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Suggest Remedy For Persistent Redness In Eyes Possibly Caused By Dry Eye Syndrome
Question: Hi,
I have had red eyes for over a month now. There are not extremely red, I can see some veins that are 'inflamed / red' and it is only below the pupils. When this all started I remember I was quite sick and the doctor said that it is most likely a virus I came across. However, he said the eyes are not infected because if that was the case then everyone in the whole family would have been infected because eye infections are contagious. He said it is most likely dry eye syndrome for which I use lubricating drops. It looks just a little bit better then before but not much of a difference. Also, they are most red when I wake up, and the redness becomes much less very soon after I am up. The remaining redness stays for the rest of the day. Again, it is only below the pupil and most people cannot notice it if they are standing in front of me at all, so it is not too bad in that sense but I can notice it when I look into the mirror a bit closely. I do not have any symptoms for the most part: no itchy feeling, no burning, no pain or discharge from the eyes. Every now and then one of the eyes might feel a little sore but that does not last much time and goes away within a few minutes. I have been told dry eye syndrome can strike randomly and is something one needs to learn to manage, as there is no one medication that will make it go away. I would just like a second opinion because it has been a very long time since this started. (never developed any other symptoms though), I was also told that when you come across a virus, the "post viral effects" can take months to go away, may this be the case?
I have had red eyes for over a month now. There are not extremely red, I can see some veins that are 'inflamed / red' and it is only below the pupils. When this all started I remember I was quite sick and the doctor said that it is most likely a virus I came across. However, he said the eyes are not infected because if that was the case then everyone in the whole family would have been infected because eye infections are contagious. He said it is most likely dry eye syndrome for which I use lubricating drops. It looks just a little bit better then before but not much of a difference. Also, they are most red when I wake up, and the redness becomes much less very soon after I am up. The remaining redness stays for the rest of the day. Again, it is only below the pupil and most people cannot notice it if they are standing in front of me at all, so it is not too bad in that sense but I can notice it when I look into the mirror a bit closely. I do not have any symptoms for the most part: no itchy feeling, no burning, no pain or discharge from the eyes. Every now and then one of the eyes might feel a little sore but that does not last much time and goes away within a few minutes. I have been told dry eye syndrome can strike randomly and is something one needs to learn to manage, as there is no one medication that will make it go away. I would just like a second opinion because it has been a very long time since this started. (never developed any other symptoms though), I was also told that when you come across a virus, the "post viral effects" can take months to go away, may this be the case?
Brief Answer:
Avoid excessive workload on eyes as watching TV, Smartphone usage !!!
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for consulting and your trust in HCM means a lot to me as a Physician.
I have completely reviewed your health query, and well realize all those concerns. Being your physician, I will take care all of them today and will extend my expertise to solve the problems.
It seems to be due to dry eyes and it is very common issue in youngsters as they spend most of the time in front of modern era gadgets. Watching TV while sitting closer than normal safe distance; Playing video games for longer time; using smartphone excessively are some of the examples that need excess usage of eyes. They all cause dry eyes, redness and sometimes pain in eyes and headache.
Why eyes get dry??
Our eyes are protected in front side by a tear film that is continuously drained and replaced by the newer one. Our eyes have an innate and blinking reflex that serves to spread the new tear film evenly all around in front of the eyeball.
If we don't blink eyes for longer period of times, the older tear film dries up as is not replaced by the new one.
It may lead to the symptoms you are talking about. Sometimes, vision problems in one or both the eyes also may cause the same problem.
You need to apply SYSTANE EYE DROPS in both the eyes, and take by mouth ACETAMINOPHEN twice daily after meals.
Effects of viral illness may or may not linger on for longer time period. It is just a possibility and sometimes it is seen too in patients.
Keep washing the eyes with tap water for better recovery.
Take plenty of clean drinking water and keep a healthy and balanced diet.
Physical activity is a must for better eyes. You need to go for a gym on regular basis. Avoid cycling without goggles if you want to adopt it as an exercise. Air causes dryness in eyes.
If you have to use laptop, smartphone or tablet, try to lessen its usage for at least 4-6 weeks for better recovery.
Hope I answered all of your queries. Let me know if you have further clinical concerns or doubts. I will be more than happy to get back to you. Please don't forget to give 'Five star rating' (if agreed) to help me assist patients in a better way; and, please don't forget to click on 'Close This Discussion'.
For any disease you have, a timely follow-up is necessary regarding the treatment efficacy and to see if there is a need to change the treatment options. So keep a follow up to see how you doing (Always write down my name in start of your questions at this forum & I will be with you in no time).
Regards!
DR. HANIF
Avoid excessive workload on eyes as watching TV, Smartphone usage !!!
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for consulting and your trust in HCM means a lot to me as a Physician.
I have completely reviewed your health query, and well realize all those concerns. Being your physician, I will take care all of them today and will extend my expertise to solve the problems.
It seems to be due to dry eyes and it is very common issue in youngsters as they spend most of the time in front of modern era gadgets. Watching TV while sitting closer than normal safe distance; Playing video games for longer time; using smartphone excessively are some of the examples that need excess usage of eyes. They all cause dry eyes, redness and sometimes pain in eyes and headache.
Why eyes get dry??
Our eyes are protected in front side by a tear film that is continuously drained and replaced by the newer one. Our eyes have an innate and blinking reflex that serves to spread the new tear film evenly all around in front of the eyeball.
If we don't blink eyes for longer period of times, the older tear film dries up as is not replaced by the new one.
It may lead to the symptoms you are talking about. Sometimes, vision problems in one or both the eyes also may cause the same problem.
You need to apply SYSTANE EYE DROPS in both the eyes, and take by mouth ACETAMINOPHEN twice daily after meals.
Effects of viral illness may or may not linger on for longer time period. It is just a possibility and sometimes it is seen too in patients.
Keep washing the eyes with tap water for better recovery.
Take plenty of clean drinking water and keep a healthy and balanced diet.
Physical activity is a must for better eyes. You need to go for a gym on regular basis. Avoid cycling without goggles if you want to adopt it as an exercise. Air causes dryness in eyes.
If you have to use laptop, smartphone or tablet, try to lessen its usage for at least 4-6 weeks for better recovery.
Hope I answered all of your queries. Let me know if you have further clinical concerns or doubts. I will be more than happy to get back to you. Please don't forget to give 'Five star rating' (if agreed) to help me assist patients in a better way; and, please don't forget to click on 'Close This Discussion'.
For any disease you have, a timely follow-up is necessary regarding the treatment efficacy and to see if there is a need to change the treatment options. So keep a follow up to see how you doing (Always write down my name in start of your questions at this forum & I will be with you in no time).
Regards!
DR. HANIF
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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