Swollen Conjunctiva Defies Diagnosis

[patcom]

I'm 58 years old, and for the past nine months have been trying to find a diagnosis for my condition, without success.  It's related only to my left eye.  

Essentially, the conjunctiva is swollen considerably, and there is also swelling in the area beneath the left eye. I have had every medical test possible, including:  blood tests for kidney, thyroid and liver problems; MRI, CAT scan. I also had eyelid surgery to reduce the fatty tissue there, as the opthamologist thought it was possible that the weight of the eyelids/lashes could be irriating the eye.  I also went through several rounds of antibiotics as at one point the thought was that it was an infection of some sort.Most recently I had a biopsy, and so far, lymphoma has been ruled out.  We are now waiting to hear more results from the biopsy, but with all of the other tests that have been done, I am not optimistic that it will reveal anything.

They eye does not hurt, but it seems to me that the swelling has been gradually increasing, and I am concerned at some point that it may affect my vision. Currently, my vision is only affected if I start tearing-up, which I do on occassion.

Any ideas as to what this could be and/or what else I could do??  Thank you.

[Sandra M Brown, MD]

It sounds like the venous drainage of blood from the surface of the eye and the lower eye lid is compromised somehow.  This is a strange problem.  Why is this happening?  If you were my patient I would call the neuro-radiologist and ask him how best to study the veins draining the eye surface and eyelid.  This would not be the same as a typical MRI or CT scan.

[patcom]

THANK YOU!! If I lived in North Carolina I would come see you.  But as I live in Portland, Oregon,  I will pass your comments along to my opthamologist. Would you be interested in me posting an update for your own information?  THANKS again!!