Eye discomfort

[Steve_H]

Approximately one week ago I was struck in the left eye by a nail that somehow redirected out of a board.  It seemed to have hit me in the inside corner of the eye (i.e. not in the iris, pupil area). It did not penetrate the eye but but managed to hit with moderate force.  I noticed that the pupil in the affected eye did not dilate as much as my right eye.  I went to the opthamologist who said that everything looked good and mentioned something about possible inflammation that would go away with time, however I have noticed that the eye feels somewhat fatigued/strained for the last few days.  Could this be a result of inflammation such as iritis and would you expect that this would get better (it seems that it may be a little better today, however its still perceivable as there is a bit of dull pain/discomfort and can lead to a mild headache primarily during the day when i am outside. Is there anything I can/should do at home to help things?  Just want to make sure that this should clear up on its own and that the dr. did not overlook something.  Thanks in advance.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

At a week it should feel and look back to normal. Were you given drops for traumatic iritis? If its not "normal" I would see an ophthalmologist this coming week for a follow up exam.

JCH III MD

[Steve_H]

I should also add that i believe the tech that did the pre-exam and administered the dilating drops said that my eye pressures were 14 and 19, i believe that the 14 was in the left(injured) eye, however i could have misheard what she said.

[Steve_H]

I saw the opthamologist on friday, so it was a few days after the incident, which is when he said it looked fine and mentioned the possible inflammation, however he did not prescribe or give any drops for traumatic iritis.  It had symptoms of conjunctivitis for a couple of days afterwards which cleared, and from about thursday to today it has felt somewhat tired.  Since the opthamologist just saw me the other day and just said to come back in a year, should i still persue another checkup this week or give it a little more time?  Thanks again

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS]

If "somewhat fatigued/strained" is all the symptoms you have waiting a few more days shouldn't hurt anything.

JCH MD