your diagnosis (or diagnoses if you have more than one)?
Dry eye syndrome (fused tear ducts as a complication of SJS -- I cannot produce tears)
How long have you had it?
About 4 years
What do you wish more people understood about dry eye (or eye pain if that's your main issue) and how it affects people's lives?
I often can't see even with my PROSE devices if there are heavy winds or my eyes feel dry. They immediately become blurry when dry. The pain is excruciating without my PROSE devices in. I tell people 10× worse then what they feel during a "staring contest" they have done as a child. I am extremely sensitive to light now. When things are too bright, I feel pain and also my eyes will blur.
I'm legally blind even if my disability is invisible to others.
What has helped you the most?
I wouldn't be able to function without my PROSE devices. The best eye drops I have found for daily use are the Systane Lubricant Eye Drops - Ultra PF preservative-free dry eye relief (green box). It's a mouth full, but they are the only eye drop I have found that do not cause blurring when used with my PROSE devices.
Are there any dry eye resources you'd like to recommend?
Boston Sight has been amazing since my eyes stopped producing tears. They remember me even though I only visit them every 2 years.