Is this a infection?

[line]

For over a year my left lower eye lid was puffy in the A M but a slight tug below the lid the puffiness went away. I had two cataracts so I thought this was the cause. using all those drops before the surgery and after I had no problem. After stopping the drops my  lid started getting puffy again in the A M. I saw the eye Dr. in March for my final exam he said it was dry allergy eyes. I do have chronic allergies  and dry eyes for years.

At the end of Sept. I stated getting the puffiness on and off all day long, a discharge, tearing and redness plus the feeling that a area of the lid being stuck to the eye ball itself. I just had a visit with my G/P who said I have a eye infection she gave me a script for Tobramycin to use for 5 days, the pharmacist said I could use it longer if necessary. This is day 6 and my eye is the same as 3 months ago. I did mention Bleparitis to my G/P but she said no it is infection.

Can anyone have a infection going on this long. I have been using warm compresses  and baby shampoo washes and am getting no where. It is annoying, not pain.Some days I think this is gone but it is back, never feel it is gone for days at a time maybe a day or 2. Why would the dry eye or allergy problems show up like this after all these years.

btw I am a 70 year old female. I have done a lot of reading on this site and others about blepharitis and somethings make me think this is my problem but than other things are not mentioned that I have and others things I don't have.

Thank you, Line

[Timothy D McGarity, M.D.]

My experience is that gp's diagnose infection, but it's really not infected. It's difficult to diagnose without having our special microscopes. This is not a slant on gp's (they are great!). Dry and allergy can coexist. Continue using baby shampoo and warm washes. Make it a routine (possibly forever). Increase your omega 3 consumption (OTC or diet) to the max. Use preservative free tears OTC hourly if needed. This will all take time and may not fully cure. You are in the most common group of dry eye patients (possibly allergy, too). It's frustrating, but know that you are not alone and there are treatments (some of which take a long time) which can be used to help (not necessarily cure). Best of luck.

[Timothy D McGarity, M.D.]

Dry eyes: Oil deficiency or Aqueous Tear deficiency (2 main types) both have inflammatory properties (puffy eyes and debris). Keep up with those baby shampoo scrubs, preservative free tears, max Omegas.

[line]

I did buy Blink otc drops, it has gentle ocupure perservative but dissappears in your eyes according to the info.Is this safe to use.

[line]

Thank you for your response.It is most helpful.

I am just wonerding why this would affect one eye only although the right eye is coated with some dry debris in the A.M. Also what causes the puffiness.

I have been taking 2 grams of fish oil per day for about 2 years.

Thank you again for your time, Line