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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Just what is wrong with his eye?

41 replies

PurplePineapple1 · 22/04/2023 14:21

There's no AIBU I am blatantly posting for the traffic because I'm desperate. 2 weeks husband has had this eye problem. Optician said no infection just use moisturising drops. That was over a week ago. No improvement. Tried every day last week to get a doctors appt to be told nothing available every day. He says it stings and itches. Constantly waters. Crusty in a morning. Sometimes bloodshot sometimes not. Eyelid horribly swollen and so droopy. Help!

Just what is wrong with his eye?
OP posts:
OoooohMatron · 22/04/2023 14:23

Hayfever? Could you try an antihistamine

Original poster
PurplePineapple1 · 22/04/2023 14:26

It's definitely not hay-fever. There was pus weeping from it yesterday and day before.

OP posts:
MarissaG · 22/04/2023 14:28

Not a doctor but have had incredibly sore dry eyes in the past due to air con and staring at a computer screen for long periods. I went to my local eye hospital and was diagnosed with keratitis and had filaments removed. Can you see anything in his eye? Any tiny white filaments on the iris?

Original poster
PurplePineapple1 · 22/04/2023 14:31

I've had a look and I can't see anything at all :(

OP posts:
Mememomo · 22/04/2023 14:32

Can you try see a pharmacist? Some of those symptoms sound like conjunctivitis but I don't want to say for certain it is that either. Until you get a doc appt a pharmacy might be best bet.

Whichnumbers · 22/04/2023 14:32

have you tried antihistamine to see whether it does help reduce itching and redness?

Floralnomad · 22/04/2023 14:33

Go to your GP or call OOH , tell them you’ve seen an optician without success and want a referral o the Rapid Eye Unit ( which IME isnt rapid at all )

Brinnt675 · 22/04/2023 14:33

Can you not get an out of hours doctors appointment via 111 or surely your surgery offers urgent on the day appointments?

Oneearringlost · 22/04/2023 14:37

Blepharitis?

MarissaG · 22/04/2023 14:39

Until you can see a specialist (I would go direct to an A&E eye hospital rather than GP if you have one near you) the following might give relief, if he isn’t doing so already - hot flannel compress, Hycosan Night Eye Ointment and Hycosan (red) drops. I find the ointment more soothing than drops, but obviously I can only speak from my experience. Hope he gets some relief soon, it looks painful.

SugarNspices · 22/04/2023 14:40

I have this to ATM

Mariposista · 22/04/2023 14:41

That looks horribly painful. He should definitely see a doctor asap - no messing about with eyes.

Summerhouse2013 · 22/04/2023 14:44

It could be an eye infection? Brolene eye drops are very good at tackling eye infections, available over the counter too.

Might be worth trying this until he can be seen?

tuvamoodyson · 22/04/2023 14:50

If it’s blepharitis, you need to do eyelid cleaning every day. You can get wipes specifically for it, years ago (NOT SURE THIS IS STILL USED!) but you could use baby shampoo because it’s non teary, you need to carefully clean upper and lower lid separately. You need to do this as part of your daily routine indefinitely to avoid recurrence.

Rosula · 22/04/2023 14:54

How's the skin around that area? Any possibility of shingles?

AlrightJulia · 22/04/2023 14:55

Could be very dry eyes or possibly blepharitis. As others have said...clean each day with cotton bud and baby shampoo. Use a new bud for each eye. Use a hot compress flannel over the eyes for 5 mins or so morning and night. Use hycosan red drops 3 times a day. There should be improvement after 2 to 3 weeks. If not then return to GP or optician.

AnnaMagnani · 22/04/2023 14:56

My vote would be blepharitis as well.

Original poster
PurplePineapple1 · 22/04/2023 15:01

Thank you everyone. Having looked up blepharitis I think you could all be right. I will start cleaning it with some baby shampoo right away. Thanks a lot 💐

OP posts:
mrcow · 22/04/2023 15:10

Clean it and get some Golden Eye or similar from the pharmacist?

Overitallnow · 22/04/2023 15:43

I have blepharitis. I use the Optase Tea Tree gel or have used Blephasol gel with a tiny drop of tea tree oil in it (but not too much). The tea tree really helps clear it up.

Blondeleo84 · 22/04/2023 16:11

Has he done a Covid test or had any other symptoms? My youngest daughter had this, thought it was conjunctivitis, red swollen eyes, bloodshot at times, stuck together in the morning and loads of yellow gunk- turned out to be Covid and since then everyone in my family including myself and my husband and our other children, my parents, my sister and her children have all had the same, and the main symptom has been eyes like this each time with everyone. I’m pretty sure it’s the new strain called Arcturus. Hope he gets sorted soon.

piedbeauty · 22/04/2023 16:30

Go to a pharmacy for advice! They will be able to help.

ILoveaSunflower · 22/04/2023 17:00

Phone your local Specsavers (or any local opticians) and ask to be triaged for an urgent appointment with an optician. They will have a procedure for seeing red eye problems and will have more specialist equipment than a GP. They can also refer directly for further treatment if necessary.
Depending on your postcode this may be covered under the NHS.
Baby shampoo is out dated advice for blepharitis.

pussycatinfluffyslippers · 22/04/2023 17:07

Blondeleo84 · 22/04/2023 16:11

Has he done a Covid test or had any other symptoms? My youngest daughter had this, thought it was conjunctivitis, red swollen eyes, bloodshot at times, stuck together in the morning and loads of yellow gunk- turned out to be Covid and since then everyone in my family including myself and my husband and our other children, my parents, my sister and her children have all had the same, and the main symptom has been eyes like this each time with everyone. I’m pretty sure it’s the new strain called Arcturus. Hope he gets sorted soon.

So did DH and I - we were ill for pretty much all of March.

Definitely worth testing OP.

ChristmasFluff · 22/04/2023 17:22

I had this in one eye for about a month - thought it was an infection, but no, told by optician. So I left it, and it looked just like your pic. Sometimes worse, sometimes better.

Started my hay fever steroid nasal spray about 2 weeks ago (because I have hay fever) and it went. Don't be too keen to discount it if infection has been excluded.