Plug! TT286

Many of you have probably wondered what the plugs for my eye drains look like. This is one here between the cotton bud and the pencil for scale (on a mirror).  I noticed it protruding slightly from the eye drain, plus I felt it as an irritant and then next time I looked in the mirror it had gone. I didn't think I would be likely to find it but ten minutes later I noticed it in the corner of my eye and retrieved it. It goes in pointy end first with a little applicator (done by a doctor)and the pin head is just visible at the end of the eye drain. 

The one I have in my left eye has stayed in but now I have the decision whether to have the right eye re-done or whether to go ahead and have both upper drains cauterised. (you may recall the lower drains were cauterised in August).

Well, for the few days I had the plugs in my eyes felt "normal" for the first time in years. My real tears were hanging around and I needed far fewer artificial tears. It was amazing to go out for a walk and not have to stop every ten minutes to take off my hat, gloves and glasses and to put in eye drops. I could look at the screen without discomfort and even cooking was easier. I felt lighter, happier and like the me of old.

The only thing stopping me going straight for the cautery is whether I will produce too many tears and have them running down my face (it is irreversible). At the moment that feels like a good trade for sore dry eyes but people who suffer from that problem tell me too many tears can get to them too. 

One way or another, plugs or cautery, I hope I get some more relief in the next few weeks. The one thing I do know is that I am very grateful for the expertise of eye doctors and modern medicine that can create little plugs like this to give temporary relief. 

Thanks to JDO for running tiny tuesday. I think this is the tiniest man made object I have ever blipped!