Bacteria on plug/eye hemorrhaging

[Kyle]

Okay, serious problem here. Just wanted to know if any of you had any suggestions. Weekend before last I had to work massive hours at the restaurant, plus I super-cleaned my bathroom with lots of spray cleaner. Now, I'm not sure if this is related or not, but my eye started bleeding and oozing and the corner where the plug is swelled up. Every morning I woke up there was tons of gunk (puss) in there as well. My eyesight also started fluctuating all over again. I waited about a week to see if it would clear up, but it didn't so I went to my drs today. Actually I saw two doctors and they really couldn't agree on what was going on. They said my eye was hemorrhaging (thus the blood) and there was bacteria in my eye. One thought the bacteria was behind the plug causing it to push the plug out. He thought it was my body trying to reject a foreign object. The other dr thought the bacteria might be wrapped around the plug and that the plug needed to come out, but that the fleshy thing in the corner of my eye (whatever it's called) might actually have to come out with it. They said there was really nothing else they could do, so they referred me to a specialist. I called the specialist and am waiting to hear back. They gave me a steroid to use until I see him and also told me to put eurthymicin (sp?) in
the corner of my eye before I go to bed.
A lot of you have also told me that your eyes got better after the 6 month point (which is where I am right now), but my dr. disagrees. He said after 6 months the healing process is pretty much done. That really scares me. He also said he had never seen eyes still so bad after 6 months like mine still are. I also asked him about the testosterone cream and he said that doesn't really help.
Okay, so here are my questions...has anyone else had anything like this happen before? If so, what happened? Also, do we need that fleshy thing in our eye? Have any of you had your eyes flushed? Lastly, should I be scared? I really am and have cried SO much I don't think I can actually cry anymore. I feel like I'm getting depressed all over again and lately I've just been laying in bed watching senseless TV over and over again.
I hate to be such a pessimist and I'm sorry I'm leaving such a depressing message here, but I really don't know where else to turn. My friends can't even begin to comprehend what I am going through so I was hoping someone on this website could help.
Thanks for just listening though.

[Lucy]

Hi Kyle........

It's very late where I'm at and way past my bedtime, but let me say a few things. We can't tell if there will be more healing after 6 months. Some people have gotten better for sure at 6 months and even 2 or more years down the road. I've been on the "circuit' for 5 1/2 years so I've seen it.

You are right to be concerned, but don't be scared. You said you saw two doctors and it's a bit confusing to know exactly what you mean. Were they two different doctors in the same practice. One OD and one MD?

It sounds as you need good care at this point. Is there someone you could take to the doctor with you as support? Another pair of ears helps sometimes when we're upset. Follow through with the doctor(s). It does sound like infection around the plug, but only a doctor examining you can tell about the more possibly serious stuff. One thing to remember though is to not wait so long to see the doc. I know it's really tough sometimes as we always think things will get better. My stuff (eye and otherwise) always happens on a Friday and I think "well, I'll wait until Monday because you can't get in to see a doc on such short notice."

Keep us informed about your situation, please. Exactly what kind of specialist did they refer you to? I'll bet the specialist can figure out how to handle this! Lucy

[dianat]

Kyle,

I agree with Lucy on this. Let the specialist take a look. I also do not understand what the fleshy stuff in the corner of the eye is for, but why couldn't it be treated like anything else that's infected? Why should it need to be removed? Keep the faith. We've all been in a place where the docs are sort of shrugging their shoulders and we're so beside ourselves we can barely cope. Somehow or other, we pull ourselves out and move on.

If they find you cannot wear plugs, cautery is always an option, and probably offers less risk of infection (or so that would be my guess). You might check with the specialist on that.

You hang in there and keep us posted on what you find out. I'll say some prayers to St. Lucy for you. She's the patron saint of eyes. (She is absolutely NOT to be confused with the Queen who has posted before me. )

[jcorbett]

Doctors

I'll be careful as I write this, as I am definitely not a doctor and am only writing from my understanding of things. Your issue with the bleeding and bacteria is one thing. You need to get that cleared up and the doctor best suited for that may not know a whole lot about Lasik dry eye issues.
I have been on these boards for a year and a half now. I have seen many posts where people have improved after the 6 month mark. That doesn't mean everybody does, but it does happen. The Lasik surgery itself is healed, but who knows how long it takes for nerves to regenerate or eyes to start functioning again.
As far as testosterone cream, well, it works for me and it works for others. I pay more attention to what people say works for them. My mantra is "everything is worth trying" and I am skeptical of doctors who say things don't work, when I am corresponding with people who say it does. NAC/Glut has worked for many people also....I am sure that is not a documented eye remedy either. But perhaps it will be someday.
Now....that doesn't mean your doctor is not a good doctor....but some doctors just seem to have a closed mind. Take everything with a grain of salt. No one (not even a doctor) has all the answers.
Keep us posted.

[Kyle]

Thanks you guys. I actually spoke with the specialist this morning and my appointment is for Thursday at 1:30. They told me to stay on the steroids (TobraDex), the antibiotic gel (erythromycin) and hot compresses until then. They did mention cauterizing (sp?) that tear duct, but needed to wait to see what actually was going on.
As for Lucy's questions...yes, I saw different drs, but at the same office. One was the Clinic Director who thought the infection was behind the plug pushing it out....thus the blood. I'm not sure what type of "specialist" I am seeing. I looked over the referral letter and it doesn't even say it on that.
As for the whole 6 month thing...I'm hoping and praying that ever day takes me a step closer to healing. I totally agree about drs not really having all the answers though. I have learned so much more from this site than from any dr I seen in LA. It's strange too when you are sitting right in the room and two drs can't agree on what they are seeing in your eye.
As for Jenny's comments, again Jenny I agree. As you know, when I stopped taking the Restasis I immediately felt the difference in my eye (whether it was psychosomatic or not, I'm not sure), but I knew I needed to go right back on it. So I agree. We all need to do what WE think is right for us individually.
Anyway, I will keep you all posted. Just a quick question though..no one mentioned the blood. Have any of yours eyes bled before? I think that's what's freaking me out the most is constantly dabbing blood away from the corner of my eye.
Thanks again,
Kyle

[dianat]

My eyes have never bled like you've described, but I've had very, very few eye infections in all my days - even since LASIK. I'm quite sure seeing blood in the eyes is enough to unnerve anybody. It's just not a typical occurance.

I think you've gotten some good advice here, Kyle. Rest easy for the next couple days. They'll figure it out.

Diana