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Hi, I just have a couple of questions. I've been having eye problems for about the last 2 years. Without Visine or something similar, my eyes are always pink and kind-of glazy, and sometimes get quite red. They also frequently burn and sting. I've been using artificial tears to lubricate my eyes and that's been improving my eyes a little but not very much. My eyes always have a slightly-watery, pink look, like I've been coughing very hard or something even though I haven't.
Another interesting thing is on the outside of my right eye it is always red, moreso than the rest of my eyes. Depending on what's going on it can sometimes be *very* red in this spot. It also stings a little more in this part of the eye.
I stopped using Visine and any eyedrops besides artificial tears about two months ago. Doesn't seem like there's a lot of improvement. But, just for experimental sake, I just put a drop of "Opcon-A" in each of my eyes. It's made by Bausch & Lomb and it is labelled as an antihistamine. The active ingredients listed are naphazoline hydrochloride and pheniramine maleate. It made my eyes quite white (as it used to when I used it before) and took away the glaze. Also my eyes just felt better. The reason I quit using Visine and those anti-redness drops is because I heard they can sometimes be bad for you if you have an eye problem. Also I didn't feel comfortable using them everyday, because it felt like I was maybe temporarily covering up a more serious condition.
The thing is that this depresses me incredibly. I don't know why. But when my eyes burn and are red I feel terrible. I feel cranky, I feel ugly, and I feel like I have no energy. It makes me feel like I'm sleepy because it resembles the kind-of itchiness you get when you are sleepy. I would just like any possible insight into my condition. I've heard the term 'ocular rosacea' kicked around and this is interesting because my nose and cheeks are always quite red as if I have rosacea. I just don't know. Please give me some insights. Thanks a bunch.
In Reply to: Red, Stinging Eyes posted by Eye Guy on November 03, 2003 at 00:44:48:
it does sound like some kind of allergy, especially if you have the redness around your nose and cheeks.
This could be rosacea. a friend of mine has this, facial rosacea, and when hers is quite bad, it affects her eyes. they get very red and look irritated, and sometimes she has even had to wear sunglasses to work because of her eyes being so bad. She doesn't normally wear glasses.
I would also say you feel cranky, ugly and terrible because these kinds of conditions (allergies, rashes etc) can make you feel very irritable, and sometimes, you just don't understand the reason for it. This can easily make one depressed, so I would say it's not highly unusual.
You may want to consider checking out a *good* naturopath who can help you with this.
Also, check out the archives for rosacea or ocular rosacea, and see if it relates to what you have.
In Reply to: Re: Red, Stinging Eyes posted by Violetta on November 03, 2003 at 01:02:28:
Thank you very much for your reply. The reason I'm dubious about it being rosacea is because I'm only 20 and I believe that rosacea kicks in at an older age. Allergies is believable, especially because I have omnipresent "shiners" around my eyes, very dark-blue/green, but not bags, and they are completely unaffected by sleep quantity. I've heard "shiners" like this can be allergy related. Is it wise to see an allergist about this? I was thinking about seeing an opthalmologist... what's best?
In Reply to: Re: Red, Stinging Eyes posted by Eye Guy on November 03, 2003 at 01:18:38:
I haven't read this link but you can do a more thorough search, I'm sure there's a lot more information for you.
In Reply to: Red, Stinging Eyes posted by Eye Guy on November 03, 2003 at 00:44:48:
I worked for an Optometrist for nearly 8 years. I would highly recommend that you go see yours so you can be properly diagnosed. It might be allergies, stress, computer use, etc.
Any of those drops that "take the red out" are never recommended because they can cause adverse affects when taken over a long period of time. Artificial tears are pretty safe though and there are quite a few good ones out there. The doc could probably give you some samples of a few different ones so you can see what one works the best for you. There are even tears that you use at night so that when you wake up, your eyes are already more moist.
And for those who are wondering? The difference between an optometrist and an opthalmologist? lol
Optometrists can do everything that an opthalmologist can do with the exception of doing surgery and giving oral/injectable medications (although that part is changing in many states and you'll see the term Optometric Physician in place of Optometrist in those places). Optometrists haven't had as much schooling on the entire body but they know ALOT more than alot of MDs give them credit for and they are not so quick to use surgery as an option. Opthalmologists often times seem to jump the gun on needing surgery when there are other remedies that can be tried first (i.e. with children who's eyes are crossed). A good optometrist will not hesitate to send their patient to an opthalmologist if the need is there, but I doubt that it would be necessary in this case.
Good luck! :)
In Reply to: Red, Stinging Eyes posted by Eye Guy on November 03, 2003 at 00:44:48:
Sounds like it might be allergy-related. Why not try completely eliminating dairy for a week or 2 to see if that improves it. Then try eliminating wheat. In the mean time, Dr. Christopher's Eye Bright could provide symptomatic relief.
In Reply to: Red, Stinging Eyes posted by Eye Guy on November 03, 2003 at 00:44:48:
Hi, Eye Guy.
This is blatant example of treating just the very tip of the iceberg!
This is a condition of generalized capillary congestion that is affecting every cell in your body. Your eye is just the easiest place to see it.
You need serious wellness! Be thankful to your bodymind for giving you such a benign warning for such a serious potential problem.
Start with the glossary & "How to be Healthy" on the home page (free protocol).
Let us know what you learn and how you do.
Walt
In Reply to: Red, Stinging Eyes posted by Eye Guy on November 03, 2003 at 00:44:48:
a general eye tonic in macrobiotics is to strain yellow sesame oil through cheesecloth to remove hard to see grit, then put drops of it in your eyes.
The first time I tried this,I did only one eye, in case it was a bad idea. I was soon doing both. I couldn't believe how much gunk came out- some mornings I wake up with my eyes crusted shut ( a warm wet wash cloth on the eyelid opened them up in a few minutes).
In Reply to: Red, Stinging Eyes posted by Eye Guy on November 03, 2003 at 00:44:48:
Sounds just like the allergic reaction in my eyes when I eat an offending food. And it's always worse in one eye for me too. The fact that eye drops containing antihistamine improved the situation so greatly underscores this fact.
You're reacting to something; could be a food. Try getting food allergy testing done by a naturopath.
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