Conjunctivitis- does this look normal? Gross pic warning

[Panticus]

I hope I don't sound too dramatic but I just want to make sure I'm not being too flippant about my eye.

I've had a cold over the last few days and woke up this morning with a bit of a sticky eye. Tried to wipe it with some boiled (cooled) water and it very quickly worsened. I now have thick yellow discharge coming out very steadily (to the extent it will drip down my face if I don't wipe it). Eye is also very sore and swollen. I have some antibiotic drops which I started a few hours ago but the swelling seems to be getting worse.

Do the pics look fairly normal for a case of bacterial conjunctivitis? I've only ever had viral so this has taken me a bit by surprise!

Thanks in advance.

Crikey OP that doesn't look normal to me- I think I would phone 111/go to the walk in centre today as assume your GP is closed.

I’d visit the pharmacy first thing. You can get chloramphenicol OTC

Googles CUES and see if it opperates in your area. It's the community urgent eyecare service that some opticians are signed up for. I work in a GP surgery and we signpost patients to them all the time. In my area several Specsavers and Asda opticians are part of it. You can self refer.

I had something exactly like this a few years ago. It was conjunctivitis- but I needed some serious antibiotics and a follow up trip to the hospital to make sure my sight was okay. There’s something called “eye casualty” - I would go there today.

Thank you, all - much appreciated. I was rather hoping you'd all say it looks like a bog standard case 😩 I'll continue with the AB drops overnight and have booked a GP appointment for first thing tomorrow morning. I'm feeling a bit sorry for myself!

Conjunctivitis is miserable. You could try easing the discomfort by bathing your eye in strong, black tea. Sounds weird but it's an old remedy and helps to reduce the swelling, as well as wash away the crusts and discharge. Cool the tea to a warmth that feels comfortable on your face, and use a fresh piece of cotton wool for each wipe. You can even lie down with a tea compress on your eye, though put a towel under your ear to catch drips.

This is not, of course, instead of the antibiotics or GP. Give at least an hour after using the drops before you bathe your eye.

Be warned: conjunctivitis has a horrible habit of spreading to your other eye, and to others' eyes. Scrupulous hand hygiene and towel hygiene.

Hope you feel better soon.

Honestly - I wouldn’t leave that until tomorrow. Please see if you can get an emergency appointment today. I had a horrible time with it when mine was like that (doctor insisted I was signed off sick for weeks so I didn’t spread it) and it went to both eyes.

Please get that seen today!! I am an old hand at conjunctivitis, and that really does not look normal.

DS once spent 9 days in hospital with complications of conjunctivitis!

Thanks again to you all for responding - I really appreciate it. I saw the GP this morning who has put me on a course of oral ABs and booked me in for a return visit on Thursday. He didn't see any indication of peri-orbital cellulitis and thinks I've just got a very bad case of bacterial conjunctivitis - has sent a swab off for testing. Unfortunately it spread to my other eye overnight but it doesn't seem as severe as the first one. Fingers crossed it resolves in the next few days.

Glad you have started treatment

If you happen to be breastfeeding get that in your eye, bloody brilliant for conjunctivitis, anti viral and anti bacterial

Oooo bloody Nora, my stomach turned a bit and had to quickly scroll past your photo OP and I'm hard core with medical stuff. So glad you've started treatment.

There seems to be a LOT of conjunctivitis around at the moment , dh has had it twice in 6 weeks, never had it before and friends and neighbours have had it too. Not just where I live either as my mum even said her friend has it and she lives miles away. It used to be a thing nursery kids got, really weird.

It looks very sore

I'd see a doctor

Recurrent conjunctivitis sufferer here. I was told by eye causality that oral antibiotics are basically pointless and you must use something topical. I’m not sure how accurate that is so hopefully you’ll be okay but if no quick improvement then hopefully they will prescribe chloramphenicol or fusidic acid drops

That kinda so painful but good you're being treated 💕