Prolonged Eye Redness and Irritation

Approximately five months ago I woke up with my left eye being red and irritated.  It looked like pink eye without the itchiness and crusty eye.  This went on for about a month or so, until I decided to treat it with some antibiotics I had laying around the house (my childrens pink eye medicine).  I used this medicine for a week or so, which didnt clear up the red eye, but seemed to keep it at bay.  Finally, wiht no explanation, the red eye went away.  About two months ago, my right eye began showing the same symptoms.  Sometimes it would be clear, sometimes flaming red.  I tried artificial tears and allery drops to no avail.  Finally I tried some of the same antibiotics, which has semi cleared it.  I tried replacing my makeup, etc.  Last week, I went to an opthamologist who ran all kinds of tests and told me there was nothing wrong, but maybe viral conjunctivitis and to keep using the antibiotics until finished.  She gave me some samples of products to lubricate my eyes.  She said viral conjunctivitis could last for months.  My eye today has gone right back to being angry red after a short itching spell.  I have no clue what this could be and am getting pretty tired of it.  I am a young professional woman who deals with many people on a daily basis and this is quite embarrassing. Does anyone have any thoughts or ideas on a cure or treatment??  Thank you.

[Houman Vosoghi, MD]

There are many potential causes of chronic red eye.  Make sure you are not exposing yourself to any allergens.  Get treated if you suffer from seasonal allergies.  Do not put in over the counter drops that "get the red out" as they often cause rebound redness when withdrawn, and go see your ophthalmologist on a day where the redness is present so they could check for other problems such as episcleritis, corneal abnormalities, etc.

HV

[pritzzy]

Worsening Condition

last month i woke up with my right eye being red. i thought it was normal redness and ignored it. that very day in the evening my eyes started burning when i moved out of my house. i went to the ophthalmologist and as per him it was dust allergies. i started using the eye drops prescribed but they weren't helpful. gradually as weeks passed i also started developing dry eye symptoms. things became more worse when my right eye as it was more affected started showing blurred vision, whereas the left eye shows clear vision and both my eyes would turn red after sitting in front of the computer. for that the doc asked me to use glasses +0.50 for both the eyes while using the computer and said that there is nothing serious.

now even after wearing the glasses my eyes become red when on the computer or if i do work that demands concentration, the red lines which had come due to allergies are still there,  the burning in the evening [ which is due to allergies] still continues, eyes are red most of the time, blurred vision in the right eye, there is discomfort all throughout the day and slight pain sometimes in the eyes.

i am 20 and I've had no eye problems prior to this. it all started with allergies more than a month back and its just getting worse day by day. I'm too frustrated and my overall life is getting affected. will be thankful if replied.

Regards,
PP

[Houman Vosoghi, MD]

You should go see a cornea specialist.  No reason for you to suffer like this.  These days, the majority of the time we could treat your symptoms successfully at your age with the appropriate diagnosis.  But do go see a cornea specialist.

HV

[pritzzy]

thanks a lot doctor! (:
i'll surely take an appointment with a cornea specialist soon.

[pritzzy]

by the way, the doctor from whom i'm currently taking treatment is
DNB DOMS paediatric opthalmologist strabismologist & phaco surgeon.

dont know what that means but doctor u might understand it better.

[Houman Vosoghi, MD]

It means the doctor is an ophthalmologist who has had further fellowship training in dealing with eye disease in children and eye muscle problems.

HV

[pritzzy]

thanks doctor! i'll be visiting a cornea specialist tomorrow!

[julissa716]

Hello:
My name is Julissa, I'm 32 years old and healthy, since the last four years the white part of my eyes are getting red (looks like marked red lines in the white part of my eyes). I already visited the doctor, I had many tests, including a kind of ultrasound. They said everything is fine, I have no problems so the red eyes it's cause my optic nerve is thick, so there's no cure for that. I'm pretty depressed about that, cause'it looks really bad, I didn't have this problem a few years ago and it seems like it's getting worse each time. I'd like to know if there could be another reason and if there's any estethic treatment to get back the white in my eyes.
Thanks for your time and your help.
Julissa

[Houman Vosoghi, MD]

You need to see an ophthalmologist (another one if you've already seen one) to make sure all is OK.  Not normal for your age unless there is a finding (pterygium, pingueculum, dry eyes, etc).

HV