Chornic Pink Eye Need Help!?

Question

i've had pink eye since around september 27th, it started in my right eye but after about a month and a half it spread to my left. I've been through 3 doctors, 2 opthamologists (1 recommended by the other). whom prescribed me 4 different types of eye drops, with "Gentemicin Sulfate" being the first. After using it for about a week my infection got alittle worse the doctor assumed i was allergic to the medication and prescribed me a different drug (Quixin) then sent me to an opthamologist. while pulling a culture (culture came out negative, nothing grew). despite the discharge i've been experiencing the opthamologist diagnosted me with "Allergical" Conjunctivis" and prescribed me "Patanol". a few days went on and my pink eye got better then worse, so my opthamologist recommended me another opthamologist, one more credible. This one prescribed me with "Zymar" drops and penicillin orals. weeks went on he kept dismissing my case. 5 months im sure its not viral, pretty sure its bacterial.

ok didnt have enough space to explain myself clear enought so this is part 2, the second opthamologist pulled another culture thinking there might have been a mistake with the first one. but the second culture ALSO came out negative (this throws me off). after being on and off my medication and using various remedies somehow my right eye kinda cured itself but the left eye is being persistant. patanol relieves the redness but i still have major issues with discharge and swelling around the eye. It can't be viral because i work alot and have a roomate so i come in contact with ppl very often. too often for viral conjunctivis to spread (which it HASNT not even 1 case) for 5 months. the discharge (greenish yellow) strongly encourages that its bacterial and not allerigcal and the fact that one eye is more severe than the other.

Answer 1

Chronic pink eye is a strange deal. Chronic by means of bacterial infection seems increadibly unlikely especially with the medications and antibiotics that were used. Also with the bacterial aspect, the culture would have come back with something... anything and it would have began to spread because bacteria are oppurtunistic and look for more area to effect. After 5 months you would start to develop uveitis, 2nd cranial neuropathy, or meningitis. As you have not, that is a good sign.

Viral conjunctivitis can be a pain since you can pass it back and forth for weeks between eyes. I assume that since your outbreak, you have paided particular attention to washing sheets, pillow cases, towels, and hands. This lessens the chance of reinfection. But I have never heard of a case of infections that has lasted that long.

So that leaves two options. The first is allergic. This is the most common and tricky to solve. If pills (benedryl or claritin) are ineffective you go to drops. If drops don't work there isn't much else out there. I would look at your work place and home and what you are exposed to. If there is something out of the ordinary I would consider a change (example if you work with painting cars, the heavy metals in the paint mist can cause the irritation). Maybe it will turn from an opthamology problem to an environmental health/occupational health issue were the practitioners have a high knowledge of different irritants. I would look into this. Since there may be something that your building was made out of that you may have sprung an allergy too.

The final thing that you haven't mentioned in you question info was fungal conjunctivitis. This is a very tough one to catch and will not show up in the bacterial culture. It usually is as oppuruntistic as bacteria and will spread to other parts but then again it my just have stayed local. Nothing that was prescribed would have killed this. If it is fungal, you may also want to get tested for other things that may have brought your immune system down such as HIV, AIDS, and other immunosupresent pathologies.

Hope this shines a little light.


ps - also search the internet for other things such as:
herpes virus conj.
Glaucoma, Acute Angle-Closure
Herpes Zoster
Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus

Answer 2

I can't be sure about all the times frames but has anyone cultured your eyes without an antibiotic in the picture? You can't culture within 24 hours of an antibiotic, either systemic or topical and the culture should have been collected before an antibiotic was used initially. You may have to put a hold on the eye drops, just use saline and return to the ophthalmologist for a reculture. Your eyes must be cleaned with normal saline before specimen collection is done so don't hesitate to speak up if someone comes at you with the applicators without cleaning first. Two culture kits, one for each eye to avoid possible cross-contamination. Can't tell from your avatar if you're male or female, but if you're female throw out all your eye makeup and refrain from using anything for now. It needs to be replaced every 3 months due to bacterial growth. Don't touch or wipe your eyes and wash your hands frequently.

Answer 3

I got diagnosed with herpes virus (type 2) about six years back, while I was still in college and had a mindless one-night stand. I realize lots of young ladies will say this, but I swear I had certainly not done that sort of thing before. I just made a massive mistake that one time and suddenly it seemed like I was going to have to live with the consequences for the rest of my life. The worst part was feeling I could never date men again. In the end, who wants to go out with someone who has sores around her private parts? But since a friend shared this movie https://tr.im/KKJDw everything changed.

Not only was I able to eliminate all remnants of the hsv from my body in less than 21 days, but I was also able to start dating again. I even met the man of my dreams and I'm so lucky to write that just a week ago, in front of everyone in a packed restaurant, he got down on one knee and proposed to me!! This method gave me back the opportunity to be happy and experience real love. Now I want to help you too by sharing this with the World.

Answer 4

I don't relly have a response other than keep your hands clean, if you are female throw out all of your eye make up and get new after this is all gone, If you wear contacts throw the pair you have been wearing out and don't put them back in until this is gone also if you do wear contacts and use generic solution or have recently changed solutions you may be allergic and DON'T rinse your eyes with salty water as previously suggested this will make it worse!!!

Answer 5

Go see your doctor or eye doctor. ASAP! Also don't touch them and touch anything else without washing your hands. Pink Eye is VERY, VERY contagious. After you go to the doctor and get meds., make sure that you wash anything that your face has touched since you came down with it. Bed sheets, pillowcase, wash cloth and towel. Spray your couch, car headrest with something that is antibacterial/antimicrobial. That will kill any type of bacteria that is on anything that you've touched and will keep from you or someone that you've come in contact with from getting it.

Answer 6

If you are a female, throw out ALL eye shadows and eye liners. You could be "reinfecting" yourself by using "tainted" makeup that harbors the little buggers causing the problem.

If you're a guy....um...I'm not sure what ot tell you, except, keep your hands away from your eyes, and clean.

Answer 7

My Mom had the same type problem. The doctors couldn't figure out what the problem was. She had an MRI done finally and she had a tumor right behind her right eyeball. That caused the area to be inflamed. My mother passed away from this since the tumor had time to grow into the brain. I hope this isn't happening to you but if it is God Bless!!!

Answer 8

Try rinsing your eyes with warm salty water ( and don't wear makeup if you're a girl) 3-4 times a day.
Good luck

Answer 9

adding to m-n-youngs post, it might be possible to have hepatitis c as well. with this liver disease (that belongs to others he listed, ie, herpes) would be hcv....get tested and good luck.
other posters too are correct by saying throw your makeup out.
even chemical sensetivity can cause an issue-even in perfumes!

Answer 10

This sounds like inclusion conjunctivitis. Ask you doctor to prescribe azithromycin (Zithromax). Take it as a 1 gram dose, by mouth, one time.