![]() It impairs vision and is treated with lenses and later contact lenses. Keratoconus is an abnormally thin, curved cornea. See the separate leaflet called Visual Problems. Arc eye is a similar condition from exposure to the bright light of an arc lamp. Snow blindness is the type of photokeratitis common in mountaineers and skiers who forget their sunglasses. Photokeratitis is sunburn of the cornea, usually noticed several hours after exposure to the sun. ![]() Other causes include inability to close the eyelids properly, as in the facial nerve weakness seen in Bell's palsy. This can be caused by problems with tear production. When the cornea dries out it may become irritated and inflamed, a condition called exposure keratitis. See the separate leaflet called Dry Eyes. Dry eyes and exposure keratitisĭry eye syndrome (also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, or simply dry eyes) occurs when there is a problem with the tear film that normally keeps the eye moist and lubricated. See the separate leaflet called Allergic Conjunctivitis.Īutoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease and ankylosing spondylitis, may cause an inflammatory keratitis. Other allergens include medications, animal hair and cosmetics, such as mascara and face creams. Allergic and inflammatory conditions of the corneaĪllergies affecting the eye may affect the cornea, with pollen as the most common allergen. See the separate leaflets called Shingles (Herpes Zoster), Eye Infection (Herpes Simplex) and Visual Problems (Blurred Vision). Inflammation of the cornea is called keratitis and may be caused by various organisms, including germs such as bacteria and viruses. ![]() See the separate leaflet called Corneal Injury and Foreign Bodies. Injury to the cornea may result in scarring, which can affect vision. However, objects which penetrate the eye and active chemicals which damage the surface (such as acids, alkalis and plaster dust) may do so. Foreign bodies which sit on the eye don't normally damage vision. If you get something in your eye then your eye will water and blink and will feel very uncomfortable. They are occasionally removed on cosmetic grounds and a pinguecula can develop into a pterygium. This condition is similar to pterygium, except that only the conjunctiva is involved, and it forms a bump rather than a wedge-shaped growth. Because the surface is raised, the tear film may be interrupted, causing a loss of lubrication of the eye over the pinguecula, leading to pingueculitis. Small yellow-white deposits occur at the 3 o'clock or 9 o'clock positions on the eye. It is caused by ultraviolet (UV) exposure, which leads to degenerative changes in the sclera. This yellow-white thickening of the sclera is common over the age of 40 years. Sunglasses and artificial tears help prevent this. It can be treated by surgery (either for cosmetic reasons or because it is starting to block vision) but often comes back. It is sometimes called 'surfer's eye' or farmer's eye, as it is common in those who spend a lot of time outdoors where there are high levels of solar radiation. It is particularly common in those who have lived in hot climates. Pterygium occurs as a reaction by the eyes to being exposed to wind, dryness, dust and sunshine (solar radiation). It is painless (although it can cause irritation and dryness). ![]() PterygiumĪ pterygium is a raised, yellowish, wedge-shaped thickening on the white part of the eye, which can occasionally spread over the cornea, obstructing vision. See the separate leaflet called Episcleritis and Scleritis. ![]() Scleritis affects the sclera and, sometimes, the deeper tissues of the eye. Episcleritis causes redness with discomfort and irritation but without other significant symptoms. Both cause redness but scleritis is much more serious than episcleritis. Episcleritis and scleritisĮpiscleritis and scleritis are inflammatory conditions which affect the eye. See the separate leaflet called Subconjunctival Haemorrhage. Rarely, it can be associated with high blood pressure ( hypertension). It can look alarming but it usually causes no symptoms and is usually harmless. It is caused by a small bleed from one of the tiny blood vessels behind the conjunctiva. This is a common cause of painless red eye, which looks very alarming. See the separate leaflet called Sjögren's Syndrome. It can also affect other organs including lungs, kidneys, skin and the nervous system. Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease which most commonly causes dry eyes and mouth. See the separate leaflets called Allergic Conjunctivitis and Infective Conjunctivitis for more details. The patient has red itchy eyes, which may be sticky if the eyes are infected. Conjunctivitis is inflammation or infection of the surface layer of the eye (the conjunctiva). Conjunctivitis does not normally affect the vision, other than to make things slightly blurry due to watering or discharge over the eyes. ![]()
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