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Suggest Treatment For Viral Conjunctivitis

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Posted on Tue, 13 May 2014
Question: Hi I have been exposed to the chemical chlorafoam in the workplace in which it is sprayed so inhalation has occurred on a regular basis. I have had regular upset stomach's. I now have one very sore, swallon, red eye in which was present after been exposed to the chemical. This was 2 weeks ago. I have been to many different doctors and they have said it is an eye infection another says it is viral conjunctivitis. I queried the doctor in regards to the chemical I have been exposed to and he said if it was a chemical reaction I would have both eyes infected. Is it correct that been exposed to inhaling chlorafoam would cause both eyes to get pink eye or could it only be the one? I was prescribed bacterial eye ointment in which I had an allergic reaction to and my eye is only getting worse. I have now been prescribed patanol today in which I am nervous about using as my eye is really bad and I do not want to suffer any more horrible reactions. It has now been 2 weeks since my pink eye started. I would love to have another opinion thankyou.
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Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (41 minutes later)
Brief Answer: It is viral conjunctivitis and you can use patanol Detailed Answer: Hello Madam, Welcome to Health care Magic Iam Dr. Dadapeer K, an Ophthalmologist and I answer health problems related to eye. I reviewed the history given by you, it seems like you are having swollen, red eye diagnosed as infective conjunctivitis/viral conjunctivitis. You also give a history of exposure to chloroform at the work place. The eye condition is more likely to be infective/viral conjunctivitis as diagnosed by your doctor as chloroform is more likely to cause only irritation and severe red eye is usually caused by infection either bacterial or viral infection. Your doctor is correct in saying that chemical exposure will affect both the eyes whereas infection can affect either of the eyes. Patanol is an anti allergic drug used for treatment of allergies. Since it seems that you have developed allergic reaction to the erythromycin eye ointment you can use patanol. Hence to conclude I can say, you are having pink eye, most probably viral in origin as viral conjunctivitis tend to run longer for 2-4 weeks. The treatment is mainly by using antibiotic eye drops to prevent secondary infection. Since you have used antibiotic eye ointment, erythromycin and it has caused allergic reaction you can stop the eye ointment as of now. Patanol is an anti allergic drug and it can be used safely and it will not cause any damage to the eye. Since you have also mentioned that you also have chronic urticaria and you are allergic to foods and drugs and penicillin patanol will help you more. For pink eye, since it is there for last weeks and since it looks like viral and it will resolve and you can use refresh tears eye drops along with patanol prescribed by your doctor. Hope I have answered your question and the information is helpful to you. Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
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Dr. Dadapeer K

Ophthalmologist

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 5709 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Viral Conjunctivitis

Brief Answer: It is viral conjunctivitis and you can use patanol Detailed Answer: Hello Madam, Welcome to Health care Magic Iam Dr. Dadapeer K, an Ophthalmologist and I answer health problems related to eye. I reviewed the history given by you, it seems like you are having swollen, red eye diagnosed as infective conjunctivitis/viral conjunctivitis. You also give a history of exposure to chloroform at the work place. The eye condition is more likely to be infective/viral conjunctivitis as diagnosed by your doctor as chloroform is more likely to cause only irritation and severe red eye is usually caused by infection either bacterial or viral infection. Your doctor is correct in saying that chemical exposure will affect both the eyes whereas infection can affect either of the eyes. Patanol is an anti allergic drug used for treatment of allergies. Since it seems that you have developed allergic reaction to the erythromycin eye ointment you can use patanol. Hence to conclude I can say, you are having pink eye, most probably viral in origin as viral conjunctivitis tend to run longer for 2-4 weeks. The treatment is mainly by using antibiotic eye drops to prevent secondary infection. Since you have used antibiotic eye ointment, erythromycin and it has caused allergic reaction you can stop the eye ointment as of now. Patanol is an anti allergic drug and it can be used safely and it will not cause any damage to the eye. Since you have also mentioned that you also have chronic urticaria and you are allergic to foods and drugs and penicillin patanol will help you more. For pink eye, since it is there for last weeks and since it looks like viral and it will resolve and you can use refresh tears eye drops along with patanol prescribed by your doctor. Hope I have answered your question and the information is helpful to you. Thank you