Something in my eye, feeling continues on and off, doctors find nothing, other symptoms
Posted , 6 users are following.
For reference, I am writing this on Saturday night. I’m so sorry this is such a long post but I would love for someone to read and help.
On Tuesday night, I suddenly had a very obvious feeling that I had something in my eye. I wasn't doing anything in particular to cause it, I was just standing in my kitchen. All through Wednesday, I was trying to get it out but I couldn’t see it anywhere. It was there for 18 hours before I went to A&E at the hospital to get it checked. I couldn't see an eye specialist but the doctor I saw still did a general check. He dropped some numbing liquid into my eye then checked my upper eyelid and couldn't find anything. He then dripped that special yellow dye into my eye to see it better and still could not find anything special. He did find a hair at my eye and he said he doesn’t know if that was the actual cause and it could’ve just been coincidental that it was there at the time. My eye was still numb until later in the night, when it started aching an awful lot and hurt underneath and on the side of it and it was swollen on the bottom and the side. I also still felt like something was in my eye, but the feeling was just in my lower eyelid now, whereas before it moved many times.
The feeling stayed and on Friday I went to my GP to check it again to make sure it isn’t infected. A nurse practitioner looked at my eyes and used the yellow dye again to look further and said she can’t find any scratches or any foreign object in my eye either. Although she didn’t mention any infection, she told me to buy chloramphenicol eye drops and use them four times a day for a week. I used them 4 times on Friday and 4 times on Saturday.
I must admit that I am feeling a bit of relief. When I am occupied during the day, I sometimes even forget about my eye. But I still sometimes (not always) feel like there is something in my lower eyelid, most commonly in the outside corner, but it isn’t bothering my eye that much. My eyelid is also swollen my eyelids stick together on the outside, I see a lot worse colour blocks after looking at light than usual (sometimes accompanied by a little pain), my eye feels gritty and all around it aches. These symptoms happen almost only at night.
I am wondering if the eye drops will really help, if it sounds like I have an infection (though neither of the doctors I saw told me I did), and if it’s possible that the foreign object is still in my eye.
0 likes, 10 replies
mrsmop hayley80145
Posted
Hello Hayley, I am really surprised that no one you have seen has suggested you might have dry eyes or Blepharitis, or both.
https://patient.info/doctor/dry-eyes-pro
If you look at this page, it tells you it is for professionals but if you look at Dry Eye Syndrome & Blepharitis, they should help you.
I would suggest that you buy some lubricating eye drops, also known as artificial tears & use them often. Buy preservative free drops because the preservative can also irritate your eyes.
Clean your eyes twice daily, with a hot compress - get a flannel/face cloth & run some hot water & put the face cloth in the water, then hold the hot cloth on your eyes. You should find that this is soothing & helps you. I stopped using any makeup near my eyes a very long time ago, that helped me with my eyes.
Things like air conditioning dry your eyes & you find air con everywhere. I sometimes have problems in large supermarkets when they have the air con on full blast! Once you can sort out your problem, you will find it easier to manage.
Good luck Hayley!
hayley80145 mrsmop
Posted
Hello, thanks so much for the helpful reply.
I am going to take your advice and start using the hot flannel on my eye twice a day. Most of my daily life revolves around using a computer, both at college and in my leisure time afterwards, and I recently got a small fan to blow on me while I use my computer throughout the summer. I also have a fan blowing heavily on my face as I sleep. I suppose that these things combined could have caused dry eyes. I have stopped using my desk fan and have started having my bed fan blowing away from me and on a lighter setting. However, I thought it's worth noting that I am 19 years old since dry eyes is more common in older ages, though I understand it can still happen to younger people.
I used the hot flannel twice today and, although I don't know if it's related, today my eye has felt slightly less gritty. Right now and for most of the day, my eyelid is swollen and aches slightly below it. I only feel like something is in my eye occasionally for a split second when I adjust my eyes, then the feeling goes away and I can't find it again if I try.
Do you think I should book an appointment to see an Ophthalmologist, or should I wait to see if symptoms improve throughout my current week of using chloramphenicol eye drops?
Thanks so much for any help.
mrsmop hayley80145
Posted
Hi Hayley, I often tell people that you only have one pair of eyes, so you need to take very good care of them.
Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic eye drop.
Are you in the UK or somewhere else? An Ophthalmologist is a medical doctor, an Optometrist is not but is trained to examine eyes & dispense & fit glasses. Both professions work together.
Who prescribed the chloramphenicol? I think you should ask to be referred to an Ophthalmologist.
Good luck Hayley!
hayley80145 mrsmop
Posted
Hi, I am in the UK! My chloramphenicol was prescribed by a nurse practitioner in my GP.
I also wanted to update that using the warm cloth on my eye is helping a noticeable amount! Last night when I used it, my eye felt completely normal; not gritty, irritated, nothing. Though this kind of relief has come and gone many times since I started having problems so I'm not sure if this is permanent, thank you so much for the advice!
mrsmop hayley80145
Posted
I'm glad your eyes were feeling better, it does sound like Blepharitis.
I have just re-read your original post Hayley. GPs & their staff are 'generalists' they cover everything & are trained to refer you on to an appropriate specialist if they think it is necessary.
Have you seen an Optometrist? You can go into somewhere like Specsavers & ask for someone to check your eyes there, now the Optometrists can examine your eyes & explain about Blepharitis & other eye complaints & they can also refer you to a Consultant Ophthalmologist if they are concerned about your eyes.
Have you bought some ocular lubricant drops? For example, I use Hyabak - I am prescribed them but you can buy them over the counter. You want preservative free drops. Ant Pharmacy will have them & you don't have to spend a lot of money, they are all the same apart from having/not having preservatives. The preservatives can irritate your eyes.
mrsmop
Posted
That should say 'any' pharmacy!
georgeGG hayley80145
Posted
I have had problems with bleeding inside the eye, and two cataract ops. I have recently had a number of bloodshot eyes; the most recent was painful. In all these trials I have found it most helpful to start with the Optometrist I attend for spectacles. I have found I get a much more full and useful explanation and practical advice. Where needed the Optometrist refers me to the local hospital eye clinic. It may be worth considering attending a optometrist both for advice and education.
sylvia_02331 hayley80145
Posted
you should have been transfered to the hospital ophthalmology clinic. tell your doctor to refer you. sylvia
kyle56267 hayley80145
Posted
Haley now that it has been 10 months later, did you ever get relief? I am facing the same thing. it feels like something is in the corner of one of my eyes but the ophthalmologist cannot find anything.
alison_64461 kyle56267
Posted
Dry eye can be a chronic and or recurring condition. I have had it on and off for years and it can certainly feel as if you have something in your eye. I was given more drops and a gel for night time when I visited the optometrist yesterday to check on my floaters and flashes. Years ago, an opthalmologist recommended moist, warm compresses to the eyes a few times a day for at least five minutes.