# Goddamn eye virus. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 9, 2017, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goddamn-eye-virus/781782 "2017-03-09T18:34:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2017, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goddamn-eye-virus/781782/1 "2017-03-09T18:34:07Z")
Somehow, about 10 days ago, my left eye began intensely itching, tearing and oozing gunk. Then, from scratching it, it became red and swollen almost shut. I tried eye drops and even a small tube of eye antibiotics I had. No change, except worse. I was sure it was an infection, but yesterday finally went to the ophthalmologist. He said it’s viral conjunctivitis, and prescribed: “Neomycin and Polymixin B Sulfates and Dexamethasone Ophthalmic Suspension” eye drops to use 4x a day. Because I’m diabetic, he said recovery will be slow. I already have an exam scheduled in two weeks; he said I’ll be re-evaluated then. Oh, and don’t shake anyone’s hand. I guess that means it’s ok to have sex, as long as we don’t shake hands. My eye is almost closed, and oh god, the itching, which goes all the way inside, around the eye ball. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2017, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goddamn-eye-virus/781782/2 "2017-03-09T18:44:12Z")
that scrip sounds like restasis ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2017, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goddamn-eye-virus/781782/3 "2017-03-09T20:17:09Z")
> [@nightshadea](#): > > that scrip sounds like restasis Dexasporin or Maxitrol. Restasis is some kind of cyclosporin eyedrops. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2017, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goddamn-eye-virus/781782/4 "2017-03-09T20:57:43Z")
Google tells me your eyedrops are to treat symptoms and possible follow-on infections. Nothing in there is antiviral; looks like the only treatment is the passage of time and the action of your immune system. [Neomycin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neomycin) and [Polymyxin B](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymyxin_B) are antibiotics. Probably to keep you from giving yourself a bacterial infection by rubbing your eyes with your fingers of uncertain cleanliness. [Dexamethasone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dexamethasone) is a corticosteroid. Knock down the irritation and inflammation. Overall, I wouldn’t expect miraculous relief from the eyedrops, but it’s probably better than a poke in the eye. (Especially with a non-sterilized finger.) ---
**Author:** ![mistymage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mistymage/32/459_2.png) [@mistymage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mistymage)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2017, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goddamn-eye-virus/781782/5 "2017-03-09T21:05:23Z")
A cold or even frozen wet washcloth held over the eye might give you a bit of relief from the itching. ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2017, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goddamn-eye-virus/781782/6 "2017-03-09T21:55:20Z")
I’m so sorry you are dealing with that. Hopefully, it starts to heal up sooner rather than later. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2017, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goddamn-eye-virus/781782/7 "2017-03-09T21:55:24Z")
Deepest sympathies, it sounds quite wretched! ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2017, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goddamn-eye-virus/781782/8 "2017-03-09T22:20:33Z")
Sorry to hear about your v-eye-rus, sincerely hoping healing comes soon but knowing that bad puns probably don’t help! ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2017, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goddamn-eye-virus/781782/9 "2017-03-09T23:40:07Z")
> [@mistymage](#): > > A cold or even frozen wet washcloth held over the eye might give you a bit of relief from the itching. Actually, the doctor recommended ice treatment, but said that it wouldn’t make it heal more quickly. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2017, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goddamn-eye-virus/781782/10 "2017-03-10T00:47:42Z")
I just had this. It wasn’t nearly as bad, but on tuesday I felt like I got an eyelash stuck in my eye and couldn’t get it out. After rinsing my eye out a dozen times I just accepted it was itching from the infection. The infection is pretty much gone now. ---
**Author:** ![mistymage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mistymage/32/459_2.png) [@mistymage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mistymage)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2017, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goddamn-eye-virus/781782/11 "2017-03-10T02:12:38Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > Actually, the doctor recommended ice treatment, but said that it wouldn’t make it heal more quickly. Actually, if it’s not itching as much you won’t be tempted to rub at it so it will heal faster than if you keep irritating it. I get seasonal itchy eyes and almost always get to the cusp of needing eye drops until I remember to stop rubbing and swiping out the eye goop and take my allergy meds and use a cold wet cloth. Watching sad shows helps, too, since I can bawl at anything involving kids, animals or heroic/stoic deaths. Tearing up washes out some of the yuck and the chemical hormones from crying seems to override the itch/pain. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2017, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goddamn-eye-virus/781782/12 "2017-03-10T05:36:55Z")
> [@mistymage](#): > > Watching sad shows helps, too, since I can bawl at anything involving kids, animals or heroic/stoic deaths. Tearing up washes out some of the yuck and the chemical hormones from crying seems to override the itch/pain. My eyes are normally somewhat watery, due to my cats. But now, this virus is something that can’t be flushed out with tears. ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2017, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goddamn-eye-virus/781782/13 "2017-03-11T22:38:02Z")
This sounds so uncomfortable. I hope it goes away quickly. I wonder if taking a little Benadryl might help the itching? ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2017, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goddamn-eye-virus/781782/14 "2017-03-11T23:21:50Z")
I’ve had it. Wash your hands every time you touch your eyes. You can use OTC eye drops for additional relief but, don’t let the container touch your eye (if you do, throw it out) and put the other stuff in at least 10 minutes before you put the prescription stuff in. Mind you, this is per my opthamologist and the instructions were meant for me. Your situation and instructions may have been different. But wash your hands. Frequently. Conjunctivitis spreads easily. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2017, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goddamn-eye-virus/781782/15 "2017-03-21T22:54:24Z")
UPDATE: No improvement at all. The intense itching is maddening. Even the back of my eyeball itches. Finally saw my regular ophthalmologist today, and it turns out it’s not a virus but an infection. And now it’s beginning in the other eye as well. So now I’m on ciprofloxacin drops, as well as hydrocortisone around the skin. Hope we’ve got it right, this time.