Is this optical neuritis or possibly dry eyes?

[adriennent]

Hello,

Over the last year or maybe a little longer, i have had a feeling of mild blurriness (coming and going) in both eyes.  I had never had glasses before and went to see an eye doctor about 5 months ago.  He said i had mild loss of vision in both eyes and gave me glasses.  I have trouble seeing clarity in distance and driving at night and somtimes my computer screen when its not closer to my face.  The doctor also said my eyes were fairly dry but not overly.  I never actually have troubel seeing anything (ie. i can read for long periods of time, use my computer daily and have perfect colour vision).

My eyes have not gotten worse or better in the last year but the glasses don't seem to make a big difference.  Somtimes my eyes seem a bit blurry or foggy until i close them for a couple minutes then it seems to clear up? I also occassionally have pain behind both eyes (but have allergies and minor sinus issues). I have tried using drugstore brand eyedrops which do nto seem to offer any help other than temporay relief(a few minutes).  Do my symptoms (seeing as how they have lasted so long and are not acute) seem indicitive of Optical neuritis or possibly of dry eyes or somthing else.

My benefits only cover one eye exam a year and i am wanting to wait for another one unless it sounds urgent at all.

Thanks
Adrienne

Just for a reference i am a 23yr old healthy female. Other sympotms or problems i have had are neck pain and headaches.

[adriennent]

Thank you! I will see my opthamologist

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

I don't know how optic neuritis even came into the conversation here.  You could have very dry eyes - possibly some allergies and maybe you need glasses. Try Thera Tears or Genteal eye drops every hour or so and drastically reduce your computer use.  See an ophthalmologist for an evaluation.  This will be covered under your health insurance - not your vision plan because you are not being see for glasses but rather for a medical problem - blurred vision and sore, tired, dry eyes.  Again this should be covered under your medical insurance just as if you went to your primary care doctor for a cold.  It's a medical problem.  Again, your story does not suggest optic neuritis to me.

MJK MD