The Special Sense Organs and Their Disorders
Walter F. Stanaszek, Mary J. Stanaszek, Robert J. Holt, Steven Strauss in Understanding Medical Terms, 2020
Inflammation of several parts of the eye can impair vision. Redness, itching, and tearing of the eyes can be caused by bacteria, viruses, foreign particles, or environmental pollutants. Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva which causes reddened eye (sometimes called "pink eye") and purulent or serous discharge with itching, smarting, stinging, or a scratching sensation. Allergic conjunctivitis is an inflammation resulting from allergens (such as ragweed, grass, or tree pollen) that irritate the conjunctiva and cause mast cells to release chemicals that interact with the allergen.
Nasal, bronchial, conjunctival, and food challenge techniques and epicutaneous immunotherapy of food allergy
Richard F. Lockey, Dennis K. Ledford in Allergens and Allergen Immunotherapy, 2020
Allergic conjunctivitis is a symptomatic disorder of the eye that results from immunoglobulin E (IgE)–mediated mast cell degranulation initiating the release of histamine, cytokines, chemokines, and the recruitment of inflammatory cells. Common symptoms and signs of allergic conjunctivitis include ocular itching, tearing, redness, and chemosis, which is otherwise known as swelling of the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is a thin, protective, mucosal membrane that covers the anterior sclera extending to behind the eyelids [57]. Allergic conjunctivitis symptoms are estimated to affect approximately 15%–20% of the population worldwide, with the United States reporting a prevalence of 40% [58,59]. Patients with allergic conjunctivitis often experience a reduced quality of life with a potential impact on daily activities such as reading, driving, and sleeping [60].
Clinical Toxicology of Snakebite In Africa and The Middle East / Arabian Peninsula
Jürg Meier, Julian White in Handbook of: Clinical Toxicology of Animal Venoms and Poisons, 2017
Thirteen cases were reported from northern Nigeria35,50,53. One received venom in both eyes, one in one eye and up one nostril and the others into one eye. In all cases there were symptoms of acute chemical conjunctivitis: intense pain, watering of the eye, spasm and swelling of lids, congestion and oedema of the conjunctivae and cornea and a whitish discharge (Figure 27). Five patients developed nothing more than a simple conjunctivitis but in six there was evidence, by fluorescein staining, slit lamp biomicroscopy or by development of complications, of corneal ulceration. One patient developed hypopyon, suggesting that venom had entered the anterior chamber53. One showed signs of anterior uveitis (Figure 28). One presented with a perforating corneal ulcer with gross endophthalmitis requiring enucleation (Figure 29). One patient was found to have a dense opacity causing blindness, the result of having venom spat into that eye five years before. Pugh et al examined 19 patients spat at between six months and 53 years before13. Eight had superficial punctate corneal nebulae, two epithelial punctate staining of the lower periphery of the cornea and three others had other keratopathies.
Ocular Involvement in Muckle-Wells Syndrome
Published in Ocular Immunology and Inflammation, 2020
Sukru Cekic, Ozgur Yalcinbayir, Sara Sebnem Kilic
Two members of this family refused to have an extensive ophthalmic examination. Therefore, ocular findings in both eyes of nine individuals of the family were presented in this cross-sectional study. Each participant completed various questionnaires about their past and present symptoms and past ocular history. The onset age of the ocular symptoms were also inquired. A comprehensive ophthalmological examination, corneal topography and optical coherence tomography (OCT) evaluations were performed. Questionnaire of the symptoms covered the history of conjunctivitis including the irritated pink eye, conjunctival swelling, foreign body sensation, increased tear secretion and discharge of pus or mucus. We also questioned the recovery of symptoms after the commencement of therapy. Ophthalmological examination was performed by the same ophthalmologist (OY) and included ocular motility tests, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) assessment, intraocular pressure measurement, slit-lamp biomicroscopy and fundoscopy. Signs of keratoconus, band keratopathy, subepithelial and/or anterior stromal corneal scarring, posterior stromal corneal opacification, corneal edema, cells and flare within the anterior or posterior chamber and vitreous, anterior or posterior synechia of the iris, phakic status of the lens, signs of past uveitis including pigment dispersion, and hyalinized keratic precipitates were examined in the slit-lamp biomicroscopy. The lesions on the retina and optic nerve were inspected during the dilated funduscopic examination.
Seasonal Variation in Human Adenovirus Conjunctivitis: A 30-Year Observational Study
Published in Ophthalmic Epidemiology, 2018
Jennifer Lee, Richard A Bilonick, Eric G Romanowski, Regis P Kowalski
All patients who presented to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) healthcare network (including emergency rooms, inpatient units, and outpatient clinics) with a clinical diagnosis of conjunctivitis and whose conjunctival swab tested positive (cell culture and/or PCR) for adenovirus were included in this study. The diagnosis of conjunctivitis was established clinically and documented in the lab order form by ophthalmologists in academic and university practices as well as by ophthalmology trainees. A total of 926 cases were documented at UPMC from 11 March 1987 to 15 December 2016. This time period started when the lab director (R.P.K) started systemically recording positive cases. UPMC is a multi-site academic institution located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Allegheny County, USA). No epidemiological information was recorded.
COVID-19 and the Eye: Ocular Manifestations, Treatment and Protection Measures
Published in Ocular Immunology and Inflammation, 2021
For SARS-CoV-2 treatment, some systemic antiviral drugs such as lopinavir, ritonavir have been used during the outbreak.33 Ribavirin eye drop could help the treatment of ocular symptoms.33 Some treatment methods have been proposed, such as systemic and topical antivirals, povidone-iodine irrigation, immunoglobulin and anti-inflammatory therapy. Other possible therapeutic options are sialic acid analogs, cold atmospheric plasma and benzalkonium chloride.72 Since the majority of cases are self-limited, treatment of viral conjunctivitis is mostly supportive. It is important to reduce the possibility of viral load on conjunctiva and the potential for transmission through the tear and eye secretions. Some general ophthalmic recommendations are hygienic measures, including frequent hand washing, avoiding touching or rubbing the eyes, changing pillowcases, sheets, towels regularly, not sharing personal items.31 Antibiotics and artificial tears can be used for symptomatic relief and to reduce the chance of secondary bacterial infection.
Related Knowledge Centers
- Antibiotic
- Conjunctiva
- Eyelid
- Inflammation
- Common Cold
- Sclera
- Viral Disease
- Pathogenic Bacteria
- Microbiological Culture
- Hand Washing