Got pink eye for the first time....advice?

HardDrive · 10-09-2007, 10:30 AM

I have pink eye in one eye. Pretty sure its viral, as there is very little discharge, and its basically clear. No pain, but its a bit swollen, and feel a little scratchy. Looks like hell.

From what I have read, seem like the 'treatment' is to just let it run its course, and wash your hands to as not to infect others.

Any other advice?

rammstein · 10-09-2007, 10:33 AM

I think they have drops for that.

Yeah, wash your hands, and make sure you wash them after you poop. Thats where pink-eye comes from.

svandamme · svandamme's Garage

ease off with the maryjane

serious now, for me it's liver related ,i get it when i eat to much fat or drink a bit to much
usually accompanied with burning sensation and feeling of pressure on the eye
started in just one eye for me, even now if it occurs, it's mostly my right eye, left one hardly has it...

JavaBrewer · JavaBrewer's Garage

Go see an Opthamologist. They can perscribe an eye drop that will clear it up quick. You'll notice a big change within 48 hrs.

RickM · RickM's Garage

I hope you're seeing a good Ophthalmologist. I would not chance this to self diagnosis.

HardDrive · 10-09-2007, 10:49 AM

I have not seen a doctor. I suppose I should.

rammstein · 10-09-2007, 10:54 AM

Yeah. Eye stuff has a tendency to move VERY quickly. Get it controlled now.

And wash your hands after you poop! (I had to say it again, poop is funny)

HardDrive · 10-09-2007, 11:03 AM

Wash my hands?!?!?!

Whats next, brushing my teeth?

Between you guys and my wife.....gripe, gripe, gripe.....

M.D. Holloway · 10-09-2007, 11:05 AM

Easy to get - easy to rid. They do have drops. Takes a day or two to get rid of. You will have to see your Doc to get a script.

livi · 10-09-2007, 11:41 AM

How long since it started ? Still only in one eye ? Is it evenly red all the way in towards the pupil or only/mostly in periphery ? Do you have any other symptoms pointing to a viral infections in the upper air ways ?

porsche911girl · porsche911girl's Garage

Thank god I've never gotten this! Good luck and I second (or third or whatever we're up to now) the advice to go see an eye doctor.

Super_Dave_D · Super_Dave_D's Garage

GREAT! All you have to do is say the word "pink eye" and my eyes will be glued shut tomorrow morning!!! Highly contagious stuff! I assume you have a kid. They have this stuff thats like a gel that will melt in your eyes and clear it up in one night. I use my kids.

scottbombedout · 10-09-2007, 01:49 PM

Thought eye problems were normally linked to a particular form of self abuse practiced by a few others on here?

carambola · carambola's Garage

Don't Touch It!!!

kang · 10-09-2007, 02:14 PM

No discharge and scratchy: could it be allergy?

Pink Eye usually refers to a bacterial infection. The drops people are referring to are antibiotic drops.

Make double sure you don’t have a bacterial infection. They can be free of discharge at first. How long have you had this? You might start getting evidence of bacteria soon. If so, go to a doctor and get the antibiotic.

teenerted1 · 10-09-2007, 02:30 PM

got to the eye Dr ASAP. if it is pink eye they have Drops that will do a great job like others have said.

there was an epidemic of it going thru the college i went to. i got it two times that semester. luckily i still had the Drops the 2nd time around and it cleared up faster that second time.

red sore eyes can mean multiple things.

i once had a carpet fiber in my eye for over a week. 2nd trip to the Dr they finally found it. tore up my eye lens/cornea (cant remember which is on the outside) pretty good. but once they pulled it out my eye felt better immediately and was clear in a day and fully healed 2weeks later

had a Little polyp under one of my eyelids once too. that caused pressure and a little soreness but cleared up one they did the correct meds then too.

amazing that i still prefer contacts over glasses but i still do. no longer a big deal poking my finger around my eyes anymore.

oh yea and WASH YOUR HANDS AFTER YOU POOP

charlesbahn · charlesbahn's Garage

Pink eye = viral conjunctivitis, usually there is a history of exposure to someone else with conjunctivitis or you also have a cold or flu like syndrome. There is no specific treatment and it can last as long as three weeks, during which time you are extremely contagious, and whoever gets it from you will remember where they got it.

Unlike comments above, no drops clear up pink eye "real fast." They are often used to prevent secondary infections with bacteria. Cortisone drops sometime make the eyes feel better but increase the risk that the conjunctivitis will be prolonged and complicated by sores on the cornea. If drops do help quickly, the diagnosis was wrong. The most likely other cause of pinkeye-like conjunctivitis is blepharitis which is a bacterial accumulation on the eyelids and lashes that irritate the eyes. It is frequently misdiagnosed and responds within 24 hours to topical antibiotics.

Pinkeye is just one form of conjunctivits, others of which can be quite serious and lead to blinding problems such as corneal ulcers. You should see an ophthalmologist for an accurate diagnosis, don't wear contact lenses while the eye is red, and avoid contact with others.

rcecale · rcecale's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by charlesbahn

Pinkeye is just one form of conjunctivits, others of which can be quite serious and lead to blinding problems such as corneal ulcers. You should see an ophthalmologist for an accurate diagnosis, don't wear contact lenses while the eye is red, and avoid contact with others.

I developed a pretty severe case of this stuff while going through Marine Corps boot camp. Started in one eye, while going through infantry training, in the mountains of Camp Pendelton. I had no idea what it was, as it started as just a slightly irritated eye. Like a fool, I was rubbing it, and it quickly spread to the other eye, by the end of the day!

A navy corpsman assigned to the training element noticed my eyes and promptly diagnosed pinkeye. He sent me to see a doc for confirmation...sure enough...full blown case, in both eyes!

Doc prescribed some eye drops to clear it up. They burned a bit when I put them in, so I figured the stuff must be working. Continued the eye-drops as specified, wanting to cure the stuff a soon as possible...little did I know that the "burning" was actually an alergic reaction to the drops. After several days of my eyes not getting any better...in fact, they got worse! Skin was scaling underneath my eyes. The slightest bit of light hurt like he!!. Daytime in San Diego was excruciating!

Finally went to an opthalmologist who was able to diagnose what was going on. With the right prescription, my eyes began to clear up in no time. I was lucky, doc said if I had kept going like I was, it's possible it could have ended up with extremelly detriorated vision, if not blindness.

They're your only eyes! For heaven's sake, have them looked at by a doctor!!!

Best,

Randy

HardDrive · 10-09-2007, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by livi

How long since it started ? Still only in one eye ? Is it evenly red all the way in towards the pupil or only/mostly in periphery ? Do you have any other symptoms pointing to a viral infections in the upper air ways ?

Still only in one eye.

Redness primarily toward the periphery.

Does not feel scratchy or bothersome at the moment.

I have been doing very dusty work in the basement over the past few days, and I may have something in the eye.

I have had pretty much the same symptons for 3 days. It has not progressed. If there is no improvement by Thursday, I will see a doc.

livi · 10-10-2007, 03:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HardDrive

Still only in one eye.

Redness primarily toward the periphery.

Does not feel scratchy or bothersome at the moment.

I have been doing very dusty work in the basement over the past few days, and I may have something in the eye.

I have had pretty much the same symptoms for 3 days. It has not progressed. If there is no improvement by Thursday, I will see a doc.

All things considered, it may not be infectious after all. Usually engages the other eye too. You have likely diagnosed it yourself. Got a bit of debris in that eye. If you have not already, I would fill the sink with tepid water and sink your face (eye) into it while repeatedly blinking in an effort to see if you can clear out any foreign bodies from under the lid. If that does not help, see a doc. With the right equipment it is usually fairly easy to spot any debris in the cornea.