Eye Infection

[antic81]

Hi there,

I am looking for a bit of advice regarding a medical condition that I am currently suffering from.

Firstly I am 29 years old and in excellent health, I wear contact lenses but other than that have never suffered anything like this before.A couple of weeks ago - actually three to be exact - my left eye started to water and become rather irritated and red - this happened on a Saturday night as I was taking my contact lens out getting ready to go to bed. The contact lens was difficult to remove and initially I thought I may have injured the eye.

On the Monday I went to see my local GP who thought it was probably an eye infection - he did the usual check for foreign bodies and or damage to the eye itself - he prescribed an antibiotic eye paste called Fusidic acid and told me to come back if no change by the end of the week ( at this point my vision was still ok the usual -2.50) obviously I was told no contact lens in that eye.

By the end of the week the eye had not improved and in fact the vision had deteriorated substantially so I returned to the GP – on telling him about the vision he immediately referred me to the Western Eye Hospital in London.
I arrived there and saw the Ophthalmologist who obviously had far better kit and after examining me he told me that he thought it was a type of Viral Conjunctivitis and the reason for my very blurred vision was that it had caused spots on my cornea which were refracting the light – he prescribed two types of drops to be taken four times a day each for two weeks and then twice a day for two weeks – one antibiotic and the other anti-inflammatory – this was a Friday, he scheduled me in on the Monday to check on the progress – I came back on the Monday and he seemed quite happy with things – he told me that my vision should improve quite quickly at first but could take a few months to fully restore itself .
Now that was last Monday and I don’t know if I am being impatient but to me my vision has not gotten any better at all – it still looks like I am opening my eye under water – thats the only way I can describe it – wearing my glasses has no effect – but I understand why that is as it not to do with the shape of the eye at all but the light being refracted.
Does anyone here in the know think it’s worth going back in – he did tell me it’s not necessary to go back unless it has gotten worse – which it hasn’t – outwardly the eye looks fine, every now and then I get the feeling like an eyelash is in my eye but after a while this goes away and at the moment it looks fine but it’s just the vision, oh and it is very sensitive to light – which I’ve read is quite common in conjunctivitis.
What I’d really like to know is how long this vision is likely to stay this way – the Doc was quite vague on the subject to be honest...
Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated! Apologies for the ridiculously long post – just didn’t want to leave anything out!

Many thanks.

[Bertie Thruster]

Would have thought if it were viral rather than bacterial conjunctivitis you would have been given an anti-viral (eg opthalmic zovirax) rather than an antibiotic?

[antic81]

Hi Bertie,

Thanks for the reply the actual drops are: Chloramphenical (which i thought was the antibiotic-but it may not actually be an antibiotic) the other one is Prednisolone sodium phosphate - which I believe is the anti-inflammatory?

Many thanks,

Anthony

[Bertie Thruster]

If it is something like a herpes (viral) eye infection I would have thought steroid drops (eg Prednisolone sodium phosphate) would not be a good thing?

Vision most important. Corneal viral ulcers can scar (I know) I'd be thinking of getting another opinion of type of infection. Good luck.

[Loose rivets]

I have a friend who came back from holiday with such an eye problem. I'm pretty sure it was viral. It did not respond to routine treatment at the GP's surgery, and some time later her husband caught whatever it was.

It was distressing for both of them. I don't think they could drive. It took quite a while- many weeks, but did get better.

Tears are a miraculous mixture of eyecare chemicals. At least 4 layers with different functions. I'm always worried by those sticky mixes given to patients that barrier the surface from natural tears. I guess you just have to trust the specialist, but make sure you get someone competent - there are some real jokers about.

[antic81]

Hi Guys,

thanks for the replies - I'll wait until Tuesday and then if no better I will go back to the eye hospital - I dont want to sound like a baby but it is no fun at all - I am petrified that it spreads into the other eye - because I feel that would leave me pretty imobile and pretty much bed-ridden!

I think he actually said that it was a steriod now that you mention it - my issue is you sit in a waiting room for an hour and a half (thats with an appointment) and then they see you for about 4 minutes - It all feels a bit rushed - if I have to go back on Tues I'll ask to see another doctor - no harm in a second opinion I feel!

How does one catch Herpes in the eye??
I wish my sex life was that wild! :E
Many thanks,

Anthony

[Bertie Thruster]

Not eye sex! A re-occuring echo of chicken pox or shingles infections. Something like that.
Good luck.

[Rory Dixon]

Hi antic,
your condition pretty much sounds like a keratocunjunctivitis epidemica. Quite a while ago that a did some reading on it, so hope to recall everything right here.
It is caused by adeno-viruses and is highly contaginous, so it spreads really well.
Keep your hygiene up, no towel-sharing with other folks, wash your hands more often than usual and, if the other eye is still o.k., try to keep it this way. Don't rub your eyes.
There is no causal therapy, it usually takes 10 - 14 days to go away, but vision can be impaired for quite some more time. Antibiotics and steroids are given for protective measures. The first to protect from a bacterial superinfection, the latter to reduce the risk of a scar on the cornea by reduction of the inflammatory component.
So unfortunately you need to be patient.

[antic81]

Hi Rory,

I'm currently sat back in the waiting room at the Western Eye Hospital as it seems to have flared up again and I really don't want to take any chances.
The other eye is good still thank goodness- being very careful with the hygiene . I've already been told by the nurse to be patient but Id rather the doc takes a look anyway- they seem to think that maybe I enjoy sitting in a waiting room for 2 - 3 hours at a time...

Thanks for your help mate

Anthony

[Bertie Thruster]

Antic; There's a PM for you.

[gingernut]

Waiting ninety minutes for your four minutes unfortunately is par for the course the nhs hasn t quite got the demand supply equation worked out yet>having said that,if you did need ninety minutes its likely that you would get it.

GP's generally have little experience or skills to examine the eye but are expert history takers it sounds like you have followed the correct pathway. Reading between the lines it sounds like your condition is expected to be self limiting but youir eyesight is precious so seek a follow up_let your eye doc know your fears and concerns (he 'aint a mind reader) and hopefully you'll get the response you want cheers ginge

[antic81]

Hi guys,

Well the eye has got worse and I'm back in hospital- the doc wants me to see the registrar. It looks now like I may have damaged my eye taking out a contact lens, something that I had mentioned to the docs that I've seen since it started- it is now suspected to be a bacterial infection that happened after I damaged the eye- I tell you the eye looks terrible- the iris is dull and milky and the vision now movement only - I can barely see my hand in front of my face- it's actually pretty scary stuff. I have now seen 3 separate specialist and I'm waiting on the chief.
I'm actually quite happy with the docs- they are taking an active interest and are very friendly and helpful- seem as keen to get to the bottom of this as I am.
I'll certainly take the nhs over the alternative any day!

Many thanks,

Ant

[Loose rivets]

This really shouts the need for banging on doors time and time again until you get things moving. But there is also the human-nature problem about telling doctors what you think should be done. Understandable.


It's not much help now, but I will just mention a time I got a contact lens stuck on. Really stuck.

I tend towards having dry eyes, a real problem in its own right. One evening, I just could not get the thing to come off. However, I had read up on the possibility, and tried to think of some method to do the job.

Since I had the 'SnoTears,' I used that, but it could have been pre-boiled water. I sterilized a plastic small-bore pipe and sucked at the lens while flooding under what edges I could lift. Once fluid was under, I pressed the lens down in the hope of pushing the 'SnoTears' along. It finally worked, but it was a bit scary to say the least.

[antic81]

Well the chief saw me and the news is not good I am afraid.
It is now believed to be brought on by a bacterial infection that came about after potential damage to the outer layer of the eye on removal of the contact lens. THe infection itself was masked by the Steriod drops that were perscribed by the first specialist I saw.

He then went on to inform me about just how dangerous lenses are for your eyes and how careful you should be...I thought I was careful.

The prognosis for the vision is now uncertain - I am on antibiotics hourly daily and nightly...ie no sleep for me tonight - then back to hospital tomorrow- they were thinking of admitting me but said I should be ok to just visit daily.

Whilst not currently flying due to running dry on funds this doesnt put my current job at risk - but it certainly does put my future asperations in the firing line - so long to the class one for now...first thing to do is to beat the infection though - then worry about scaring and long term damage. They have taken samples to the lab to cultivate to see what exactly we are dealing with and the anti-biotics are supposed to knock out the usual suspects so just a waiting game now I guess.

On reading some of the other issues on our Medical Forum here at PPRuNe I think I should still count myself pretty lucky though!

Thanks again for all your replies!

Anthony

[Loose rivets]

In the hope of countering any black thoughts, I'll just mention Col Stapp again. Giggle him in his decelleration research in 1946. 600 mph down to zero in 1.4 sec...some 46 g a world record. He came off the trolley with "Eyes engorged with blood." and not for the first time.

The point about this is he seemed to make a full recovery after causing serious internal bleeding.

If you add to this, the progress of modern surgery such as my neighbor's example. Just been given a new cornea after 50 years of not using the eye. It's taking time, but his brain is adjusting. Total miracle.

Interocular lenses are of course replaced as a matter of routine.

This all adds up to not losing hope even if it doesn't make a full recovery at this stage. Still, I hope it doesn't come to any of these backup scenarios. Neither of my friends could see to drive, but they're both fine now.

[antic81]

Many thanks for the kind words of encouragement old chap!

I certainly appreciate them as I have grown rather fond of my site over the years!

Anthony

[antic81]

An Update...

Well I sit here typing an update nearly some two months after the initial infection in my eye - which occured around the 10th April.

So far I have been to the Western Eye Hospital 15 times, seen about 9 different Opthamologists, 2 Registra's, 2 Cornea specialists and a Cornea consultant.

My eye seems to ossilate between getting better and crashing again - they've gone from thinking it was Viral to Bacterial and now they have mentioned the posibility of an Amoeba.

Some 4 weeks ago I mentioned to them a suggestion that a fellow ppruner had posted to me via a PM about it potentialy being herpies type infection and the product that was suggested was Zovirax - they didnt think so (they still may not be wrong) but then Friday they decided to put me on Zovirax for a week to see - to be honest I dont see any real improvement at this stage.

At the moment the vision is pretty poor - basically my laptop screen is viewed as a blur of light with no detail visible...

Also had 4 scrapings taken on Friday for more analysis - that was a lot of fun. So far they can tell I have an apsis but they cannot say why...

As it stands I am due back on Friday for them to look again and then they are going to treat it as an amoeba and attack with disinfectant...

Its all becoming rather tiresome what with the 3 hour waits at the hospital and all - they all seem to know me there now too...cant work out if thats a good thing or a bad thing?

Anyway thats where we are now.

Just bloody glad the other one still works - otherwise I would need a guide dog!

[Capetonian]

This drew my attention as I'm thinking of having my eyes lasered and I know one of the possible risks is infection. I'm probably too much of a coward to do it!

My only reason for adding to this thread is to say that I feel for you, and I hope the medics find you a good and rapid solution. Our sight is so precious - whatever we do in life.

Best wishes.

[antic81]

Thanks Capetonian,

You should be fine with laser surgery - I was planning to do the same thing one day, spoke to an AME and he said the CAA over hear in the UK are fine with it these days... unfortunately the cornea consultant has since told me that that no surgeon would go near that eye with a laser now due to whats happend.

They think it may be contact lens related - they all seem to be against contacts at that hospital - if I had known that this something that could result from contact use I probably would have thought twice - I just hate wearing glasses! Worn contacts for years and never had an issue before.

Tell me about it - its amazing how much the eye infection has affected my everyday life - its given me headaches and left me bed-ridden at times, the doctors have told me I cant even go to gym at the moment, I cant really watch TV as it just causes headaches ( I had to listen to the F1 with occasional glimpses at the screen)

Heres hoping the end is in sight...no pun intended!