Eyeball Problems (Dry Eye Syndrome)

[GlockSpock]

So, let me first state that I know TGO is not a substitute for seeing the doctor, but I feel there are many intelligent people here (perhaps probably even optometrists, ophthalmologists, etc).

 

Preface: I have never had eye problems before, don't know exactly "how good" my eyes have been but they have always seemed to me to be great at both close and far distances.

 

So, let me start this story on 6/10.

 

6/10 I work outside a lot and also inside using a computer. When working outside it is typically surveying related work that includes looking for specific small objects at distances trying to find them. So Wednesday I noticed while working that I was having trouble focusing on the landscapes and it seemed sort of bright. In hopes that it would help soothe my eyes, I used quite a bit of allergy eye drops at work. I did some research and figured that "eye fatigue" was probably my issue. Later in the day I was explaining to my supervisor about my eyesight that day and explaining why my productivity was diminished. He noticed at that point my eyes were quite dilated and convinced to to go to a local optometrist so I did. Since I have never really had any eye issues, I don't know if I have ever really had a complete eye exam so the experience was all completely new to me. Seeing as how I was a new patient, I believe he did the "full exam" I think. I looked through this machine that had a picture of a red barn in the middle of a field. This I believe took pictures of the backside of my seeing system. They also blew air in my air and somehow checked for glaucoma. During the part of the exam by which I read letters on the wall, we noticed that sight in my left eye was much blurrier than the right, which to me seemed "normal". I had not noticed it until this point. The eye doctor also used the drops that dilated my eyes and then used the stuff to look into it. He seemed to think I would probably "be fine" for another 20 years until I would need glasses. He seemed to think that eye fatigue was likely a good diagnosis due to decreased sleep, and using my eyes up close at work and home on computers, etc. The drops that dilated my eyes were supposed to wear off in a few hours. That night my eyes were still dilated.

 

6/11 Thursday I woke up and noticed a sharp pricking feeling in my left eye. I don't know what that was about, but it was quick and relatively mild other than the fact that it is a sharp pain in your eye. Blurriness in the left eye and dilation in both were still present. Wen to work and worked a full work day with a modified assigned task in hopes that taking it easy with my eyes would be well. Kept using allergy drops throughout the day in hopes it would help.

 

6/12 Went to work, used more allergy drops, eventually got sick and tired of blurry vision so I decided to go to a general practitioner just to see what they thought. I am really glad I went. I realized that the allergy drops I was using had Naphazoline Hydrochloride and were keeping my eyes dilated. Since my eyes were dilated so much the doctor was able to use the little scope with light on it to look into my eye. He said it didn't look like there was any infection or anything. At this point I stopped using the allergy drops and instead bought and started using some generic saline solution. Since then my eyes have went back to normal dilation. 

 

6/13 Saturday I took it easy. Honestly probably spent too much time using devices/tv indoors but you try finding something to pass time that doesn't involve straining your eyes in some attempt. Last night I was feeling moderately optimistic because my left eye could focus clearly on things at a close distance, such as my watch.

 

6/14 Today I woke up with the same prickle pain that I did on 6/11. Blurriness is worse in my left eye than last night. I currently cannot read anything on the screen on my computer as a type this with my left eye, right eye seems normal for as far as I can tell. I literally mean cannot read ANYTHING on the screen as a type this in my left eye. Through self diagnosis, I have realized that if I a lying on a pillow or in any other way place pressure on my closed left eye and look around while it is closed, it hurts. It has the entire time felt irritated, as if something is in it.

 

//

 

I admit that this past week I have been getting way too little sleep. I feel this could contribute to eye fatigue in combination with straining my eyes at work and home. However, I don't feel that eye fatigue would explain in any way any of the pain I have.

 

As such, I have began to wonder if perhaps it is a corneal abrasion. I admit that I don't remember doing anything specific, but sometimes I do have allergies and as such rub my eyes more than I should. Neither of the doctors I went to did the dye test for a corneal abrasion, but if that is what I had would any other signs have shown up that would have alerted them to this?

 

I don't know what to do. I feel like tomorrow going back to the optometrist and seeing if there is more that he can do. Seeing as to how my left eye is changing day to day in regards to focus I don't feel it is just my eyesight going bad. I think there is something going on and I guess it terrifies me to think of what might happen if something is going on and I let it go on for too long untreated.

 

I am trying to get more rest each night, as this for sure is needed regardless of what is wrong. I am trying to keep from touching/rubbing my eyes at all but with the constant reminder of blurry vision coupled with discomfort it is incredibly hard to do this.

 

Just wondering if anyone has any advice, similar experiences, or ideas that I have not thought of.

Edited September 30, 2016 by CZ9MM

[dralarms]

Get to an eye dr., the pain in your eye is a warning sign. Do not ignor this, you only have 2 eyes and as of yet can't get replacements.

[dralarms]

Also, never use "gets the red out" drops. They are very addictive.

[GlockSpock]

Get to an eye dr., the pain in your eye is a warning sign. Do not ignor this, you only have 2 eyes and as of yet can't get replacements.

 

 

Well, seems all are closed today. Would really like to go but don't think any are open.

[dawgdoc]

Well, my patients can't talk, but I did have a scratch on my cornea once.  It felt like sand or a hair was in my eye constantly (like I wanted to rub and flush my eyes, but it had no effect).   When animals have corneal ulcers they will have similar symptoms--spasms of eye, excessive tearing, redness, and sometimes a constricted pupil.

 

I would go to an ophthalmologist.  An optometrist is more focused on correcting visual deficits with lenses.  An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who then specialized in diseases of the eye.  Their education overlaps, but the ophthalmologist will have more training and experiences with eye diseases.

[GlockSpock]

Well, my patients can't talk, but I did have a scratch on my cornea once.  It felt like sand or a hair was in my eye constantly (like I wanted to rub and flush my eyes, but it had no effect).   When animals have corneal ulcers they will have similar symptoms--spasms of eye, excessive tearing, redness, and sometimes a constricted pupil.

 

I would go to an ophthalmologist.  An optometrist is more focused on correcting visual deficits with lenses.  An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who then specialized in diseases of the eye.  Their education overlaps, but the ophthalmologist will have more training and experiences with eye diseases.

 

Interesting. The type of advice I was looking for. Yes, feels like something in it but cannot get it out. Not really having spasms of eye but noticed tearing, redness, etc.

[dawgdoc]

If you had something simple like a corneal scratch, then I would assume any urgent care place should be able to do a fluorescein dye test.  It is relatively simple to do and interpret in animals, so I would think one of those urgent care docs should be able to muddle through it.  

 

(Human doctors are just like veterinarians who specialize in only one species. :rofl: )

Edited June 14, 2015 by dawgdoc

[GlockSpock]

If you had something simple like a corneal scratch, then I would assume any urgent care place should be able to do a fluorescein dye test.  It is relatively simple to do and interpret in animals, so I would think one of those urgent care docs should be able to muddle through it.  

 

http://www.doctorsexpressclevelandtn.com

 

Some place like this?

 

EDIT: http://www.doctorsexpressclevelandtn.com/patient-servicespage

 

Looks like "eye injuries". Off to see them now.

Edited June 14, 2015 by CZ9MM

[GlockSpock]

Probably be checking this post over the next hour as I go and wait in the office. Might not respond but be interested to hear any stories about corneal abrasions and the like from anyone.

[dawgdoc]

You could also try to compare your pupils.  In animals, when there is a severe pain, it causes a spasm that ultimately results in constriction of the pupil.  So if your affected pupil was smaller than the good eye, it might be due to a similar effect, and could explain the inability to focus you eye.  I'm not a (real) doctor though, so I don't know if the same is true for primates.  Mammals have many similarities in their eyes, but there are some significant species differences.

[dawgdoc]

My corneal abrasion healed quickly (and animals usually do also).  I shot a basketball toward the hoop, a piece of sand fell into my eye, which caused an instinctive closing of the eye, and then the ball came down and hit right on my face.  The doctor assumed that the ball dragged the grain of sand across my cornea.  Completely random accident.  At first everyone (I was in elementary school) just thought that the sand was stuck in my eye, because that is what it felt like.  My mother took me to the doctor after school when the irritation wasn't resolving.

 

The only other similar feeling was when I had LASIK surgery, which involves cutting a flap into the cornea, so the feeling was almost the same.  I took Advil after the surgery, which seemed to help the irritation.  That and will power to not mess up the surgery is the only thing that kept me from rubbing my eyes.

 

I have used those two experiences to influence how I treat animals with corneal ulcers (in terms of expected pain, speed of recovery, etc.).  

[Trekbike]

Yes, you need to see an ophthalmologist. My brother is one but is in Columbia. On my last visit he noticed something with my left eye and had to do some additional tests with some fancy 3D camera that can record the surface of the retina. Mine is nothing to do anything about right now other than watch it. The vision in that eye is slightly blurry at times.

I am to check my vision in my eyes every two weeks using an Amsler Grid.   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amsler_grid

Have you started taking any new prescriptions?    Sometimes those can affect your vision.  


 

Edited June 14, 2015 by Trekbike

[cjohnson44546]

You may have some issues overusing eye drops which have preservatives.  You can overuse these and cause a lot of problems.  If your just having dry issues, get preservative free drops (they come in single use containers), and you don't have to worry so much about overuse of those.  If your needing to use any type of allergy drop in excessive amounts (more than once or sometimes twice a day), you definitely need to bring that up with your eye doctor.

Edited June 14, 2015 by cjohnson44546

[Jonnin]

You need the eye doctor.   *ANY* sudden changes like this that are ongoing require an expert.    Best case is you waste a trip to see him and its just scratched or something from a piece of trash (eyes are pretty self cleaning, but a scratch can last for days even after the offending piece of trash was cleaned out).  Worst case, he saves you from something bad ...

 

your regular eye doctor can, if any good, spot problems and send you to an expert.  He may not know exactly what it is or how to fix it but when that happens he knows where to send you.   If you can't get in quickly to the expert, try your regular vision guy... and if its just a scratch he can see that with his tools and tell you.

Edited June 14, 2015 by Jonnin

[GlockSpock]

You may have some issues overusing eye drops which have preservatives. You can overuse these and cause a lot of problems. If your just having dry issues, get preservative free drops (they come in single use containers), and you don't have to worry so much about overuse of those. If your needing to use any type of allergy drop in excessive amounts (more than once or sometimes twice a day), you definitely need to bring that up with your eye doctor.

So I admit I honesty thought that the overuse clause was basically bs lawyer speak, but now admit that may have been part of the problem. Have not used them since and probably will not use them anytime soon if ever.

You need the eye doctor. *ANY* sudden changes like this that are ongoing require an expert. Best case is you waste a trip to see him and its just scratched or something from a piece of trash (eyes are pretty self cleaning, but a scratch can last for days even after the offending piece of trash was cleaned out). Worst case, he saves you from something bad ...

your regular eye doctor can, if any good, spot problems and send you to an expert. He may not know exactly what it is or how to fix it but when that happens he knows where to send you. If you can't get in quickly to the expert, try your regular vision guy... and if its just a scratch he can see that with his tools and tell you.

Just went to the place listed above. They did the dye test and didn't find anything. Basically mostly helpless there.

I did have high blood pressure. A lot of it did have to do with the fact that the white coats were coming. I haven't been diagnosed with high blood pressure but am a candidate for it in the future.

Wondering though about high blood pressure causing vision problems.


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[dawgdoc]

At least you know what it isn't.  Now you'll need to go to an ophthalmologist.  Did they give any idea as to what they thought it could be, or just say go to an ophtho?

[GlockSpock]

At least you know what it isn't.  Now you'll need to go to an ophthalmologist.  Did they give any idea as to what they thought it could be, or just say go to an ophtho?

 

Honestly it seemed to be a useless place overall. I was 20/20 or better in my right eye, I believe 20/70 in my left. With both open I believe I was 20/20, but I am not completely sure how all of that is read.

 

What is odd to me is that it seems to come and go. This morning out of my left eye I couldn't read my watch, literally. Right now I can read my watch and even though it is blurry, I can make out the text on my computer.

 

I really, honestly do believe that it is eye fatigue, although I am curious about whether it could be affecting only one eye and the other be normal or better.

 

http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/eye-fatigue-causes-symptoms-treatment

 

Symptoms of eye fatigue:

 

 

• Sore or irritated eyes
• Difficulty focusing
• Dry or watery eyes
• Blurred or double vision 
• Increased sensitivity to light
• Pain in the neck, shoulders, or back

I have all of those but the pain in neck, shoulders, or back.

 

As such, it is probably a good idea to keep off the internet, TGO, etc. I am making it priority number one to get more sleep each night for the next few nights.

 

I am not sure with what I am going to do just yet. I have been to an optometrist and two GP's. They haven't found anything worrisome but I would be curious to see what a specialist has to say.

 

I hate going to "doctors" who seem not to have any clue about what the problem really is. 

[Oh Shoot]

Did he do a TBUT test (tear breakup time ) or just rule out Dry Eye Syndrome right off the bat? (it would somewhat rare at your age, but not unheard of).

 

- OS

Edited June 15, 2015 by Oh Shoot

[GlockSpock]

Did he do a TBUT test (tear breakup time ) or just rule out Dry Eye Syndrome right off the bat? (it would somewhat rare at your age, but not unheard of).

- OS

Well, I am not familiar with this test so I don't know. Not really considered dry eye syndrome. Interesting. Reading about it now.


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[Oh Shoot]

Well, I am not familiar with this test so I don't know. Not really considered dry eye syndrome. Interesting. Reading about it now.

 

Can give most all the same symptoms.

 

Mine started with frequent "scratched eyeballs" happening especially during the night, which would make one eye or other go wonky. Had increased photophobia, itching like something was in corners of eyes, but not really there, increased tears (ironically, and why folks often don't consider that's what it might be -- it's not volume of tears, but their chemical makeup).

 

Then later started getting actual visible and tactile crud in eyes, etc. Fairly miserable condition for its rather benign name. Call it Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca and it sounds more serious. ;)

 

I have rather severe ragweed reaction in the fall, mostly affects my eyes, so thought for a good while it was just some new allergy or other.

 

It's probably not actually that at your age, but at least something else to rule out. Hope not, as it's just another incurable but non-fatal condition you can pick up once you get old like me. :)

 

- OS

Edited June 15, 2015 by Oh Shoot

[GlockSpock]

Can give most all the same symptoms.

Mine started with frequent "scratched eyeballs" especially during the night, which would make one eye or other go wonky. Had increased photophobia, itching like something was in corners of eyes, but not really there, increased tearing (ironically).

Then later started getting actual visible and tactile crud in eyes, etc. Fairly miserable condition for it's rather benign name. Call it Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca and it sound more serious. ;)

I have rather severe ragweed reaction in the fall, mostly affects my eyes, so thought for a good while it was just some new allergy or other.

It's probably not actually that at your age, but at least something else to rule out.

- OS

Well. Curious about it. Didn't know it was actually a serious thing because it sounds so "whiny" but after reading about it I don't think I want it!


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[teecro]

I did have high blood pressure. A lot of it did have to do with the fact that the white coats were coming. I haven't been diagnosed with high blood pressure but am a candidate for it in the future.

Wondering though about high blood pressure causing vision problems.


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It sure can..... Don't fool yourself into thinking that your "white coat" fear is not high blood pressure is it is; just a very early form of it. I'm in my early 50's and have been on meds now for shy of 10 years but I can recall having questionable blood pressure as far back as my late 20's when I was in fairly lean healthy shape. While not as bad to this day when my BP is elevated due to stress or fatigue can feel it in my eyes namely in difficulty to focus on objects both near and far. See your family doctor as well as an eye doctor and be sure to explain your details clearly to them...

[GlockSpock]

It sure can..... Don't fool yourself into thinking that your "white coat" fear is not high blood pressure is it is; just a very early form of it. I'm in my early 50's and have been on meds now for shy of 10 years but I can recall having questionable blood pressure as far back as my late 20's when I was in fairly lean healthy shape. While not as bad to this day when my BP is elevated due to stress or fatigue can feel it in my eyes namely in difficulty to focus on objects both near and far. See your family doctor as well as an eye doctor and be sure to explain your details clearly to them...

One eye or both eyes affected?


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[Pete123]

Here is what I will share based on my experience:

 

1. Several people have said this.  I really think you need to see an ophthalmologist as opposed to an optometrist.

2. I started having blurry vision in my mid 40's.  There was no pain.  Turned out that I had dry eyes.  I use high quality, over the counter eyedrops.  The brand I use is Systane.  These are lubricant drops with no medicine that I know of.

3.  I look at computer screens a lot.  Using a quality, high definition monitor has made a big difference.

4.  Every 30 minutes or so I get up and walk around, but to give my body a break and to give my eyes a break from intense focus.

5. Again, I want to encourage you to see an ophthalmologist - your eyesight is too important, especially  in light of the pain.

Edited June 15, 2015 by Pete123

[No_0ne]

As someone who has gone through similar episodes as yours due to dry eye syndrome, corneal abrasions, tear glands malfunctioning,  combined with wearing contact lenses for decades I second the necessity of scheduling a visit with an ophthalmologist soon.  Not only do they have more extensive training in eye-related problems they are also equipped and licensed for more specialized treatments, including surgery options and medications that can't always be prescribed by an optometrist.  It's also good to write down your range of symptoms and problems as a reference, as recalling all of your experiences can be difficult in an office setting.  Additionally, ask for recommendations on eye drops, there are far better options available than basic over-the-counter drops.