chunky red veins in my eyes that do not respond to Visine

[selfdefining]

After a nasty bout of flu that left me ill for one month (Jan 2007), I was left with dry eyes and huge chunky red veins in my eyes that have not gone away. I went to see two ophalmologists who both said it was dry eye and prescribed artificial tears. One thought it could be mild ocular rosacea and I've been on Doxyclyline for one month. The dry eye is better, probably due to warmer weather, but the very large tortuous veins in my eyes remain. Before I had the flu my eyes were very white. I wonder if I had some kind of inflammatory problem given the severity of the flu. Neither doc suggested getting checked for any inflammatory condition, but I wonder if I should. The red veins do not respond to Visine whatsoever. I red that a mild steroid like Alrex or Lotemax might help. I cannot try Restasis because they do not have it in Canada. I'm wondering if this inflammatory, if a steroid wouldn't help me? I'm otherwise a very healthy 37 year old, certainly not anywhere near menopause. This is definitely connected to that illness. Can anybody do anything to help me? I live in Montreal, and no doctor seems to be taking this seriously. Any docs out there who I might see who has seen something like this? Thank you.

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

Nothing in the flu over 10 months ago should be remaining now. I think they are co-incidental. Dry eyes should be excluded by a schirmer test and tear break up time. Your eyelids should be flipped to examine the inner upper surface of the eye for chonic conjunctivitis, you should be checked fo a pre-auriculiar lymph node. Any blepharitis should be vigorously treated.

Physicially thyroid disease and hypertension should be excluded.

After all this is done a short course of steroid might be indicated.  It might be worth it to order and use some Restasis from the US.

JCH III MD

[Saavedro]

No one can help you.  I'm afraid you are condemned to this sad fate, wandering the world with baggy, bloodshot eyes haunting your relationships.  Poor you.