Advice for eyes

[jonesy9325]

Hi all,

I've been struggling with super red rings around my eyes for years.

Background info: my eyes have been awful since covid. Eyes were my worst symptom.
I've been back and forth from the GP to opticians and I'm not getting anywhere.
I have a potential diagnosis for fibromyalgia (eyes could be relayed GP reckons).
They told me at the eye clinic that I was allergic to my own tears and basically not to try (no joke, this was the advice)
I cannot rub, itch or basically touch my eyes as they're super sensitive- if I do they swell so badly.

I've tried so much- creams, gels, tea bags, eye drops, medicated eye drops, medicine's, diet changes.
I sleep with Vaseline on my lids and an eye mask which I can either heat up or put in the fridge.

My eyes are so dry. I am using antihistamine eye drops everyday and having am currently trying nursem cream which isn't doing much.

Has anyone else experienced anything like this? Any suggestions of what I could try?

I've told the GP that it's really depressing me. I've never had eczema or any skin related issues before and I'm desperately trying to find something to help 

Thanks in advance x

Natural Elements skin care
Have you tried this? I’ve no idea if it’s any good but I receive emails from this company (I’ve used other products from them) and I noticed this eye cream.

Given the list of things you've tried I don't think I can help but it sounds horrible and I'm sorry for you. Is it the skin around your eyes, your lash line or your eyeballs themselves that is sensitive?

I've had blepharitis in the past and what helped me most was more sleep, less screen time, and gel lubricant rather than drops.

Has the optician checked your tear film ? They should be able to say if the tear ducts are blocked or if the tear film is damaged.

If they have suggested allergies have you tried an oral antihistamine.

I get allergic eyes in the summer, they get itchy red and watery and sometimes have to take antihistamine it's the only thing I've found helpful, allergy eye drops can sometimes help but not always.

Note oral antihistamines often work best taken continuously and can take a couple of months to help fully. If you have hay-fever they recommend you take them at lest a month before pollen gets bad to have a better effect. So they aren't always an instant help.

I have allergies and the oral antihistamine (fexofenodie) and steroid nasal spray (fluctinose) also add a Sudafed decongestant into there too. This reduces swelling in the nasals area so should relive some for he symptoms.

I've also had dry eyes made worse by laser eye surgery and allergies and the heated eye wheat packs are good for increasing oil to the eye. Also hyco San night ointment.

I had to try about 5 types of drops before I found the ones that a) wokeded and b) don't sting.

Also supranette cleansing wipes for your eyes.

Thank you for your responses.

I've tried oral antihistamines but I am wary of taking them long term as I don't want to build an intolerance to them which has happened to my mum.

I've tried some natural elements products and It's not been very successful.

It's the skin mainly, my lash line is affected and my eye balls are super sensitive.

I've used a blephatitis miceller water but at £10.00 a bottle I didn't see much of an affect. I did only use a little bit as the bottles are tiny and cannot afford £10.00 every week or so on miceller water.

I'd been referred to the eye clinic and he was the one who told me to just not cry. He was pretty dismissive.

I've been back and forth from GP and optician. I will have a look at what else has been recommended- thank you very much x

This must be getting you down OP, I have every sympathy for you.

You shouldn’t have been spoken to at the eye clinic as you were.

I have been all round the houses with various eye issues, and have heard some absolute horror stories along the way. I finally learned that, with unusual symptoms, a general eye clinic, A&E or a GP’s surgery are not where you need to be. Sorry to say it, but I ended up paying to see the expert who I chose, and haven’t looked back since(😂).

If you can afford even a one off consultation then check out a private hospital and just email the private secretary of your consultant of choice. Briefly give your symptoms, say you will be self paying and ask what initial fee would be (likely £200/£300 depending on your location). At least then you will get a handle on the situation, and you can go from there.

You shouldn’t have to, but it is money well spent.

All the best to you.

You need to see an ophthalmologist again and ensure they are a corneal specialist. The one you saw before may not have been.
There are lots of things they can try. Do you have punctual plugs in? Allergic eye disease and severe dry eye are both treatable.
Good luck, the symptoms are awful and COVID can certainly make them worse.

I've tried oral antihistamines but I am wary of taking them long term as I don't want to build an intolerance to them which has happened to my mum.

Op I would assume that is quite rare, DS has had to take them continuously for years and has never had a problem. You could switch types if this did happen.

The only thing that works for my extreme dry eye and (since covid) sore skin and sensitive eyes) is the Xailin range. Get the night time and day time drops, but ensure they're the ones in the small tubes - not the little bottle. (The stuff in the tubes is much thicker so lasts longer.) Boots and Amazon sell them.

Sorry this is an old thread and I hope you have a handle on things OP.

@Gordonmulti how would I go about finding an expert. I have pretty uncommon eye problems and I’m not getting anywhere with my optician or GP and think I need an expert.

Any private hospital will list their consultants with their particular areas of interest. I went on a personal recommendation. Google was useful too.