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What Causes Mild Prickly Sensation In Right Eye?
Question: I have a mild prickly sensation in my right eye which only occurs in the evening. I have had it for a few weeks now. I bathed my eyes with Optrex and that assisted a little for example I had had it in my left eye but that has gone away now. I am not sure what it is. I do not wear lenses and the prickly sensation is not affecting my vision. I am a 57 year old female in otherwise excellent health and not taking any medication.
Brief Answer:
see eye doctor
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
This is a bit concerning for early onset of herpes zoster which is shingles. It can occur in the area of the eye and can be very serious. If it were occuring in both eyes I would think it could be an allergy but since it is only in one eye that is much more concerning.
You don't want to take any risks with your vision. If you see any rash develop around the eye that that would be a definite sign of shingles and that would be XXXXXXX emergency so if that happens even at night go to Emergency.
The best thing for you to do now is to see an ophthalmologist or optometrist as soon as possible for a complete and thorough evaluation of your eye to make sure there are no serious problems that could put your vision at risk
I hope it is something simple that they can figure out and treat.
Regards,
Dr. Robinson
see eye doctor
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
This is a bit concerning for early onset of herpes zoster which is shingles. It can occur in the area of the eye and can be very serious. If it were occuring in both eyes I would think it could be an allergy but since it is only in one eye that is much more concerning.
You don't want to take any risks with your vision. If you see any rash develop around the eye that that would be a definite sign of shingles and that would be XXXXXXX emergency so if that happens even at night go to Emergency.
The best thing for you to do now is to see an ophthalmologist or optometrist as soon as possible for a complete and thorough evaluation of your eye to make sure there are no serious problems that could put your vision at risk
I hope it is something simple that they can figure out and treat.
Regards,
Dr. Robinson
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for this reply Doctor and I will make an appointment to visit my GP.
I did think I had it starting in the other eye - also mildly but this has gone away since I bathed both eyes with Optrex.
Would herpes zoster/ shingles be something that only manifested itself in the evening in the early stages ? Also it only stays for about 5 to 10 minutes and then passes off - the prickly feeling just stops. The eye does not look red.
I did think I had it starting in the other eye - also mildly but this has gone away since I bathed both eyes with Optrex.
Would herpes zoster/ shingles be something that only manifested itself in the evening in the early stages ? Also it only stays for about 5 to 10 minutes and then passes off - the prickly feeling just stops. The eye does not look red.
Brief Answer:
unlikely to be shingles just at night
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
It is not likely to be shingles if there is no rash, if it just happens at night and especially if it is spreading to the other eye. Shingles usually only manifests on one side of the body. However, it can threaten your vision so if there is any chance of it seeing your eye doctor would be very good just to be safe. I do not mean to scare you about the shingles but all of the herpes viruses can have this sort of early manifestation of just tingling sensation. On the other hand it does not usually come and go as you describe, it usually gets worse daily until you get the full blown manifestation of rash and visual changes.
I really hope this is something benign and easily treatable, but seeing an eye doctor is definitely the safest thing.
Please let me know if you have further questions
Dr. Robinson
unlikely to be shingles just at night
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
It is not likely to be shingles if there is no rash, if it just happens at night and especially if it is spreading to the other eye. Shingles usually only manifests on one side of the body. However, it can threaten your vision so if there is any chance of it seeing your eye doctor would be very good just to be safe. I do not mean to scare you about the shingles but all of the herpes viruses can have this sort of early manifestation of just tingling sensation. On the other hand it does not usually come and go as you describe, it usually gets worse daily until you get the full blown manifestation of rash and visual changes.
I really hope this is something benign and easily treatable, but seeing an eye doctor is definitely the safest thing.
Please let me know if you have further questions
Dr. Robinson
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I note everything you write here Doctor and thank you for your detailed reply.
I will make arrangements to visit my GP as soon as possible.
I will not take any chances with my vision.
I will make arrangements to visit my GP as soon as possible.
I will not take any chances with my vision.
Brief Answer:
Great
Detailed Answer:
It was great to talk to you and I wish you the best.
Regards,
K. Robinson MD
Great
Detailed Answer:
It was great to talk to you and I wish you the best.
Regards,
K. Robinson MD
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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