My left eye assaulted me with hot red agony and tearing up for nearly four months as we moved toward the Christmas holiday. It only got slightly better after three visits to my optometrist, with several rounds of steroids and antibiotics. “It’s not infected,” was his final assessment. It’s just inflamed, swollen, runny, and red. Unsure about why it is not getting better with the extensive treatment, I asked about my breast cancer.
Could this be metastasis? Providentially, he just had a conversation with someone about breast cancer metastasizing to the eye, which did raise an eyebrow for concern. It didn’t present like typical metastasis. Usually a tumor pressed on the optic nerve causing a sudden change in vision. My vision has been relatively stable, with the exception of tearful blurriness. After a few more tests and listening to my concerns, he referred me to a specialist to diagnose and rule out metastasis.
Dr. Singh is a six-figure corneal and external disease specialist in the Houston area, whose compassion to help people drew him into this field. Nearly every doctor in the greater Houston area refers patients to him for special concerns, so when you go to his office you know you will have a long wait. He did my cataract surgery back in 2016, and took care of my dry eyes about two years ago. I have confidence in his expertise, but I always take something to do, as I know I’ll be in for at least two episodes of Andy Griffith and two more Friends while I sit. Fortunately, he has an office in The Woodlands, just 15 minutes from our house.
On the last working day of the year, Dr. Singh examined my eyes with close scrutiny. After ruling out possible breast cancer metastasis (yay!), he looked up Herceptin and Perjeta to determine any possible side effects of my infusions. My tear duct is completely closed, resulting in the tears draining down my face. The chemo also causes this, apparently. It seems like I have multiple side effects that are more of an annoyance than anything, but I’ll take it to remain stable. We’ll just add one more to the list.
At the end of the day, we ended up with his magic medicine, a special compounded eye drop, not covered by insurance, requiring a trip downtown to an exclusive compounding pharmacy. We enjoyed a pleasant ride through Bellaire, and other wealthy areas in Houston. The pharmacy also contained a gift shop notably placed for affluent shoppers.
After less than one week on the magic drops, my eye is looking much better! I think we have finally found the solution to the immediate problem. I will follow-up when I’m in town two weeks from now, as there is a concern this could continue to surface. Hopefully no more procedures will be needed, which will yet be determined.
Á la prochaine…until next time.