To ask what could be wrong with my eyes?

[HeyGirlHeyBoy]

I have an optician's appointment but not for 6 weeks, 10 day wait for GP in meantime. Wondering if anyone else experienced similar. First off, I have blepharitis and eyes are generally sensitive and can be irritated easily enough, spf, not taking off eye makeup properly etc.
Over the last four weeks however I habe had an almost constant red shadow around my iris, particularly on one eye and both eyes are very red and irritated, streaming stinging tears at random times. I thought sanitiser was bothering them, getting close to eyes at mask changes and I also thought tiredness and screen time but without these things, the same symptoms are there. Any ideas would be great. It's not dreadfully painful but does worsen as the day goes on. I don't wear glasses or contact lenses and sight has always been fairly good. TIA.

Could be Episcleritis. Try anti-inflammatory e.g. nurofen... I had it and thought it was infection (as did Doc) but eventually diagnosed as Episcleritis.

Can you not get a sooner appointment with an optician, even if not your regular one?
Something arose at my check-up, and the (SpecSavers) optician was able to book me straight in for another appointment the following day (separate appointment needed as I wouldn't be able to drive home). Opticians can refer you to the hospital eye clinic if needed.

I have roseacea and every so often my eye margins flare up. (I had Irish parents and it is the curse of the Celts.) I am violently allergic to almost everything you can put in an eye so apart from single use plain saline minims which you break open right before use I have to use hot compresses and massaging the other rims of my eye with a cotton bud to unblock the glands. When they got particularly bad the eye specialist prescibed tablets.

I think you should do whatever you need to get seen sooner than 6 weeks. Find a babysitter if necessary. Eyes are precious. Hopefully, any reasonably competent optician could spot danger signs though I've got no idea why you'd ask a pharmacist.

Yes i am going to push for an earlier appointment.

Compresses and dry eye drops have greatly helped how eyes look. Have got onto the other ophthalmologist and they are to call with an appointment today. This morning all the same but now a little rainbow halo on lights.. What does this mean? Vision otherwise completely sharp.

Halos gone now..

Just updating, went to eye casualty after doing very best with gp and optician. All OK re Halos and just a bad flare up of blepharitis as underneaththeash had said. Steroid drop and a different otc and hopefully that will sort it. Hot compresses nightly forever, she said. Thanks for help.

We have an excellent eye care unit in town .part of the hospital care I think .please don't leave it. Eyes are very precious you know! I would get an urgent appointment as soon as possible.

Episcleritis?

Love to know what you think of this underneaththeash
www.reviewofoptometry.com/article/rubbed-the-wrong-way-43097

Fab - any kind of heat is fine (with a bit of massage)....

Not an expert but I do have blepharitis and episcleritis like a poster up thread, and your eyes look like mine, when I’m having a flare up. Mine are perhaps more bloodshot than yours (not that it’s a competition!)

When blepharitis is bad, episcleritis is too- but episcleritis also flares up when I’m run down, when I eat too much gluten, when I’m over tired....

The episcleritis started when I had covid 18 months ago... I tell you, it’s the gift that keeps on giving...

Thanks underneaththeash that's reassuring as that article is a little frightening.

OP, do you use a retinol product for your skin? These can cause dry eyes, halos and permanent damage to eyes.

Oh wow Yes I do but only on my forehead.

@HeyGirlHeyBoy

Oh wow Yes I do but only on my forehead.

That could well be the problem.

It doesn’t matter where you apply it on the face really, but the forehead is as close as you can get to the eye.

“ . The most frequent side effects after the treatment with retinoids are: dry eye syndrome, as well as inflammation of eyelid margins (blepharitis), and conjunctivitis (blepharoconjunctivitis), which in 20-50% develop over the period of 3-5 weeks after the onset of treatment [109][110][111]. Some researchers presume that the disorders of lacrimal film functions may be caused by the presence of isotretinoin and its metabolites in tears, and direct disturbance of lacrimal film stability [109,110]. It should be remembered that isotretinoin applied topically is absorbed and gets to the systemic circulation. ...”

www.researchgate.net/publication/309218309_Side_effects_of_retinoid_therapy_on_the_quality_of_vision

Hi OP, I'm not medical expert butI've had blepharitis for the past twenty years or so, it was quite severe,there was no way I could wear eye makeup,eyes streaming and itchy at least one week a month. So about two years ago I started on low dose tetracycline antibiotics daily and I haven't had a flare up since then and can wear mascara etc again. It might be worth a try.

The doc explained the streaming is because the eyes are so ultra dry, so at least that is something I can do something about. Thanks for the info, experiences and recommendations. Interesting re the retinol.. Crazy really. Tbh I'm the opposite of religious about using it so I wouldn't say it's played any role in this for me but perhaps just better to avoid.

That's really interesting about the isotretinoin applied topically. I just assumed it was my ultra sensitive eyes (loads of allergies that either give me bloodred eyes or puff the eye up). I do use isotretinoin but no higher than under my cheekbones and no lower than the top of my eyebrows. I have also found it helps to let it soak in/dry before going to bed so it's less likely to transfer to the pillowcase and rub into the eyes. Wash your hands too so it is less likely to transfer if you rub your eyes. I usually stop for a day or two if my eyes start to look a bit irritated.

Could it be uveitis / iritis ? I get both, they always say to get check urgently as it could to permanent damage to your sight. Steroid drops clears it easily xx