Recurrenty Eye/Eyelid Infection/Conditions?

[ginggoy]

Hi All,

Around 4-5 months ago, i experienced pain in my upper cheek (some redness as well), then when it subsided, it kind of moved up to my eyelid and became a Chalazion. My opthalmologist removed it surgically.  After a 2 months, i had similar pain, but only at the corner of my eye. The pain subsided, then a lump formed (different site from my previous Chalazion) turning out to be a Stye. Pus drained on its own after a while, but it did not completely heal so the same doctor surgically removed it. After 2 weeks, i had what i think was a Flu (coz a lot of folks in the office also had flu-like symptoms on the same weekend) which triggered Conjunctivitis after a week. This again make me have a Stye and it was drained completely. After a month, i had fever again (again, the folks with me at that time had fever too, so it probably was contagious) and hard acute bronchitis after. After 2 weeks, i had Conjunctivitis again (Viral) which formed a new lump on my eyelid. I have now become really worried, but my Opthalmologist said not to as he doesnt see anything systemic causing it (after examining my eye many times). But after a week of clearing me, i started to have inflamed eyelid and some discharge, so I tried to see a different doctor and he said i have mebomianitis AND blepharitis. i went back to my old doctor and he said it does seem like blepharitis, because he ruled it out due to my report of the discharge in the morning.

i'm now about to see a 3rd doctor, specializing in Cornea/External Diseases for a 3rd opinion, but any other opinion out there? Docs? Thanks!

[ginggoy]

Thank you.

I guess my question is more like could other diseases cause this? HSV? Cancer?

Or it really does sound like blepharitis?

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

There is extended discussions available by search and archives on treatment of blepharitis and dry eyes plus a feature article on dry eyes on this page. These are chronic conditions. One speaks of controlling these rather than curing them
JCH MD

[ginggoy]

Hi Dr. John,

I did go to my 3rd doctor (Cornea and Anterior Segment specialist) and he did a more thorough inspection of my eye (everted my upper eyelid, etc) and said i have Chronic Blepharitis. He prescribed me to use Blephagel (lid cleaning) and Tobrex (Tobramycin w/o Steroid). From my perspective, it did not help. Symptoms didn't really clear up. In fact, both my eyes now are irritated.

I went back to him just today (after 2-weeks), and he said that my eyelids are now cleaner on the initial eye, but need cleaning on the other. So he said to do warm compresses, continue the Blephagel but already use Tobradex Drops (w/ steroid) for a week. I also complained that my eyes seem to be bad upon waking up, better during the day, then bad again in the evening. He asked if i read often and I told him that i work at least 5-9 hours a day in front of a computer since my job is in the I.T. Industry. He prescribed me Artificial Tears (Systane Ultra) to reduce my Dry Eyes.

I know that Trobadex will really remove the inflammation due to the steroid. But I just hope i am treating this correctly (i.e. there may be other underlying causes?). I've been on and off Tobradex, Vigadex and Maxitrol for the past 5 months. I also asked him if it's Viral Conjunctivitis and he said "No."

Any thoughts from your end? Can Blepharitis really be this persistent and cause various symptoms? I am really feeling depressed already with coming back to the doctors with these symptoms.

Thank you for your time.

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

No additional thoughts. JCH MD