External Eye Diseases: These diseases affect the ocular surface, such as allergies, blepharitis, and conjunctivitis. They are typically caused by exposure to certain factors, such as medications or contact lens wear. Common allergy symptoms include redness, watery discharge, or burning. Topical eye drops may be prescribed to treat allergic ocular diseases. Your doctor will determine the cause of the disease and recommend treatment options.
Glaucoma
A doctor can diagnose glaucoma by performing a series of tests. The disease affects both eyes, and can be classified as acute or chronic. In both forms, the optic nerve is damaged and vision can become worse. Although there are no symptoms of glaucoma in its early stages, patients may experience frequent headaches, increased difficulty with night vision, recurring redness of one or both eyes, and a frequent change in the prescription. A doctor can measure intraocular pressure using blowing air into the eye or pressing against the surface. The results can reveal any abnormalities that may be blocking the drainage of fluid in the eye.
There are several risk factors for glaucoma. Individuals of African descent and people with a family history of the disease are at an increased risk. Moreover, the risk of glaucoma is higher in African Americans than in Caucasians, and African Americans have a significantly higher risk of developing glaucoma. People of Asian and Japanese descent are also at a higher risk of developing angle-closure glaucoma. Some medical conditions may also increase the risk of glaucoma.
Glaucoma secondary to thyroid eye disease
The causes of glaucoma secondary to thyroid eye disease are unclear. Many thyroid eye diseases may increase intraocular pressure (IOP) in the anterior chamber, while others are associated with raised mucopolysaccharide content in the trabecular meshwork. In addition, thyroid conditions may increase the risk of glaucoma because the trabecular meshwork becomes damaged by mechanical compression. In addition, elevated IOP may occur at the inactive stage of thyroid eye disease. Therefore, appropriate diagnostic tests should be performed to determine the cause of the raised IOP.
In one study, patients with hypothyroidism experienced reversal of poorly controlled glaucoma. Researchers identified a link between thyroid disease and OAG and performed a multivariate analysis to find a cause-effect relationship between the two. Further research is needed to determine if thyroid disorders cause glaucoma, but for now, this association between the two conditions is known to exist.
People with thyroid eye disease may have a variety of symptoms related to increased amounts of fat, muscles, and tissue. Their eyes may begin to bulge out of the eye socket and cause problems with eyelids. They may also suffer from swelling of the eyelids, which can lead to a puffy eyelid and increased pressure around the eyes. This swelling is sometimes surgically corrected to return the eye to its normal shape.
Corneal erosion
There are various treatments for corneal erosion, such as topical ointments and eye drops that provide soothing relief. If the condition is not treatable with over-the-counter remedies, your eye doctor may recommend a laser eye treatment or a procedure known as anterior stromal keratectomy. In the latter case, tiny holes are made in the cornea’s surface to encourage stronger attachments between the cells.
During corneal erosion, the outermost epithelial cells fail to attach to the Bowman’s layer. When the epithelial layer is compromised, the cornea loses its protective coating, exposing sensitive corneal nerves. This damage can result in a foreign-body sensation and blurred vision. In severe cases, corneal erosion may lead to temporary blindness due to the extreme light sensitivity.
The first symptom of corneal erosion is discomfort. It occurs when the cornea’s epithelium wears away spontaneously. In a patient who has suffered an abrasion, the resulting damage can lead to corneal erosion. The symptoms of corneal erosion and eye disease are similar to those of corneal abrasion, which occurs when the cornea’s epithelium becomes detached from the surrounding tissue.
Uveitis
The middle layer of the eye wall, called the uvea, is the target of uveitis. It contains blood vessels, the iris, and the ciliary body, which helps focus the eye lens. Inflammation of this layer causes blurred vision, eye pain, and other symptoms. It can affect one or both eyes, and it can be a sign of other problems, such as infection or autoimmune disease.
A doctor may diagnose uveitis with a slit lamp exam. They may also use other equipment, such as an ophthalmometer, to perform an examination. A biopsy of the eye is sometimes necessary to determine the exact type of inflammation. If an infection is the cause, your eye doctor can prescribe an antibacterial eye ointment or eye drop. Children with the disease cannot go to school until the inflammation subsides.
The treatments for uveitis depend on the type of inflammation. In some cases, glucocorticoids are prescribed as eye drops. During severe cases, ophthalmologists may prescribe systemic medications through the mouth or through injection. These drugs can include antibiotics, immunosuppressive drugs, and corticosteroids. Corticosteroids are sometimes prescribed in non-infectious forms, and supplementation with anti-inflammatory ingredients can also be used.
Retinal detachment
Retinal detachment is a serious eye condition that can cause permanent vision loss. A detached retina can be a silent cause of vision loss and can be detected during a routine dilated retinal exam. If you suspect you have detachment of the retina, you should contact a medical professional as soon as possible. Your doctor will discuss the options for treating retinal detachment with you.
Surgical treatment for retinal detachment depends on the type and cause of the problem. For example, a retinal hole that has developed due to an inflammatory disorder can be repaired using laser surgery. Surgical options may also be available for retinal detachment caused by an injury to the eye. Retinal detachment can affect anyone, but it is more common in men than women and among whites than African Americans. Laser surgery can help treat small holes, and a specialist may need to perform this procedure to save the vision of the patient.
Retinal detachment can be repaired with laser surgery or cryotherapy. In both procedures, a gas bubble is injected into the eye and positioned over the tear to seal it. Laser surgery will also help wall off a retinal tear, but the visual outcome is not always certain. The final visual outcome of the surgery is often not known until months afterward. In many cases, a silicone band may be sufficient to repair the tear.
Corneal ulcer
Your eye doctor can diagnose the problem by examining the cornea in his office. The eye doctor may use a slit lamp microscope to see the ulcer in more detail. The slit lamp uses a special light to focus a narrow “slit” onto the eye. A dye, known as fluorescein, is then placed on the blotting paper and transferred to the eye. Under the special violet light, the infected tissue or corneal ulcer is highlighted in the dye. If this dye has caused the infection, the doctor may choose to prescribe antibiotics. However, if the patient does not respond to antibiotics, surgery may be the next step.
Some of the causes of corneal ulcer include herpes simplex keratitis, which is triggered by stress, prolonged exposure to sunlight, or other conditions that weaken the immune system. People who wear soft contact lenses overnight are also at risk. In addition, wearing contact lenses can cause corneal ulcers. These infections can seriously impair vision. Blood tests may be necessary to rule out other medical conditions or to detect inflammatory conditions.
Hemangioma
Hemangioma is a common benign intraocular tumour involving the growth of vascular spaces in the posterior layer of the eye, the part of the eye with the most blood vessels. This area lies between the retina and sclera. Hemangiomas typically develop near the retina or optic nerve. They can be difficult to distinguish from choroidal melanomas. The diagnosis of hemangioma in eye disease depends on whether the lesion is accompanied by other symptoms.
Usually, a clinical examination is sufficient to diagnose this condition, but complementary tests can be used to determine the morphometric characteristics of the tumour and guide treatment. There are two types of choroidal hemangiomas: circumscribed and localised. Arteriovenous hemangiomas have a circumscribed outline and can involve both veins and arteries. The former type is typically benign, although it can cause complications such as glaucoma and neuropathy.
Treatment for infantile hemangiomas is limited. Treatment options include surgical removal or steroid eye drops. In rare cases, surgical excision or embolization may be necessary. Children may also need surgery. If the hemangioma is larger or has visible scar tissue, surgery is recommended. If a child has a hemangioma, they should have the condition evaluated by a pediatric ophthalmologist.
