Hi,
I have a problem with constant eye discharge all day which is really starting to do my head in. Every half hour or so, there will be green or clear gunk in the corner of my eye. Every few hours or so there'll be gunk at the base of my eye after pulling the skin down under my eye. It feels irritating and I find it hard to concentrate at work. I'm constantly having to pick it out or slide my finger through base of eye. Sometimes it will be very thin discharge at the base of the eye. I know putting my fingers in my eyes won't help, but I feel I don't have much choice.
I went to the doctor and he said there was nothing really wrong with them, no infection or anything, he said it's just an allergy. I've had two types of drops which I've put in morning and evening, but still hasn't stopped it. I have cpmputer glasses for work as the screen was straining my eyes, that hasn't helped.
I don't know what to do, if I go back to the doctor he'll probably just prescribe some different drops. Does anyone know of any drops/wash which could stop this once and for all? Or could there be an underlying problem? It's been like this for at least a year I'd say, even in the summer.
Thanks
Hi Mike2425, if this is indeed an allergic reaction then it would be helpful to find out what is triggering it. Did you have any allergy testing done? Some patients with a mild form of thyroid ophthalmopathy experience dry and gritty eyes. This can be ruled out with a blood test. The risk of thyroid ophthalmopathy increases if you are a smoker.
To help at least reduce the symptoms you should strictly avoid touching your eyes with your fingers. If you feel the need to wipe your eyelids during the day, then I would suggest keeping (a sealed box or plastic bag with) cotton pads and a bottle of sterile saline solution handy. Soak the cotton pad with saline and gently wipe your eyes.
Some of the saline bottles come with a small container that is used to bath the eyes. You fill the container with saline, dunk your eye into the water and blink. I found that this is very efficient in clearing the eyes of gunk and grit and it leaves the eyes feeling refreshed.
If your eyes are dry then you could try to apply a warm compress to your eyes. This can help unblock (partially blocked) tear glands.
Another thing you could try is soaking a cotton pad with witch hazel extract and applying it to your closed eyes.
Are you getting any vision problems with this?
Did your doctor take a specimen of the gunk in your eye? For lab testing? If it has shown no infection then I think you should ask your doctor for a referral to an ophthalmologist. If this has been going on for a year its time to get another opinion.
The only other thing that may help you is to get some Blephasol wipes which can be bought in high street Chemists.
It may be a form of Blepharitis.