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How urgently do I need medical care for my eye problem?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am a 30 year old male. Currently, my right eye has a segment above the iris that has remained red for over a week now. I am also noticing a crescent shape at the edge of the iris and that is like a clear slightly raised lump where the redness is. Over the past few days, my eyelid is also drooping and makes the eye appear smaller. I still do not have any symptoms such as pain, but now both my eyes are itchy. This tends to happen more at night, accompanied by such thick stringy discharge. Just to give some background, I had a severe case of red, itchy eyes a few months back. Daily night around 10 PM both my eyes would get very red, itchy and would produce clumps of thick mucus, which were so uncomfortable. I could not keep my eyes open. The symptoms only happened at night, regardless of location. I am not sure if this is related to my droopy eye. I have atopic dermatitis and allergic to dust mites. I have been taking Hydroxyzine orally. Could you shed some light on what this may be and how urgently I need medical care? If I need medical help, do I need to go to an ophthalmologist or a regular urgent care suffice?

Answered by Dr. Bandivadekar Pooja Mohan

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Bandivadekar Pooja Mohan is a skilled Ophthalmologist with expertise in comprehensive eye examinations, cataract and refractive surgeries, glaucoma management, corneal and retinal disorders, and pediatric eye care. She is also experienced in diagnosing and treating common and complex vision problems, performing minor ocular procedures, and providing preventive eye health counseling.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

With your history of atopy and recurrent redness with stringy or ropy discharge, your eye lesion seems to be atopic keratoconjunctivitis. The larger pointy reddish lesions are called papillae and occur at the limbus, which is the junction of the white of the eye and the cornea (covering over iris). Your line of management will consist of the following. Consult your ophthalmologist, discuss with him or her and take the medicine with consent. Soft topical steroid drops (Fluorometholone/Loteprednol) are advised. Mast cell stabilizers (Olopatadine/Cromoglycate).Cyclosporine drops.Lubricating drops (Refresh tears). Cold compresses to alleviate symptoms. Your doctor may add antibiotic eye drops, if they suspect a co-existing infection and that will be determined by slit lamp examination. I hope this helped.

The Probable causes

The probable cause can be an allergy.

Investigations to be done

Slit lamp examination.

Differential diagnosis

1. Peripheral ulcerative keratitis.

2. Marginal keratitis.

Probable diagnosis

AKC - atopic keratoconjunctivitis. VKC - vernal keratoconjunctivitis.

Treatment plan

Topical eye drops.

Preventive measures

Avoid dust and pollens.
Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team
Published At October 28, 2016
Reviewed At July 3, 2023

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Bandivadekar Pooja Mohan is a skilled Ophthalmologist with expertise in comprehensive eye examinations, cataract and refractive surgeries, glaucoma management, corneal and retinal disorders, and pediatric eye care. She is also experienced in diagnosing and treating common and complex vision problems, performing minor ocular procedures, and providing preventive eye health counseling.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Bandivadekar Pooja Mohan is a skilled Ophthalmologist with expertise in comprehensive eye examinations, cataract and refractive surgeries, glaucoma management, corneal and retinal disorders, and pediatric eye care. She is also experienced in diagnosing and treating common and complex vision problems, performing minor ocular procedures, and providing preventive eye health counseling.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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