Mysterious eye problem. Could it be?

The NHS departments are still all working and encouraging people to seek help as usual as a number of hospitals in each area are dedicated “non Covid” centres.
I visited one last week with a skin matter. The appointment was scheduled just 10 days after GP and I had an over-the-phone appointment.

If you are wearing the medical masks several days a week, and it’s your eyes and nose that are suffering (and it sounds horrid so commiserations to you MissA ) it suggests the masks have triggered the soreness.
They do have a funny smell to them. I avoid them preferring cotton masks.
I agree that if possible, leave off using anything in/around your eyes for a few days for things to settle down.
I would ask GP for an referral to an eye specialist. It can be done as an emergency and you should be seen within 2 weeks.
That’s how the NHS works in my area and hopefully similar where you are.
Please don’t risk your eyesight - it’s too precious. Good Luck and let us know how you are.

missA I’d advise you to see your optician, they will check how quickly your tears are breaking up and if there’s any damage to the cornea. If it’s dry eye syndrome they’ll prescribe artificial tears. Blepharitis isn’t the same thing though so it’s best to have your eyes checked.

I had a similar problem with my eyes, which I put down to allergies and too much computer time.
Optician said I had blepharitis and my eyes were dry from lack of oil in my tears, so my eyes were over compensating with extra water.
Forward a year to now:
I have drops from doctor, have changed my eye cream and don't wear any eye make up.
I bathe my eyes with warm water twice a day, and add a tiny amount of baby shampoo to water when they get very sore.
It's worth looking blepharitis up on Google as two types.
I hate not wearing eye make up but even the hypo allergenic brands make my eyes water.
The lack of oil linked to watering was a a bit of a surprise.

MissA I had similar last month. Dry eyes, so itchy some days I wanted to rub them away. Some morning on waking they were sticky. Anyway, long story short, took myself off to my opticians a couple of weeks ago. She checked me out thoroughly and told me I had a condition called blepharitis. Google it? She said she was pleased I’d not been using eye drops as some had preservatives.

She advised twice a week to apply clean cotton pads dipped in warm but not hot water. Hold against the eyes for about 10 minutes to warm the tiny ducts near the eyelashes. On the last warm press, very gently massage the eye.

Apparently we have tear ducts (water) but also oily ducts which can become blocked as we age. We need the oily component to stop redness and irritation.

She said it should clear in a couple of weeks (it has) but it might well recur as it’s a chronic condition.

I hope this helps! Good luck. x

leave your eyes alone for four days at least. You could have tried to many remedies. let things return to there norm.

Look up Bletharitis, which could cause red eyes. worth a look.

I got terribly itchy eyes at the start of the first lockdown, and realised it was the cheap handwash we were using. I react really strongly to scented soaps etc. I bought some better handwash and the itching stopped.

It is blimmin orrible.
Sometimes it's like acid coming out of my eyes.
It actually leaves the skin it touches red and sore.

Any road up... I'm going to have a look for some allergy free masks, a heat mask (amazon?) and an omega 7 supplement.

Thank you all. I feel better just for having a moan.

MissAdventure Blimmin horrible isn't it? I've had it with my eyes streaming, my nose swollen and streaming. All seemed a bit incongruous given they told me it was dry eye and my eyes were watering, all to do with lipid layers I think. Anyway, I hope you find something that works for longer than a day. Best of luck.

Ah, NellG I'm similar.

I start something new, and it seems to work for about a day, but I think it's just because I'm regularly tending to my eyes.

That sounds scary!
I think I'm at the end of the line with having a go myself (have tried cold tea, and saline solution, too)

I have a similar problem, I think caused by masks and wearing glasses. I've had it checked by two different opticians ( the second because my eye test was due, not because I doubted the first). basically it was dry eye and blepharitis in my case. So, daily cleaning with sterile eye wipes, heat mask and Hyco-san drops- which are preservative free.

Oh and an Omega 7 supplement ( sea buckthorn) helps with general drying out!

As long as I keep it all up it's bearable.

My dad used to soak his eyes in a solution made with boracic powder and warm water, he swore by it and never had any trouble with his eyes..

I have to wear a mask and visor when dealing with "splashes" at work, or when cleaning close to people.

I'm surprised I don't frighten them away!

I test myself weekly for covid, and I've also had the antibody test and don't appear to have had it.

My eyes are just one of lots of things going wrong with me lately.

I'm falling apart at the seams, I think!

I am being fastidious about keeping my eyes clean and so on. The mask is all I can think it might be.

I definitely remember red eyes being flagged up in the early days as being a symptom of covid so maybe you should have a test.

In the dark ages, my granny used to swear by cold tea (without milk or sugar) for sore, itchy eyes. She soaked cotton wool in it and applied it to her eyelids. Not sure what kind of tea - English breakfast, most likely.

Have you had covid or covid symptoms MissAdventure?

Actually, looking at the list of what has gone into your eyes over the last year, I'm not surprised they're protesting.
Poor, sore eyes. If it was hay fever shouldn't happen all year and an infection should clear up after antibiotic drops.

You could try something as simple as cool boiled water when you get home from work and ask about the visor.

I haven't seen anyone yet.
I've had two phone appts with the prescribing nurse.
She has said if this doesn't work then I will need an appointment, and I'm inclined to agree.
I've been struggling for almost a year.

Have you actually seen the GP, MissA or are they prescribing over the phone without looking at your eyes?

Can you ask if you can wear a shield instead of the masks at work; you could be allergic to something in the material.
Or ask if your place of work could order some hypoallergenic masks for you (latex free) eg:
synecticsmedical.co.uk/product/dochem-hypoallergenic-disposable-face-mask

Thank you SynchroSwimmer.
I feel that is what may have happened with me.
I always think each lot of drops are going to work. Ever the optimist!

I have to use the medical disposable masks for work.
I don't use hand cream, but I'm very grateful for any suggestions.
It's so wearing, having to battle everyday to make my eyes look halfway presentable, and while they aren't itchy or sore, really, they're uncomfortable.
By about 11am every day, they're starting to weep and turn bright red.

I have had the same problem, in the end I the hospital said I had used so many differing drops that I had developed an allergy to the actual preservatives.

Had to have a course of steroid eye drops, and told to use preservative free drops going forwards.

Hylo-Tear is one brand, others are avaliable

Also intermittently using a microwaved heated eye mask to keep my tear ducts unblocked and functioning.