Chronic Conjunctivitis

[matty_boston]

Wanted to get your advice. I had been diagnosed with conjunctivitis. It
is primarily in one eye although the other eye does have it slightly.
It is slightly red in the corner of my eye. If I pull down my lid, it
is red and it has follicles. My eyesight is fine and it doesn't hurt,
although sometimes it feels like its dry. I have been to the best Drs and
still the redness is there. I have been on torbadex, erythromycin,
doxycycline, and patanol. Although it looked like it was slightly better
after being on the doxy and patanol for 1 month, I had to stop the doxy
due to GI problems. I will be seeing the Dr in 2 months, but wanted to
get any advice you might have for me and any idea what this could be.
Also, I had a culture of both eyes which came back negative.

Thanks in advance.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

Dust mites are slightly different.  Your ophthalmologist would be able to see the demodex follicularis if you  have it - but some guys are not familiar with it and don't know how to see the mites.

MJK MD

[matty_boston]

Thanks for the response! By the way, I did finally see an allergist, and come to find out, I am allergic to most everything - grass, trees, mold, dust mites, dogs,cats etc. He did say that he didn't think my red eye was from allergies. I am starting with oral antihistamine today to see if that helps.

Are the dust mites I am allergic to the same as the demodex follicularis mites you mention above? Also who would test for this, would it be the opthamologist?

Thanks!

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

Perhaps they suspect acne rosacea.  Perhaps you have chronic lid margin disease.  You should be checked for demodex follicularis mites in the lash follicles.  You could just have  chronic allergies and need to take patenol longer and use oral antihistamine as well.  Dry eyes could be involved.  Oral flax and fish oil may help.  Maybe you didn't take the doxy long enough -  perhaps minocycline very low dose with food might be easier on you.  Sterilid or Ocusoft Plus lid cleanser pads might help for certain cases.  I expect culture to be negative because you have been on antibiotics and often these cases are not bacteria related.

Michael J. Kutryb, MD