Any opticians/ eye doctors around for reassurance?

[Healthanxietyisshit]

Hello,

Can anyone reassure me that FML eye drops are OK? I know I've been prescribed them but my anxiety is severe.

Please help if you can

Hi OP, not sure what you mean by ok?

I've used FML drops a couple of times in the past and they were brilliant! Cleared up my eyes and very quickly too.

What are the symptoms they're supposed to treat?

I've got blurred vision after conjunctivitis left white spots on my cornea. I'm just worried because I've read about eye pressure/ feel very anxious generally

Not an expert but have been on them for 7 years or so for ocular rosacea.

Have you had any side effects at all? I'm on 4 drops a day for 2 weeks, then 3 drops for 2 weeks... for 8 weeks total.

FML sounds like exactly the right thing in this situation. Remember, new issues won't just just appear out of the blue.

The reason you are on tapering doses is precisely to stop any rebound such as eye pressure changes. If worrying a day or two you feel any discomfort (not when they are applied, I mean a lot of the time) then call your gp or whoever did the prescribing.

Honestly, the most helpful thing for me to remember if I'm getting anxious again (health anxiety used to play a huge part in my life) is that sudden onset side effects are vanishingly rare.

Also, statistics. I don't have them to had, but usually eyesight issues that become chronic are the problem. Lead to more problems or eyesight issues. Treating the problem is NOT the bit to get concerned about!

Have you ever had ongoing eye problems before? Have you had conjunctivitis a lot? What were you given for the infection itself? I might be able to help you think through this logically, making you feel more in control of the decision to take the new drops?

Thank you @SquirrelsAreGo that's really kind.

I've got 10 days of antibiotic drops after a nasty bout of conjunctivitis, and the FML drops to help with irritation of the cornea. My vision is quite blurred in one eye at the moment which is also making me anxious. I'm also worrying that the drops are having some sort of impact on my anxirty and making it worse :(

Ok, well there is no reason you should believe me, but I can categorically say that they will not add to your anxiety.

Steroid tablets can make you a bit jittery, but the quantity in the drops is so small it's not relevant. Putting things in your eyes can also trigger anxiety.. at an almost primordial level! It's not natural to put things in your eyes so your brain understandably questions the concept!

Are you saying you had conjunctivitis for 10 days before getting treatment? Why was it so long? In the future, the most important thing with eyes is prompt treatment. That's why you need all the drops now.

You're worrying about the wrong thing. Now you've got medicine, use it religiously, keep going for the full days prescribed.

Also, you're anxious about being anxious, which is fine. But whatever is happening with your anxiety, don't use it as a reason to not take your drops. Please.

Thank you, that's really reassuring that they won't make anxiety worse.

I was seen by a nurse practitioner initially but they said it was just conjunctivitis and to keep wiping with water. When it didn't clear they said to go to the eye casualty which is where the drops were prescribed, but it was a very quick appointment and I was nervous so I didn't ask anything. Only now am I having this anxiety and wishing I'd asked more questions at the time

Ok, well if you went to eye casualty, then I'd say you're all systems go. They see the same stuff day in day out, so they will know exactly what to prescribe.

It also means that if it's not clearing up dramatically in 4-5 days you know who to go and see!

Btw, epping with water is member going to clear up conjunctivitis ffs, what was she thinking? In theory, you could get on top of it with boiled water with salt dissolved in it (or you can buy saline from the pharmacy).

But usually, you need proper medicine. Glad you've had such good care.

Sorry - WIPING with water is NEVER going to clear up conjunctivitis is what I was trying to say.

If an ophthalmologist has prescribed these drops and will be monitoring you surely you would crack on and take them.
Risking losing your sight is more of a worry than a short period of appropriate treatment.
It takes over a decade to be a consultant ophthalmologist so I'm guessing they know what they are doing