Bacterial Conjunctivitis or Dry Eyes?

Hi there!

I've been having trouble with what I thought was bacterial conjunctivitis for the past 6 months.  Two doctors had said it was bacterial and gave me eye drops, and it went away, but it always came back a few weeks later.  I did throw away all make up, wash sheets, pillows, etc.  Most recently, when I used the eyedrops it would go away but come back within 24-48 hours of going off the medication so I ended up being on the eyedrops (Gentamycin) for 20 days.   My eyes were sore and gritty and I figured it was from the antibiotics, so I went to see an opthomologist for advice.  He said my eyes were perfectly healthy and that likely it was allergic pink eye, or dry eyes, and he gave me over the counter rewetting drops.  None of my family members had gotten pink eye in all this time so I figured he might be right, even though my eyes would turn bright red, swell up, they didn't itch, and they had the nasty yellow goop that is a good sign of bacteria.  The opthomologist sort of treated me like I was nuts because I wasn't CURRENTLY having an infection (obviously, because I was on antibiotics), so I just went on my way.

Of course, 48 hours or so after going off, again, I started having pain and redness with my eye, and some discharge.  This time I used the rewetting drops and allergy eye drops and it seems to sort of help.  My eyes haven't been red, but I have woken up with my eyes crusting shut and a lot of clear discharge as well.  They don't bother me much during the day but more at night. I figured they might have been right.. perhaps allergies since the drops helped some.

Now, my son (6) has gotten pink eye today, as has my neighbor who was at my house last night.  I currently do not have what looks like pink eye though!  No redness, just some dryness and gritty pain at night and some discharge slightly when I sleep.

I have no idea what to do now.  I have an opthomologist telling me I'm nuts, but I have people who have had contact with me having pink eye.  If I go on antibiotic drops, it will only help temporarily.

Any ideas on what this could be?

Thanks!!

Sheri

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

Gentamycin drops causes eye irritations and very few doctors use it.  Mainly, non ophthalmologist.

See another EyeMD.  You may have blepharitis.  Use the search function on this forum.

Dr. O.