[41F] Presenting with red, painful eyes with mucus and swollen eyelids
Patient Description
A 41-year-old female is experiencing red, itchy, and watery eyes accompanied by yellowish mucus, described as feeling like sand in the eyes, causing pain rated at 4.5 out of 10. The symptoms have been present for one day and are particularly worse in the morning. The patient also reports swollen eyelids and a runny nose that has been ongoing for two days, which worsens with the watering of the eyes. A warm compress provides some relief for the eye discomfort. The patient's son recently had red eyes without the associated pain or mucus. The patient has no known allergies, is not currently on any medications, and has no significant past medical history.
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Arora's Assessment
What might be happening
Based on the symptoms you've described, the most likely diagnosis is:
- Conjunctivitis (also known as "pink eye"): This is an inflammation or infection of the transparent membrane (conjunctiva) that lines your eyelid and covers the white part of your eyeball. When small blood vessels in the conjunctiva become inflamed, they're more visible causing the whites of your eyes to appear reddish or pink. Conjunctivitis is often caused by a bacterial or viral infection, an allergic reaction, or an irritant in the eye. The yellowish mucus you described is a common symptom of bacterial conjunctivitis.
- Treatment typically involves either waiting for the infection to clear on its own or using prescribed antibiotic eye drops or ointments to speed up the recovery process.
What you can do
While waiting for a doctor's appointment, you can try the following to relieve your symptoms:
- Apply a warm compress to your eyes. This can help to soothe your eyes and reduce inflammation.
- Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes. This can worsen the infection and potentially spread it to your other eye or to other people.
- Wash your hands frequently to prevent the spread of infection.
- If you wear contact lenses, stop using them until your eyes are better. Stick to glasses for now.
What you should look out for
Please seek immediate medical attention if:
- Your symptoms worsen or do not improve within 24 hours.
- You experience changes in your vision.
- You have severe eye pain or sensitivity to light.
- You develop a fever or other signs of a more serious infection, such as body aches or chills.
Please remember that while I strive to provide accurate information, I am an AI and not a doctor. It's important to consult with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.
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11 mo ago