Will an eye infection go away by itself?

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  1. lightburns's Avatar
    • Vengeful, Imperial Overlord of The Student Room
    • Posts: 4,135
    Will an eye infection go away by itself?
    Edit Update: Sorted - I have antibiotic eyedrops from the pharmacists

    A week or two ago, my eye became incredibly red (people commented on it at work), and was creating a lot of dry gunk and nasty goo at night (sorry if you were eating, TSR reader).

    That stopped, so I thought it had gone away. Now my other eye is really sore and has a bad bloodshot patch to one side of the iris. The original has some minor bloodshot areas that look like they are threatening to go bad again, but I haven't had any issues from it - it might be virtually gone from that eye.

    My vision is not affected, and it's not bad enough that I can't live with it for a while. Will it clear up by itself, or will it just carry on?
    I only get my work shifts for the next week each Sunday, and it's a bugger getting to the doctors anyway. Not to mention the fact that I'll only go if I really need to. Is this something I need to get checked out? Or can I get away with just leaving it like I have been doing?
    Last edited by lightburns; 31-07-2012 at 16:52.
  2. R. Murray's Avatar
    • Exalted and Worshipped Member
    • Location: Denny
    • Posts: 1,157
    Re: Will an eye infection go away by itself?
    Go to any opticians (ideally your usual optician) they'll be able to say what it is and advise accordingly.
  3. yennibubs's Avatar
    • Adored and Respected Member
    • Location: London
    • Posts: 589
    If you don't want to go to the doctors then maybe stop by your nearest pharmacist. They will probably supply you with eye drops to stop infection from spreading!

    This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my GT-I9300
  4. lightburns's Avatar
    • Vengeful, Imperial Overlord of The Student Room
    • Posts: 4,135
    Re: Will an eye infection go away by itself?
    Thanks everyone
  5. ch0wm4n's Avatar
    • Adored and Respected Member
    • Posts: 568
    Re: Will an eye infection go away by itself?
    (Original post by lightburns)
    A week or two ago, my eye became incredibly red (people commented on it at work), and was creating a lot of dry gunk and nasty goo at night (sorry if you were eating, TSR reader).

    That stopped, so I thought it had gone away. Now my other eye is really sore and has a bad bloodshot patch to one side of the iris. The original has some minor bloodshot areas that look like they are threatening to go bad again, but I haven't had any issues from it - it might be virtually gone from that eye.

    My vision is not affected, and it's not bad enough that I can't live with it for a while. Will it clear up by itself, or will it just carry on?
    I only get my work shifts for the next week each Sunday, and it's a bugger getting to the doctors anyway. Not to mention the fact that I'll only go if I really need to. Is this something I need to get checked out? Or can I get away with just leaving it like I have been doing?
    It does NOT go away, i left mine for 3 weeks until my vision started getting worse. I'd go to the hospital as soon as possible.
  6. Alesha1991's Avatar
    • Exalted Member
    • Posts: 312
    Re: Will an eye infection go away by itself?
    You should really get it checked out. I've had eye infections before & they can cause you a lot of problems. I've not had any infections for a while & even now get very dry/ sore eyes easily & can't wear contacts because my eyes are so sensitive & susceptible to infections.
  7. bone-machine's Avatar
    • Benevolent Member
    • Location: 'i live by the riverrrrrr'(London)..or Sheffield
    Re: Will an eye infection go away by itself?
    (Original post by lightburns)
    I thought maybe I could follow it up with some chilli powder.



    Noted. And bugger...
    agreed catch as soon as possible. Most likely the doctor will prescribe something like chloramphenical eye drops which should clear it up but the longer you leave these things the more nasty the infection could get

    its just not worth taking risks with your eyes
  8. Bobo1234's Avatar
    • Vengeful, Imperial Overlord of The Student Room
    • Location: Cologne, Germany
    • Posts: 3,623
    Re: Will an eye infection go away by itself?
    Why do people ask for medical advice for stuff like this on a student forum? Seriously? It's a STUDENT forum, not a doctors' forum- if I had gunk coming out of my eye I'd go and see a friggin' qualified doctor, not ask for help from a bunch of students (and I say that as a student!)
  9. meenu89's Avatar
    • '... the Lady's not for turning....' RIP xxx
    • Location: Leamington Spa/ Cheylesmore
    • Posts: 8,746
    Re: Will an eye infection go away by itself?
    Go to your GP for heavens sake, what the hell do you think they paid for?
    Last edited by meenu89; 31-07-2012 at 13:39.
  10. laura1234's Avatar
    • Exalted Member
    • Posts: 394
    Re: Will an eye infection go away by itself?
    It won't go away, you don't have neccesarily have to go to the dr's though, if you went to the chemist they can usually tell you what it is (if the symptoms are really obvious) and sell you over the counter eye drops of conjunctivitus.
  11. Egypt's Avatar
    • Exalted and Worshipped Member
    • Location: Wales
    • Posts: 1,158
    Re: Will an eye infection go away by itself?
    The vast majority of acute conjunctivitis will spontaneously resolve without antibiotics. In this circumstance I would only advise warm water to wash away the gunk.

    In case you're unsure have a look.
    http://www.cks.nhs.uk/conjunctivitis...ivitis#-304650
  12. meenu89's Avatar
    • '... the Lady's not for turning....' RIP xxx
    • Location: Leamington Spa/ Cheylesmore
    • Posts: 8,746
    Re: Will an eye infection go away by itself?
    I have to admit I'm a regular visitor to this site

    http://www.netdoctor.co.uk
  13. lightburns's Avatar
    • Vengeful, Imperial Overlord of The Student Room
    • Posts: 4,135
    Re: Will an eye infection go away by itself?
    Update: I went to Boots, and talked to the opticians and pharmacist. I have antibiotic eye drops now.

    Thanks for your help everyone.

    (Original post by Bobo1234)
    Why do people ask for medical advice for stuff like this on a student forum? Seriously? It's a STUDENT forum, not a doctors' forum- if I had gunk coming out of my eye I'd go and see a friggin' qualified doctor, not ask for help from a bunch of students (and I say that as a student!)
    Rather than asking for medical advice, I was asking if I should seek medical advice. Students can tell me whether they would see a doctor if they had the same symptoms.
  14. Bobo1234's Avatar
    • Vengeful, Imperial Overlord of The Student Room
    • Location: Cologne, Germany
    • Posts: 3,623
    Re: Will an eye infection go away by itself?
    (Original post by lightburns)
    Update: I went to Boots, and talked to the opticians and pharmacist. I have antibiotic eye drops now.

    Thanks for your help everyone.



    Rather than asking for medical advice, I was asking if I should seek medical advice. Students can tell me whether they would see a doctor if they had the same symptoms.
    Dude, you have STRANGE ABNORMAL GUNK COMING OUT OF YOUR EYE. That's not healthy, most people would go and see a doctor straight away without needing to ask first.
  15. lightburns's Avatar
    • Vengeful, Imperial Overlord of The Student Room
    • Posts: 4,135
    Re: Will an eye infection go away by itself?
    (Original post by Bobo1234)
    Dude, you have STRANGE ABNORMAL GUNK COMING OUT OF YOUR EYE. That's not healthy, most people would go and see a doctor straight away without needing to ask first.
    Then it was a good thing I asked you guys, or I would never have known that.
  16. Bobo1234's Avatar
    • Vengeful, Imperial Overlord of The Student Room
    • Location: Cologne, Germany
    • Posts: 3,623
    Re: Will an eye infection go away by itself?
    (Original post by lightburns)
    Then it was a good thing I asked you guys, or I would never have known that.
    ... ... ...
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