swelling pocket under eye that comes and goes

[kathy1942]

I had retinal detachment surgery last March 2008 and had a scleral buckle and oil procedure.  I have allergies and develop a swollen pocket under the eye that had the surgery from time to time.  I have shown this to my opthamologist and he doesn't know what is causing this.  Do you have any ideas on this situation?  Thank you.

[kathy1942]

I have had a bad cold which went into sinus and bronchitis.  Suddenly my eye became very red and looked like conjunctivitis.  I saw my opthamologist yesterday and discovered I had an eyelash sticking out of my scleral buckle which was causing all the inflammation and tearing and discharge.  He said it was probably there since the surgery and finally was halfway coming out like a splinter in the skin.  He removed it and gave me antibiotic eyedrop to use for a couple of days.  I hope this will solve the swollen area that appears from time to time.  Just wanted to report this info.  

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

Gentamycin is a very out dated drug.  You should use something more current.  I would not use hydrocortinsone cream near your eye. Use steriod drops.

Dr. O.

[kathy1942]

Thank you for the advice.  I used Gentamycin eye drops and hydrocortisone cream on the skin area which is about 1 inch or so under my eye.  The swelling is not as bad as yesterday.  I had the Gentamycin eye drops from after my surgery.   This seems to reoccur and I don't know if allergies play a role or not.  Also started taking an antihistamine.  

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

It may be a mild infection or inflammation.  Try topical antibiotics, if it does not help, try topical steroids.



Dr. O.