Inner Eyelid Redness

[ABS1981]

I am a 25 year old male, in otherwise good health.

For past 2 years I have suffered from irritated bloodshot appearing eyes. My best description; when I pull down my lower eyelids the inner eyelid is abnormally red, escpecially in the morning. The redder it is at the time the more irritated my eyes are. It comes and goes in its irritation level from day to day, one week might be below average; others bad, it may even fluctuate in parts of the day. Seasons of the year don't seem to affect it.

Was prescribed patonal and then elestat with no effect, have also followed eye scrubs for possible bleph. as one doctor said I have it. In 2 years have seen 3 doctors with no improvement. Rewetting drops do not help symptons even short term. Visine alergy drops provide short term relief, but I don't use because it's not a long term solution. It has affected my day to day performance at work ect. so it's an above average problem...any idea what this could be??PLEASE!

[ABS1981]

Ok, Thanks

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

If you wear contact lens that's the most likely cause. If you do not wear contacts the most common conditions that would cause these symptoms are blepharitis (granulated eyelids) and dry eyes. Elestat is a strong allergy eye drop and if it did not help then allergy is not likely.

Please use a Google Search engine to learn more about the diagnosis and treatment of blepharitis and dry eyes.

I would suggest you schedule an appointment with a eye physician ophthalmologist, ideally on that subspecializes in external eye and corneal problems. when you see the Eye MD ask the staff not to put any eyedrops in your eye till the doctor sees you. Ask that they do a Schirmer Tear test for dryness.

JCH III MD Eye Physician & Surgeon