Mysterious eye problem. Could it be?

Are you using handcream? I have been having itchy eyes but have stopped using handcream and they are now better. I know Boris told us not to but lots of us do touch our faces without realising it. It is the perfume which causes problems.

What sort of mask do you have? I have a few fabric ones that are really comfy (and others that are not so comfy). I don't like the disposable ones.

Apologies I meant to add, I saw some anti-allergy masks for sale somewhere, would it be worth trying that?

I have had the same problem, in the end I the hospital said I had used so many differing drops that I had developed an allergy to the actual preservatives.

Had to have a course of steroid eye drops, and told to use preservative free drops going forwards.

Hylo-Tear is one brand, others are avaliable

Also intermittently using a microwaved heated eye mask to keep my tear ducts unblocked and functioning.

I have to use the medical disposable masks for work.
I don't use hand cream, but I'm very grateful for any suggestions.
It's so wearing, having to battle everyday to make my eyes look halfway presentable, and while they aren't itchy or sore, really, they're uncomfortable.
By about 11am every day, they're starting to weep and turn bright red.

Thank you SynchroSwimmer.
I feel that is what may have happened with me.
I always think each lot of drops are going to work. Ever the optimist!

Have you actually seen the GP, MissA or are they prescribing over the phone without looking at your eyes?

Can you ask if you can wear a shield instead of the masks at work; you could be allergic to something in the material.
Or ask if your place of work could order some hypoallergenic masks for you (latex free) eg:
synecticsmedical.co.uk/product/dochem-hypoallergenic-disposable-face-mask

I haven't seen anyone yet.
I've had two phone appts with the prescribing nurse.
She has said if this doesn't work then I will need an appointment, and I'm inclined to agree.
I've been struggling for almost a year.

Actually, looking at the list of what has gone into your eyes over the last year, I'm not surprised they're protesting.
Poor, sore eyes. If it was hay fever shouldn't happen all year and an infection should clear up after antibiotic drops.

You could try something as simple as cool boiled water when you get home from work and ask about the visor.

Have you had covid or covid symptoms MissAdventure?

In the dark ages, my granny used to swear by cold tea (without milk or sugar) for sore, itchy eyes. She soaked cotton wool in it and applied it to her eyelids. Not sure what kind of tea - English breakfast, most likely.

I definitely remember red eyes being flagged up in the early days as being a symptom of covid so maybe you should have a test.

I test myself weekly for covid, and I've also had the antibody test and don't appear to have had it.

My eyes are just one of lots of things going wrong with me lately.

I'm falling apart at the seams, I think!

I am being fastidious about keeping my eyes clean and so on. The mask is all I can think it might be.

I have to wear a mask and visor when dealing with "splashes" at work, or when cleaning close to people.

I'm surprised I don't frighten them away!

My dad used to soak his eyes in a solution made with boracic powder and warm water, he swore by it and never had any trouble with his eyes..

I have a similar problem, I think caused by masks and wearing glasses. I've had it checked by two different opticians ( the second because my eye test was due, not because I doubted the first). basically it was dry eye and blepharitis in my case. So, daily cleaning with sterile eye wipes, heat mask and Hyco-san drops- which are preservative free.

Oh and an Omega 7 supplement ( sea buckthorn) helps with general drying out!

As long as I keep it all up it's bearable.

That sounds scary!
I think I'm at the end of the line with having a go myself (have tried cold tea, and saline solution, too)

Ah, NellG I'm similar.

I start something new, and it seems to work for about a day, but I think it's just because I'm regularly tending to my eyes.

MissAdventure Blimmin horrible isn't it? I've had it with my eyes streaming, my nose swollen and streaming. All seemed a bit incongruous given they told me it was dry eye and my eyes were watering, all to do with lipid layers I think. Anyway, I hope you find something that works for longer than a day. Best of luck.

Any road up... I'm going to have a look for some allergy free masks, a heat mask (amazon?) and an omega 7 supplement.

Thank you all. I feel better just for having a moan.

It is blimmin orrible.
Sometimes it's like acid coming out of my eyes.
It actually leaves the skin it touches red and sore.

I got terribly itchy eyes at the start of the first lockdown, and realised it was the cheap handwash we were using. I react really strongly to scented soaps etc. I bought some better handwash and the itching stopped.

leave your eyes alone for four days at least. You could have tried to many remedies. let things return to there norm.

Look up Bletharitis, which could cause red eyes. worth a look.

MissA I had similar last month. Dry eyes, so itchy some days I wanted to rub them away. Some morning on waking they were sticky. Anyway, long story short, took myself off to my opticians a couple of weeks ago. She checked me out thoroughly and told me I had a condition called blepharitis. Google it? She said she was pleased I’d not been using eye drops as some had preservatives.

She advised twice a week to apply clean cotton pads dipped in warm but not hot water. Hold against the eyes for about 10 minutes to warm the tiny ducts near the eyelashes. On the last warm press, very gently massage the eye.

Apparently we have tear ducts (water) but also oily ducts which can become blocked as we age. We need the oily component to stop redness and irritation.

She said it should clear in a couple of weeks (it has) but it might well recur as it’s a chronic condition.

I hope this helps! Good luck. x