Question: Hello,

I have a weird problem. The Colored part of my eyes look glassy/mirrorish/smoky most of the time(Other times it has normal clear texture/reflectivity etc.) This makes me look tired and unhealthy and people keep asking me if I am tired or sick; all the time. My vision is normal; though I get slightly photo-phobic during the above mentioned symptoms (I get my eyes tested by ophthalmologist once year and he says they are normal). I am not sure what is causing this. I tried a wide range of dry eye drops and allergy drops with no improvements at all. I have this problem for quite some time now (15+ years) and it is getting worse with time. It seemed like some kind of allergy to me due to onset circumstances but I tried all kinds of oral and as well as eye drop anti-histamines with zero improvement.
Please see the attached picture. The first one is how it looks when I have the problem. You can see some kind of weird reflective surface. It gets far far worse with staring look with silvery reflections, most times, but I don't have a picture of that. Other picture is when it is normal. btw, I have bloodshot eyes too but I can live with that.

Kindly advise. I am willing to undergo/try any risky procedures if required to cure this problem.

Thanks,

Thank you Dr XXXXXXX for the quick response.
1. Your first question : I would guess no. I do get sneezing from time to time as I have chronic running nose problem (I take citrizine quite frequently, sometimes almost everyday). But from what I can tell, the symptoms appear and persist for days sometimes but without any sneezing or running nose even when I am not on any anti-histamines.
Having said that, I have to mention, the symptoms appear the most when I am out traveling or when I eat some food (ex: if I eat apple I get is 100% the next day). But i tried many anti-histamine drops including Alcaftadine(this from what I can remember helped a little for a couple of weeks but then no improvements) and ketotifen (this had no improvements)
2. I am usually take it easy type of guy. Normally not stressed. I do get stressed sometimes. But to answer your question, from what I can tell the symptoms appears without any stress.
My apologies for not being much of help here. Here are some more info. I have seen some instant improvements by applying some pressure/accupressure type on some points on face. But it only works for a few days and then those points no longer give any relief. It is very weird. Ex: recently I started using eye massagin device, the symptoms disssappeared for two week. After that no effects at all.
And I remember trying some steroid drops for a few days long time ago, don't know what kind of drops. But it gave no relief at all. Right now I am not on any drops. I was thinking if it was corneal edema if not corneal exudates?

Thanks. Please let me know if you need any further information.

Hi Dr XXXXXXX

Yes you are absolutely right. My Eosinophils count is always higher than normal (atleast for last 7 years), I get my blood check every year as part of annual checkup. Here is my latest differential counts below (Eosinophils count is 9.4 )
Neutrophils : 45.1
Lymphocytes : 39.1
Monocytes : 5.5
Eosinophils : 9.4
Basophils : 0.9

And no, I have never taken montelukast. May I know why you ask.
If you need any of my health stats please do let me know.
And sorry forgot to mention this. I haven't tested IgE before but only Eosinophil
Also, this may not be of any significance to the case, I have very high cholesterol ; LDL is 233 instead of having a number < 100. And total cholestoreol is 311. Also I had teenage asthma (allergic, cold weather and exercise induced) which gone away on its own at around age 21.
Thanks.

Hi,
Here are the answers...

1. No, haven't undergone IgE level check
2. I am 39, Male, 180cm height. 180 pounds weight
3. My dad had lifetime of asthma. that's about it.
4. No, I don't smoke. Smoked for a short time when I was in college (around 20 years ago) that's it.

Thanks.

Thanks,
Actually the cholesterol problem I have for only last 7 years. But my symptoms are there for almost 20+ years actually.
1. No, I am not on lipid lowering drugs. Doctors strongly recommend me to take it. But I never tried it. I thought I would start it after 45 years of age.
2. No, I don't have asthma now. It started at an age of around 19 and disappeared at around 24. I do get kinda of an attack(light shortness of breath) very rarely; once in 2 to 3 years or so. That's it
And, sure I will ask my doctor to write a prescription for IgE test.
And also, I have a light bluish ring around my cornea visible with a bright light, which I believe is due to cholesterol as you mentioned?. Would it cause my symptoms? as my symptoms are intermittent