allergic chronic conjunctivitis

More than 7 months ago, I was diagnosed with a bad case of viral conjunctivitis in my left eye. About 14 different medications later, I still have this chronic "allergic" conjunctivitis in both eyes.  I have been living in Spain for about one year now, and the doctors here keep telling me that I'm allergic to the environment. I'm not experiencing any type of pain,  the color of my inner eyelids seem to fluctuate between very red, pink, and even a white color).  I'm currently 24 years old, I wore contacts for the past 10 years (from 13 years old to 23 years old).  Any form of eye makeup or contact wear irritates my eyes (my eyes themselves get red, and the inner eyelids get noticeably redder).  Do I need to come back home to California to get better (I've never suffered from any form of conjunctivitis while I was in California)? What, if any, eye drops should I be taking? Is there any hope this chronic conjunctivitis will resolve itself?

thank you,
Kimberly

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

If you are still wearing contacts then they are the cause 99.9% of the time. If you have stopped for at least 2 months then try and find a Eye MD that specializes in cornea/external eye disease.

JCH MD

[lori577]

When I was 25 I suddendly developed a chronic conjunctivits.  I am now 41.  I have spent the last 16 years going from specialist to specialist begging for help.  I disagree with Dr. Hagan on his remark that contacts are 99% responsible.  I, too, wore contacts from age 16-25 when symptoms suddenly developed.  I have had at least 10 occasions that I did NOT wear contacts for 6 month intervals and the symptoms actually worsened.  I am one of the few that actually feels better with my contacts in.  Now, mind you I said FEEL better.......not LOOK better.  I also have severe dry eye syndrome and have had punctal plugs placed (no help).  Spent thousands of dollars on allergy meds, moisture drops and numerous specialist visits. I also have a terrible time with eye makeup now. It is like my eyes are in a hyperreactive mode.  Anything........contacts, eyemakeup, strong perfumes, cleaners make them react. The only advice I can offer is to try to stay away from any eyedrops with preservatives in them.  All those eye drops prescribed to you probably made them worse!  There are some natural or organic makeup companies that I've tried that seem a little better.  Also, do you use eyeline underneath your eye?  If you can avoid this and just use on top.....this helps me.  Also..........try to avoid eyeshadow.  Many women are very allergic to the ingredients and once applied to the top lid just absorbed right into your already sensitive eye area.  If you feel your eye is very dry I have found a wonderful website.........dryeyezone.com.
Otherwise, I wish you luck.  Once you hunt around for other people with same condition- you will realize that eye doctors don't know what to do with people like us.  You will have to do your own research and be assertive with your eye doctors.  Do you have asthma or skin issues such as eczema? Do you actually suffer from hayfever/seasonal allergies? Or are just your eyes affected?

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

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