methings wrong with my eye...

[katnap]

over last klast few days i've beenhaving probs with my left eye. i though it as conjunctivitis, and treated with a/b drops(annika had it about 2 weeks ago, and dr gave me rpt prescriptions for the drops) but they didnt work. My eye is swollen (half shut) blood shot and quite sore. But the bit that bothered me was the fact my vision was going blurry. Made drs appt (which is near impossible around here, had to travel 20 mins to drs...) but had get friend to drive me, because as i left my house, driving in the sunlight, me eyes felt like they were wobbling, and i all but lost vision. it also affected my left eye, as both would "wobble" not just the left one. at drs she told me it was just conjunctivitis (although i have no pus/discharge) and thats she wasnt too worried. But in the next breath, she said she was quite worried baout the fact that i was ahving trouble with my vision, and to go to fremantle hospital (about 45 mins away) and present to emergency, and just wait to see a dr. I wa like "WTF?!" told her i had no car (lie, but i was mad...) and she said hold on. Got me t do one of those vision tests (like when you g to check if you need glasses) holding my hand over each eye. My right eye was perfect, my left eye... i could only read 4 lines down from the top. the rest was a complete blur. She said to call back in the morning and she may be able to get my an opthamologist appt. Today i couldnt see at all for 30 mins after i woke up, now im having trouble seeing this. Typing most with my eyes closed, as i can only really see the screen if i cover up my bad eye. Have tried googling my symptoms, but nothing that would really fit what i have got. All my life i've had slight probs with my eyes and sunligt (if im drigin and sunlight hits my eyes, my eyes go all "wobbley" and i have to pull over and let them correct themselves) But this is extreme. I've had to put my laptop on power saver to dim the screen to almost nothing...

I cant get to opthamologist (even if this dr does come through for me) because i will not let myself drive, and noone i know has a day off today... Does anyone have any idea whats going on? Am i just losing vision? Im so scared, went and had a shower and balled my eyes out before, so annika wouldnt see my and get upset too.

sorry for such a long post, i am just scared and dont know what to do...

[Visitor9]

Kat, Can you get to an optometrist?
Ring someone local and they will be able to see you today, and refer you today if need be.... dont muck around

Photophobia and pain and discomfort, loss of vision are all things we make time to see

[katnap]

thanks for your reply bec

DP's trying to see if he can get the arvo off, i've tried darkening the house so i can at least get smething sone while im housebound... and its pretty dark where i am already (miserable weather)

fingers crossed i can sort something out...

[Visitor9]

Use a cold compress on the sore eye, and rinse every now an again with salt water ( water from the kettle and salt cooled), wear a pair of sunnies inside if it helps. If you start see any "flashing lights" then definatley get urgent help.

[slyder]

Kat, it would seem you have had either an allergic reaction to something, or you have an infection in the area. The sensitivity to light that you describe sounds as if your pupil is dilated and not presently able to contract. Imagine a camera with an aperture (light control) setting which is stuck - it floods the lens with light and washes the colour out. In the same way, your eye is temporarily unable to regulate the amount of light entering which is quite unpleasant. You do need to seek help from an eye doctor, but you will be OK in due course. The swelling indicates an external source of interference (allergy, infection) and not a neurological interference, and this is good news.

If your eyes are often sensitive to light (without the current problem you have) it could indicate a problem with the pupils along the lines that I have described, or a lack of pigment in the iris which can also lead too much light hitting the retina at the back of your eye. Again, and eye doctor will be able to advise.

Don't panic, you'll be OK. Just get an appointment as early as you can.

[katnap]

there no swelling today, thats gone. just a blooshot eye, a headache thats just gettin worse and making me want to throw, the pain in my eye is making my eye water, also, when i bend over (was picking up some of annika's toys) i felt a massive pressure behind my eye... im not allergic to anything, and i know i dont have anything in the eye, as i went to drs yesterday, athat was all checked over. when i try and focus on a point now, my eyes wobbling. DP's hopefully coming home soon, we're going to the nearest major hossy so i can hopefully see an opthamologist... my local hossy doesnt have one. The thing that sucks is today is my day to do the food shopping, bill paying etc lol!

thanks for your help ladies. i will try and check back in, but i cant sit on the comp for long. hurts too much...

[slyder]

The watering, headache and nausea are all symptoms of too much light getting in as well.

They'll sort it out for you.

[Hoody]

Oh Katnap you poor thing. I really feel for you. Is DH coming home soon? Where abouts in WA are you? I'm in perth but very northern suburbs (near Joondalup) if close enough i'd come and get you and drive you to hossy.

[katnap]

DP should be home mid arvo, he's in the middle of a job or something... im just wearing an eye mask and laying on the couch... thanks for your offer nat but im in rockingham! the hardest bit for me is im starving, but health direct/nurse on call told me not to eat or drink anything until i've seen a dr, JIC....

[Bathsheba]

I wonder if it could be a viral conjunctivitis? I have heard that the symptoms are similar but no pus discharge. With you eye feeling "wobbly" it might mean that the supportive muscles around the eye have been weakened by the virus.

Let us know how you go this afternoon.

[Hoody]

ok well as long as you get seen to today! i'm sure its nothing too serious (i'm thinking positive thoughts for you ) but i will be thinking of you this arvo so keep us all posted.
I wish my DD would let me lie on the couch but no if mummy lies down she thinks i'm a horsey and to be ridden.....not nice when pg.
If you get the all clear after been seen you should get DH to take you out for tea been as you've had to starve all day....with the viral conjunctivitis it is going around i know of at least 4 ppl who have had it in the last 2 weeks

[Bathsheba]

Yep, spring is the season for both viral and bacteria conjunctivitis. My boys have had it too....especially after windy days. My advice is to wear sunglasses as much as possible when you are outside and it's windy.

[Hoody]

hey katnap just wondering if you got seen to and what the verdict was....are you ok?

[Bathsheba]

I was wondering the same thing

[katnap]

hey ladies

went to hospital today, they said yes, its is viral conjunctivitis, but the infsection had spread to other layers of my eye, which is why im having so many other probs too. And its spread to my other eye now

Im still in a lot of pain, but i have to just wait it out... i was given the coice of riding it out, of they offered me steriods... which may make it last longer, but it make me more comfortable. I chose steriods, as im in agony. it was a 40 minute drive to the hospital, and i had to cover my face the entire way. DP's going away for 2 weeks on monday, so im hoping the worst is over (but they said the worst might be still to come) They were brilliant, i rang in advance and told them im unable to stand light for long periods of time, and when i got there i only had to wait for about 10 mins, although they were quite busy, then a nurse guided me to an eye exam room, and the dr followed her in! the dr (who i think was a student) checked my eye for grazes or burns, JIC, she said it was clear, and she consulted her boss, who checked, and then gave me a local in my eye (just drops lol) which made things heaps better!! (but only lasted 2 hours ) and then they sent me up to the opthamology clinic... thought i would be waiting hours, but it was 30 mins. I was in and out of the hospital, all done, in 2 hours!! i was ecstatic! But p*ssed off... i could be like this for weeks! The only time i feel partly human is late at night, and i cant do my shopping then! Not happy right now... btu thanks for your thoughts ladies. Make me smile to know peole are thinking of me...

[Bathsheba]

You're welcome I know viral conjunctivitis can be painful and annoying but at least it's just a temporary illness. It could have been worse. I have a melanin (same stuff as what's in freckles)spot on the back of my retina (the inside part of the eye ball) and I have to have it regularly checked incase it turns into a melanoma (like a mole). Apparently it is really common to have freckles inside the eye and most people don't know they have them. When UV light enters the eye it can cause damage. So for this reason I wear sunglasses everyday unless it is very overcast. Sunglasses can reduce the risk of contracting viral con. too and people really should wear them all the time on sunny spring days especially when there is a breeze. I wish my boys would wear them too. Anyhow I'm glad that you have an answer. Let us know how it goes... I hope the worst is over

[Hoody]

glad to hear that its nothing too serious and that you should be on the mend soon. One of my close friends has it at the moment and has a 4 month and 2yo to look after so i have seen 1st hand how she is struggling so my thoughts are with you. At least you have your DP until Monday. Take care and of course we were all thinking of you.

[katnap]

started steriods last night, can bear a little sunlight, but not much. ive had it, but very mildly, for the last 11 days, but this is it coming to a head... hopefully its past the worst though. i have a life to go on with lol!