Eyes - Possible COVID infection that may never go away? (sinuses, allergies)
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My adult daughter, in mid-February 2020, went to a public event on the east coast. Some guy laughed and got spit into her eye. A couple of weeks later her eye became red, inflamed, and itchy. Since then, she has seen everyone from a derm to eye specialists, each with their own opinions and remedies such as antibiotics, eye creams, warm compressions, you name it she's done it. Could this be COVID related? It's hard to say. Back then, you couldn't get a test unless you had a fever. At this point, would it even matter. The damage is done.
It's been over one-year since her initial symptoms. The redness is now replaced with dry, burning, discomfort, and pain. She is desperate for relief and is scared that this will be a life-long problem.
Has anyone experienced anything similar and have some advice?
I wouldn't rule out COVID so quickly. There is a small subset of COVID victims who have vision problems, even blindness. It does appear to target the nerves in a subset of infectees, including the Optic Nerve.
Neurological and brain problems (including the well-known loss of smell and taste) are not uncommon with this virus.
Unlikely COVID-related. Which "eye specialists" did she see, and what is her current regimen (Rx, OTC, cleansers, make-up, etc.)?
This is who she has seen, what she's tried, or what they recommend trying:
Optometrist - Antibiotics, hot compress 2x daily, OTC eye drops, artificial tears, Restasis prescription, lid scrubs
Dermatologist - Extended antibiotics in case it was ocular rosacea
Ophthalmologist - Hot compress 1x daily, suggested punctal plugs
Family doctor - Blood work to rule out auto immune, CT scan to check sinuses
Neurologist - Suggested trying Gabapentin prescription for pain behind eye
Self - Cliradex (tea tree wipes), eye supplements for dry eyes
None of the above made a bit of difference. Is there something else she can try that may help?
My adult daughter, in mid-February 2020, went to a public event on the east coast. Some guy laughed and got spit into her eye. A couple of weeks later her eye became red, inflamed, and itchy. Since then, she has seen everyone from a derm to eye specialists, each with their own opinions and remedies such as antibiotics, eye creams, warm compressions, you name it she's done it. Could this be COVID related? It's hard to say. Back then, you couldn't get a test unless you had a fever. At this point, would it even matter. The damage is done.
It's been over one-year since her initial symptoms. The redness is now replaced with dry, burning, discomfort, and pain. She is desperate for relief and is scared that this will be a life-long problem.
Has anyone experienced anything similar and have some advice?
Spit in the eye a few weeks before wouldn’t cause her symptoms. You know what will, allergies.
This is who she has seen, what she's tried, or what they recommend trying:
Optometrist - Antibiotics, hot compress 2x daily, OTC eye drops, artificial tears, Restasis prescription, lid scrubs
Dermatologist - Extended antibiotics in case it was ocular rosacea
Ophthalmologist - Hot compress 1x daily, suggested punctal plugs
Family doctor - Blood work to rule out auto immune, CT scan to check sinuses
Neurologist - Suggested trying Gabapentin prescription for pain behind eye
Self - Cliradex (tea tree wipes), eye supplements for dry eyes
None of the above made a bit of difference. Is there something else she can try that may help?
You’re not supposed to get tea tree oil near the eye.
"Treatment options
Treatment of Demodex blepharitis is geared towards mite eradication (Fromstein 2018). Current treatment approaches include eyelid hygiene, 1% sulfur ointment, 1% mercury oxide ointment, pilocarpine gel, iodized solutions, warm compresses, intense pulsed light, ivermectin, and tea tree oil (Coston 1967; Filho 2011; Fromstein 2018; Liu 2010; Zhang 2018). Of all the treatment options investigated, tea tree oil has been shown to be the most promising option for killing Demodex mites (Liu 2010). Tea tree oil therapies may be more effective as they are known to have antibacterial, antifungal, and anti‐inflammatory properties (Liu 2010)."
This is who she has seen, what she's tried, or what they recommend trying:
Optometrist - Antibiotics, hot compress 2x daily, OTC eye drops, artificial tears, Restasis prescription, lid scrubs
Dermatologist - Extended antibiotics in case it was ocular rosacea
Ophthalmologist - Hot compress 1x daily, suggested punctal plugs
Family doctor - Blood work to rule out auto immune, CT scan to check sinuses
Neurologist - Suggested trying Gabapentin prescription for pain behind eye
Self - Cliradex (tea tree wipes), eye supplements for dry eyes
None of the above made a bit of difference. Is there something else she can try that may help?
I suggest finding another ophthalmologist. I had an eye infection in February 2020. I probably got it at the gym. An Ophthalmologist prescribed "Tobramycin and Dexamethasone Ophthalmic Suspension" eyedrops. These drops completely resolved the eye problem.
I take the Pure Synergy Eye Protector supplement for general vision health. I also suggest Nordic Naturals fish oil for dry eyes.
My adult daughter, in mid-February 2020, went to a public event on the east coast. Some guy laughed and got spit into her eye. A couple of weeks later her eye became red, inflamed, and itchy. Since then, she has seen everyone from a derm to eye specialists, each with their own opinions and remedies such as antibiotics, eye creams, warm compressions, you name it she's done it. Could this be COVID related? It's hard to say. Back then, you couldn't get a test unless you had a fever. At this point, would it even matter. The damage is done.
It's been over one-year since her initial symptoms. The redness is now replaced with dry, burning, discomfort, and pain. She is desperate for relief and is scared that this will be a life-long problem.
Has anyone experienced anything similar and have some advice?
I think she should see if she can find a neuro ophthalmologist. Does she have a university hospital near where she lives? That's what I would do, try to go to a university hospital where they may have seen more cases like your daughters. Even better if she brings her previous records with her so they know not to repeat any treatment and if they do, they can explain why. It would probably be because her symptoms have changed.
I'm having weird eye issues the last few months that are on my last nerve. I'm going to be finding an eye doctor for myself. I saw one when I had shingles near my eye. He came highly recommended by my GP's office as someone who treats things like that, so will see what he says. I don't usually have eye issues.
Back in the early days I used to stupidly wipe my eyes with my hand and finger in a store, so who knows what I introduced into my eye. I'll be shocked if her eye isn't a direct result of the guy's spit since it sounds like it's the same eye she got spit into.
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