Opinion and Help Needed

[gsmith88]

I'm suffering from continued watery eyes. The whites of the eyes are reddened and slightly blood shot. The lids do not seem to have any redness even around the edges. In the beginning my eyes were very itchy. They still have some itchiness. This started just before Halloween this year and it persists in spite of having seen the eye doctor twice and the dermatologist. The eye md tried two different anti-biotic/steroidal drops over two weeks and then said it probably is ocular rosacea and gave me two drops Azacite and Lotemax. I figured at this point it wouldn't hurt to see a dermatologist before I spent $75 on the drops. He thought it looked more like allergies (I have nasal congestion and post-nasal drip) and put me on a Medrol pack which stopped the sx right away but they came back as soon as I finished the pack. At least I had a sx free Thanksgiving! I started the Lotemax on Friday and the Azacite yesterday (it wasn't available at the local pharmacy). Today my eyes actually seem worse. I look like I've been crying for two weeks and I have noticed some scratchiness on the inside of my upper right lid which wasn't there before. I have large bags under my eyes. The sub-orbital area is swollen. Still no redness of the lids. I've been reading all of the posts here and I seem to see different sx than I have, such as redness and swelling of the lids. I am following all the directions with the lid scrubs, soaks, eye wetting drops, etc. and I see no improvement. Like I said it actually seems worse!
I have to go on a job interview soon and I certainly wouldn't hire me with eyes looking this way! I'm a nurse and I really don't look healthy!
If anyone can give me suggestions I'd appreciate it. Genny

[Melissa W]

Hi Genny,
I'm sorry about your eye problems.
You mention that your eyes are itchy. Have you ever tried pataday which is specifically for ocular allergies? That might be the simplest thing to try first and if your eyes feel scratchy also they might be dry as well which would not be unusual for this time of year. You might want to try frequent lubrication using preservative free rewetting drops. You might find some relief with cool compresses as well for the swelling you have.

Have you read this yet? If not it might be very helpful.
http://www.rosaceagroup.org/The_Rosa...ad.php?t=15902

It should not be so difficult to get a diagnosis from a competent eye doctor. I would suggest to find one at a teaching hospital so you can get a correct diagnosis. Is it ocular rosacea, dry eye, ocular allergies etc. or a combination. In any case a proper diagnosis is important for proper treatment and relief.

Best wishes,
Melissa

PS Welcome to the forum

[Brighteyes]

I would suggest adding lid massages to your routine along with hot compresses and lid cleansing. Also, visit www.dryeyezone.com for suggestions and also to find a competent opthamologist in your area. As for your job interview - use visine or other vaso-constricting drops. Just don't make it a habit - try not to use them more than once a month (once a week is probably more realistic) if at all possible.