I've had an eye infection for probably about 4 or 5 weeks now but didn't realise (and so didn't take my contact lenses out) for the first couple of weeks. My eyes are not that red but they are gunky overnight, occasionally weepy during the day, and feel a bit gritty. I've gone contact-lens free (apart from one day in the middle of this period when I thought it was better) for about 2-2.5 weeks now.
I did saline washes as directed by my optician at first - no better after 5 days.
I then did over-the-counter chloramphenicol eye drops for infected eyes for another 5 days - still no better.
Then I went to my GP who sent me off to the eye hospital - sounds very dramatic but he simply thought it was worth getting it looked at and sorted as he couldn't explain why the drops wouldn't have worked. The consultant there said it was most likely a viral infection - the only treatment he suggested was steroid drops to help with the gritty feeling, and leaving my lenses out for another 3 to 4 weeks, by which time apparently most viral infections will clear up.
I've done the steroid drops as directed, just finished my final (5th) day of them y'day and this morning my eyelids were both really quite puffed-up. This is new. I don't know if this is a symptom that the infection is getting worse or if it is just a reaction to the steroid drops.
In addition, it doesn't feel like the infection itself is improving that fast, my eyes are a little less red and don't feel gritty as much but they are still gunky first thing in the mornings and feel occasionally 'weepy' during the day.
I don't want to bother my GP again if the puffy eyelids is just a side-effect of the drops, but I'm getting concerned that the infection isn't getting better. I know it sounds vain but I have 2 very big family/friend parties coming up in about 3 weeks time and am desperate to be able to wear my contacts and maybe (shock horror!) even some eye makeup. But I am worried that if I just carry on 'waiting' for it to clear up on its own I will reach 3 weeks of waiting as suggested and find that it is no better.
Anyone know anything about viral eye infections - it would be fantastic to get any advice, or whether it sounds worth bugging my GP again, or just leaving it and hoping it improves. As I say, it's been around 4-5 weeks now, though some of that time I did keep my lenses in so am sure that made it worse.
Thanks anyone and everyone!!!
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anyone with ANY experience of eye infections - at the end of my tether here!!
25 replies
emeraldgirl1 · 10/02/2011 14:04
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