Conjunctivitis: a very heterogeneous group of inflammatory diseases affecting the conjunctiva, the transparent mucosa that covers the anterior portion of the eyeball.
In bacterial conjunctivitis (the most common): redness; burning sensation; itching or sense of foreign body; tearing more or less abundant; photophobia (discomfort towards the light); yellow/whitish purulent secretions.
Antibiotic therapy whose indication and dosage must be strictly prescribed by an ophthalmologist. Hygiene - behavioural measures to limit infection. It is recommended to protect the eyes from wind and light with sunglasses.
Conjunctivitis is one of the most common diseases of the anterior part of the eye. It is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the transparent mucosa that covers the anterior portion of the eyeball, with the exception of the cornea, and the inner wall of the lower and upper eyelids, until the eyelid margin.
Conjunctivitis can be caused by 1) biological agents (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites); 2) by physical agents (e.g. Ultraviolet radiation or thermal radiation); 3) by chemical agents (e.g. cosmetics or drugs);
by environmental factors (e.g. smoke or dust).
There are also allergic conjunctivitis and/or immune-mediated ones and conjunctivitis due to an alteration of the tear film.
The most common forms of conjunctivitis are of bacterial origin and are characterised by: redness; burning sensation; itching or sense of foreign body; tearing more or less abundant; photophobia (discomfort towards the light); yellow/whitish purulent secretions.
The treatment of conjunctivitis involves the instillation of antibiotic eye drops, whose indication and dosage must be strictly prescribed by an ophthalmologist. Self-medication in these cases may prolong and/or make difficult to resolve a pathology that can be cured.
Keep in mind that conjunctivitis is contagious and, therefore, the patient who is affected must follow some important hygiene measures:
Avoid rubbing eyes;
Wash hands thoroughly and often;
Remove purulent secretions with sterile wipes;
Use a personal towel;
Avoid using cosmetics around the eyes
It is recommended to protect the eyes from wind and light with sunglasses.
Chronic inflammation of the eyelids. It can be internal or external, though often the two forms coexist. External blepharitis can be caused by Staphylococcus or be seborrheic, internal blepharitis is secondary to a dysfunction of the meibomian glands.
Itching, swelling and burning feeling at the edge of the eyelid. Presence of dry scales (in the staphylococcal form) or oily (in the seborrheic form) around the eyelash area. In the case of internal blepharitis: glandular duct obstruction, abnormal secretion of lipids in the tear fluid, redness of the eyelid edges.
The external staphylococcal blepharitis is treated topically with antibiotics. The other forms of blepharitis are treated with careful daily eye and eyelid hygiene. In case of severe inflammation, topical treatments with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication are often used.
Blepharitis is a chronic inflammation of the eyelids. It is a very common cause of discomfort in the eye. It is usually bilateral and symmetrical. We can distinguish internal and external blepharitis, even if the two forms often coexist and there is a considerable overlap in the symptoms.
External blepharitis involves the eyelid edges and may be secondary to staphylococcal infection or to the seborrheic type, or a mixture of the two. Generalised seborrhoea is often present in the seborrheic form.
The inflammation in internal blepharitis is secondary to a dysfunction of the meibomian glands.
Blepharitis generally are characterised by itching, swelling and burning feeling at the edge of the eyelid. In external blepharitis dry (in the staphylococcal form) or oily (in the seborrheic form) scales in the eyelash area or small ulcers (in the staphylococcal form) are generally present. In internal blepharitis a number of signs associated with meibomian gland dysfunction are noted: glandular duct obstruction, abnormal secretion of lipids in the tear fluid, redness of the eyelid edge.
The external staphylococcal blepharitis is treated topically with antibiotics. There is no definitive cure for the seborrheic form or internal blepharitis. In case of severe inflammation, topical treatments with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication are often used. It is strongly recommended to carry out a thorough and diligent cleaning of the eyelids with specific products, aimed to keep the eyelid edge free of scales or secretions.
Inflammatory processes that affect the cornea which can be infectious or non-infectious.
Symptoms vary greatly according to the cause. Eye irritation, pain, blurred vision and photophobia (sensitivity to light) are typically present.
Each type of keratitis requires specific treatment which must be prescribed by the ophthalmologist and may involve the use of antibiotics, antiviral, antifungal or anti-inflammatory medication.
The term "keratitis" brings together a diverse group of inflammatory processes affecting the cornea. According to the cause that determines it, keratitis can be divided into non-infectious and infectious. The non-infectious forms are associated generally with systemic inflammatory diseases. The infectious forms are among the leading causes of blindness and they can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or protozoa. One particularly feared form of keratitis caused by protozoa is Acanthamoeba Keratitis. Keratitis is more common in contact lens wearers, and arises from the use of a inappropriate lenses, poor hygiene, prolonged use, or a pre-existing eye condition.
Symptoms vary greatly in relation to the cause but eye irritation, pain, blurred vision and photophobia (sensitivity to light) are generally always present.
Keratitis is an extremely feared condition. Therefore it is very important from the first ailments to call on an eye doctor as soon as possible, who will make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the most appropriate treatment. This may involve the use of topical or systemic antibiotics, antiviral, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory medications.
Stye is a suppurating process involving an eyelash follicle and its (external or internal) sebaceous gland. It is often caused by Staphylococcus Aureus.
Redness of the eyelid rim, pain, heaviness of the eyelid.
Application of a warm-wet compress, aimed at favouring its spontaneous rupture; topical antibiotics in association with anti-inflammatory drugs or not.
Stye is an acute inflammation of an eyelash follicle and its (external or internal) sebaceous gland, almost always caused by Staphylococcus Aureus.
Stye is a very common infection arising with: redness of the eyelid rim, pain, heaviness of the eyelid.
A yellowish little spot often appears on the edge of the inflamed eyelid and it usually ruptures on its own with the outflow of pus and the relieve of the pain sensation. The internal stye causes the same symptoms but it is not straightly visible because it is located on the eyelid inner wall.
The treatment for the stye consists in the application of a warm-wet compress, aimed at favouring the rupture on its own, and topical antibiotics (in association with anti-inflammatory drugs or not) according to the recommendations of the Ophthalmologist. Seldom it is required the drainage of the stye by a surgical excision.
The chalazion is a cyst due to the chronic inflammation of one of the Meibonian glands.
Sensation of discomfort which is more remarkable when the chalazion achieves a great size.
It is rare that the chalazion heals on its own, in most cases the only suitable treatment is the surgical excision.
The chalazion is a chronic inflammatory lesion caused by the stagnation of the sebaceous secretion produced by Meibonian glands or other sebaceous glands.
The chalazion is usually painless. Apart from aesthetics problems, the chalazia of the upper eyelids, when they become too large, can press on the cornea and become the cause of astigmatism.
It is rare that the chalazion heals on its own, in most cases the only suitable treatment is the surgical excision.
