Redness & severe pain in left eye

[Foxylady345]

I awoke a week and a half ago with redness and pain in my left eye.  I did not have an injury nor was I hit in this eye.  No injury to the eye that I was aware of.  I just got up and noticed that the left eye was red.  The next day pain started in the left eye.  The pain became so severe that I took pain medication i. e. Vicodin, Tylenol with Codeine, Motrin, Aspirin continuously.  I called my PC and he referred me to an opthalmologist whom I have seen 3 times.  He has no explanation or diagnosis for me.  He gave me Prednisolone Acetate 1% and Isopto Homatropine 5% eye drops for the left eye.  They have not helped.  Today I still have pain in the left eye but it is not as bad as previous.  The eye remains red and half closed.  But today I noticed that the eyelid is very, very red underneath.  My vision does not seem to be effected.  But the redness and pain won't go away.  I am very discouraged and don't know where to turn next.  I am a 62 year old women who retired a few months ago and I have never had eye problems before.  However, I do wear glasses with bifocal lenses.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

You obviously have some problem going on and the ophthalmologist must have explained at least something to you.  It sounds like you may have uveitis but it may take a while for improvement.  I think it is important to contact your ophthalmologit and explain tht you are still having serious problems and ask when things should start to improve, do you need to come in for  recheck and what condition do you have.

MJK MD

[Foxylady345]

Thank you for getting back to me so quickly.  Today, I see slight improvement in the left eye but it continous to be painful.  I am able to decrease the pain meds.  Three Aspirin or a Motrin 200mg seems to bring confort.  The eye is still red and swollen.  I spoke with a friend and she suggested that I go to Eye & Ear Hospital and I will do that in the am.