Itchy eye - help!

[minniecarousel]

One of my eyes is itchy, red, bloodshot and just hurts. I've decided that if it still hurts tomorrow, I'll call my doctor's office for advice. In the meantime, should I ice it or apply heat? Ice sounds more appealing, since it's a little swollen. The vision is fine and I can put my contact lens in. It doesn't seem to be any worse with it in. In fact, I just went to a new pair of lenses on Monday. This started this morning.

I guess I'll start with my Primary Care Physician, but I also have an Optometrist.

Any suggestions?

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I think I would leave the contacts out until I could see the doctor. It could be a reaction to the new lenses. Or, you may have something stuck in there that's causing the irritation or perhaps an allergic reaction to something that's in there. In any case, I would keep the lenses out, rinse it with water and see the doctor ASAP.

 

[Mommee]

I would go with the PCP or an opthamologist, but not the optometrist. I had similar symptoms once and it turned out to be a staph infection. It ate a hole in my cornea in the few days it took to get properly diagnosed, but luckily not in an area that affects my day-to-day vision. PCP diagnosed pink eye, but when it didn't improve within 24 hours I was sent on to an opthamologist.

 

[bballmom56]

You could try taking an oral antihistamine (not anything you put directly in the eye, because you don't know exactly what the problem is yet) to see if that helps. I have had a problem with my eyes for a few months now. I thought it was the contacts, but then thought it could possibly be allergy. After several trips to the eye doctor where he could find nothing wrong, I tried the antihistamine and it worked.

 

[golfgal]

Sounds like pink eye.

 

[shortbun]

Definitely don't use your contact. Rinse it gently with one of those natural tears things. The pharmacist can direct you to them. You've either irritated it some way or there is an allergic reaction. I doubt it's allergies because it's only one eye. A cool compress-washcloth with cold water would help with the swelling. I would not use an ice pak or ice near the delicate tissue of an eye without instructions to do so.

 

[bballmom56]

I doubt it's allergies because it's only one eye.

Actually, mine started out as just one eye which I thought was odd, too.

 

[minniecarousel]

OP here
hmmmm....I have been sneezing more. It feels a bit better today & I didn't put the contacts in. It's def not pink-eye. There is no "crud" and no excessive watering. I'll try an antihistamine and wait 'til tomorrow.

 

[LuvOrlando]

My eyes can get like that from allergies f I rub after touching an animal, then Visine A does the trick so i always have it. If you don't have allergies like that one eye sounds like an eye infection. I had one once and in a matter of hours it felt like my eye was going to rupture... it was horrid. I wouldn't let it go and would get to a Dr today if you can otherwise you might end up at the ER with a much higher price-tag.