EYE

I woke up and had a pain in my eye, so my first thought was to wash my makeup off. While doing that I realized that the white part of my eye was swollen or has a bump on it. Its kinda stretchy loose, almost like skin. When I blink it gets in the way. Its in both of my eyes, but more so in the left. Its hard to explain but basicly what I have came up with is, extra sclera of my eye. Its not real painful, more annoying than anything. What should I do? Will it go away on its own? Is it worth going the ER for?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Call this morning and see if any Eye MDs (ophthalmologists) in your area have Saturday office hours, if so plead your case to come in for a medical evaluation.  If they can't see you make an appointment for Monday, if you eye becomes painful between now and then go to the ER. If you wear contacts do not put them in.

Your description best fits an inflammed pingueculum which is a small bump caused by chronic sun exposure or contact lens wear.

JCH III MD