Eye Disorders
Introduction
·
The eye is a highly specialized organ of vision
that converts light into neural signals, enabling us to perceive the world.
·
Due to its delicate structure and constant
exposure to environmental factors (dust, light, infections, trauma), the eye is
susceptible to various disorders.
·
Eye diseases can affect the cornea, lens,
retina, conjunctiva, optic nerve, or intraocular pressure, leading to
impaired vision or even blindness if untreated.
·
Disorders may be congenital, acquired,
infectious, degenerative, or refractive in nature.
·
Early diagnosis and treatment are critical in
preventing permanent damage.
- Definition:
A group of eye conditions characterized by increased intraocular
pressure (IOP) due to impaired drainage of aqueous humor, leading to optic
nerve damage and progressive loss of vision.
- Types:
- Open-angle
glaucoma (chronic): Gradual blockage of
drainage canals; painless, progressive vision loss.
- Angle-closure
glaucoma (acute): Sudden blockage of
drainage angle; medical emergency with severe pain.
- Causes/Risk
factors:
- Age
> 40 years
- Family
history
- Diabetes,
hypertension
- Eye
trauma, steroid use
- Symptoms:
- Open-angle:
Gradual peripheral vision loss ("tunnel vision").
- Acute:
Severe eye pain, headache, nausea, blurred vision, halos around lights,
red eye.
- Complications:
Irreversible blindness if untreated.
- Diagnosis:
- Tonometry
(measuring IOP)
- Ophthalmoscopy
(optic nerve cupping)
- Visual
field testing
- Treatment:
- Eye
drops: Beta-blockers (Timolol), Prostaglandin analogues (Latanoprost),
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.
- Laser
trabeculoplasty or surgical trabeculectomy in resistant cases.
- Prevention/Control:
Regular eye checkups after 40, especially for high-risk individuals.
- Definition:
A chronic infectious eye disease caused by Chlamydia trachomatis,
leading to conjunctival scarring and blindness.
- Epidemiology:
Endemic in poor hygiene areas; major cause of preventable blindness
worldwide.
- Pathogenesis:
Recurrent infection → chronic inflammation → conjunctival scarring →
eyelid deformity (entropion) → eyelashes rub cornea → corneal opacity.
- Symptoms:
- Redness,
tearing, discharge
- Photophobia,
pain
- Rough
inner eyelids with follicles
- In
later stages: entropion, trichiasis, corneal opacity.
- Diagnosis:
Clinical exam, conjunctival swab for Chlamydia.
- Treatment:
- Antibiotics:
Oral azithromycin (preferred), topical tetracycline.
- Surgery
for entropion/trichiasis (SAFE strategy: Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial
cleanliness, Environmental improvement).
- Prevention:
Improved sanitation, mass treatment programs, hygiene education.
- Definition:
Opacification/clouding of the lens of the eye causing progressive,
painless loss of vision.
- Types:
- Senile
cataract: Age-related degeneration (most
common).
- Congenital
cataract: Present at birth (due to
intrauterine infections like rubella).
- Secondary
cataract: Due to diabetes, trauma, steroids,
radiation.
- Causes/Risk
factors:
- Aging
- Diabetes
mellitus
- Prolonged
corticosteroid use
- Eye
injuries
- UV
light exposure
- Symptoms:
- Blurred,
cloudy vision
- Glare
and halos around lights
- Reduced
night vision
- Fading
of colors
- Diagnosis:
Slit-lamp examination.
- Treatment:
- Definitive:
Surgical removal of lens (Extracapsular Cataract Extraction,
Phacoemulsification) with intraocular lens implantation.
- Prevention:
UV protection, control of diabetes, avoiding long-term steroid abuse.
Inflammations of the Eye
Eye structures may undergo inflammation due to
infection, trauma, or autoimmune reactions.
- Types:
- Conjunctivitis
(Pink Eye):
- Inflammation
of conjunctiva, caused by bacteria (Staph, Strep), viruses (Adenovirus),
or allergy.
- Symptoms:
Redness, itching, tearing, discharge (purulent in bacterial).
- Treatment:
Antibiotic/antiviral drops, antihistamines for allergy.
- Keratitis:
Inflammation of cornea → pain, photophobia, corneal ulcer; caused by
bacteria, viruses (Herpes simplex).
- Uveitis:
Inflammation of uveal tract (iris, ciliary body, choroid). Causes:
autoimmune, TB, syphilis. Symptoms: pain, blurred vision, photophobia.
- Blepharitis:
Inflammation of eyelid margin → itching, redness, crusting.
- Treatment
(general): Antibiotics, antivirals,
corticosteroid drops (under medical guidance), lubrication, removal of
irritants.
Myopia (Nearsightedness)
- Definition:
A refractive error where parallel light rays focus in front of the
retina due to an elongated eyeball or increased corneal curvature.
- Causes:
- Genetic
predisposition
- Excessive
near work (reading, screen time)
- Elongation
of eyeball
- Symptoms:
- Blurred
distance vision, clear near vision
- Eye
strain, headache
- Diagnosis:
Refraction test.
- Treatment:
- Prevention:
Outdoor activities in childhood, reduced screen time, proper lighting.
Hypermetropia (Farsightedness)
- Definition:
A refractive error where light focuses behind the retina due to
short eyeball or flattened cornea.
- Causes:
Congenital (small eyeball), aging changes, weak lens curvature.
- Symptoms:
- Blurred
near vision, clear distance vision
- Eye
strain during reading, headache
- Diagnosis:
Refraction test.
- Treatment:
- Convex
(plus) lenses
- Corrective
refractive surgery in adults.
- Definition:
Age-related loss of accommodation of the lens, leading to difficulty in
near vision, usually after age 40.
- Cause:
Reduced elasticity of lens + weakened ciliary muscle function.
- Symptoms:
- Difficulty
in reading small print at normal distance
- Need
to hold books farther away (“long arm syndrome”)
- Eye
strain, headache while reading
- Treatment:
- Bifocal
or progressive lenses
- Contact
lenses with multifocal correction
- Surgical
lens replacement in advanced cases.
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