Eyes are the most sesitive organs in our body and nature’s finest masterpiece.Its normal for your vision to change over your lifetime, although there can be some serious issues sometime that need immediate attention or care. There are some most common eye disorders that everyone should know about:

 Refractive Errors

• When the light does not focus directly onto the retina, objects are blurred. There are several types:
• Myopia (Nearsightedness): an eye that is too long or a cornea that is too curved. In this, objects that are distant are blurry.
• Hyperopia (Farsightedness): The eye is too short or the cornea is too flat. So objects that are nearer to the individual are not so clear, while far objects appear well.
• Astigmatism: In this case, the curvature of the cornea is irregular, therefore causing distorted or hazy vision.
• Presbyopia: This is a condition that occurs at old age and affects the near vision. This occurs because the lens becomes unresponsive; it is unable to focus on objects far away, and it starts affecting the individual above the age of 40.
• Management: Generally, refractive errors can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. In some cases, refractive surgery like LASIK can be done.
  

  Read more: Ophthalmology Blogs for Fmge and Neet PG Preparation

Conjunctivitis

• Conjunctivitis, aka “pink eye.”. It is defined as the inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is the thin membrane covering the white part of the eye and the inner eyelid. There are 3 main types
• Viral conjunctivitis: caused by adenoviruses. It is very contagious and often associated with throat pain and colds. The eye is red with watery discharge and usually itchy.Symptomatic treatment is enough in most cases.
• Bacterial Conjunctivitis: This is caused by bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pneumonia. Findings are purulent discharge and crusting of eyelashes, which is prominent in the morning. Treat with antibiotics.
• Allergic conjunctivitis: This is caused by allergic reactions to pollen, dust, or animal dander. It is mostly seasonal and presents with itching, redness, and watery eyes.
• Key Takeaway: Viral, bacterial, and allergic conjunctivitis must be differentiated for appropriate management.

Dry Eye Syndrome (Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca)

• Either tear production is decreased or evaporation of tears increases, leading to irritation and inflammation of the ocular surface.
• Symptoms are burning, itching, and a foreign body sensation in the eye. The prevalence of dry eye syndrome among older adults is especially high, mainly post-menopausal women.
• Environmental factors like use of the computer for hours, air conditioning, and smoke exposure can also contribute.
• Treatment includes lubricating eye drops such as carboxymethylcellulose and lifestyle changes.

Cataracts

• It is a gradual loss of vision due to clouding of the lens. It occurs due to the aging process.
• Cataract is one of the most common causes of blindness in the world.
• Symptoms are blurred vision, night blindness, and decreased color perception. The cataract can impair daily activities like reading or driving.
• Treatment for cataract is surgery with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL).

Glaucoma

• Increased IOP leads to damage to the optic nerve. There are two main types of glaucoma:
• Open-Angle Glaucoma: This is the most common type, where the IOP gradually increases without any symptoms until severe vision loss occurs.
• Angle-Closure Glaucoma: This is an emergency condition where the drainage angle of the eye becomes blocked, leading to instant increase in IOP. Symptoms include severe eye pain, headache, nausea, vomiting, and blurred vision.
• Management: Open-angle glaucoma is treated with medication, including prostaglandin analogs, beta blockers, and alpha agonists. This reduces IOP. Angle closure glaucoma is an emergency, requiring immediate medical attention to reduce IOP. Angle-closure glaucoma can be surgically treated.

Retinal Disorders

• Diabetic Retinopathy
• This is a complication of diabetes in which high blood sugar damages the blood vessels of the retina. It may
• initially be asymptomatic, but eventually, it will lead to loss of vision if the disease advances.
• Retinal Detachment
• It is a medical emergency where the retina detaches from the underlying tissue and the patient experiences sudden loss of vision or falling of the curtain in front of the eye, floaters.
• Management: Diabetic retinopathy requires laser therapy or intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF agents like traiamcinolone.

Scleritis

• It is a severe, painful inflammation of the sclera, the white part of the eye, which can lead to significant vision loss if left untreated.
• Associated with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or SLE.
• Symptoms include deep eye pain, redness, and tenderness.
• Treat with immunosuppressives.

Episcleritis

• It is a relatively benign inflammation of the episcleral tissue just beneath the conjunctiva. It is self-limiting disease usually mild discomfort is reported by patients.

 Uveitis

• Inflammation of the uvea. It consists of the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. Depending on the site of inflammation, it can be classified as
• Anterior uveitis, or iritis, which is the most common form of uveitis. Symptoms include eye pain, redness, and blurred vision.
• Posterior Uveitis: Inflammation of the choroid and retina. Symptoms may include floaters, blurred vision, and decreased vision.
• Uveitis can be caused by autoimmune diseases, infections, or trauma. So treating the underlying cause is the mainstay.

Summary

Article Name

Essential Eye Disorders: Every Medical Student Should Know

Author

Dr. Dharmesh

Publisher Name

Nextillo

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