Suggest Treatment For Swollen And Reddish Eye

Posted on Sun, 17 Apr 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 17 Apr 2016 Answered on

Fri, 10 Jun 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : My mother washed her face with Hand Sanitizer that is made of 65% ethyl alcohol got it in her eyes. One of her eyes is very swollen,red, hurts. Concerned about chemical conjunctivitis and corneal damage. Washed her eyes out with plain water. (She will not go to the ER.) What else can be done to treat this will ice pack or eye drops help her? What about the pain?

Answered by Dr. N K Mishra (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Lubricant eye drops

Detailed Answer:
My dear,
Thanks for sending your query to us.
The alcohol damages the epithelium.Put lubricant eye drops almost one hourly. Antibiotic eye drops like moxifloxcin or Gentamycin to be put in 5 to 6 times a day.As she is already on aspirin,she may not need pain killers,but if pain is there, pain killers can be added for two days.
Any further query in this regard please do get back to me.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. N K Mishra (1 hour later)

Dear Dr. N.K. Misra,
Thank you so much for your answer to help my mother. I am looking for the Lubricant eye drops Antibiotic eye drops now. Also I have heard of Tetracycline eye ointment would that help her? If so, what kind of Tetracycline eye ointment would be best?

Answered by Dr. N K Mishra (59 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Lubricant eye drops

Detailed Answer:
My dear,
Thanks for getting back to me.
There are plenty of lubricant eye drops available in the market like Refresh tears eye drop,Tears Naurale eye drops,Eco Tears etc.There are gel preparations like Gentele gel which have a longer duration of action.
Tetracycline eye ointment is not available in the XXXXXXX market for last few years and ointment as such do hinder re epithelization of corneal ulcer.These Ointments are with Antibiotic, this basically is not infection and we are using antibiotic for prevention from super added infection.
Go ahead with treatment and your mother will be fine.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. N K Mishra (31 minutes later)

Dear Dr N.K. Misra,
You are very welcome. Thank you so for this answer, it helps to ease my mind as I worry for her. I am off to get the Lubricant eye drops Antibiotic eye drops that she needs. I will let you know how she does. Thank you so much again.

Answered by Dr. N K Mishra (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Lubricant drops

Detailed Answer:
My dear,
put the lubricant drops half hourly or one hourly initially till you are around then one to two hourly.Lesser emphasis on antibiotic drops
A pain killer to begin with will always be useful.
Hope for a seedy recovery.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. N K Mishra (2 days later)

Dear Dr N.K. Misra,
Here is an update on my mother: I am very happy to say that her eye is much better. I have been doing all that you have said to do, she improves. :)
Thank you so much for your expert help, I was very worried but I feel much better now as well.

Answered by Dr. N K Mishra (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Lubricant drops to continue

Detailed Answer:
My dear,

Good of you to get back to me.

I am glad that she is improving. Do continue with lubricant drops 3 to 4 times and they can be continued further on as there is dryness with age also. So these drops will be helpful.

Do get back to me in case of any further query.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee