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Original poster

Dry Itchy Eyes DH desperate!

49 replies

itstimeforme · 04/12/2023 09:27

For about the last three months DH has been suffering with dry, itchy, swollen eyes and it is driving him mad. We've tried everything, thoroughly de dusting the house, all manner of drops, steroid drops which helped for a while, new washing powder shower gel etc etc. Nothing seems to help and he is really struggling as it both looks and feels awful. He had Covid for the first time three months ago and we were wondering if this was the cause. Any advice or recommendations would be gratefully received!

OP posts:
Tilllly · 04/12/2023 09:27

Has he seen an Optician? they might have some more useful advice

AutumnCrow · 04/12/2023 09:41

Where did he get the steroid drops from? I've only ever been prescribed them by an opthalmic doctor after a course of antibiotic drops first to clear up any underlying problem.

He needs to see a professional and have his eyes properly examined - again, if necessary. Don't mess about with eyes.

The system here (in my NHS Trust area) is that you see your GP and they can refer you to 'Eye Casualty' adjoining A&E for proper checks and treatment. You could ask your GP about the arrangements where you are, as they all seem to be confusingly different these days. Some places do have an urgent care walk-in service where a nurse practitioner offers triage, but there is a wait (obviously).

But as pp says , an optician can offer help in the meantime and at least have a good look at what's going on.

Btw h doesn't wear contact lenses, does he? Was he wearing them 3 months ago? (Just to rule that out.)

Good luck - eye problems are horrible, and (rightly) worrying.

Original poster
itstimeforme · 04/12/2023 09:50

Thank you @Tilllly and @AutumnCrow. He went to Moorfields Eye Hospital which is where he got the steroid drops from, they did a swab but couldn't really identify the cause. GP and opticians are both good ideas, as you say eyes are way too important to ignore. And antibiotics are a good idea too, at least they could treat anything lurking if there is anything.

OP posts:
savoycabbage · 04/12/2023 09:57

My dd is having ongoing eye problems related to an allergy.

The eye doctor told her to use this heated eye mask

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01N43NOYP?psc=1&ref=ppxyo2ovvdtbbproduct_details

and then after ten minutes she has to 'massage' her eye lids and under the eye. Pushing any blockage towards her eye lashes.

I do agree he should go to eye casualty though.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 04/12/2023 09:58

I have to use steroid eye drops long term. I’m checked every 6 months at the eye hospital.He may need this.

Original poster
itstimeforme · 04/12/2023 10:08

@savoycabbage thanks, will look into getting this
@ArseInTheCoOpWindow do you mind me asking what your eye condition is. Are there any significant side effects to long term steroid use? I think he'd like to go back on them as they did the trick!

OP posts:
Back21970 · 04/12/2023 10:08

I started using a heated eye mask earlier this year after a friend recommended, it and it was a total game changer.

Previously I had tried every type of drop and went to the doctors who advised me to see my optician - I don’t actually have one as I don’t even wear glasses.

Carbomer eye gel at night also helped

Mine seem to be worse in the cold weather too - can’t recommend the heated eye mask enough and until my friend told me I’d never even heard of them.

Original poster
itstimeforme · 04/12/2023 10:21

Thank you, @Back21970 really glad it helped you. Will get one asap!

OP posts:
underneaththeash · 04/12/2023 19:08

Please don’t use the eye mask without finding out what the issue with his eyes is. They help if you have meibomian gland dysfunction, but think about dryness and heat - it’s going to make things worse if he doesn’t.

he needs to find out what the issue is and treat accordingly. It could just be post viral aqueous production deficit
If you local high street optician has an interest in dry eye - go there.

Original poster
itstimeforme · 04/12/2023 20:23

Thank you @underneaththeash that makes sense. A diagnosis seems to be key.

OP posts:
Tilllly · 04/12/2023 20:44

The heated eye mask helps me but you do need to get some expert advice

It basically melts the hardened oil in the glands so the eye is better lubricated

The one I use comes with wipes as well

But, I was told to use it less frequently than the instructions

So go see an optician, they have all the same equipment as the hospital ophthalmologists and they are experts

Original poster
itstimeforme · 05/12/2023 10:00

@Tilllly thank you, he's phoning round opticians now

OP posts:
YouBelongWithMe · 05/12/2023 10:29

My consultant told me that the heated eye masks weren't hot enough, and to buy a facial steamer and steam my closed lids for two minutes twice a day. Game changer. I went from dry, irritated, gunky, blurry eyes to near perfect eye health in about two weeks.

Original poster
itstimeforme · 05/12/2023 10:59

Thanks you @YouBelongWithMe, will make sure he mentions this to the optician. What was your condition?

OP posts:
KarmaisYOURboyfriend · 05/12/2023 12:18

YouBelongWithMe · 05/12/2023 10:29

My consultant told me that the heated eye masks weren't hot enough, and to buy a facial steamer and steam my closed lids for two minutes twice a day. Game changer. I went from dry, irritated, gunky, blurry eyes to near perfect eye health in about two weeks.

They are if you put them in the microwave for longer than you should!

BeverleyMacker · 05/12/2023 16:59

Sjogrens?

Original poster
itstimeforme · 05/12/2023 17:57

He has an appointment for Friday with an opticians so will put this to them @BeverleyMacker. Thank you

OP posts:
Tilllly · 05/12/2023 19:27

Let us know how he gets on @itstimeforme

JamMonster · 05/12/2023 19:29

Could it be a wool allergy, they can develop over time? Try putting away all wool clothing for a couple of weeks and see if it improves. Sorry - it sounds miserable!

Oneearringlost · 05/12/2023 19:35

Sounds like blepharitis. Twice daily cleaning upper and lower eyelids with diluted baby shampoo, using a cotton bud, diligently. It settles eventually, its an inflammation so would settle with steroid drops but you cannot use them for as long as Blepharitis lasts. What did Moorfields say? They must have made some kind of diagnosis to have prescribed steroid drops.

Crikeyalmighty · 05/12/2023 21:14

Mine came on (in my case along with other weird nasty neurological things) immediately post my 4th vaccine and post covid (had both close together) I'm 14 months down the line and although it's not as bad as it was it's never been 100% right- mine feel sore like you had got a small amount of shampoo in them and are worse late evening and in cold weather . No problem identified at opticians using the full range of stuff they had either. I can only put it down to the covid and the whole range of nerve damage issues it gave me.

Grimbelina · 05/12/2023 21:19

Could be MAST cell issues or autoimmune illness like Sjogren's Syndrome. There is some evidence that both can be triggered by Covid or the vaccines. I was diagnosed with both post-vaccine (no issues before).

Original poster
itstimeforme · 06/12/2023 15:26

@Tilllly will do!

@JamMonster good suggestion, thank you

@Oneearringlost Moorfields said conjunctivitis, twice. They really helped but we are months down the line now and maybe he needs more.

@Crikeyalmighty time of day/cold weather and symptoms sound similar to my DH. Wow that's a long time for you.

@Grimbelina many thanks for the suggestion

I really appreciate everyone's suggestions. My DH is very tough but the intense itchiness is driving him mad!

OP posts:
Tilllly · 08/12/2023 15:58

@itstimeforme

Was it today he was at opticians?

Daffodilsandtuplips · 09/12/2023 07:02

My eyes are complex. Dry eyes, glaucoma and am just recovering from infected blepharitis. (Treatment oral antibiotics, 500mg Clarithromycin twice a day)

I was on steroid drops for 12 weeks due to complications after cataract surgery.
I’m Interested to see covid vaccine mentioned. Both cataract operations took place during covid lockdowns and I’m fully vaccinated. Since then I’ve had recurrent eye lid problems, usually on the right eye but this latest and worse bout was on the left.
I didn’t connect the two.
I use Hyloforte eye drops 4x daily. Use Optase tea tree infused eye lid wipes, Optase heated eye mask and an eyelid wash. I’ve started taking an antihistamine daily to help with the itching, it does help.