Persistent Eye Irritation and Redness
For the past few days, I’ve been experiencing ongoing irritation in my eye, accompanied by a noticeable reddish mark. It’s an uncomfortable sensation, almost as if there’s an eyelash lodged in my eye, causing a slight burning feeling. Initially, the discomfort is manageable, but as the day wears on, it intensifies. When I go to bed and wake up, the cycle seems to repeat itself. About a year and a half ago, I underwent LASIK surgery. However, the issue isn’t affecting my iris; rather, it’s located more on the sclera, the white area of my eye. Additionally, I've noticed that a couple of blood vessels have become quite prominent. In an attempt to alleviate the symptoms, I refrained from using fans for a few days, suspecting that dry eye could be a factor, but this approach hasn’t yielded any improvement. Following the surgery, I used to require artificial tears regularly, but that need subsided around six months ago. I had assumed that extended screen time might be aggravating the condition, yet it seems to have no effect on it at all.
Answers (1)
6/18/2025, 2:10:37 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're experiencing persistent eye irritation and redness, likely exacerbated by your previous LASIK surgery and potentially related to dry eye or other factors. Let's address your symptoms and outline some steps you can take.
Explanation:
Eye irritation, especially after LASIK, can occur due to various reasons, including dryness, inflammation, or even exposure to irritants. The symptoms you're describing, like the burning sensation and prominent blood vessels, might suggest that your eyes are reacting to dryness or inflammation. It’s not uncommon for people who've had LASIK to experience fluctuating dryness even after an initial period of relief.
Next Steps:
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Reintroduce Artificial Tears: Given your previous reliance on artificial tears, it may be beneficial to start using them again, especially if you've noticed increased dryness. Choose preservative-free drops, as they are gentler on the eyes.
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Modify Environmental Factors: Continue to limit exposure to dry air, strong winds, or direct air from fans. Use a humidifier in your home, especially in dry conditions, to maintain moisture in the air.
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Practice the 20-20-20 Rule: If you’re spending extended periods in front of screens, remember to take breaks: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This helps reduce strain on your eyes.
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Maintain Basic Eye Hygiene: Ensure your eyes stay clean—gently cleansing the eyelids with a warm compress can help soothe irritation and remove any debris.
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of any changes in your symptoms over the next week. Note any new symptoms, such as increased redness, changes in vision, or significant discomfort, which could warrant further evaluation.
If symptoms persist or worsen, consider seeking further evaluation to rule out any underlying issues. Hope you start to feel relief soon! Let me know if you need more details.
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