Bacterial Eye infection/conjunctivitis

[HappyDiamonds]

I have a rather nasty bout of conjunctivitis which is getting me down somewhat. I have been using Chloramphenicol ointment for 3 days but it seems to make the pain worse. Also tried eye wipes and holding a flannel soaked with warm water which is good at relieving the irritation for a while. Its been hanging around for a few weeks and the really red blood shot eye was appearing and disappearing but now it seems to be here to stay. My eye is really red and swollen, watery and gritty. In the great scheme of things its not serious I'm sure but its making me miserable and wondered if anyone had a magic solution? I think I read somewhere that Actemra can cause eye problems but could have imagined it.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

In that it is an immunosuppressant and makes you more likely to pick up infections probably.

Is the chloramphenicol OTC or from the GP? Maybe worth contacting your local MECS optician and ask for advice:

primaryeyecare.co.uk/servic...

If it is hanging around for so long it may need more aggressive management.

[HappyDiamonds in reply to PMRpro]

The ointment was from my Optician in the village, he put it up for me and a friend collected it. Thank you for the link, I have found some MECS within 10 miles and will get someone to take me tomorrow if no better. Just thought I would take a cup of tea outside only for someone nearby to light a fire 😲, quickly came back in!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to HappyDiamonds]

Oh how antisocial!!!! Or is it a BBQ?

[HappyDiamonds in reply to PMRpro]

No, somebody burning in the garden, very unusual and not appreciated. The Village Pub has a BBQ tonight but sadly we are forecast to have thunder and heavy showers for 24 hours.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to HappyDiamonds]

We've just had the heralds of thunder but it has gone to sleep again! Supposed to be worse today than it was yesterday - local luxury hotel had its basement garage flooded. That'll have been some posh cars suffering!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to HappyDiamonds]

Meant to say - should have played dumb and called the firies I had a visit from them once - I was doing a bonfire all correctly but someone saw the smoke and rang it in. So they came to play!!!!

[Sophiestree]

I am on Actemra and have had a few eye infections treating them with Chloramphenicol. Doesn't always work but you do need to stick to the instructions quite rigidly ie putting the drops in every 2 hours for the first 48 hrs and then 4 hourly. It's a tough ask, but I put a two hour alarm on every time so that I didn't miss one. It definitely worked better that way. You may also need something stronger from your GP if it fails to clear up. It can be miserable.

[HappyDiamonds in reply to Sophiestree]

Thank you Sophiestree, I have been doing it 4 times a day which is what the instructions say but haven't used any ointment today and it feels a lot easier. I have cheered up a bit as well - some villagers putting on a Jubilee afternoon tea in the village school very kindly delivered me a lovely arranged box containing a tea to eat at home. Not low carb but lovely 😀. Will contact the Doctor on Monday if not greatly improved by then.

[Rugger]

You've called it "ointment". Eye drops would probably be better, applied as Sophiestree says. Your Pharmacist might be able to sell you some drops - I think my OH had some OTC without a prescription, a couple of years ago. It may be worth asking.

[HappyDiamonds in reply to Rugger]

You are right, the ointment is quite difficult to get in the eye as soon as I touch the tube it squeezes out and clings to the tube often touching the eye which isn't good. Will try and get some drops tomorrow as I know it is available OTC. Thank you for responding.

[Karenjaninaz in reply to HappyDiamonds]

What works for me is taking the loose skin of the lower lid and making a pouch and then putting either drops or ointment in that pouch. Most of us at our age have a loose enough lower lids to make a little pouch. This way it doesn’t touch the cornea and make you blink. I’ve had issues with blepharitis and what worked best for me is a hot washcloth with salt water several times a day. I often use a clean handkerchief (or washcloth), put it in a small plate, wet the handkerchief with the salt solution warming it in the micro for 30 sec.,holding it so some salt water gets in the eye. Salt water kills bacteria by blowing up their cell walls.