viral conjunctivitis

[hoarsewhisperer]

Has anyone else had the viral version of this? My left eye is painful beyond belief and feels like it is about to popout - yuk! Anyway, does anyone else have any experience of the viral version? How long till I feel better....doctor just says 7 - 14 days!

[belgo]

WHy does your gp think it's viral? What does your eye look like?

[magso]

Did you see the GP or an eye doctor/eye specialist?
Conjunctivitis alone is not usually very painful - more irritating itchy or achy.
Are you very light sensitive ( ie does light give you pain like severe toothache)? Is your eye very watery? Can you sleep OK? Where is your eye red ( more in the corners, in a ring or arc around the iris, all over). Is the other eye red at all? Are you otherwise well ( do you feel fluey or have sore glands)?

[hoarsewhisperer]

I have been to hospital to the eye specialist who has diagnosed adenoviral conjunctivitis. Did not respond to antibiotics and have enlarged lymph nodes in front ot ears.both eyes are red, bit left is worse with swollen eyelids which accounts for the pain she says as I have folicular cysts under my eyelids. It is not pretty at all.

[magso]

Ah yes I had this ( adeno) too. Glad you have had it fully diagnosed and it does sound classic of adeno! It can be rather uncomfortable especially if there is some corneal involvement (which give light sensitivity) and make you feel rotten as well. Recovery can be very variable. For me the worst eye symptons (I got uveitis as well) lasted only a week. It is very contageous so be careful with tissues and towels etc. Treat yourself like you have mild flu (your whole body is fighting it off)- rest ( even if you dont feel rotten)and drink well. You may find cool compresses (over close eyes) soothing if your eyelids are very scratchy and lubricating eye drops (unmedicated preferably unpreserved single dose to avoid irritation from preservatives) may help too. I had dryish eye for a while after so needed lubricating drops for a while longer.
If it doesnt start to resolve in a couple of weeks - or if the pain gets worse ( especially acute light sensitivity)- go back. Generally no treatment is needed -the body fights it off!
Wish you well soon!

[hoarsewhisperer]

Thanks so much for that magso...its awful isn't it?. Don't have any phtosensitivity, which is something but have the sore throat from hell. Anyway, am on day 6 now. Off to hospital again tomorrow for a follow up and another next week as they want to monitor it. Sorry these mess are so short, but as you can imagine looking at th screen is not fun!

[magso]

Hope all goes wll tommorrow HW. It took me about 3 weeks to get over it ( and see well again) and longer to be 100% in myself. I had to have drops for the uveitis. If you have pharangitis (i think that is the word!) gargling with soluble asperin/paracetamol ( part of your usual dose) helps ease the fearce sore throat!

[hoarsewhisperer]

Yes...I have that too! Great huh? I have some of those merocaine lozenges that numb your throat somwehere....

I hope it doesn't take so long as I need to get back to work by next week....was considering drinking juiced celery and ginger tomorrow as is a major boost for the immune system supposedly. I have no visual impairment which is something at least.

[TheGashlycrumbTinies]

I started with it in February, I work with a Consultant Opthalmic Surgeon and he said there is really no cure for it, again your body will cure itself. Many of the drops are simply for comfort. Mine kept going and coming back, saw the last of it in May. I ended up going to the Eye Hospital as I ended up with bad corneal abrasions, now that is really painful.

[hoarsewhisperer]

Oh my god boiled egg....three months???!!!

Just tell me both of you....how long before your eyes stopped looking so red that you could audition for a role as one of the undead? And how long before you could read for more than 5 mins at a time?