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Suggest Treatment For Viral Conjunctivitis
Question: Hi, I had a bad case of viral conjunctivitis that started in October, I took an antibiotic drop for 2.5 weeks that was given to me at an after hours clinic. It didn't help so I went to an ophthalmologist and he gave me a drop with steroid that did help. I took that for almost a month before he was satisfied that the infection was gone. My eyelid drooped from the onset of the symptoms (the side of my face with the infection was also swollen, as well as my lymph nodes). The eyelid droop has not corrected and I'm concerned. Is this something that should correct itself and if so how long? Should I consider surgery? It does not hurt, I do have dry eye when I wake, but otherwise there are no other issues with vision or pain. Please help, thanks.
Brief Answer:
Surgery is not required for eyelid drooping following infection.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to Health care Magic.
I am Dr. Dadapeer K, an ophthalmologist and I will be answering your question.
I reviewed your history.
It seems from the history that you are having drooping of the eyelid following an episode of viral conjunctivitis.
Swelling of eyelids and swollen lymph nodes are usually seen in severe viral conjunctivitis. These will resolve once the inflammation subsides. Eyelid drooping following infection should resolve once the infection is treated successfully.
This usually does not requires surgery.
Hence do send a photo of the affected eye so that I can confirm the diagnosis and advice you accordingly.
Hope this is helpful to you.
Do write back to me for further questions.
Thank you
With regards
Surgery is not required for eyelid drooping following infection.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to Health care Magic.
I am Dr. Dadapeer K, an ophthalmologist and I will be answering your question.
I reviewed your history.
It seems from the history that you are having drooping of the eyelid following an episode of viral conjunctivitis.
Swelling of eyelids and swollen lymph nodes are usually seen in severe viral conjunctivitis. These will resolve once the inflammation subsides. Eyelid drooping following infection should resolve once the infection is treated successfully.
This usually does not requires surgery.
Hence do send a photo of the affected eye so that I can confirm the diagnosis and advice you accordingly.
Hope this is helpful to you.
Do write back to me for further questions.
Thank you
With regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you Dr Dadapeer K,
Last I saw the ophthalmologist, he said the infection was gone. He also checked my eye pressure and said it was fine. This was the beginning of this month, so three weeks ago. The appointment 3 weeks prior to that one, he told me to stop using the drops but when i did I started getting a pain whenever I blinked my eye, like there was a rock behind it; so i started taking the drops again. After my last appointment (3 weeks ago) he told me to continue taking the drops for another 3 weeks and ween off of it. I took it for about a week and stopped and didnt have any pain but my eyelid has not returned to normal.
Last I saw the ophthalmologist, he said the infection was gone. He also checked my eye pressure and said it was fine. This was the beginning of this month, so three weeks ago. The appointment 3 weeks prior to that one, he told me to stop using the drops but when i did I started getting a pain whenever I blinked my eye, like there was a rock behind it; so i started taking the drops again. After my last appointment (3 weeks ago) he told me to continue taking the drops for another 3 weeks and ween off of it. I took it for about a week and stopped and didnt have any pain but my eyelid has not returned to normal.
Brief Answer:
This will resolve with treatment, no need to worry.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for the follow up question.
I reviewed your history and the photo attached with the question.
The photo shows lid edema and probably because of edema the lid is appearing like it is drooping.
This does not require surgery.
This is because of severe viral conjunctivitis you had. These infections involve the cornea resulting in keratoconjununctivitis which cause chronic inflammation which can go on for 3-4 months.
Now the eye is appearing quiet hence no need to worry.
I will treat this condition with artificial tears eye drops, cold compression and topical anti-inflammatory drugs.
With this treatment the condition will resolve hence no need to be worried.
Hope this is helpful to you.
Thank you
This will resolve with treatment, no need to worry.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for the follow up question.
I reviewed your history and the photo attached with the question.
The photo shows lid edema and probably because of edema the lid is appearing like it is drooping.
This does not require surgery.
This is because of severe viral conjunctivitis you had. These infections involve the cornea resulting in keratoconjununctivitis which cause chronic inflammation which can go on for 3-4 months.
Now the eye is appearing quiet hence no need to worry.
I will treat this condition with artificial tears eye drops, cold compression and topical anti-inflammatory drugs.
With this treatment the condition will resolve hence no need to be worried.
Hope this is helpful to you.
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Good day,
last questions: do I need a prescription for the topical anti-inflammatory or is there something I can get OTC? And how often do you recommend I ice and do the artificial tears?
last questions: do I need a prescription for the topical anti-inflammatory or is there something I can get OTC? And how often do you recommend I ice and do the artificial tears?
Brief Answer:
Cold compression and artificial tears should be used 2-3 times a day.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for the follow up question.
You can use topical anti-inflammatory drugs like Flurbiprofen or Nepafenac eye drops.
Artificial tears eye drops like Refresh tears eye drops will be helpful to provide symptomatic relief. Artificial tears can be used 2-3 times a day. Cold compression should be done twice a day.
Hope this is helpful to you.
Thank you
With regards
Cold compression and artificial tears should be used 2-3 times a day.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for the follow up question.
You can use topical anti-inflammatory drugs like Flurbiprofen or Nepafenac eye drops.
Artificial tears eye drops like Refresh tears eye drops will be helpful to provide symptomatic relief. Artificial tears can be used 2-3 times a day. Cold compression should be done twice a day.
Hope this is helpful to you.
Thank you
With regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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