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What Causes Tender Watery Worsening Red Eye?
Question: Im asking this on behalf of my partner. She is 37 and for the last 3 days has a bloodshot red eye that is tender and watery. She woke up that way around 3days ago. The redness seems worse then before. No doctor seen as yet but have been given medication from the chemist. XXXXXXX help would be gteat
Brief Answer:
she should go the the ophthalmologist as soon as possible
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
a painful and watery red eye can be caused by some serious conditions and some less serious conditions. Since the serious conditions may lead to permanent visual problems I recommend an immediate visit to the ophthalmologist for assessment and appropriate treatment.
Regarding the causes of this condition:
- acute glaucoma, may result to permanent visual loss and may cause blurring and other visual problems.
- acute conjunctivitis: can be caused by allergies or infections. The treatment depends on the cause obviously. Allergies typically cause itchiness too.
- iritis: may cause blurry vision. Sometimes it's related to various autoimmune conditions.
- injury
Chlorsig is an antibiotic which offers some protection against bacteria but it may have some very serious side effects (pretty rare but even fatal, like bone marrow suppression) so proper use is recommended. If the patient does not need the drug because there is no bacterial infection then there is no reason to risk side effects.
So in conclusion, I believe that an immediate visit to the ophthalmologist is of utmost importance. The ophthalmologist should check for the most serious and urgent causes of red eye and prescribe appropriate treatment.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
she should go the the ophthalmologist as soon as possible
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
a painful and watery red eye can be caused by some serious conditions and some less serious conditions. Since the serious conditions may lead to permanent visual problems I recommend an immediate visit to the ophthalmologist for assessment and appropriate treatment.
Regarding the causes of this condition:
- acute glaucoma, may result to permanent visual loss and may cause blurring and other visual problems.
- acute conjunctivitis: can be caused by allergies or infections. The treatment depends on the cause obviously. Allergies typically cause itchiness too.
- iritis: may cause blurry vision. Sometimes it's related to various autoimmune conditions.
- injury
Chlorsig is an antibiotic which offers some protection against bacteria but it may have some very serious side effects (pretty rare but even fatal, like bone marrow suppression) so proper use is recommended. If the patient does not need the drug because there is no bacterial infection then there is no reason to risk side effects.
So in conclusion, I believe that an immediate visit to the ophthalmologist is of utmost importance. The ophthalmologist should check for the most serious and urgent causes of red eye and prescribe appropriate treatment.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi. I did take her to a doctor and he perscribed tobrex eye ointment and a antibiotic. He said bacterial conjunctovitis as the problem but if the medication has not worked after 3 days he will do a referal.
Brief Answer:
I would refer a patient with bacterial involvement
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the additional information!
Eye problems need to be treated promptly and appropriately for the reasons, I've mentioned in the previous answer. Bacterial involvement in the eye may cause serious (and permanent) problems if treated inadequately. Although tobrex is good as initial treatment for this kind of infections, other antibiotics might also be required (and sometimes combinations of antibiotics) in some cases. That's why my personal opinion is to avoid treating myself patients with similar problems unless their problem is a mild one. In a patient with a purulent red eye, I would have probably started with a referral.
I'm sure that your doctor evaluated the severity of her symptoms and acted appropriately... So if you see no improvement after 48-72 hours, you should definitely take her to the ophthalmologist.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
I would refer a patient with bacterial involvement
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the additional information!
Eye problems need to be treated promptly and appropriately for the reasons, I've mentioned in the previous answer. Bacterial involvement in the eye may cause serious (and permanent) problems if treated inadequately. Although tobrex is good as initial treatment for this kind of infections, other antibiotics might also be required (and sometimes combinations of antibiotics) in some cases. That's why my personal opinion is to avoid treating myself patients with similar problems unless their problem is a mild one. In a patient with a purulent red eye, I would have probably started with a referral.
I'm sure that your doctor evaluated the severity of her symptoms and acted appropriately... So if you see no improvement after 48-72 hours, you should definitely take her to the ophthalmologist.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you. He did give her antibiotics too.
Brief Answer:
you're welcome
Detailed Answer:
You are welcome!
I hope she gets better soon!
you're welcome
Detailed Answer:
You are welcome!
I hope she gets better soon!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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