When most of us were children mobile phones didn’t even exist, so it can feel quite alien to us when our children feel the need to have one. The ever growing market has tapped into the technology-thirsty young generation and there are even mobile phones for four year olds!

As a parent ask yourself whether your child really needs a mobile phone, and whether you feel they would be capable of using one in an emergency. If you are getting a phone, pick one you feel your child can manage.[1]

Energy-saving LED technology has been in the limelight as the best way to reduce the electricity demands of residential and commercial lighting.But how safe are LED lights? A vision researcher from Complutense University in Madrid reports that exposure to LED lights can cause irreparable damage to the retinas of the human eye, UPI reports.The light from LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, comes primarily from the short-wave, high-energy blue and violet end of the visible light spectrum, said Dr. Celia Sánchez-Ramos. And prolonged, continuous exposure to this light — from computer monitors, mobile phones and television screens or indoor and outdoor lights — may be enough to damage retinas, she said.[2]

Because they emit HEV light (also called blue light), staring at phone and tablet screens may actually harm our eyes permanently. HEV light is that portion of the visible light spectrum that comprises light with the shortest wavelengths, which carry the greatest potential to damage living tissue.

We’re spending almost as much time staring at screens as we do sleeping.
“Many eye care providers are concerned about the potentially damaging effects of high-energy visible (HEV) light emitted by digital devices because laboratory and animal studies have shown exposure to high levels of HEV light can damage tissue in the retina of the eye in a way that appears consistent with retinal changes associated with macular degeneration, a leading cause of permanent vision loss in older adults.” says Dr. Heiting. “But no one knows for sure at this point if prolonged use of digital devices causes sufficient exposure to HEV light to cause permanent eye damage.”

Blue (HEV) light is also emitted by the sun and LED light bulbs, but most of us don’t stare at them for hours on end.[3] eResearch by Navid Ajamin -- spring 2016

Sources of blue light include the sun, digital screens (TVs, computers, laptops, smart phones and tablets), electronic devices, and fluorescent and LED lighting

Blue light is actually everywhere. When outside, light from the sun travels through the atmosphere. The shorter, high energy blue wavelengths collide with the air molecules causing blue light to scatter everywhere. This is what makes the sky look blue. In its natural form, your body uses blue light from the sun to regulate your natural sleep and wake cycles. This is known as your circadian rhythm. Blue light also helps boost alertness, heighten reaction times, elevate moods, and increase the feeling of well being. Artificial sources of blue light include electronic devices such as cell phones and laptop computers, as well as energy-efficient fluorescent bulbs and LED lights. [4]

Bad Impacts of Cell Phone For Small Kids -- sandeeppooni.com

1. Weak Gripping: According to a study in the UK, the kid has a weak grip of the pencil due to the mobile touch screen.

2. Weak Eyes-Sight: The mobile phone has a worse effect on the child’s eyes. Actually, mobile radiation and the screen can damage a lot.

3. Hamper Brain Development: The brain of a child is developing at a rapid pace up to 5 years and it grows up to 18 years.

4. Less Social and Loneliness: The Wireless Telephone addicted children are less social as well as they have the habit to remain alone.

5. Weak Memory: Many studies show that radiation of cell phones also affect the memory of children. Mobile radiation can disturb the memory neurons in the brain.

6. Aggressiveness: The children love to play action games on mobile phones. These action games have lots of violence which affects the soft hearts of children. Therefore, Children who are playing actions games are more aggressive than normal pupils.

7. Digital Zombies: Online gaming is making children digital zombies. In China, the teenager/children use diapers so that they did not want to move away from gaming because if they move then they lose game or gaming points.

8. Poor Sleep: Bedtime usage of phones affects sleep duration as well as the quality of sleep.

9. Poor Grades: The children who have overuse of cell phones have weak school performance. Because they lose their interest in the study and they love to play games or watch others stuff on mobile phones.

10. Nomophobia: This is a fear which founds in phone additive children. In it, the child has a fear of being without its mobile phone or being unable to use its mobile phone for any reason such as poor signal, etc.

11. Neck Problem: This is another common problem in mobile addictive pupils. Due to overuse, the children always feel pain in their neck.

12. Poor Body Posture: The children use the phone for an hour by wrong sitting posture or lying posture which damages the overall body posture of children.

13. Super Hero Addiction/ Virtual World: Children watch excessively superhero cartoon on mobile/tv. So, they want to become like them but, the superhero is virtual.

Smart phones, laptops, and other handheld devices all transmit light. However, the blue light in particular may be toxic for your eyes.

Scientists at the University of Toledo may have discovered how blue light emitted from your technology has a potential to lead to macular degeneration — one of the leading causes of vision loss in the United States.

“It’s no secret that blue light harms our vision by damaging the eye’s retina” said Ajith Karunarathne, PhD, assistant professor at the University of Toledo’s department of chemistry and biochemistry in a released statement.

Macular degeneration is the result of photoreceptor cell death in the retina.

The function of the photoreceptor cells is to capture visual images and signal them to the brain using a molecule called retinal.

Small text and bright screens can strain mobile phone users’ eyes. Since tablet computers, smartphones, and other hand-held devices are designed for reading at close range, users’ eyes must constantly refocus and reposition to process the graphics and text on screen.

Study Cell Phone Radiation Can Damage Eyes Cause Early Cataracts. The scientists, who have studied the impact of electromagnetic waves on human eye, say that cell phone usage can also lead to early cataract in lens apart from affecting retina, cornea and other ocular systems of the eye.

According to The Vision Counci, more than a third of U.S. adults reported spending four to six hours a day with digital media or related electronic devices. As digital use increases, so do potential vision problems, including eye strain.

Symptoms of digital eye strain include eye redness or irritation, dry eyes, blurred vision, back pain, neck pain, and headaches.

Some of the ways to prevent digital eye strain include reducing glare, cleaning the screen, dimming the surrounding lighting that is competing with the device’s screen, keeping adequate distance between eyes and the screen, and increasing text size. Device users are also advised to take breaks from looking at the screen, and follow the “20-20-20” rule:

Take a 20-second break every 20 minutes using an electronic device and look at something 20 feet away.[5]

Mobile manners are passed down and although they should be dictated by common sense, daily instances of egregious tech etiquette seem to indicate otherwise.

Here are a few suggestions on how to set the right example:

• Don’t allow gadgets at the table. At any meal.

• Put your kids before your gadgets and really listen when they are speaking instead of just nodding and saying “uh huh” while looking down at your phone.

• The next time you want to use a gadget to distract them, act as if you don’t have it and see what other tactic you can come up with.

• Relax those dilated pupils and make eye contact with your kids.

• Keep your phone out of clear sight when driving. Sing along to the kids’ music with them instead.

• When someone around you is demonstrating poor mobile manners, subtly point it out to your kids on what not to do.

• Reinforce the age-old “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” This applies to all situations, offline and online.

• Ignore calls when in public places like restaurants or libraries, even in loud, crazy indoor play spaces where you’d love a break for a few minutes.

• Instead of emailing grandma and grandpa, call them.

• Show them that you’re not reliant on your phone 24/7. Have one gadget-free day every week.[6]

Which is more harmful for eyes laptop or mobile?

Though both are harmful as they both cause strain on your eyes since you look at both from a very small distance and they both emit a lot of light. But Mobiles create more of a strain to your eyes as they are smaller devices making it harder for your eyes to catch on that small text.

Reference:

1. familylives.org.uk
2. livescience.com
3. digitaltrends.com
4. bluelightexposed.com
5. source.southuniversity.edu
6. huffingtonpost.com
7. rfsafe.com
8. healthline.com
9. sandeeppooni.com

See also:

• List of countries by number of mobile phones in use
• Blue light and Blue light control lenses -- nicetoview.blogfa.com
• A Parents' Guide to Mobile Phones - ConnectSafely

We protect our skin with sunscreen, but what about our eyes?

Most of us are aware of the dangerous effects ultraviolet (UV) rays have on our skin, but few of us realize the danger imposed on our eyes.

UV radiation, whether from natural sunlight or artificial UV rays, can damage the eye's surface tissues as well as the cornea and lens. UV radiation can burn the front surface of the eye, much like a sunburn on the skin.

UV radiation consists of invisible rays from the sun.

There are three types of UV radiation: UVA, UVB and UVC.

UVC rays do not pose any threat, as they are absorbed by the ozone layer. However, exposure to UVA and UVB rays can have adverse effects on your eyes and vision. Short- and long-term exposure to these dangerous rays can cause significant damage damage. It is important to note that UV radiation can also be given off by artificial sources like welding machines, tanning beds and lasers.

Two types of harmful light rays come from the sun:

ultraviolet A radiation (UVA), and ultraviolet B radiation (UVB).

• UVA radiation can cause photoaging, or premature aging of the skin, resulting in wrinkles, uneven pigmentation, and texture changes.
• UVB radiation is the main cause of sunburn.

Short-Term Effects of UV Radiation

If you are exposed, unprotected, to excessive amounts of UV radiation over a short period of time, you are likely to experience an effect called photokeratitis. Photokeratitis is an inflammation of the cornea caused by a brief exposure to UV radiation, usually when combined with cold wind and snow. Like a "sunburn of the eye", it may be painful and may create symptoms including red eyes, a foreign body sensation or gritty feeling in the eyes, extreme sensitivity to light and excessive tearing. Fortunately, this is usually temporary and rarely causes permanent damage to the eyes.

Long-Term Effects of UV Radiation

Long-term exposure to UV radiation can be more serious. Scientific studies and research growing out of the U.S. space program have shown that exposure to small amounts of UV radiation over a period of many years may increase the chance of developing a cataract, and may cause damage to the retina, the nerve-rich lining of the eye that is used for seeing. This damage to the retina is usually not reversible. Cumulative damage of repeated exposure may contribute to chronic eye disease, as well as increase the risk of developing skin cancer around the eyelids. Long-term exposure to UV light is also a risk factor in the development of pterygium (a growth that invades the corner of the eyes) and pinguecula (a yellowish, slightly raised lesion that forms on the surface tissue of the white part of your eye.)

UV Radiation Protection

It is not yet known how much exposure to UV radiation will cause how much damage, but a good recommendation is to wear quality sunglasses that offer good protection and a wide-brimmed hat when working outdoors, participating in outdoor sports, taking a walk, running errands or doing anything in the sun.

To provide protection for your eyes, your sunglasses should:

• block out 99 to 100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation

• screen out 75 to 90 percent of visible light

• be perfectly matched in color and free of distortion and imperfection

• have lenses that are gray for proper color recognition

If you spend a lot of time in bright sunlight, wrap-around frames can provide additional protection from harmful UV radiation by keeping UV rays from reaching the eyes. Also, remember UV eye protection for children and teenagers. eResearch by Navid Ajamin -- summer 2013

They typically spend more time in the sun than adults. Finally, even if you are wearing contact lenses that have UV protection, you still need to wear sunglasses.UV rays will likely affect the eye tissue that is not covered by the contacts. Your eyes will be more comfortable, too, with most of the bright light blocked.

Reference: Vision.about.com Source: American Optometric Association. U/V Protection. 14 Jun 2007.

Headache is one of the most common ailments. But not all headaches are the same — the location of the pain, how severe it is, how long it lasts and how often it occurs, and sometimes what brings on the pain, are some of the variables that doctors use to define different types of headache.

Knowing what type of headache you have can help you and your doctor to manage and treat your headaches.

There are several types of headaches, some common and some complex, resulting in many types of treatments; but for those working specificially with computers may experience a computer eye strain headache. An Eye strain headache is a common type of tension headache.[1]

eye·strain n. Pain and fatigue of the eyes, often accompanied by headache, resulting from prolonged use of the eyes, uncorrected defects of vision, or an imbalance of the eye muscles.

eyestrain n (Medicine / Pathology) fatigue or irritation of the eyes, resulting from excessive use, as from prolonged reading of small print, or uncorrected defects of vision [4]

Symptoms of Eye Strain

• Headaches
• Double vision
• Tired or sore eyes
• Dry eyes
• Watery eyes
• Itchy eyes
• Burning eyes (even when closed)
• Heaviness of the eyelids/forehead
• Fatigue
• Reading problems
• Lack of concentration
• Back/neck aches
• Spasms/twitches around the eyes
• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Car sickness
• Nausea
• Blurred vision [2]

Tension headaches are by far the most common type of headache. Estimates are that from 70 to 90% of all headaches are tension headaches resulting from muscle spasms in the neck and skull. Common causes like eye strain, muscle fatigue, poor posture, overwork, and stress can bring them on. Anything that can help the body to relax can help relieve the pain such as rest, massage, especially to the skull, neck and shoulders, and exercise. We have developed headache relief exercises for the eyes, using a device specifically designed for the relief from a tension headaches that occur when doing near work such as reading and using the computer.

If you still get headaches after using the eye exercises for a few weeks, the cause may be from one of the following:       eResearch by Navid Ajamin -- spring 2013

1. Hormonal headaches that revolve around the menstrual cycle. Since homones induce the pain response, mens headaches can be prompted by hormones as well.

2. Vascular headaches such as migraines afflict up to 29.5 million people. Women get 3 times as many migraines than men so hormones may be involved here as well. It is probably tension that causes a constriction of the blood vessel in the brain that produces the visual effect or aura. Shortly thereafter it is replaced with a very severe headache as the involved blood vessel overly dilates to provide increase blood flow to the affected area. Some get physically sick from the severe pain, which is why they have been called sick headaches. There is most likely a genetic component since 4 out of 5 afflicted report family members also get them.

3. Cluster headaches have been described as the most painful of all headaches. They last around 1/2 hour but may reoccur multiple times during the day. Around 5 times as many men as women suffer this type of pain. Fortunately less than 1% of the population get them.

4. Sinus headaches occur when the sinuses get inflammed either from an allergy, an infection or a growth.

5. Organic headaches result in less than 5 % of the cases and are caused from an abnormality in the brain or skull such as a tumor, infection, hemorrhage, aneurysm, hematoma, meningitis, brain abcess or encephallitis.

Remember a headache while at the computer is usually a tension type headache so anything that will help the eye muscles to relax should bring significant relief to an eye strain headache.[3]

 If you have visual problems that have not been addressed by prescription glasses or contact lenses, you can get an eye strain headache, which typically causes pain and a heavy feeling around the eyes.[1]  

Reference:

1.mydr.com.au 2.ergonomics.about.com 3.computervisionreadingeyeglasses.com 4.thefreedictionary.com/eyestrain

Eye injuries in the workplace are very common. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports about 2,000 U.S. workers sustain job-related eye injuries that require medical treatment each day. However, safety experts and eye doctors believe the right eye protection could have lessened the severity or even prevented 90% of these eye injuries.

Common eye injuries occurring at work can result from chemicals or foreign objects in the eye and cuts or scrapes on the cornea. Other causes of injuries include splashes with grease and oil, burns from steam, ultraviolet or infrared radiation exposure, and flying wood or metal chips.

In addition, health care workers, laboratory and janitorial staff, and other workers may be at risk of acquiring infectious diseases from eye exposure. Some infectious diseases can be transmitted through the mucous membranes of the eye as a result of direct exposure to blood splashes, respiratory droplets generated during coughing, or from touching the eyes with contaminated fingers or other objects.

Two major reasons workers experience eye injuries on the job are because they were:

1. Not wearing eye protection, or

2. Wearing the wrong kind of protection for the job.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires the use of eye and face protection whenever there is a reasonable probability of injury that could be prevented by such equipment. Personal protective eyewear, such as goggles, face shields, safety glasses, or full face respirators must be used when an eye hazard exists. The eye protection chosen for specific work situations depends upon the type of hazard, the circumstances of exposure, other protective equipment used, and individual vision needs.

There are four things you can do to protect your eyes from injury:

1. Know the eye safety dangers at your work.
2. Eliminate hazards before starting work by using machine guards, work screens or other engineering controls.
3. Use proper eye protection.
4. Keep your safety eyewear in good condition and have it replaced if it becomes damaged. eResearch by Navid Ajamin -- spring 2013

Reference: aoa.org/eye-protection.xml

گاهی وقت ها سفیدی چشم به رنگ زرد درمی آید. این تغییر رنگ می تواند علل مختلفی داشته باشد، از جمله افزایش ماده ای به نام بیلی روبین در خون. بیلی‌روبین یکی از رنگدانه های صفراوی است که از تجزیه هموگلوبین حاصل می شود.زردي چشم ممكنست علل مختلفي داشته باشد. غير از علل عمومي آن در چشم ممكن است به دليل بيماري هاي پلك و يا ملتحمه ايجاد شده باشد كه با معاينه مشخص مي گردد. در غير اين موارد، تابش طولاني مدت آفتاب باعث ايجاد لكه هاي زرد رنگي در اطراف سياهي چشمي مي گردد و در بعضي از موارد بصورت ساختماني و بدون علت بيماري اين حالت ديده مي شود كه درمان خاصي براي آن وجود ندارد.

اگرچه زردی چشم زردی چشم همیشه نشانه ابتلا به هپاتیت نیست بلكه ممكن است فرد به سندرم «ژیلبرت» مبتلا شده باشد.

چند عامل شناخته شده که باعث ایجاد زردی چشم می‌شوند:

1. التهاب حاد کبد Acute inflammation of the liver
2. التهاب مجاری صفراوی Inflammation of the bile ducts
3. گرفتگی مجرای صفرا Bile duct obstruction
4. آنمی / کم خونی Anemia - وقتی تعداد زیادی از گلبول‌های خونی از بین بروند، میزان بیلی روبین تولیدی نیز افزایش می‌یابد) و یا کم خونی همولیتیک (افزایش سریع در سطح بیلی‌روبین به تغییر رنگ چشم منجر می‌شود. گاهی کل بدن بیمار تحت تاثیر کم خونی همولیتیک قرار می‌گیرد که این به ظاهر شدن لکه‌های زرد در تمام قسمت‌های بدن می‌انجامد.
5. سندروم ژیلبرت- یک بیماری ارثی کبدی که در آن توانایی آنزیم‌ها برای انجام پروسه‌های آنزیمی کاهش می‌یابد
6. بیماری کلستازیس - در این بیماری گردش صفرا در کبد منقطع می‌شود و به جای دفع در کبد باقی می‌ماند.
7. تب هموراژیک - ملتحمه لایه‌ی پوستی بسیار ظریفی است و ممکن است بدون هیچ دلیل خاصی بترکد. این ترکیدن می‌تواند به تغییر رنگ چشم از سفید به قرمز روشن یا زرد منجر شود.بیماران مبتلا به هموراژیک ممکن است در خلال ترکیدن بافت هیچ درد یا اشکالی در بینایی احساس نکنند، اما، خارش و ورم چشم دو مورد از علائم رایج آن هستند.
8. میخوارگی (اعتیاد به مصرف الکل) - همواره باید از نوشیدن الکل پرهیز کرد چون برای سلامتی بسیار خطرناک است و احتمال هپاتیت، مشکلات قلبی، سیروز، بی اشتهایی، عادات نادرست خواب، و سایر مشکلات و بیماری‌ها را افزایش می‌دهد.
9. سیگار کشیدن
10. تابش زیاد نور آفتاب - در واقع سفیدی چشم ها حالت مات و کدر پیدا می کند که این مسئله ارتباطی با بالا رفتن بیلی روبین خون ندارد.
11. مصرف برخی داروها - مثل شیمی درمانی، هورمونی و یا مربوط به بدن سازی
    هپاتیت
12. بیماری های گوارشی - این بیماری ها صرفا یک علامت ندارند و علامت های زیاد دیگری هم مشاهده می شود
13. زردی ژنتیکی و نژادی - در این افراد پوست بدن و ملتحمه چشم و حتی زیر زبان به زردی می زند.این افراد هنگام گرسنگی و تشنگی دچار زردی پوست هم می شوند که معمولا گذراست.
    غلظت بیلی روبین (زردی خون) برخی از افراد به طور ژنتیكی بیش از دیگران است. این سندرم بیشتر در مردان به علت مسائل هورمونی پس از دوران بلوغ بروز می كند. در دوران بلوغ علایم این سندرم ظاهر می شوند البته آنان از بدو تولد به ژیلبرت مبتلا بوده اند.ممکن است زنان هم به ژیلبرت مبتلا باشند ولی چندان دچار زردی نمی شوند.این سندرم، بسیار شایع است به گونه ای كه ۱۰ درصد مردم جهان به آن مبتلا هستند.
14. گرسنگی های طولانی مدت چند روزه، مصرف برخی از داروهای هورمونی و مربوط به بدنسازی باعث بروز بیشتر زردی چشم می شود. البته سایر آزمایش های افراد مبتلا به ژیلبرت، طبیعی است. مبتلایان به ژیلبرت در مصرف مواد غذایی، فعالیت بدنی و مصرف دارو محدودیتی ندارند و لازم نیست از داروی خاصی به علت ابتلا به این سندرم استفاده كنند.
15. تب شالیزار (لپتوسپیروز) - رایج در افرادی است که در مناطق گرم‌تر زندگی می‌کنند. این عفونت معمولا به خاطر مصرف آب آشامیدنی ناسالم (آلوده به ادرار حیوانات) به وجود می‌آید. کسانی که به نوشیدن آب از حوضچه‌های راکد عادت دارند احتمال دارد به تب شالیزار مبتلا بشوند.

لکه زرد اطراف چشم ها
بیماری های قلبی می توانند یکی از دلایل به وجود آمدن این لکه ها باشند. این لکه های زردرنگ که اغلب در نزدیکی گوشه داخلی پلک به وجود می آیند، نرم، کوچک و بدون درد هستند و مشکلی در بینایی ایجاد نمی کنند. این مشکل اغلب با تصلب شرایین، دیس لیپیدمی و بیماری عروق کرونر در ارتباط است.

افرادی که دارای چشم حساس اند، بر اثر التهاب مزمن و جذب خون دچار زردی چشم می شوند که با گذشت زمان با استفاده از اشک مصنوعی رفع می شود. eResearch by Navid Ajamin -- spring 2013

افرادی که مبتلا به بیماری هپاتیت هستند نیز به عارضه زردی چشم دچار می شوند.بیماری هپاتیت، بیماری خطرناکی است که بلافاصله بعد از دیدن زردی چشم و رنگ زرد ادرار باید درمان شود.

افرادی که دارای چشم حساس اند به مرور زمان بر اثر التهاب مزمن با جذب خون و رفع قرمزی چشم به زردی چشم مبتلا می شوند این عارضه با گذشت زمان و تجویز اشک مصنوعی و ضدعفونی کننده ها توسط پزشک متخصص چشم رفع می شود.

زردی چشم در بعضی از افراد به صورت خال بروز می کند که از طریق عمل جراحی برطرف می شود.

زردی نوزادی

از مواردی كه در روزهای اول پس از تولد باید به دقت مورد توجه والدین قرار گیرد، تغییر رنگ پوست یا ملتحمه چشم نوزاد به زردی است.

بیش از 60 درصد نوزادان در روزهای اول پس از تولد دچار زردی می‌‌شوند. بروز این زردی در نوزادانی كه زودتر از موعد به دنیا آمده‌اند، بیشتر است.

علت بروز این زردی تجزیه بیشتر گلبول‌های قرمز و تولید ماده‌ای به نام بیلی روبین است.

نكته حائز اهمیت آن است كه در نوزادان این ماده به آسانی از سد مغزی - خونی عبور می کند و موجب آسیب سلول‌های مغزی می‌گردد كه در آینده خود را به صورت عقب‌ماندگی ذهنی و معلولیت‌های حركتی و ناشنوایی نشان می‌دهد. بنابراین زردی نوزاد از مواردی است كه باید آن را جدی تلقی کرد و حتما درمان نمود.

10 Home Remedies for Jaundice in Newborns -- parenting.firstcry.com

چنانچه میزان این زردی بالا نباشد، درمان با نور انجام می‌شود، اما در صورت زردی بالا، جهت جلوگیری از آسیب مغزی، تعویض خون باید صورت گیرد.

One type of discoloration of the front of the eye is conjunctival icterus,

which is the medical term for yellow eyes.(Sometimes, the term scleral icterus also is used to describe yellow eyes.)

The eyes usually start to turn yellow when a compound called bilirubin accumulates in the blood.

This type of yellowing is often referred to as jaundice.
Yellowing of the eyes and skin are almost always symptoms of a condition that requires medical treatment. This can prevent serious complications, including organ damage.

Home remedies for yellow eyes include eating a healthful diet high in fiber and lean protein.
The best way to get rid of the yellowing is to treat the underlying cause and any other conditions present.

When jaundice is caused by an infection, such as hepatitis C or malaria, a person may need to take antibiotics, antifungals, or antivirals.

When jaundice is the result of alcohol or drug use, a person may need medical assistance to help with quitting or reducing consumption.

If dietary habits are behind jaundice, a person should eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, legumes, and lean meats.

Jaundice can also result from organ damage, sometimes caused by:anemia, an injury , cirrhosis ,a blockage, cancer

Depending on the extent of damage and the organs affected, treatments may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or blood transfusions.

Aside from a yellowing of the skin, one of the clearest signs of jaundice in an infant is the yellowing of the eyes.

Jaundice is very common in newborns, and only around 1 in 20 infants affected will require medical treatment.

Neonatal jaundice can usually be resolved by increasing breast-feeding sessions to 8–12 times daily.

The aim is to speed up digestion and bilirubin removal.

When treatment is necessary, a doctor may recommend phototherapy with fiber optic blankets.

Yellow eyes are only one symptom of newborn jaundice.

Jaundice is very common in newborn infants because the liver is still maturing.

New parents should also watch for the following symptoms:

yellow skin, lack of energy, irritability, fever, trouble with eating

Bilirubin often builds up faster than the immature liver of an infant can break it down, causing jaundice to occur frequently.

Some causes of newborn jaundice require further treatment. These include:

• Blood incompatibility jaundice: When a mother and a fetus do not have compatible blood types, the mother's body may attack the red blood cells of the fetus while it is in the womb. As the mother's antibodies are already breaking down the infant's red blood cells before birth, this type of jaundice may occur as early as 1 day old.
• Jaundice of prematurity: Premature babies are at the greatest risk of jaundice because their livers are highly underdeveloped. Premature babies may have more severe jaundice or jaundice alongside a number of other conditions.
• Infections: Some bacterial infections, such as sepsis, can cause newborn jaundice.
• Hemorrhage: Internal bleeding can cause jaundice. Premature infants face a particularly high risk of hemorrhages.

1. Jaundice occurs when there is excessive bilirubin in your system.
2. Hepatitis refers to an inflammatory condition of the liver. It's commonly caused by a viral infection.
3. A biliary obstruction blocks the bile ducts, which carry bile to the small intestine for digestion and waste removal.
4. Damage to the liver from excessive drinking can lead to ARLD(Alcohol-Related Liver Disease).
5. Cirrhosis is the severe scarring and poor function of the liver caused by long-term exposure to toxins such as alcohol or viral infections.
6. Gallstones can block your bile duct and cause abdominal pain.
7. Thalassemia is a blood disorder in which the body makes an abnormal form of hemoglobin.
8. G6PD deficiency is a genetic condition caused by a lack of the G6PD enzyme in the blood.
9. Acute pancreatitis is an inflammation in the pancreas, which causes pain and swelling in the upper left side of the abdomen, nausea, and burping.
10. An ABO incompatibility reaction can occur if you receive the wrong type of blood during a blood transfusion.
11. Newborn jaundice is a yellowing of a baby's skin and eyes.
12. Red blood cells are normally shaped like discs, which allows them to travel through blood vessels. Sickle cell disease causes red blood cells to be sickle-shaped. (Sickle Cell Anemia)
13. Drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia is a rare blood disorder.
14. Liver Cancer
15. Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer and is often difficult to detect.
16. Breast milk jaundice is associated with breast-feeding.
17. Yellow fever is a serious, potentially deadly flu-like disease spread by mosquitoes. It's characterized by a high fever and jaundice.
18. Infectious mononucleosis, or mono, refers to a group of symptoms usually caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
19. Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection that may not present any noticeable symptoms. Although sometimes without symptoms.
20. Calculus of gallbladder with acute cholecystitis occurs when a person has both gallstones and gallbladder inflammation.
21. Hepatitis B is liver inflammation caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV).
22. The hepatitis E virus is transmitted via the intestinal tract and isn't caused by the hepatitis A virus.
23. Hepatitis D, also known as the hepatitis delta virus, is an infection that causes the liver to become inflamed.
24. the different types of hepatitis C.
25. Hepatitis A is inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus. This highly contagious form of hepatitis can be spread through contaminated food or water.
26. Weil's disease is a severe form of the bacterial infection leptospirosis.

Treatment of yellow eyes focuses on the underlying medical condition.

Accompanying symptoms might include itchy skin, fullness in the stomach, fatigue, fever, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea and sudden weight loss.The best treatment of yellow eyes is determined by a number of tests, including one that measures the amount of bilirubin in the blood, a complete blood count and other liver tests.

The test results, along with a review of symptoms, medical history, a physical exam and possibly imaging tests, will help determine the proper diagnosis.If the underlying cause of yellow eyes is found to be an infection like hepatitis C or malaria, antibiotics, anti-fungal or anti-viral medications may be prescribed.

If alcohol or drug use are part of the diagnosis, giving up those substances will start the healing process.Diet also can play an important role. The liver processes and metabolizes most digested nutrients, and it works harder when foods are difficult to digest. This includes large amounts of refined sugars, salt and saturated fats.People with jaundice are advised to stay well-hydrated and to eat more liver-friendly foods — fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, nuts and legumes.

As the liver begins to heal with treatment, the jaundice and yellow eyes will subside.In some cases, surgery may be necessary to correct a contributing factor like a blocked bile duct.

The following tips may help to reduce the yellowing of eyes:

• Stay hydrated.
• Consume enough dietary fiber, which can be found in whole fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, and whole grains.
• Eat lean protein, such as that from fish, nuts, and legumes
• Avoid processed or packaged foods.
• Avoid foods rich in saturated and trans fats.
• Avoid refined carbohydrates, which can be found in sugary baked goods and candies.
• Do not consume alcohol excessively.
• Stop smoking or using tobacco products.
• Refrain from using illegal drugs or abusing prescription medications.
• Exercise regularly.

Reference:

• prasadnetralaya.com/are-yellow-eyes-normal
• owlcation.com/stem/rare-eye-colors
• wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilbert's_syndrome
• healthline.com/symptom/yellow-eyes
• improveeyesightHQ.com/alcohol-and-eye.html
• allaboutvision.com/conditions/yellow-eyes
• allaboutvision.com/conditions/pinguecula.htm
• medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321746.php
• medicalnewstoday.com/articles/312403.php
• medicalnewstoday.com/articles/312403.php#causes-in-children-and-adults
• holisticeye.com.au/sclera-markings/?offset=1437965471821

See also:

• How to whiten your eyes allaboutvision.com
• What are Jaundice and Kernicterus? cdc.gov
• Best Home Remedies For Yellow Eyes pickaremedy.com

A 5-Minute Safety Training Aid

You are driving on a dark twolane road. An on coming vehicle’s high beams suddenly appear. The vehicle flashes past and for the next few seconds, you’re blind. You’ve just experienced a common hazard known as night blindness.

Night blindness occurs when the eye is accustomed to low levels of light and the light intensity
suddenly rises. The eyes adjust to the new light level by contracting the pupils, but if that level of intensity is only momentary, then the eyes have to readjust to the lower level again by dilating the pupil.

While the eyes make these adjustments, there are several seconds that the vision is impaired.

During the day about 85 percent of the information we need to drive is visual, but at night this changes. Without enough light, we lose much of our contrast sensitivity (the ability to distinguish objects from the background) and peripheral vision (the ability to recognize objects at the edges of our visual field).

At night, headlights limit our visual range to the area they illuminate, only 250 to 350 feet of the road ahead.

At sixty miles per hour a car will cover 350 feet in four seconds. Therefore, slower driving speeds will allow you more time to spot a hazard and respond in a crisis.
With this in mind, pedestrians should wear light-colored clothing or put reflective tape on their clothes to make themselves more visible in the darkness.

If a driver turns his or her head from side to side, it will help make up for the lost side vision that occurs at night.

Also, if the driver must wear glasses to drive, frames that have thin sidepieces should be selected, since wide sidepieces will hinder side vision.

In addition to the problems listed above, there is the fact that as we age the lenses of our eyes become yellowed and we need more light to see. Most of us begin to notice this in our 40’s. By the age of 65 we need 2.5 times the light that we needed when we were 20 to see the same level of detail. For this reason, older persons should drive slower when they find it necessary to drive at night. Whatever your age, precautions must be taken to avoid accidents.

The following traffic safety do's and don’ts may help.

Do eResearch by Navid Ajamin -- spring 2013
+ Drive within the range of your headlights, not by what you think you see beyond your headlights.• + Adjust your rear view mirror to the “night” setting to dim headlight glare coming from behind. When the glare is gone, readjust to the “day” setting.
+ Focus your eyes on the right edge of the pavement to avoid being blinded by oncoming headlights.• + Clean your headlights.
+ Clean your windshield (inside and out).

+ Keep your eyes moving between the road and the rear and side-view mirrors.
+ Use your high beams when you can.• Take off sunglasses at dusk.
+ Turn your head from side to side to increase your peripheral vision.

+ Dim your instrument lights to reduce brightness when you look at them.

Don’t
• Drive faster than sixty-five miles per hour at night, slower on winding roads.• Put dark aftermarket tinting film on windows and windshields.
• Depend on fog or parking lights when driving at dusk or dawn.• Keep your high beams on when another vehicle approaches.
• Exceed the speed for driving conditions at night in rain, snow or fog.• Turn your interior lights on while driving your vehicle.
• Wear sunglasses at night.• Stare into your side-view mirrors as cars pass from behind.
• Use any type of medication that may change your night vision or cause drowsiness.[1]

Night blindness doesn’t mean you are completely unable to see at night, but that your vision is poorer then. It is not a disease in itself, but instead is a symptom of some other type of vision problem.

In some cases, being very nearsighted (myopic) can make it hard to see at night or in low light.

Certain cells in the eye’s retina are responsible for allowing you to see in dim light. If these cells are affected by a disease or condition, night blindness occurs.

Some of the eye conditions that can cause night blindness include:

• Nearsightedness (seeing well up close but not far away)
• Glaucoma (a disease of the optic nerve connecting the eye to the brain)
• Medicine for glaucoma that constricts (narrows) the pupil
• Cataracts (cloudiness of the eye’s naturally clear lens)
• Diabetes (uncontrolled blood sugar levels)
• Retinitis pigmentosa (an eye disease that causes blindness)
• Too little Vitamin A
• Keratoconus (having a cornea that is very steeply curved)

Is bumping and tripping through your darkened house normal or a symptom of something else?

If you aren’t sure whether you have night blindness, consider the following questions:

• Do you find yourself having trouble moving around your house at night, even with small night lights?
• Is driving at night becoming more difficult?
• Do you avoid going outside at night for fear of tripping?
• Do you have trouble recognizing people’s faces in darkened settings?
• Does it take your eyes a long time to adjust to light when coming in from the darkness?
• Similarly, does it take you a long time to adjust to seeing anything in a darkened room?

If you have any concerns about your ability to see in the dark or in dim light, speak with your ophthalmologist right away. Having a complete eye exam will help identify any condition affecting your vision.

Treating night blindness depends solely on its cause. If your refractive error is significant, getting a new prescription for your eyeglasses may be all you need for better vision in low light. In some cases, having cataracts removed can be illuminating as far as your vision is concerned. Your ophthalmologist can explain what is causing your night blindness and suggest how to brighten your outlook.[2]

Humans are not designed to be creatures of the night, so remember to respect the road and the darkness.

The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) created the Golden Rules for Road Safety as guidelines for drivers to keep themselves and other road users safer in transit. To start: Check your vision regularly, protect your eyes from glare and always wear your glasses on the road. The FIA also advises that motorists: [3]

• Always pay attention
• Obey the speed limit
• Buckle up
• Use a child safety seat
• Check their tyres
• Don't text and drive
• Stay bright in reflective gear
• Wear a helmet
• Stop when they're tired
• Watch out for pedestrians, especially kids
• Slow down for kids
• Never drink and drive

Reference:

1. tdi.texas.gov
2. aao.org/eye-health/news/shedding-light-on-night-blindness
3. essilor.com/ie-en/blog/your-life-and-your-eyes/cannot-see-when-driving-at-night

we have all been told by someone at some time, “you’ll hurt your eyes if you do that!”

but do you really know what is or is not good for your eyes?

test yourself with the following true or false statements and see how much you know about your eyes.

“reading in dim light is harmful to your eyes.”
false. using your eyes in dim light does not damage them. for centuries, all nighttime reading and sewing was done by candlelight or with gas or kerosene lamps. however, good lighting does make reading easier and can prevent eye fatigue.

“using computers can damage your eyes.”
false. working on computers or video display terminals (vdts) will not harm your eyes. often, when using a vdt for long periods of time, just as when reading or doing other close work, you blink less often than normal. this reduced rate of blinking makes your eyes dry, which may lead to the feeling of eyestrain or fatigue.

try to take regular breaks to look up or across the room. looking at objects farther away often relieves the feeling of strain on your eyes. keep the monitor between 18 to 24 inches from your face and at a slight downward angle. also consider the use of artificial tears. if your vision blurs or your eyes tire easily, you should have your eyes examined by an ophthalmologist.

“wearing the wrong kind of eyeglasses damages your eyes.”
false. eyeglasses are devices used to sharpen your vision. although correct eyeglasses or contacts help you to see clearly, wearing a pair with the wrong lenses, or not wearing glasses at all, will not physically damage your eyes. however, children less than eight years old who need eyeglasses should wear their own prescription to prevent the possibility of developing amblyopia or “lazy eye.”

“children outgrow crossed or misaligned eyes.”
false. children do not outgrow crossed eyes. a child whose eyes are misaligned may develop poor vision in one eye because the brain will “turn off” or ignore the image from the misaligned or lazy eye. the unused or misaligned eye will not develop good vision unless it is forced to work, usually by patching the stronger eye.

children who appear to have misaligned eyes should be examined by an ophthalmologist. in general, the earlier misaligned eyes are treated, the better. treatment may include patching, eyeglasses, eyedrops, surgery, or a combination of these methods.

“learning disabilities are caused by eye problems.”

false. difficulties with reading, mathematics, and other learning problems in children are often referred to as learning disabilities. there is no strong evidence that vision problems cause learning disabilities or that eye exercises cure learning problems.

children with learning difficulties often need help from teachers and people with special training. before such treatment begins, it is important for the child to have a complete medical eye examination to make certain he or she is seeing as well as possible.

“sitting close to the television can damage children’s eyes.”
false. children can focus at close distance without eyestrain better than adults. they often develop the habit of holding reading materials close to their eyes or sitting right in front of the television.

there is no evidence that this damages their eyes, and the habit usually diminishes as children grow older. children with nearsightedness (myopia) sometimes sit close to the television in order to see the images more clearly.

“eating carrots improves your vision.”
false. carrots are rich in vitamin a, which is essential for sight, but many other foods also contain this vitamin. a well-balanced diet, with or without carrots, provides all the vitamin a necessary for good vision.

“people with weak eyes should avoid reading fine print.”
false. it is said that people with weak eyes or people who wear glasses will “wear out” their eyes sooner if they read fine print or do a lot of detail work.

the concept of the eye as a muscle is incorrect. the eye more closely resembles a camera. a camera will not wear out sooner just because it is used to photograph intricate detail. you can use your eyes without fear of wearing them out.

“wearing eyeglasses will cause you to become dependent on them.”
false. eyeglasses are used to correct blurry vision. since clear vision with eyeglasses is preferable to uncorrected vision, you may find that you want to wear your eyeglasses more often. although it may feel as if you are becoming dependent on your eyeglasses, you are actually just getting used to seeing clearly.

“older people who gain ‘second sight’ may be developing cataracts.”
true. older individuals who wear reading eyeglasses sometimes find themselves able to read without their eyeglasses and think their eyesight is improving.

the truth is they are becoming more nearsighted, which can be a sign of early cataract development.

“a cataract must be ‘ripe’ before it is removed.”
false. with older surgical techniques, it was thought to be safer to remove a cataract when it was “ripe.” with today’s modern surgical procedures, a cataract can be removed whenever it begins to interfere with a person’s lifestyle.

if you are unable to see well enough to do the things you like or need to do, you should consider cataract surgery. surgery is the only way to remove a cataract.

“contact lenses can prevent nearsightedness from getting worse.”
false. some people have been led to believe that wearing contact lenses will permanently correct nearsightedness so that eventually they won’t need either contacts or eyeglasses.

there is no evidence that wearing contact lenses produces a permanent improvement in vision or prevents nearsightedness from getting worse.

“eyes can be transplanted.”
false. medical science has no way to transplant whole eyes. our eyes are connected to the brain by the optic nerve.

much like a fiber optic cable, the optic nerve is made up of more than one million tiny nerve fibers. this nerve cannot be reconnected once it has been severed. because of this, the eye is never removed from its socket during surgery.

the cornea, the clear front part of the eye, has been successfully transplanted for many years. corneal transplant is sometimes confused with an eye transplant.

“all ‘eye doctors’ are the same.”
false. an ophthalmologist is a medical doctor (m.d. or d.o.) with special training to diagnose and treat all diseases of the eye.

to become an ophthalmologist requires a minimum of eight years of medical school and hospital training after college. an ophthalmologist is qualified to provide all aspects of eye care, including cataract, laser, and other eye surgery.

optometrists (o.d.) and opticians are other types of eye care professionals. they are trained and licensed to provide some aspects of eye care, but they are not medical doctors and have not attended medical school and residency training. in most states, they cannot prescribe all medications or perform surgery.

notes

“lazy eye” is often treated by patching the strong eye, forcing the weaker eye to work.

in corneal transplant surgery, a donor cornea (the clear, front part of the eye) replaces a damaged cornea. eResearch by navid ajamin -- spring 2013

Reference: eyecareamerica.org the foundation of the american academy of ophthalmology

Allergic conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva (the membrane covering the white part of the eye) due to allergy. Although allergens differ between patients, the most common cause is hay fever. Symptoms consist of redness (mainly due to vasodilation of the peripheral small blood vessels), oedema (swelling) of the conjunctiva, itching and increased lacrimation (production of tears). If this is combined with rhinitis, the condition is termed allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.

Allergic conjunctivitis occurs when the conjunctiva becomes swollen or inflamed due to a reaction to pollen, dust mites, pet dander, mold, or other allergy-causing substances.

The symptoms are due to release of histamine and other active substances by mast cells, which stimulate dilation of blood vessels, irritate nerve endings and increase secretion of tears.

Treatment of allergic conjunctivitis is by avoiding the allergen (e.g. avoiding grass in bloom during the "hay fever season") and treatment with antihistamines, either topical (in the form of eye drops), or systemic (in the form of tablets). Antihistamines, medication that stabilizes mast cells, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are safe and usually effective.

Causes eResearch by Navid Ajamin -- winter 2013

The cause of allergic conjunctivitis is an allergic reaction of the body's immune system to an allergen. Allergic conjunctivitis is common in people who have other signs of allergic disease such as hay fever, asthma and eczema.

Among the most common allergens that cause conjunctivitis are:

• Pollen from trees, grass and ragweed

• Animal skin and secretions such as saliva

• Perfumes

• Cosmetics

• Skin medicines

• Air pollution

• Smoke

• Dust mites

• Eye drops

Most cases of seasonal conjunctivitis are due to pollen and occur in the hay fever season, grass pollens in early summer and various other pollens and moulds may cause symptoms later in the summer.

Perennial conjunctivitis is commonly due to an allergy to house dust mite (a tiny insect-like creature that lives in every home).

Giant papillary conjunctivitis is a very rare condition that is mainly caused by an allergic reaction to "debris". Surgery may also cause this type of allergic conjunctivitis.

Contact dermatoconjunctivitis is caused by the rest of the allergens that conjunctiva may come into contact with: cosmetics, medications and so on.

Symptoms

Symptoms may be seasonal and can include:

• Intense itching or burning eyes
• Puffy eyelids, most often in the morning
• Red eyes
• Stringy eye discharge
• Tearing (watery eyes)
• Widened blood vessels in the clear tissue covering the white of the eye

Exams and Tests

Your health care provider may look for the following:

• Small, raised bumps on the inside of the eyelids (papillary conjunctivitis)
• Positive skin test for suspected allergens on allergy tests

Allergy testing may reveal the pollen or other substances that trigger your symptoms.

• Skin testing is the most common method of allergy testing.
• Skin testing is more likely to be done if symptoms do not respond to treatment.

Treatment

The best treatment is to avoid what causes your allergy symptoms as much as possible. Common triggers to avoid include dust, mold and pollen.

Some things you can do to ease symptoms are:

• Use lubricating eye drops.
• Apply cool compresses to the eyes.
• Do not smoke and avoid secondhand smoke.
• Take over-the-counter oral antihistamines or antihistamine or decongestant eye drops. These medicines can offer more relief, but they can sometimes make your eyes dry. (Do not use the eye drops if you have contact lenses in place. Also, do not use the eye drops for more than 5 days, as rebound congestion can occur).

If home-care does not help, you may need to see a provider for treatments such as eye drops that contain antihistamines or eye drops that reduce swelling.

Mild eye steroid drops can be prescribed for more severe reactions. You may also use eye drops that prevent a type of white blood cell called mast cells from causing swelling. These drops are given along with antihistamines. These medicines work best if you take them before you come in contact with the allergen. Referral to an ophthalmologist before using steroid eye drops should be done since intraocular pressure measurements and a more thorough eye exam (using a slit lamp) is needed.

Reference:

• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allergic_conjunctivitis
• Causes of eye allergies | drkashishgupta.com/- Bathinda India
• Allergic conjunctivitis Information | mountsinai.org/ Mount Sinai - New York

See Also:

• What Is Allergic Conjunctivitis? What Causes Allergic Conjunctivitis? medicalnewstoday.com

• How to cope with the spring conjunctivitis? eyejournal.net

• Vernal keratoconjunctivitis wikipedia.org

Sinusitis is a very troublesome condition that can be bought about by common cold, bacteria as well as fungal infections. There are a lot of issues you may encounter when dealing with sinusitis. Vision problems, congestion, throbbing headaches, facial, reduced sense of smell or taste, ear pain, fatigue and even bad breath are just a few. While most of these symptoms are manageable, these is one symptom that brings about the greatest concern – vision problems.[1]

Sinusitis and vision problems can be very much related to one another. Many people often find their vision is impeded every time their sinus flares up. Watery eyes, blurred vision, and frequent dull eye pain are all associated with sinusitis. Bacterial sinusitis accounts for more than 15% of all sinus infections and sinusitis vision problems. Depending on the sinus that is infected, multiple symptoms may occur.

The main reason why people experience blurred vision is that all the four sinus regions are located close to the eye. The maxillary sinus is located in the cheek, the ethmoid sinus between the eyes and nose, the sphenoid sinus behind the ethmoid sinus, and the frontal sinus is located in the forehead above the eyes.

Sinusitis is inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, which may be due to infection, allergy, or autoimmune issues. Most cases are due to a viral infection and resolve over the course of 10 days. It is a common condition; for example, in the United States more than 24 million cases occur annually.[2] eResearch by Navid Ajamin -- summer 2012

Eye symptoms

In addition to eye pain or pain behind the eyes, there are other eye symptoms that may be caused by infection-related sinus pressure. These may include:

• Eye pain – You may feel pain behind or around the eyes. This may feel like pain in your eyes or a headache behind your eyes.

• Eye watering – A chronic infection can lead to watery eyes (epiphora). But these symptoms may also be caused by other conditions. A cold or allergies may cause eye watering and a feeling of stuffiness or pressure. A cluster headache can similarly cause pressure, watery eyes and a stuffy nose.

• Swollen eyes – You may also experience eyelid swelling and eye puffiness. This can occur when the sinuses between and below your eyes become inflamed and clogged with mucus. The swelling typically goes away as your condition improves with treatment.

Sinus problems such as chronic sinusitis can also cause blurry vision, vision loss and other problems due to optic nerve damage caused by chronic inflammation, although this is rare.[6]

What are the different types of sinusitis? [3]

• Acute sinusitis usually starts with coldlike symptoms such as a runny, stuffy nose and facial pain. It may start suddenly and last 2 to 4 weeks.
• Subacute sinus inflammation usually lasts 4 to 12 weeks.
• Chronic inflammation symptoms last 12 weeks or longer.
• Recurrent sinusitis happens several times a year.

Sinusitis symptoms: [4]

• Headache or pressure in the eyes, nose, cheek area, or on one side of the head
• Cough with fever, bad breath, and nasal congestion with thick nasal secretions
• The common cold, allergic rhinitis (swelling of the lining of the nose), nasal polyps (small growths in the lining of the nose), or a deviated septum (a shift in the nasal cavity)
• Thick yellow-green nasal discharge
• Postnasal drip, often with a bad taste
• Loss of the senses of smell and taste
• Facial pain, particularly when leaning forward
• Congestion
• Toothache

When to see a doctor [5]

Schedule an appointment with your doctor if:

• You've had sinusitis a number of times, and the condition doesn't respond to treatment
• You have sinusitis symptoms that last more than 10 days
• Your symptoms don't improve after you see your doctor

See a doctor immediately if you have the following signs or symptoms, which could indicate a serious infection:

• Fever
• Swelling or redness around your eyes
• Severe headache
• Forehead swelling
• Confusion
• Double vision or other vision changes
• Stiff neck

Why Is Your Vision Affected By Colds And Flu? The common cold virus, responsible for head colds will see the most vulnerable parts of the area targeted. As a result, this means that the more delicate tissues in your nasal passages, eyes and back of your throat are at risk of becoming inflamed and infected.

Reference:

1. ezinearticles.com/?Why-Sinusitis-Affects-Your-Vision&id=4271672
2. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinusitis
3. webmd.com/allergies/qa/what-are-the-different-types-of-sinusitis
4. sevadham.org/sinus.html
5. mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-sinusitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351661
6. allaboutvision.com/conditions/related/sinus-eye-pain

See Also:

• Will Sinusitis Impair Vision?
• Can A Cold Affect Your Eyes & Vision?
• 9 Ways to Get Rid of a Sinus Infection
• COVID's effects on the retina and cornea

ديابت مي­تواند روي ديد تاثير بگذارد

در صورتيكه شما به بيماري ديابت مبتلا هستيد بدن شما نمي­تواند بدرستي از قند استفاده و آنرا ذخيره كند. ديابت باعث افزايش قند خون، عطش بيش از حد و تكرر ادرار و همچنين تغييراتي در رگهاي خوني بدن ( سرخرگها و سياهرگها) مي­شود. ديابت مي­تواند به اشكال مختلف روي ديد تاثير بگذارد. باعث ايجاد آب مرواريد ، آب سياه و مهمتر از همه صدمه به رگهاي خوني داخل چشم مي­شود.

Diabetic retinopathy is an eye condition that can cause vision loss and blindness in people who have diabetes. It affects blood vessels in the retina (the light-sensitive layer of tissue in the back of your eye). If you have diabetes, it's important to get a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year. Diabetes can lead to swelling in the macula, which is called diabetic macular edema. Over time, this disease can destroy the sharp vision in this part of the eye, leading to partial vision loss or blindness. Macular edema usually develops in people who already have other signs of diabetic retinopathy.

Who is more likely to develop diabetic eye disease?

Anyone with diabetes can develop diabetic eye disease. Your risk is greater with

• high blood glucose that is not treated
• high blood pressure that is not treated

High blood cholesterol and smoking may also raise your risk for diabetic eye disease.

Some groups are affected more than others. African Americans, American Indians and Alaska Natives, Hispanics/Latinos, Pacific Islanders, and older adults are at greater risk of losing vision or going blind from diabetes.

If you have diabetes and become pregnant, you can develop eye problems very quickly during your pregnancy. If you already have some diabetic retinopathy, it can get worse during pregnancy. Changes that help your body support a growing baby may put stress on the blood vessels in your eyes. Your health care team will suggest regular eye exams during pregnancy to catch and treat problems early and protect your vision.

Diabetes that occurs only during pregnancy, called gestational diabetes, does not usually cause eye problems. Researchers aren't sure why this is the case.

Your chances of developing diabetic eye disease increase the longer you have diabetes.

رتينوپاتي ديابتي چيست؟

رتينوپاتي ديابتي عارضه اي ناشي از ديابت است كه بدليل تغييرات ايجاد شده در رگ هاي خوني رخ مي دهد. پرده شبكيه لايه عصبي در پشت چشم است كه نور را درك مي­كند و تصاوير را به مغز مي­فرستد. وقتي عروق خوني در شبكيه آسيب مي­بينند ممكن است باعث نشت مايع يا خون شده يا منجر به رشد شاخه­هاي عروقي شكننده و كلافه مانند شده و باعث تخريب شبكيه شود در نتيجه تصويري كه شبكيه به مغز مي­فرستد تار شده يا كج و معوج مي­شود.

رتينوپاتي ديابتي يكي از علل اصلي كاهش ديد است و كسانيكه ديابت درمان نشده دارند 25 برابر شانس بيشتري براي كوري نسبت به افراد عادي دارند.

هرچه طول بيماري ديابت بيشتر باشد احتمال رتينوپاتي ديابتي بيشتر مي­شود. در نزديك به 80% كسانيكه لااقل 15 سال ديابت دارند مقداري صدمه به عروق شبكيه ديده مي­شود. در مبتلايان به ديابت نوع يك (نوع جوانان ) احتمال ابتلا به رتينوپاتي ديابتي در سنين پايين تر بيشتر است. چنانچه شما ديابت داريد بايستي بدانيد كه امروزه با بهبود وسائل تشخيصي و درماني، فقط درصد كوچكي از بيماران مبتلا به ديابت مشكلات جدي ناشي از كاهش ديد خواهند داشت، مشروط به اينكه به موقع به چشم پزشك مراجعه نمايند.

انواع رتينوپاتي

Table1. Incidence of retinopathy relative to duration of Type I and Type II diabetes http://lieyecare.com/diabetic.html

رتينوپاتي زمينه اي مرحله اول رتينو پاتي ديابتي است. در اين مرحله عروق كوچك در پرده شبكيه صدمه ديدهو مايع يا خون از آنها نشت مي­كند. مايع نشت كرده باعث تورم پرده شبكيه شده و يا رسوباتي بنام "اگزودا" را ايجاد مي­نمايد.

با اينكه اين مرحله معمولاً روي ديد تاثيري نمي­گذارد اما ممكن است بعداً به مراحل شديدتري كه منجر به كاهش ديد مي­شود تبديل شود. از اين رو رتينوپاتي زمينه اي به عنوان يك علامت هشداردهنده محسوب مي­شود.

گاهي مايعي كه نشت كرده است در مركز ديد جمع مي­شود. مركز ديد مسئول ديدن جزئيات ريز اشيا مي­باشد (مثلاً حروف يا اعداد). اين مسئله بنام تورم مركز ديد خوانده مي­شود و ممكن است سبب شود خواندن يا انجام كارهاي نزديك مشكل­تر شود.

رتينوپاتي پروليفراتيو(تكثيري) حالتي است كه رگهاي خوني جديد و غيرطبيعي بروي سطح شبكيه رشد مي­كنند. اين پديده "نئوواسكولاريزاسيون - Neovascularization" خوانده مي شود. اين عروق جديد ديواره ضعيف­تري داشته و شكننده هستند و ممكن است منجر به خونريزي شوند. زجاجيه ماده شفاف و ژله مانندي است كه مركز چشم را پر مي­كند. خون نشت كرده باعث كدر شدن زجاجيه شده و بصورت نسبي عبور نور را از مردمك به پرده شبكيه را مانع مي­شود در نتيجه تصوير تار و درهم مي­شود . اين رگهاي خوني غيرطبيعي ممكن است تبديل به بافت سفتي شده كه شبكيه را از پشت چشم جدا كنند و باعث جدا شدگي پرده شبكيه شوند كه در صورت عدم درمان مي­تواند منجر به كاهش شديد ديد و كوري شود.

رگهاي خوني غيرطبيعي همچنين ممكن است اطراف مردمك ، روي عنبيه (قسمت رنگي چشم) رشد كرده و با افزايش فشار داخل چشم باعث ايجاد آب سياه شود.

رتينوپاتي ديابتي تكثيري (پروليفراتيو) شديدترين نوع بيماري شبكيه ناشي از ديابت مي­باشد. حدود 20% افراد ديابتي به آن مبتلا مي­شوند و مي­تواند باعث كاهش شديد ديد و كوري شود.

علائم رتينوپاتي ديابتي كدامند؟ eResearch by Navid Ajamin -- summer 2012

معمولاً در مرحله رتينوپاتي زمينه اي علامتي وجود ندارد. اگرچه ممكن است در صورت ايجاد تورم مركز ديد تاري ديد بصورت تدريجي ايجاد شود. شما ممكن است هرگز به تغيير ميزان ديد خود پي نبريد. معاينه چشم پزشكي تنها راهيست كه به كمك آن مي­توان تغييرات داخل چشم شما را پيدا كرد.

وقتيكه خونريزي ايجاد مي­شود ديد شما تار شده، لكه­هايي در آن پيدا مي­شود و حتي ممكن است بكلي ديد شما از بين برود. رتينوپاتي ديابتي پروليفراتيو اگرچه بدون درد است اما شكل شديدي از بيماري است و نيازمند توجه پزشكي فوري است. حاملگي و افزايش فشار خون ممكن است رتينوپاتي ديابتي را تشديد كنند.

چگونه رتينوپاتي ديابتي تشخيص داده مي­شود؟

بهترين راه براي تشخيص رتينوپاتي ديابتي معاينه چشمي در فواصل منظم مي­باشد كه توسط چشم پزشك بايستي انجام شود. رتينوپاتي بسيار شديد ممكن است كاملاً بدون علامت باشد. بيماري را مي­توان با درمان بهبود بخشيد. براي تشخيص رتينوپاتي ديابتي چشم پزشك با استفاده از دستگاهي بنام افتالموسكوپ بداخل چشم شما نگاه مي­كند. چشم پزشكي ممكن است قبل از معاينه با استفاده از قطره چشمي مردمك را باز كند.

چنانچه چشم پزشك رتينوپاتي ديابتي را تشخيص دهد ممكن است نياز به عكس رنگي ته چشم يا آزمايش خاصي بنام "آنژيوگرافي با فلوئورسئين" باشد تا مشخص شود كه شما احتياج به درمان داريد يا نه؟ در آنژيوگرافي با فلوئورسئين يك ماده رنگي به داخل رگ شما تزريق مي­شود و عكسهاي مخصوصي از چشم شما گرفته مي­شود.

چگونه رتينوپاتي ديابتي درمان مي­شود؟

براي درمان چشم پزشك مسائل زير را در نظر مي­گيرد:

• سن شما
• تاريخچه پزشكي شما
• چگونگي نحوه زندگي شما
• چه مقدار شبكيه صدمه ديده است ؟

در بسياري موارد احتياجي به درمان نيست اما بيمار بايد بطور مرتب تحت معاينات چشمي قرار گيرد. در ديگر موارد، درمان براي متوقف كردن صدمات ناشي از رتينوپاتي ديابتي و در صورت امكان بهبود ديد انجام مي­شود.

كرايوتراپي(سرد كردن): اگر زجاجيه بدليل وجود خون كدر باشد جراحي ليزر را تا زمانيكه خون جذب شود نميتوان انجام داد. در بعضي موارد خونريزي زجاجيه، كرايوتراپي يا يخ زدن شبكيه ممكن است در كوچك شدن رگهاي خوني غيرطبيعي كمك كننده باشد.

ويتركتيومي (برداشتن زجاجيه): در رتينوپاتي ديابتي پروليفراتيو پيشرفته ممكن است چشم پزشك برداشتن زجاجيه را توصيه كند. اين جراحي ميكروسكوپي در اطاق عمل انجام مي­شود. ويتركتيومي زجاجيه پر شده از خون را بر مي دارد و به جاي آن ماده شفافي را جايگزين مي­كند. در حدود 70% بيماران بعد از برداشتن زجاجيه بهبودي ديد دارند . گاهي اوقات قبل از انجام عمل برداشتن زجاجيه چشم پزشك ممكن است براي چند ماه يا يكسال صبر كند تا شايد خونريزي خود بخود جذب شود.

ترميم شبكيه: در صورتيكه بافت تخريب شده منجر به جداشدگي شبكيه از پشت چشم شود كاهش شديد ديد يا كوري را باعث مي­شود مگر اينكه جراحي براي چسباندن شبكيه بموقع و با موفقيت انجام شود.

نقش بيمار در درمان چيست ؟

مراقبت موفقيت آميز رتينوپاتي ديابتي فقط به درمان اوليه توسط چشم پزشك شما بستگي ندارد. طرز برخورد و توجه شما به درمان داروئي و رعايت رژيم ديابتي ضروري است. شما بايستي ميزان مناسب قند خون خود را حفظ كنيد. از سيگار كشيدن خودداري كنيد و به فشار خون خود نيز توجه داشته باشيد. فعاليتهاي فيزيكي معمولاً براي بيماران مبتلا به رتينوپاتي ديابتي مسئله اي نيست . گاهي در بيماران مبتلا به نوع فعال رتينوپاتي پروليفراتيو محدود كردن فعاليتهاي فيزيكي توصيه مي­شود.

كاهش ديد به ميزان زيادي قابل پيشگيري است

• رتينوپاتي ديابتي ممكن است بدون هيچ گونه علامتي وجود داشته باشد.
• تشخيص اوليه رتينوپاتي ديابتي بهترين روش براي جلوگيري از كاهش ديد است.
• بيماران مبتلا به ديابت بايستي حداقل سالي يكبار توسط چشم پزشك معاينه شوند. وقتيكه رتينوپاتي ديابتي ايجاد شد معاينات بيشتر چشم پزشكي با فواصل كمتر ضروري است.
• با كنترل دقيق چشم پزشك مي­توانيد درمان را قبل از صدمه ديد شروع كنيد.

Reference:

• lieyecare.com
• shorelinevision.com
• farmaniehospital.com
• iran.pezeshk.us روزنامه پزشکی ایران
• niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-problems/diabetic-eye-disease

Good eye hygiene is essential to help keep your eyes healthy and free from infections.

• Always use a clean face towel or flannel
• If you wear make-up, make sure you keep your tools (brushes, etc.) clean
• Don't share your towel or bed linen with anyone who has an eye infection

If you wear contact lenses:

• Always wash and dry your hands before handling lenses
• Clean and disinfect your lenses regularly according to professional instructions
• Use fresh solution every time you clean or store your lenses - throw it away once it's used
• Keep your lens case clean and dry and never use tap water to rinse it
• Replace your lenses regularly and have regular eye check-ups ^[4]

Infection Control

There are many infections that relate to the eye, the most common being conjunctivitis. They are all very contagious and strict hygiene is needed to prevent the spread of infection.

If you are a wearer of contact lenses, it is very important to wash and rinse hands thoroughly before handling the lenses. Eyes should be free of make-up when inserting the lens to avoid particles of mascara etc from being trapped underneath the lens and causing irritation or even infection.

How toxic is Halloween face paint on your child’s face?

Always use cleaning solutions as directed and do not allow them to expire. These solutions are vital for removing the build-up of protein from the lens.

Eye-make-up should be removed daily to allow the skin to breathe. Use a gentle removal solution and dab the eye, do not rub it. Never share make-up or the brushes/sponges with others as this significantly increases the risk of cross infection.

Regular eye examinations (every two years) are important for keeping prescription lenses correct and for early diagnosis of any developing eye disorders.^[5]

To help you keep your eyes healthy and beautiful, we’ve assembled some useful Dos and Don’ts for wearing makeup with contact lenses. Read more.

Do:

• Put your lenses in before you put your makeup on
• Wash your hands thoroughly before you apply your lenses
• Apply eye shadow and liner gently, so you don't jostle or damage your lenses
• Use oil-free and fragrance-free eye makeup
• Use water-resistant mascara and eyeliner to prevent flaking and smudging
• Replace your mascara every month
• Replace your eyeliner every three months
• Replace your eye shadows every six months
• Remove your lenses before you remove your eye make-up
• Remove your eye makeup every day with a hypoallergenic, oil-free remover
• Call your optician if you have any redness, pain, swelling or irritation 

Don't:

• Wear makeup (or put in your lenses) if your eyes are swollen, red or infected
• Use saliva to apply eye shadow, liquid eyeliner or to try to get one more use out of old mascara
• Apply eyeliner to your inner eye lid (inside the lashes)
• Apply mascara at the base of your lashes - start from the midpoint and extend to the tips
• Use mascara with 'lash-building fibres' as they can damage your lenses ^[6]

 ^{_{eResearch by Navid Ajamin -- spring 2012}}

Reference: 1.PersianPersia.com 2.Tebyan.net 3.JameJamOnline.ir 4.GoldenEyecare.co.uk 

5.HygieneExpert.co.uk 6. acuvue.co.uk

Related To: Contact Lenses – A Beginner's Guide

ورم ملتحمه نوزادی با علائم قرمزی ، اشک ریزش ، ترشح چشم ، التهاب ملتحمه و پلک زخم و سوراخ شدن قرنیه مشخص می شود .

چشم صورتی یا التهاب ملتحمه یک التهاب با علل و عوامل ایجادکنندهٔ مختلف در ملتحمهٔ چشم‌هاست. در این مطلب می‌توانید با التهاب ملتحمهٔ چشم در کودکان، علل، عوامل، انواع و درمان آن آشنا شوید.

التهاب ملتحمه در کودک

التهاب ملتحمه که کنژنکتیویت و چشم صورتی نیز نامیده می‌شود، یک التهاب بسیار شایع و قابل درمان ملتحمهٔ چشم یعنی غشای شفافی هست که درون پلک‌ها و سفیدی چشم‌ها را پوشانده است. عروق خونی هنگامی که ملتهب می‌شوند، مشهودتر می‌شوند و ویژگی مشخصهٔ این عارضه را که صورتی یا قرمز شدن چشم است ایجاد می‌کنند. التهاب می‌تواند توسط عفونت، یک مادهٔ آلرژی‌زا یا دیگر عوامل محرک ایجاد شود. همچنین التهاب ملتحمهٔ ناشی از عفونت‌های باکتریایی و ویروسی بسیار مسری هستند.

علائم التهاب ملتحمه در کودک

اگر سفیدی یک یا هر دو چشم کودکتان و لبهٔ پایین هر کدام از پلک‌هایش قرمز باشد، احتمال دارد که التهاب ملتحمه داشته باشد. در حینی که سیستم ایمنی بدن کودک برای مبارزه با عفونت تلاش می‌کند، ممکن است چشمانش اشک‌ریزی داشته باشند، چسبنده شوند یا شوره بزنند. به محض اینکه متوجه علائم التهاب ملتحمه شدید، با پزشک کودک تماس بگیرید.

به خاطر داشته باشید مهم است که فوراً درمان آن را شروع کنید، تا از گسترش ویروس‌ها جلوگیری کنید و از عارضهٔ ثانویهٔ نادر عفونت پلک و بافت نرم دور چشم پیشگیری شود. قرمزی خفیف چشم‌ها و کمی ورم پلک در یک نوزاد ممکن است نوع کوتاه‌مدتی از التهاب ملتحمه باشد که در واکنش به قطره‌های چشمی ایجاد می‌شود که در هنگام تولد به نوزادان می‌دهند.

دلایل و عوامل التهاب ملتحمه در کودک

التهاب ملتحمهٔ چشم دلایل مختلفی دارد که برخی از چند دلیل محتمل‌تر آن می‌تواند شامل موارد زیر باشد:
ویروس: اگر کودک شما مبتلا به التهاب ملتحمه و همچنین علائم سرماخوردگی است، عفونت به احتمال زیاد ویروسی است. ویروس‌ها شایع‌ترین عامل ایجاد التهاب ملتحمه هستند.
باکتری: اگر چشم‌های کودکتان ترشحات زرد غلیظی ایجاد می‌کنند که باعث ورم پلک‌ها یا چسبیدن آنها به یکدیگر می‌شود، احتمالاً علت آن باکتری‌هایی مانند استافیلوکوک‌ها، استرپتوکوک‌ها یا هموفیلوس‌ها است. همچنین نوعی جدی از التهاب ملتحمه باکتریایی به نام افتالمیا نئوناتوروم وجود دارد که در نوزادانی که در طول زایمان مادرشان در معرض کلامیدیا یا سوزاک قرار گرفته‌اند بروز می‌کند.
آلرژن: واکنش‌های آلرژیک در کودکان زیر یک سال نادر است، اما اگر چشم‌های کودکتان خارش‌دار و متورم و دچار آبریزش و خون‌گرفتگی هستند و یا آبریزش بینی نیز دارد، ممکن است واکنشی آلرژیک به یک عامل محرک مانند گرد و غبار، گرده یا دود باشد.
قطره‌های چشمی نوزاد: قطرهٔ چشمی که در هنگام تولد برای جلوگیری از عفونت باکتریایی به نوزاد داده می‌شود می‌تواند چشم‌هایش را تحریک کنند. این عارضه گاهی اوقات کنژنکتیویت شیمیایی نامیده می‌شود.
مجاری اشکی مسدود: حداقل ۲۰ درصد از نوزادان در حالی متولد می‌شوند که یک یا هر دو مجرای اشکی آنها به طور کامل یا جزئی مسدود شده‌اند. این انسداد می‌تواند منجر به علائمی شبیه التهاب ملتحمه مانند ترشحات سفید یا زرد یا یک التهاب ملتحمه تمام‌عیار شود.
عوامل دیگر: هر چیزی که بتواند چشم و پوشش داخلی پلک‌ها را تحریک کند، از مه‌ یا دود، گرفته تا کلر موجود در استخر شنا می‌تواند باعث ایجاد این التهاب شود.

درمان التهاب ملتحمه در کودک

اگر نوزادتان التهاب ملتحمه دارد، بلافاصله با پزشک خود تماس بگیرید. التهاب ملتحمه می‌تواند برای یک نوزاد عفونتی جدی باشد. پزشک چشم‌های کودک را معاینه خواهد کرد و در مورد علائمش سؤال می‌کند. هرچند درمان با نوع التهاب ارتباط دارد ولی بسیاری از پزشکان توصیه می‌کنند که برای کمک به پاک کردن هر نوع ترشحاتی در همهٔ انواع التهاب ملتحمه و درمان هر گونه عفونت اولیه یا حتی جلوگیری از عفونت، چند قطره از شیر دوشیده‌‌شدهٔ مادر را چندین بار در روز در چشم‌های آسیب‌دیده بریزید. درمان هر یک از انواع التهاب ملتحمه به شکل زیر است:

التهاب ملتحمهٔ ویروسی: التهاب ملتحمهٔ ویروسی توسط انواعی از ویروس‌ها ایجاد می‌شود. این نوع کنژنکتیویت معمولاً طی یک هفته یا همین حدود بهبود می‌یابد. برای درمان نیز پزشک به شما توصیه خواهد کرد که ناحیهٔ درگیر را با شستن چشم‌های کودک با آب گرم و پاک کردن ترشحات خشک‌شده تمیز کنید و لازم است این کار را با ملایمت انجام دهید. اگر چشم‌های کودک پس از دو هفته بهبود نیافت، دوباره پزشک را در جریان بگذارید.

گذاشتن کمپرس گرم روی چشم هم ممکن است تسکین‌دهنده باشد. برای این کار کافی است یک پارچه‌ٔ تمیز را در آب گرم خیس کنید و آن را روی چشم‌های کودک خود قرار دهید، برای مثال وقتی در حال شیر خورن است.

التهاب ملتحمهٔ باکتریایی: اگر باکتری عامل بروز التهاب ملتحمه‌ باشد، پزشک پماد یا قطرهٔ آنتی‌بیوتیکی را تجویز می‌کند تا برای حدود هفت روز به چشم‌های کودکتان اعمال کنید. زدن پماد ممکن است برایتان راحت‌تر از قطره‌های چشمی باشد. برای زدن پماد ابتدا دست‌هایتان را بشویید و سپس به آرامی پلک پایین کودک را اندکی پایین بکشید و یک خط از پماد را در امتداد آن بمالید. وقتی تیوب را فشار می‌دهید و کودک چشم‌هایش را باز و بسته کند، پماد وارد چشم‌هایش می‌شود.

اگر هم از قطرهٔ آنتی‌بیوتیک استفاده می‌کنید، آن را در گوشهٔ چشم کودکتان بریزید. انجام این کار در زمانی که چشم او بسته است ساده‌تر خواهد بود. هنگامی که کودک چشمش را باز می‌کند، دارو وارد چشمش می‌شود. دست‌های خود را قبل و بعد از ریختن دارو در چشم‌های کودکتان بشویید. هرگز از داروهای او برای شخص دیگری استفاده نکنید و از قطره‌ها یا پمادهای قدیمی استفاده نکنید. داروهای قدیمی به احتمال زیاد استریل نیستند و می‌توانند عفونت را بدتر کنند.

اطمینان حاصل کنید که کودکتان دورهٔ کامل آنتی‌بیوتیک‌های تجویزشده را حتی بعد از اینکه علائمش از بین رفته‌اند، مصرف می‌کند. در غیر این صورت ممکن است عفونت برگردد. پزشک احتمالاً توصیه می‌کند چشم‌های کودک خود را با آب گرم شست‌وشو دهید و ترشحات خشک‌شده را با ملایمت بردارید، زیرا تجمع مایعات عفونی می‌تواند از اثرگذاری آنتی‌بیوتیک‌ها بکاهد. گذاشتن کمپرس گرم روی چشم ممکن است تسکین‌دهنده باشد. یک پارچهٔ تمیز را در آب گرم خیس کنید و آن را روی چشم‌های کودک خود قرار دهید، برای مثال در حینی که شیر می‌خورد.

التهاب ملتحمهٔ آلرژیک: راه‌‌حل مقابله با این نوع التهاب این است که مادهٔ آلرژی‌زا را شناسایی کنید و کودک خود را دور از آن نگه دارید. می‌توانید در مورد روش‌های مقابله با آلرژی کودک خود را بخوانید. اگر چشم‌های کودک او را اذیت می‌کند، یک کمپرس سرد ممکن است به تسکین التهاب ملتحمهٔ آلرژیک کمک کند.

التهاب ملتحمهٔ شیمیایی: این واکنش به قطره‌های چشمی نوزاد است که برای جلوگیری از عفونت به او داده می‌شود و احتمالاً در حدود ۲۴ تا ۳۶ ساعت طول می‌کشد.

همچنین به خاطر داشته باشید که التهاب ملتحمهٔ باکتریایی و ویروسی هر دو فوق‌العاده مسری هستند. بنابراین، برای جلوگیری از گسترش عفونت، هر بار که مراقبت‌های چشم کودک را انجام می‌دهید، دست‌های خود را بشویید. حوله‌ها، لباس‌ها و ملافه‌های کودک خود را از دیگران جدا کنید و آنها را مرتب بشویید. eResearch by Navid Ajamin -- spring 2012

شروع ورم ملتحمه می تواند از چند ساعت تا چند هفته بعد از تولد شروع شود .

عوامل ایجاد کننده ورم ملتحمه عوامل باکتریایی یا ویروسی مانند : گونوگوکی ، استاف اورئوس ، کلامیدیا ، هموفیلوس آنفلوآنزا ، پسودوموناس ، استرپتوکوک ، پنوموکوک ، هرپس سیمپلکس می باشند.

در میان این علل سه عامل مهم تر وخطرناک تر است : ورم ملتحمه گونوکوکی ، ورم ملتحمه کلامیدیائی ، ورم ملتحمه با ویروس هرپس سیمپلکس تیپ 2

ورم ملتحمه گونوگوکی :

1-4 روز بعد از تولد شروع می شود و با ترشحات چرکی فراوان ، ورم ملتحمه و تورم پلک ها خود را نشان می دهد از عوارض وخیم وفاجعه آمیز آن زخم وسوراخ شدن قرنیه و و عفونت داخل چشم ( آندوفتالمیت) است . که می تواند به سرعت باعث کوری شود

انواع ورم ملتحمه میکروبی با درمان آنتی بیوتیک قابل درمان است.

ورم ملتحمه کلامیدیائی :

که معمولا 1-2 هفته بعد از تولد شروع می شود با ترشحات چرکی والتهاب ملتحمه و با شدت کمتراز نوع گونوکوکی تظاهر می کند همانند گونوکوک در اثر آلوده شدن چشم نوزاد در هنگام عبور از کانال زایمانی ایجاد می شود و یکی از علل شایع ورم ملتحمه نوزادی است .

جهت پیشگیری از ورم ملتحمه نوزادی در گذشته از نیترات نقره استفاده می شد ولی امروزه برای پیشگیری پماد تتراسیکلین و اریترومایسین به کار می رود .

درمان :

در نوع گونوکوک ایزوله کردن نوزاد ، درمان وریدی آنتی بیوتیک ، کشت خون وکشت مایع نخاع وکشت از مادر و دادن سفتریاکسون یا سفوتاکسیم و چکاندن قطره های استریل ایزوتونیک نمکی و معاینه دقیق توسط چشم پزشک توصیه می شود.

درنوع پسودومونا ایزوله کردن نوزاد و انجام کشت و درمان داخل رگی سفتازیدیم و جنتامایسین و معاینه دقیق توسط چشم پزشک توصیه می شود.

در نوع استافیلوکوک ایزوله کردن نوزاد وانجام کشت های مختلف و درمان سیستمیک متی سیلین

در نوع کلامیدیا درمان موضعی موثر نیست درمان خوراکی اریترومایسین در 4 دوز به مدت 14 روز چون 20 % عود می کند یک دوره دوم آنتی بیوتیک ممکن است لازم شود .

در سایر باکتری ها چکاندن قطره های موضعی وآنتی بیوتیک های موضعی مثل باسیتراسین ، نئو مایسین ، پلی میکسین ، هر 6 ساعت به مدت 7-10 روز

Conjunctivitis is the term used to describe inflammation of the conjunctiva—the thin, filmy membrane that covers the inside of your eyelids and the white part of your eye (sclera).

Conjunctivitis is most commonly referred to as red or “pink” eye.

The conjunctiva, which contains tiny blood vessels, produces mucus to coat and lubricate the surface of your eye.When the conjunctiva becomes irritated or inflamed, the blood vessels become larger and more prominent, making your eye appear red. Conjunctivitis may occur in one or both eyes.

Symptoms of conjunctivitis include:

• inflammation of the eye

• increased tearing

• soreness of the eye

• foreign body sensation

• itchiness of the eye

• hazy or blurred vision due to mucous or pus

• excess mucous (pus)

• crusting of eyelashes in the morning.[1]

What causes conjunctivitis?

- Infection is the most common cause.
- Allergy is another common cause. For example, many people with hay fever (allergic to pollen) have red and inflamed conjunctiva.
- Irritant conjunctivitis sometimes occurs. For example, your conjunctiva may become inflamed after getting some shampoo in your eyes. The chlorine in swimming baths is a common cause of mild irritant conjunctivitis.
The rest of this leaflet is about conjunctivitis caused by infection.[2]

What are the most common causes of conjunctivitis in childhood?

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva which is usually caused by infection or allergy. It is frequently referred to as pink eye and is the most common acute eye disorder seen by primary care pediatricians and family physicians.

What are the characteristics of allergic conjunctivitis?

Allergic conjunctivitis is characterized by ocular redness and itching. Tearing (clear tears), crusting of the eye lids and photophobia may also be seen. The condition is often recurrent, and seasonal. Children who have allergic conjunctivitis often have a history of other atopic diseases, particularly allergic rhinitis, eczema or asthma.

What are the characteristics of an infectious conjunctivitis?

Infectious conjunctivitis may be bacterial or viral. Bacterial conjunctivitis is twice as common as viral conjunctivitis. Typically in bacterial conjunctivitis the eye is red, there is a purulent discharge, the affected child is often a pre-schooler and there may be an associated otitis media. In viral conjunctivitis there is redness, clear tearing or crusting, usually occurs in an older school age child, and is often associated with pharyngitis.

What organisms are commonly involved in bacterial conjunctivitis?

The most common bacterial organisms causing conjunctivitis are Haemophilus Influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae. H. Influenzae conjunctivitis occurs in 40 to 50% of cases and is more likely to be associated with an accompanying otitis media than other organisms. S. Pneumoniae accounts for about 10% of cases and other organisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacteroides and Moraxella catarrhalis) account for the remainder.

What is the most common cause of viral conjunctivitis?

Adenovirus conjunctivitis is the most common cause of viral conjunctivitis and may account for up to 20% of infectious conjunctivitis. Outbreaks of adenoviral conjunctivitis have been linked to contaminated equipment in ophthalmology clinics and to swimming pools.

Why is there a need to distinguish viral from bacterial conjunctivitis?

Viral and other non-purulent types of conjunctivitis do not require antimicrobial treatment. Often these children are treated mistakenly for prolonged periods of time with both topical and systemic antibiotics with persistence of the red eye. In some situations the topical antibiotic itself may cause an allergic reaction resulting in a persistent red eye.

What is the pathogenesis of infectious conjunctivitis?

In children the joint communication of the conjunctival sac with the middle ear and nasopharynx probably accounts for the frequent association of otitis media and pharyngitis with acute conjunctivitis.

What is the differential diagnosis of acute conjunctivitis?

In the child with a non-purulent conjunctivitis, one should think of Kawasaki disease, Lyme disease, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or Steven's Johnson syndrome. When there is decreased vision and light sensitivity the physician must think of uveitis. Trauma and allergic conjunctivitis account for the remainder of the differential diagnosis.

What is the treatment of choice for acute bacterial conjunctivitis?

Acute bacterial conjunctivitis is a self limited condition. However, the use of antibiotic treatment is recommended because it hastens healing considerably and it eradicates the bacterial pathogen allowing children to return to daycare centers and schools within 24 hours of treatment. Topical treatment with polymyxin-bacitracin, garamycin or other suitable topical antimicrobials should be used. There is usually no need to use topical treatment for more than 2 to 5 days when complete resolution should have occurred. Treatment should be applied to both eyes, even if only one eye appears to be infected. Topical application should be applied four times a day.

What approach should be used if the purulent discharge persists despite topical treatment?

If there is persistent eye discharge after Day 4 or 5 of treatment then one needs to consider an alternative diagnosis. The most common occurrence is that of an associated otitis media which has not been recognized or has subsequently developed and requires the use of an oral systemic antibiotic. This occurs most frequently in H. influenzae conjunctivitis. An oral antibiotic which has activity against beta lactamase producing organisms should be used.

What is the treatment for viral conjunctivitis?

Non-purulent viral conjunctivitis requires no treatment.

What is the treatment for allergic conjunctivitis?

Allergic conjunctivitis can be treated with an ophthalmic preparation containing a topical decongestant with or without antihistamine. Prevention of allergic conjunctivitis in susceptible individuals is best treated with topical sodium chromoglycate.[3]

Infectious conjunctivitis is highly contagious, so teach kids to wash their hands well and often with warm water and soap. They also should not share eye drops, tissues, eye makeup, washcloths, towels, or pillowcases.

Be sure to wash your own hands well after touching an infected child’s eyes, and throw away items like gauze or cotton balls after they’ve been used. Wash towels and other linens that the child has used in hot water separately from the rest of the family’s laundry to avoid contamination.

If you know your child is prone to allergic conjunctivitis, keep windows and doors closed on days when the pollen is heavy, and dust and vacuum often to limit allergy triggers. Irritant conjunctivitis can only be prevented by avoiding the irritating causes.

Screening and treating pregnant women for STDs can prevent many cases of pinkeye in newborns. A pregnant woman may have bacteria in her birth canal even if she shows no symptoms, which is why prenatal screening is important.

Conjunctivitis is a common eye condition that affects children, especially under 5 years of age. It can either be caused by an infection or by an allergy. Infectious conjunctivitis is contagious and may spread to other household members. Allergic conjunctivitis is more common in children with allergies such as hay fever.

If your child has conjunctivitis, they may have:

• a red or pink eye (or both eyes)
• redness behind the eyelid
• swelling of the eyelids, making them appear puffy
• excessive tears
• a yellow-green discharge from the eye which dries when your child sleeps, causing crusting around the eyelids
• a gritty feeling (like there is sand in the eye)
• itchiness of the eyes and eye rubbing
• children with allergic conjunctivitis almost always rub their eyes excessively. They may also have an itchy or runny nose and sneezing

Your child does not need to be excluded from school or childcare if they have conjunctivitis.[8]

You need to contact a doctor or nurse today.If your child has any of the following:

• + Severe pain in eyes
• + Extreme sensitivity to light (photophobia)
• + Changes in vision including flashing lights (vision can appear blurred or misted because of discharge smeared over the surface of the eye, but this will usually clear on blinking or wiping the eyes)
• + If you notice any redness, swelling or puffiness around the eye or eyelids.
• + Severe headache
• + Persistent vomiting
• + Blisters develop on the skin next to the eye
• + Babies under 28 days with a red eye(s) or lots of pus from their eye(s) - note although a sticky eye due to a blocked tear duct is a very common condition in babies (and does not require medical review), this condition does not cause a red eye
• + Is finding it hard to breathe
• + Seems dehydrated (sunken eyes, drowsy or not passed urine for 12 hours)
• + Is becoming drowsy (excessively sleepy) or irritable (unable to settle them with toys, TV, food or picking up) - especially if they remain drowsy or irritable despite their fever coming down
• + Has extreme shivering or complains of muscle pain
• + Is 1-3 months of age with a temperature of 38°C / 100.4°F or above, or 3-6 months of age with a temperature of 39°C / 102.2°F or above (but fever is common in babies up to 2 days after they receive vaccinations)
• + Continues to have a fever of 38.0°C or above for more than 5 days
• + Is getting worse or if you are worried bacterial conjunctivitis does not improve after 24 hours of antibiotic use

You need urgent help.If your child has any of the following:

• - Becomes pale, mottled and feels abnormally cold to touch
• - Is going blue around the lips
• - Too breathless to talk / eat or drink
• - Has a fit/seizure
• - Becomes extremely agitated (crying inconsolably despite distraction), confused or very lethargic (difficult to wake)
• - Develops a rash that does not disappear with pressure (see the 'Glass Test')
• - Is under 1 month of age with a temperature of 38°C / 100.4°F or above

Reference:

1. mackeyecenter.com/45-conjunctivitis
2. goodtoknow.co.uk/wellbeing/134933/What-causes-conjunctivitis--1
3. utoronto.ca/kids/conjunct.htm
4. therapia.app
5. professorsoltanzadeh.com/new/conjo.htm
6. koodakonline.com/CareOfChildDiseases
7. connecticutchildrens.org/health-library/en/parents/conjunctivitis
8. hwehealthiertogether.nhs.uk/parentscarers/worried-your-child-unwell/conjunctivitis

See also:

• Quick Home Remedies for Pink Eye
• How to Identify and Treat Pink Eye in Babies

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is the mucous membrane covering the white of the eyes and the inner side of the eyelids.

Inflammation is seen as reddish change in the periphery of the eye often accompanied by a pus-like discharge.

Signs and symptoms of conjunctivitis [5]

If your child has conjunctivitis, they may have:

1. a red or pink eye (or both eyes).
2. redness behind the eyelid.
3. swelling of the eyelids, making them appear puffy.
4. excessive tears.
5. a yellow-green discharge from the eye which dries when your child sleeps, causing crusting around the eyelids.
6. a dislike of bright lights (photophobia).
7. a gritty feeling (like there is sand in the eye).
8. itchiness of the eyes and eye rubbing.

It usually affects both eyes at the same time – although it may start in one eye and spread to the other after a day or two. It may be asymmetrical, affecting one eye more than the other.

There are many causes and the treatment will depend upon the cause.

Conjunctivitis is a common eye condition. It's not serious, but it can be uncomfortable and irritating.[1]

Classification

Classification can be either by cause or by extent of the inflamed area.

By cause

• Allergic conjunctivitis

• Bacterial conjunctivitis

• Viral conjunctivitis

• Chemical conjunctivitis

• Neonatal conjunctivitis is often defined separately due to different organisms

By extent of involvement
Blepharoconjunctivitis is the dual combination of conjunctivitis with blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids).

Keratoconjunctivitis is the combination of conjunctivitis and keratitis (corneal inflammation).

Episcleritis is an inflammatory condition that produces a similar appearance to conjunctivitis, but without discharge or tearing.[2]

Treatments for various types of conjunctivitis

Bacterial conjunctivitis can be treated by antibiotics

Bacterial conjunctivitis in adults is always caused by infections such as staphylococcus and streptococcus. In children, a common cause is Haemophilus influenza bacteria. Besides eye cleanser and artificial tears for relieving symptoms, the doctor will also prescribe standard antibiotics to treat bacterial conjunctivitis. In most cases, antibiotics are enough and a sample evaluation is unnecessary.

Hereditary gonococcal conjunctivitis requires injection of antibiotics

Newborn babies are at high risk of gonococcal conjunctivitis, which is caused via the contact with their mothers. This type of conjunctivitis results from sexually transmitted diseases on pregnant women, who should be treated with antibiotics to prevent the infection from being passed to their children. Caused by either birth-related bacteria or pink eye exposure, some cases of gonococcal conjunctivitis even occur after several weeks of birth.

Once a child is diagnosed with gonococcal conjunctivitis, the most common treatment is to take an intravenous injection of antibiotics through either veins or muscles. Another treatment is applying silver nitrate and antibiotic ointments to its eye within an hour after birth.

Viral conjunctivitis can be relieved by antihistamine and steroids

Viral conjunctivitis has symptoms such as watery mucus discharge and eye redness. This type of conjunctivitis usually spreads through respiratory infection, so that children with a cold are more likely to be affected. As a result, pink eye epidemics may be aroused among school children via sneezing and coughing. Other reasons that may cause viral conjunctivitis include virus-based illness such as measles and mumps. Viral conjunctivitis can not be cured, only treatments for symptom relief are available. Antihistamine is used to relieve eye itchiness and irritation, and vasoconstrictors are effective for reducing redness. Steroids are also used to control symptoms and speed up recovery, while they may cause cataracts or glaucoma. Most cases of viral conjunctivitis will go away on its own within several days or weeks.

Allergic conjunctivitis require eye drops and mast-cell stabilizer

Allergic conjunctivitis also has various symptoms, including itchiness, stringy mucous discharge and red eye, stuffy and runny nose. People with allergic conjunctivitis can usually get relief from ordinary eye drops, which are helpless for individuals with severe conditions. Serious conjunctivitis should be treated with steroid eye drop medications at the beginning and mast-cell stabilizer for regular use. Due to potential side effects such as cataracts, the use of steroid must be under careful monitoring.

Giant papillary conjunctivitis calls for the use of GP contact lenses

Giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC) is always found in people wearing soft contact lenses. Other potential risks of GPC include artificial eye and an exposed suture. People with GPC always tear much, produce significant mucus and get itching eyes or eyelid bump. For symptom relief, saline solution can be used to wash the eye’s surface. There are still some remedies for GPC involving soft contact lenses. The most effective way is to remove contact lenses, along with their abnormal immune response. For those persisting in lenses wearing, mast-cell stabilizers may be used. To avoid the recurrence of GPC, it is encouraged to can wear RGP lenses and use strict lenses hygiene.[3] eResearch by Navid Ajamin -- spring 2012

What are the risk factors for conjunctivitis?

There are many possible risk factors for conjunctivitis, including: [4]

• Hand hygiene. Conjunctivitis can easily spread from your hands to your face. If you aren’t washing or sanitizing your hands frequently, you might be more likely to develop this condition.
• Age. Viral conjunctivitis is common in adults and children, while bacterial conjunctivitis is far more likely in children under age 4. There’s also a higher risk for people in their 20s, but experts aren’t certain why.
• Time of year. Allergic conjunctivitis is much more common in spring and summer. Infectious forms of conjunctivitis are also more common during cold and flu season.
• Medical history. Having seasonal allergies or allergy-related conditions like eczema or atopic dermatitis can make you more likely to develop conjunctivitis.
• Sharing personal items. The contagious forms of conjunctivitis spread easily on certain objects, especially eye-related items like cosmetics and contact lens containers. The contagious forms can also spread easily on cloth, like washcloths, towels and pillowcases.

Reference:

1. netdoctor.co.uk
2. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conjunctivitis
3. vision.firmoo.com
4. my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/pink-eye-conjunctivitis
5. armadahospital.com/conjunctivitis-in-children

See also:

• Studies detail conjunctivitis in kids, adults with COVID-19

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. The parasite infects most genera of warm-blooded animals, including humans, but the primary host is the felid (cat) family. Animals are infected by eating infected meat, by ingestion of feces of acat that has itself recently been infected, or by transmission from mother to fetus. Cats are the primary source of infection to human hosts, although contact with raw meat, especially pork, is a more significant source of human infections in some countries. Fecal contamination of hands is a significant risk factor.[1]

What is Toxoplasmosis of the eye and what causes it?

A germ called toxoplasma can cause infection within the eye. This is known as toxoplasmosis of the eye. The infection causes damage to the eye that can lead to visual impairment.

In a healthy individual, Toxoplasmosis does not produce any symptoms but in immune compromised people there may be symptoms. Some of the symptoms of Toxoplasmosis are:

• Severe body pains
• Lymph node swelling
• Headaches
• Fever
• Lethargy [3]

Many animals are infected with this germ, including cats. The germ is found in the faeces of these infected animals. A person can catch an infection if they eat food dirtied by faeces with the toxoplasma germ. Foods that can lead to an infection include some uncooked meats, unpasteurised milk and raw vegetables. The toxoplasma germ does not survive cooking or boiling. eResearch by Navid Ajamin -- spring 2012

Most adults do not know they have caught an infection. Most adults do not develop any problems from a toxoplasma infection and do not get toxoplasmosis of the eye. In fact most adults in the UK, if tested, have had a toxoplasma infection at some time in their lives but have normal eyes.

Toxoplasmosis of the Eye is mainly a problem for unborn babies

If a pregnant mother becomes infected with toxoplasma the germ can also infect the unborn child. A Toxoplasma infection in an unborn child is more serious than in an adult. The infection can cause inflammation and damage to many parts of the body. The eye is often affected (toxoplasmosis of the eye). The most common part of the eye to become affected is the retina and choroid. This is called retinochoroiditis. When the inflammation settles a scar is usually left on the retina.

In United States, pregnant females are not checked during their pregnancy for Toxoplasmosis and neither are the infants screened and without proper screening this disease is difficult to diagnose. In case if the physician suspects Toxoplasmosis, then he or she will order blood tests to look for antibodies of the parasite and if found then Toxoplasmosis is more or less confirmed. If a pregnant female is diagnosed with Toxoplasmosis, then it becomes imperative to determine whether the baby is also infected or not.

For that the following tests can be done:

Amniocentesis: This procedure can be safely done during the second trimester. The physician removes some fluid from the fluid in the amniotic sac surrounding the fetus and investigations are carried out.

Ultrasound scan: This test cannot diagnose Toxoplasmosis, but it can definitely tell the signs of the disease such as presence of hydrocephalus in the baby. Since this test does not rule out Toxoplasmosis, hence the newborn will need blood tests within the first year of life to exclude the diagnosis of Toxoplasmosis in case if the mother was infected.[3]

How does toxoplasmosis of the eye affect the way a child sees?

Most young children will feel their vision to be 'normal' as they have never known anything else but their own visual world. At first they assume that everyone else has vision the same as their own. They do not realise that other people see things differently.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists eating undercooked meat (especially pork, lamb and venison) and handling raw meat or the surfaces it comes into contact with as the most common forms of transmission. Contaminated drinking water is another potential source of infection, which is what happened in British Columbia, Canada, in 1995, when an outbreak was traced to a municipal water supply.

Cats, or the entire Felid family to be more accurate, are the definitive host for the T. gondii parasite. That means the parasite can only complete its full sexual life cycle in the digestive tract of a feline. (Other species that can become infected are considered “intermediate hosts” because the parasite can only undergo asexual reproduction.) The domestic cat and wild cat species become infected by consuming infected meat or water, and will then shed oocysts (the fertilized egg of the parasite) in their feces for one to three weeks. The vast majority of infected cats don’t exhibit any clinical symptoms.

In the U.S., the prevalence of cats who are actively shedding oocysts is quite low—approximately 1 percent, according to the Companion Animal Parasite Council. The oocyst shedding leads to the other mode of infection for people and other warm-blooded animals: consuming feces that contain the oocysts, such as by eating a plant with feces residue or by gardening and not washing your hands before eating.[4]

The toxoplasma germ can cause scarring of any part of the retina. But it tends to cause scarring of the central bit. If this happens then the central part of the vision will also be missing. The child will not usually notice if a part of the retina away from the centre is scarred.

Toxoplasma can affect one or both eyes. If the central bit of the retina in both eyes is scarred then the child will have blurred vision with the central part missing. The vision around the sides will still be OK. This vision is useful for getting around and not bumping into things. The child will however have difficulty reading and recognising faces. Sometimes fast to-and-fro movements of the eyes occur. This is called Nystagmus. Squint may also develop.

Toxoplasma Gondii is a unicellular parasite. This parasite is found to reproduce only in cats. When a human is infected with this parasite, it tends to form cysts almost anywhere in the entire body usually the brain or heart. Under normal circumstances, the parasite is kept quiet by the immune system of the body but in cases when the immune system is compromised like in the elderly population or in pregnant females this parasite becomes active causing potentially serious complications. A human can get infected with the parasite if he or she comes in contact with cat feces, which is infected, or if an individual has been gardening out in the yard and accidentally touches the mouth. People who eat pork, lamb etc. are more prone to get this disease. The parasite can be present in kitchen utensils which have been in contact with raw meat. Eating fruits without properly washing them is also a risk factor for getting Toxoplasmosis.

Fig. 1: Normal retina

Fig. 2: Congenital toxoplasmosis scar

Sometimes Toxoplasma can cause other eye conditions

Toxoplasma usually causes inflammation and scarring of the retina and choroid. It can however also cause other eye conditions. These include:

1. Clouding of the lens (cataract)

2. The eye can be smaller than usual (microphthalmia)

3. Loss of some of the communication wires from the optic nerve (optic atrophy)

4. Damage to the 'vision' parts of the brain (cerebral visual impairment)

Toxoplasma may cause other conditions to develop

Other conditions can also develop because of a Toxoplasma infection. These include:

1. Epilepsy

2. Difficulty with hearing

3. Learning difficulties

4. Blockage of the flow of fluid in the brain (hydrocephalus)

Fortunately most children do not develop these other problems.[2]

People at risk for ocular toxoplasmosis [7]

Some people (including those with healthy immune systems) are at risk of getting ocular toxoplasmosis. Ocular toxoplasmosis causes inflammation of the retina in the back of the eye. It can lead to blindness if not treated. Symptoms include:

• blurred or reduced vision
• seeing floaters in your vision

  

• sensitivity to light
• eye redness and pain
• tearing

Symptoms in babies [7]

For unborn babies, toxoplasmosis can cause a miscarriage. Babies carried to term are often born with:

• low birth-weight
• enlarged liver or spleen
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
• ocular toxoplasmosis

Many babies are born with no symptoms but still carry the infection. Some will develop problems years later like:

• learning disabilities
• hearing loss
• eye infections and vision loss

Reference:

1. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxoplasmosis
2. ssc.education.ed.ac.uk/resources/vi&multi/eyeconds/Toxop.html
3. epainassist.com/infections/toxoplasmosis-in-human
4. animalsheltering.org/magazine/articles/panic-button-toxoplasmosis
5. aapos.org/glossary/toxoplasmosis
6. sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S014067360416412X
7. aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-toxoplasmosis

See Also:

• Congenital toxoplasmosis
• Toxoplasma and the eye

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when the pancreas does not secrete enough insulin or the body is unable to process it properly. Insulin is the hormone that regulates the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood. Diabetes can affect children and adults.

What causes diabetic retinopathy? [6]

Glucose, or blood sugar, is a main source of energy — yet too much circulating in the blood can be harmful to the body.

Typically, the pancreas releases the hormone insulin, which helps cells absorb glucose for energy. In the case of diabetes, though, the body doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn’t use it properly. This causes glucose to accumulate in the blood.

Consistent levels of high blood sugar can affect different parts of the body, including the eyes.

Diabetic retinopathy doesn’t only weaken or damage the blood vessels in the eye. It can also cause the development of new abnormal blood vessels in the retina.

The 4 Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy [5]

There are two types of diabetic retinopathy, which progresses in four stages.

The two types of diabetic retinopathy are nonproliferative and proliferative.

Nonproliferative refers to the early stages of the disease, while proliferative is an advanced form of the disease.

Stage 1: Mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy

This is the earliest stage of diabetic retinopathy, characterized by tiny swellings/bulges in the blood vessels of the retina. These areas of swelling are known as microaneurysms.

These microaneurysms can cause small amounts of fluid to leak into the retina, triggering swelling of the macula – the back of the retina. Despite this, there are usually no clear symptoms indicating there is a problem.

Stage 2: Moderate nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy

At this stage, the tiny blood vessels further swell up, blocking blood flow to the retina and preventing proper nourishment. This stage will only cause noticeable signs if there is a build-up of blood and other fluids in the macula, causing vision to become blurry.

Stage 3: Severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy

During this stage, a larger section of blood vessels in the retina becomes blocked, causing a significant decrease in blood flow to this area. The lack of blood triggers a signal to the body to start growing new blood vessels in the retina.

These new blood vessels are extremely thin and fragile and cause retinal swelling, resulting in noticeably blurry vision, dark spots and even patches of vision loss. If these vessels leak into the macula, sudden and permanent vision loss may occur. At this stage, there is a high chance of irreversible vision loss.

Stage 4: Proliferative diabetic retinopathy

At this advanced stage of the disease, new blood vessels continue to grow in the retina. These blood vessels, which are thin and weak and prone to bleeding, cause scar tissue to form inside the eye. This scar tissue can pull the retina away from the back of your eye, causing retinal detachment. A detached retina typically results in blurriness, reduced field of vision, and even permanent blindness.

How does diabetes affect the retina?

Patients with diabetes are more likely to develop eye problems such as cataracts and glaucoma, but the effect of the disease on the retina is the main threat to vision. Most patients develop diabetic changes in the retina after approximately 20 years.The effect of diabetes on the eye is called diabetic retinopathy. eResearch by Navid Ajamin -- spring 2012

Over time, diabetes affects the circulatory system of the retina. The earliest phase of the disease is known as background diabetic retinopathy. In this phase, the arteries in the retina become weakened and leak, forming small, dot-like hemorrhages. These leaking vessels often lead to swelling or edema in the retina and decreased vision.

The next stage is known as proliferative diabetic retinopathy. In this stage, circulation problems cause areas of the retina to become oxygen-deprived or ischemic. New, fragile, vessels develop as the circulatory system attempts to maintain adequate oxygen levels within the retina. This is called neovascularization. Unfortunately, these delicate vessels hemorrhage easily. Blood may leak into the retina and vitreous, causing spots or floaters, along with decreased vision.

In the later phases of the disease, continued abnormal vessel growth and scar tissue may cause serious problems such as retinal detachment and glaucoma.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common complication of diabetes mellitus and is a major cause of vision loss in middle-aged and elderly people. One-third of people with diabetes have DR. Severe stages of DR include proliferative DR, caused by the abnormal growth of new retinal blood vessels, and diabetic macular oedema, in which there is exudation and oedema in the central part of the retina. DR is strongly associated with a prolonged duration of diabetes, hyperglycaemia and hypertension. It is traditionally regarded as a microvascular disease, but retinal neurodegeneration is also involved. Complex interrelated pathophysiological mechanisms triggered by hyperglycaemia underlie the development of DR. These mechanisms include genetic and epigenetic factors, increased production of free radicals, advanced glycosylation end products, inflammatory factors and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Optimal control of blood glucose and blood pressure in individuals with diabetes remains the cornerstone for preventing the development and arresting the progression of DR. Anti-VEGF therapy is currently indicated for diabetic macular oedema associated with vision loss, whereas laser photocoagulation prevents severe vision loss in eyes with proliferative DR. These measures, together with increasing public awareness and access to regular screening for DR with retinal photography, and the development of new treatments to address early disease stages, will lead to better outcomes and prevent blindness for patients with DR.[4]

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

The affect of diabetic retinopathy on vision varies widely, depending on the stage of the disease. Some common symptoms of diabetic retinopathy are listed below, however, diabetes may cause other eye symptoms.

• Blurred vision (this is often linked to blood sugar levels)
• Floaters and flashes
• Sudden loss of vision [1]

Diabetic retinopathy can be divided into non-proliferative and proliferative diseases.

Non-proliferative disease:Tiny blood vessels in the retina are damaged by diabetes that begin to leak and bleed. This leakage of fluid will cause the macula to swell and vision to be lost.

Proliferative disease:
In this advanced stage of diabetic retinopathy, abnormal and fragile blood vessels grow along the retina and in the vitreous. Without timely treatment, these new vessels bleed causing scar tissue to grow and can lead to blindness.[3]

DETECTION AND DIAGNOSIS

Diabetic patients require routine eye examinations so related eye problems can be detected and treated as early as possible. Most diabetic patients are frequently examined by an internist or endocrinologist who in turn work closely with the ophthalmologist.

The diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy is made following a detailed examination of the retina with an ophthalmoscope. Most patients with diabetic retinopathy are referred to vitreo-retinal surgeons who specialize in treating this disease.[1]

TREATMENT

Treatment for diabetic retinopathy depends on the stage of the disease and is directed at trying to slow or stop the progression of the disease.

In the early stages of Non-proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy, treatment other than regular monitoring may not be required. Following your doctor's advice for diet and exercise and keeping blood sugar levels well-controlled can help control the progression of the disease.

Some bleeding into the vitreous gel may clear up on its own. However, if significant amounts of blood leak into the vitreous fluid in the eye, it will cloud vision and can prevent laser photocoagulation from being used. A surgical procedure called a vitrectomy may be used to remove the blood-filled vitreous and replace it with a clearfluid to maintain the normal shape and health of the eye.

Persons with diabetic retinopathy can suffer significant vision loss. Special low vision devices such as telescopic and microscopic lenses, hand and stand magnifiers, and video magnification systems can be prescribed to make the most of remaining vision.[2]

PREVENTION

Researchers have found that diabetic patients who are able to maintain appropriate blood sugar levels have fewer eye problems than those with poor control. Diet and exercise play important roles in the overall health of those with diabetes.

Diabetics can also greatly reduce the possibilities of eye complications by scheduling routine examinations with an ophthalmologist.

Many problems can be treated with much greater success when caught early.[1]

Reference:

1. stlukeseye.com/conditions/DiabeticRetinopathy.html
2. aoa.org/diabetic-retinopathy.xml
3. retinaleyecare.com/diabeticretinopathy.cfm
4. nature.com/articles/nrdp201612
5. drsnyder.org/eye-care-services/eye-disease-management/diabetic-retinopathy/the-4-stages-of-diabetic-retinopathy
6. healthline.com/health/diabetes/diabetic-retinopathy-stages

سوزش، سرخ شدن، خارش و اشكي شدن چشم ميتواند در صورت عدم درمان منجر به مشكلات جدي در فرد شود.

پنج دليل عمده سوزش چشم عبارت است از: عوامل محيط زيستي، بيماري، عفونت، عوامل شيميايي و اسيدي سوزش آور و جراحت در چشم. عوامل محيط زيستي همچون آلودگي هوا، دود سيگار يا گرد و غبار است كه موجب سوزش و آلرژي ميشوند. عوامل سوزش آور چشم مواردي از قبيل مصرف مواد شيميايي، صابون، استفاده از لنز آلوده و يا استفاده دائم از لنز را شامل ميشود.

عفونت مانند pinkeye ميتواند ويروس، باكتري و يا از نوع قارچي باشد. شما ممكن است به طور تصادفي چشم خود را بخارانيد و موجب سوزش چشم شويد. چشم شما ميتواند حتي هنگامي كه بيش از حد در معرض نور خورشيد قرار ميگيرد نيز بسوزد، شما ممكن است يك عفونت ويروسي و يا باكتريايي، سرماخوردگي يا آلرژي داشته باشيد كه باعث سوزش چشم شود و خشكي مزمن و ادواري چشم نيز ممكن است منجر به سوزش چشم شود.

هنگامي كه يك سوزش مزمن يا مكرر را تجربه ميكنيد و هيچ چيز به التيام آن كمك نميكند، هنگامي كه دچار يك سوختگي با مواد شيميايي ميشويد و يا چشم شما قرمز ميشود و زماني كه چشم شما ترشحاتي را توليد كرده و يا خوني ميشود، بايد به پزشك مراجعه كنيد.

همچنين اگرمتوجه تغييراتي در بينايي و درد غيرقابل تحمل شديد، هنگامي كه شما يك آلرژي سختي را تجربه ميكنيد، اگر بيماريهايي چشمي همانند آب مرواريد يا آب سياه داريد، اگر سوزش چشم شما همراه با سر درد، تب و يا ميگرن است و يا اگر مبتلا به ديابت هستيد بايد حتما براي معاينه و درمان به چشم پزشك مراجعه كنيد.

تشخيص و درمان:

اگر چشمان شما به طور دورهاي يا دائم خشك ميشود شما ميتوانيد با نظر پزشك از قطره و پماد استفاده كنيد.

يك چشم پزشك ميتواند به طور دقيق آزمايشاتي را انجام دهد كه مشخص ميكند شما در خطر ابتلا به خشكي مزمن چشم هستيد و اين آزمايشات ميتواند نوع درمان مناسب با چشم شما را مشخص كنند.

هنگامي كه در معرض نور خورشيد قرار ميگيرد از عينك آفتابي استفاده كنيد و يا هنگامي كه در آب كلردار مشغول شنا هستيد حتما از عينكهاي مخصوص استفاده كنيد.

در هنگام كار با مواد شيميايي همچون شويندهها و سفيدكنندهها بايد از عينكهاي ايمني آزمايشگاهي استفاده كرد و نيز در هنگام شستشو مراقب باشيد كه صابون به داخل چشم نرود و از دست زدن و يا ماليدن چشم خودداري كنيد.

عمل گذاشتن لنز درچشم بايد با رعايت نكات بهداشتي و با توصيه چشم پزشك صورت گيرد، لنزهاي آلوده ميتواند باعث عفونت و سوزش چشم شود.(۱)

Sometimes it's easy to tell what's causing an eye to burn. For example, your eyes might burn if you get chemicals in them, such as shampoo ingredients, chlorine from a swimming pomoisturizersol, or sunscreen. Other common irritants that can make your eyes burn include makeup, skin moisturizers, soap and cleaning products.

Burning eyes can have many causes. A trip to the eye doctor is the best way to get relief.

Wearing contact lenses for long periods of time also can make your eyes burn.

Burning eyes also can stem from environmental irritants like smog, smoke, dust, mold, pollen or pet dander. If you are allergic to any of these substances, they are even more likely to make your eyes burn. However, even "clean" air can cause your eyes to burn, especially when it's particularly hot, cold or dry.

Although getting something in your eyes can cause them to burn, burning eyes sometimes signal a serious eye condition. For example, conditions such as ocular rosacea, dry eyes and blepharitis can cause symptoms of burning eyes.

In fact, anything that causes inflammation can create a burning sensation. Eye allergies, as well as bacterial and viral eye infections, can cause inflammation that leads to burning eyes. Even a common cold or the flu can cause eyes to burn.

In rare instances, burning eyes can be a sign of a serious sight- or life-threatening condition such as uveitis or orbital cellulitis.

Often, burning eyes occur alongside other symptoms that can give your eye doctor clues about the root cause of your discomfort. For example, when burning eyes occur with itching, it may signal allergies; or if you have burning and eye discharge, this could mean an infection.

How To Get Relief From Burning Eyes If a household product gets in your eyes and causes burning, the first thing you should do is check the product label for specific instructions. In many cases, you will be able to safely rinse your eyes to alleviate the burning sensation.

For example, children and adults often get sunscreen in their eyes during the warmer months. Though the burning or stinging may initially be significant, rinsing your eyes gently with clean water often will provide quick relief.

If you are an allergy sufferer, your doctor may prescribe specific eye drops that can minimize the burning you might usually experience during allergy season. These drops differ from oral allergy medicines, which can sometimes cause eyes to burn by drying them out.

If you are taking an allergy medication, or any other medication that you believe is causing your eyes to burn, make sure you discuss your concerns with your doctor before discontinuing use.

Burning eyes caused by a dry eye condition usually can be relieved with frequent use of lubricating eye drops (also called artificial tears). When selecting a brand of artificial tears, consider one that is preservative-free — particularly if you plan to use the drops frequently. If your discomfort continues, let your doctor know, since there are other dry eye treatments that may be more effective and also help relieve your burning eyes.[3]

Many underlying problems and conditions can cause itchy eyes.

These underlying causes include:

• Eyestrain: Caused from staring at a computer screen for too long or driving long distances.
• Allergies: Contact with a foreign substance that causes itchy, red eyes, such as makeup, pollen, and dander.
• Dry eye: A condition where the eye does not get enough lubrication throughout the day.
• Atopic dermatitis: A type of eczema that causes red, itchy skin as well as dry eyes.
• Conjunctivitis: A highly contagious infection often referred to as pink eye that causes red, itchy, and burning eyes.
• Blepharitis: Inflammation of the eyelid caused by the follicle becoming blocked.
• Meibomian gland dysfunction: When the meibomian glands are blocked and do not produce enough liquid to lubricate the eyes.
• Some medications: Common culprits that can cause dry eyes include antihistamines and blood pressure medication.

Diagnosis
People with persistent itchy eyes should see a doctor to diagnose the cause.

A doctor will likely start by reviewing the person's medical history and symptoms. The doctor will then probably do a physical exam, which includes checking the person's eyes and eyelids. If there is any discharge on the person's eyelids, the doctor may take a sample of the discharge with a swab and send it to a lab for testing.

If a doctor suspects that an allergy is causing the itchy eyes, they may do a patch test. They might also recommend a follow-up visit with an eye doctor.

Home remedies

Using a humidifier may help to prevent the eyes and skin from becoming dry and itchy.

Some home remedies can help treat and prevent itchy eyes including:

• applying warm and cool compresses
• keeping the eye area clean
• using a humidifier[4]
• avoiding allergens
• using eye drops
• following the 20-20-20 rule
• Rinse your eyelids with lukewarm water. Rinsing can remove allergens and irritants from your eye, reducing inflammation and dryness.[5]
• Mix a small amount of baby shampoo with warm water. Dip a cotton swab into the water, and then use it to clean the base of your eyelashes. This method unclogs oil glands and minimizes inflammation.
• Drink more water to increase eye moisture and reduce dryness. Dry eyes can trigger stinging, burning, and irritation.
• Step away from the computer and give your eyes a break. Staring at a bright computer screen for hours may contribute to irritation and burning.
• Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun and wind.
• Eat more omega-3 fatty acids to alleviate dry eyes and burning. Good sources of omega-3 include salmon, tuna, anchovies, and sardines. You can also receive omega-3s from flaxseeds if you’re a vegan or vegetarian. Talk to a doctor to see if supplements are right for you.
• Apply cucumber slices over the affected eye to reduce inflammation, swelling, puffiness, and burning.

آلرژی یعنی این که بدن نسبت به برخی از عوامل خارجی واکنش بیش از حد نشان دهد. در حالت معمولی وقتی بدن در شرایط خاصی قرار می گیرد ممکن است پوست، بافت های مخاطی، بینی و چشم به عوامل محرک آن محیط واکنش نشان دهند که این امری طبیعی است، اما گاهی اوقات این واکنش بدن به آن عوامل خارجی از حد طبیعی بیشتر است که به آن افزایش حساسیت گفته می شود لذا در واقع آلرژی واکنش افزایش حساسیتی نسبت به عوامل محرک خارجی است. آلرژی دارای طیف وسیعی است و از خفیف شروع می شود و تا شکل شدید آن که به شکل آسم است ادامه پیدا می کند. آلرژی می تواند به شکل تحریکات و حساسیت های پوستی مانند قرمزی، خارش، سوزش، تغییر رنگ پوست، حتی کهیر تظاهر کند. eResearch by Navid Ajamin -- spring 2012

در آلرژی چشمی، چشم دچار قرمزی، خارش، سوزش و ریزش اشک می شود که باید آن ها را جدی گرفت. در چشم ملتحمه چشم در تماس مستقیم با مواد حساسیت زای موجود در هوا قرار می گیرد.

در ملتحمه تعداد زیادی رگ، سلول های ایمنی و مواد دفاعی وجود دارد که باعث حفاظت لایه های داخلی تر کره چشم در برابر عفونت ها و عوامل خارجی می شود. هرگاه کنترل طبیعی این واکنش های دفاعی به هم بخورد واکنش های حساسیتی ایجاد می شود لذا چشم ها به شدت می خارد، پلک ها متورم و سنگین می شوند و ممکن است به نور هم حساسیت ایجاد شود.

هنگامی که ذرات معلق در هوا پخش می شوند، در حالت معمولی چشم همه افراد قرمز می شود اما اگر چشم قدری بیشتر از حالت طبیعی واکنش نشان دهد این حالت آلرژی چشمی است. حال ممکن است در مرحله ای فرد هیچ گونه واکنش آلرژی نداشته باشد یا ممکن است در ابتدای طیف آلرژی باشد. لذا این افراد علاوه بر خارش و سوزش در بافت های مخاطی آبریزش بینی دارند و به دفعات زیاد عطسه می کنند، حتی ممکن است این افزایش حساسیت، پوست را هم درگیر کند و اختلالات تنفسی مانند آسم را ایجاد کند.

آلرژی چشمی منجر به آسم نمی شود اما ممکن است فردی که در ابتدای طیف واکنش های آلرژی زاست دچار آلرژی چشمی شود اما هیچ وقت آلرژی تنفسی پیدا نکند. به عبارت دیگر اگرچه آلرژی چشمی در ابتدای واکنش آلرژیک است اما ممکن است این عوامل محرک یا همان آلرژن ها برای هر فردی متفاوت باشد و هر فرد نسبت به یک ماده خاص حساسیت داشته باشد و عوامل محرک برای همه افراد یکسان نباشد.

برای بسیاری از بیماران این سوال پیش می آید آیا می توان عامل حساسیت زا را از بین برد تا بدن نسبت به آن واکنش نشان ندهد، جواب این سوال این است که خیر، تا زمانی که عامل محرک خارجی وجود داشته باشد می تواند روی چشم اثر بگذارد و علائم بالینی در فرد تظاهر کند. از طرفی چون نمی توانیم عامل محرک را در محیط حذف کنیم لذا به طور کامل نمی توانیم از ابتلاء به این بیماری پیش گیری کنیم اما می توانیم تا حدودی با عوامل ایجاد آلرژی چشمی مقابله کنیم.استفاده از عینک آفتابی یکی از مواردی است که به کمک آن می توان تا حدودی از تماس مستقیم عوامل محرک با چشم جلوگیری کرد. سلول هایی در داخل عروق خونی وجود دارند که در شرایط خاص مانند وجود عوامل محرک در محیط تحریک می شوند. این سلول ها پس از تحریک شدن، آزاد و از عروق خونی بدن خارج می شوند. خارج شدن این سلول ها از عروق خونی سبب ایجاد واکنش های آلرژی زا می شود که به صورت خارش، قرمزی و سوزش در بدن تظاهر می کند. هنگامی که این سلول ها در پوست آزاد شوند پوست دچار کهیر و هنگامی که در ناحیه تنفسی آزاد شوند به صورت آسم پدیدار می شود. یکی از علامت های بارز آلرژی، خارش است و وقتی نقطه ای از بدن که احساس خارش در آن جا وجود دارد خارانده می شود موجب می شود که عروق خونی گشادتر و تعداد بیشتری از سلول های عروق خونی که در بالا ذکر شد آزاد می شود وقتی هم که تعداد بیشتری از این سلول ها آزاد شود فرآیند خارش تشدید می شود.

آماری در زمینه مبتلایان به آلرژی ها وجود ندارد اما تعداد این مبتلایان بسیار زیاد است افرادی هم که زمینه آلرژی دارند بیشتر در معرض خطر هستند و واکنش آلرژی چشمی در این افراد بیشتر است.

از عوامل شیمیایی می توان به ذرات معلق پراکنده در محیط کارخانه ها و یا ذرات آلوده کننده هوا اشاره کرد که سبب تحریک چشم ها و مخاط می شود. عوامل فیزیکی هم عواملی مانند گرده گل ها و گیاهان، ذرات خاک، مو، کرک و پر حیوانات هستند که ممکن است یک چشم را و یا هر دو چشم را درگیر کنند.

ممکن است آلرژی از دوران کودکی شروع شود اما زمان اوج ابتلا به آلرژی در دوران نوجوانی و جوانی است که بدن بیشترین شدت واکنش آلرژی را دارد و سپس در سن میانسالی خودبه خود کاهش پیدا می کند.

همیشه پیش گیری آسان تر از درمان است اما چون نمی توانیم عوامل حساسیت زا را از محیط حذف کنیم می توانیم با استفاده از عینک آفتابی تا حدودی از ورود عوامل محرک به چشم جلوگیری کنیم. در صورت شدت بیماری نیز می توان با مراجعه به پزشک متخصص چشم و طبق نظر ایشان داروهایی را استفاده کرد که پاسخ بدن به عوامل محرک را کاهش داد. در صورتی که آلرژی چشمی درمان نشود فرد دچار مشکل و ناراحتی می شود و کیفیت زندگی وی پایین می آید ضمن این که در صورت خاراندن چشم، ممکن است عوامل عفونی و آلودگی نیز وارد چشم شود و مشکلات بیشتری را برای بیمار ایجاد کند. اگرچه آلرژی معمولا روی دید افراد تاثیر ندارد اما در حال حاضر در مقالات جدید عنوان شده است افرادی که در سن اوج ابتلا به آلرژی چشمی هستند ممکن است در اثر خاراندن چشم دچار قوز قرنیه چشم نیز شوند.(۲)

Reference:

1. shahmir.org
2. salamatnews.com
3. allaboutvision.com
4. medicalnewstoday.com
5. healthline.com

Eye Anatomy Introduction

Even though the eye is small, only about 1 inch in diameter, it serves a very important function - your sense of sight. Vision is arguably the most used of the 5 senses and is one of the primary means that we use to gather information from our surroundings.
The eye is often compared to a camera. Each gathers light and then transforms that light into a “picture.” Both also have lenses to focus the incoming light. A camera uses the film to create a picture, whereas the eye uses a specialized layer of cells, called the retina, to produce an image.

Orbit

The orbit is the eye socket, which is formed by the cheekbone, the forehead, the temple, and the side of the nose. The eye is cushioned within the orbit by pads of fat.

The orbit also contains the lacrimal gland that is located underneath the outer portion of the upper eyelid. The lacrimal gland produces tears that help lubricate and moisten the eye, as well as flush away any foreign matter that may enter the eye. The tears drain away from the eye through the nasolacrimal duct, which is located at the inner corner of the eye.

Eyelids and Eyelashes

The eyelids serve to protect the eye from foreign matter, such as dust, dirt, and other debris, as well as bright light that might damage the eye. When you blink, the eyelids also help spread tears over the surface of your eye, keeping the eye moist and comfortable.

The eyelashes help filter out foreign matter, including dust and debris, and prevent it from getting into the eye.

Conjunctiva

The conjunctiva is a thin, clear layer of skin covering the front of the eye, including the sclera and the inside of the eyelids. The conjunctiva keeps bacteria and foreign material from getting behind the eye.

Sclera

The white part of your eye that you see when you look at yourself in the mirror is the front part of the sclera. However, the sclera, a tough, leather-like tissue, also extends around the eye. Just like an eggshell surrounds an egg and gives an egg its shape, the sclera surrounds the eye and gives the eye its shape.

The sclera is also attached to the extraocular muscles, which, in turn, move the eye left and right, up and down, and diagonally.

Cornea

The cornea is a clear layer at the front and center of the eye. In fact, the cornea is so clear that you may not even realize it is there. The cornea is located just in front of the iris, which is the colored part of your eye. The main purpose of the cornea is to help focus light as it enters the eye. If you wear contact lenses, the contact lens rests on your cornea.

Anterior Chamber Angle/Trabecular Meshwork

The anterior chamber angle and the trabecular meshwork are located where the cornea meets the iris. The trabecular meshwork is important because it is the site where the aqueous humor drains out of the eye. If the aqueous humor cannot properly drain out of the eye, the pressure can build up inside the eye, causing optic nerve damage and eventually vision loss, a condition known as glaucoma.

Iris and Pupil

The cornea is shaped like a dome and bends light to help the eye focus. Some of this light enters the eye through an opening called the pupil (PYOO-pul). The iris (the colored part of the eye) controls how much light the pupil lets in. Next, light passes through the lens (a clear inner part of the eye).

(PYOO-pul) The round opening in the center of the iris (the colored tissue that makes the "eye color" at the front of the eye).

The pupil changes size to let light into the eye. It gets smaller in bright light and larger as the amount of light decreases.

OCD: Outer Canthal Distance
IPD: InterPupillary Distance
ICD: Inner Canthal Distance
PFL: Palpebral Fissure Length

The distance between your eyes is called interpupillary distance (IPD)

IPD is essential in eye prescription because it ensures that the lenses are correctly placed in front of the eye.

The iris, which is the colored part of your eye, controls the amount of light that enters the eye. The iris is a ring shaped tissue with a central opening, which is called the pupil.

The iris has a ring of muscle fibers around the pupil, which, when contracted, causes the pupil to constrict (become smaller) in bright light. Another set of muscle fibers radiate outward from the pupil, which causes the pupil to dilate(become larger) in dim light or darkness.

Posterior Chamber

The posterior chamber is the fluid-filled space immediately behind the iris but in front of the lens. The fluid that fills this chamber is called the aqueous humor. The aqueous humor helps to nourish the cornea and the lens.

Lens

The lens is a clear, flexible structure that is located just behind the iris and the pupil. A ring of muscular tissue, called the ciliary body, surrounds the lens. Together, the lens and the ciliary body help control fine focusing of light as it passes through the eye.

Vitreous Cavity eResearch by Navid Ajamin -- winter 2012

The vitreous cavity is located behind the lens and in front of the retina. It is filled with a gel-like fluid, called the vitreous humor. The vitreous humor helps maintain the shape of the eye.

Retina/Macula/Choroid

The retina acts like the film in a camera to create an image. To do this, the retina, a specialized layer of cells, converts light signals into nerve signals. After light signals are converted into nerve signals, the retina sends these signals to the optic nerve, which carries the signals to the brain. There, the brain helps process the image.

The retina is primarily made up of 2 distinct types of cells: rods and cones. Rods are more sensitive to light; therefore, they allow you to see in low light situations but do not allow you to see color. Cones, on the other hand, allow you to see color but require more light.

The macula is located in the central part of the retina. It is the area of the retina that is responsible for giving you sharp central vision.

The choroid is a layer of tissue that separates the retina and the sclera. It is mostly made up of blood vessels. The choroid helps nourish the retina.

Optic Nerve

The optic nerve, a bundle of over 1 million nerve fibers, is responsible for transmitting nerve signals from the eye to the brain. These nerve signals contain information on an image for processing by the brain. The front surface of the optic nerve, which is visible on the retina, is called the optic disk.

Extraocular Muscles

Six extraocular muscles are attached to each eye to help move the eye left and right, up and down, and diagonally.

The palpebral fissure is the elliptic space between the medial and lateral canthi of the two open lids. In simple terms, it refers to the opening between the eye lids. In adults, this measures about 10mm vertically and 30mm horizontally.

Palpebral fissure length (PFL). Distance between the endocanthion and exocanthion landmarks. The palpebral fissure length (the distance from the inner corner to outer corner of the eye) being measured with a small plastic ruler.

Palpebral fissure length. To measure palpebral fissure length, identify the inner corner or encanthion (en) and outer corner or excanthion (ex) for each eye. Have the patient look up so that ex can be seen clearly. With a clear flexible ruler held in the horizontal plane, measure the length of each ex-en interval immediately below the eye, being careful not to touch the eye or eyelashes. Plot the result on an appropriate nomogram chart to determine the percentile or standard deviation for each eye. read more: PALPEBRAL FISSURE LENGTH MEASUREMENT University of Washington, Seattle WA

PFW=ex-en; PFH=ps-pi; PFI=angle between intersecting lines, from the horizontal reference line, drawn through the ex to en. Canthal (medial and lateral) and interpupillary distances measurements. OCD=ex-ex; IPD=Distance between the center of pupil and ICD=en-en

The nasolacrimal duct ends by a somewhat expanded orifice, provided with an imperfect valve, the lacrimal fold (Hasneri), formed by a fold of the mucous membrane.

The lacrimal caruncle, or caruncula lacrimalis, is the small, pink, globular nodule at the inner corner (the medial canthus) of the eye. It is made of skin covering sebaceous and sweat glands.

The plica semilunaris is a small fold of bulbar conjunctiva on the medial canthus of the eye. It functions during movement of the eye, to help maintain tear drainage via the lacrimal lake, and to permit greater rotation of the globe, for without the plica the conjunctiva would attach directly to the eyeball, restricting movement.

Reference:

• musculoskeletalkey.com
• emedicinehealth.com
• researchgate.net
• en.wikipedia.org
• imaios.com

به طور كلی رنگ چشم بستگی به مقدار ماده ای به نام ملانین دارد. ملانین رنگدانه ی قهوه ای تیره است كه در عنبیه افراد وجود دارد. چشم آبی نشان دهنده میزان كم ملانین است، در حالی كه چشم قهوه ای حاوی مقدار زیادی از این ماده است. در نتیجه انسانهایی كه پوست و موی تیره دارند ، دارای مقدار زیادی ملانین هستند، بنابراین استعداد داشتن چشم قهوه ای را دارند ولی افرادی كه مو و پوست روشن دارند مقدار كمی از این رنگدانه دارند و رنگ چشم اكثر آنها روشن است.

به همین علت است كه بیشتر نوزادان با چشم آبی به دنیا می آیند ولی به مرور زمان وقتی بدن آنها شروع به تولید ملانین می كند ، رنگ چشم آنها هم عوض می شود.

وقتی كه یك انسان مقدار متفاوتی ملانین در هر یك از عنبیه هایش باشد، رنگ دو چشم او متفاوت خواهد بود. eResearch by Navid Ajamin -- winter 2011

"Heterochromia Iridium"( اصطلاح علمی برای داشتن رنگ چشم های متفاوت در یك جاندار) تقریباً در انسانها نادر ، ولی در بسیاری از حیوانات مثل اسب، گربه و بعضی از نژادهای سگ رایج است.

There are many types and causes of heterochromia. An infant can be born with it or develop it soon after birth. In these cases, it is called congenital heterochromia.

In most cases, children born with heterochromia will experience no other symptoms. They do not have any other problems with their eyes or general health. However, in some cases heterochromia can be a symptom of another condition.

Causes of heterochromia in infants can include:

• Horner’s syndrome
• Benign heterochromia
• Sturge-Weber syndrome
• Waardenburg syndrome
• Piebaldism
• Hirschsprung disease
• Bloch-Sulzberger syndrome
• von Recklinghausen disease
• Bourneville disease
• Parry-Romberg syndrome

When a person gets heterochromia later in life, this is called acquired heterochromia.

Causes of acquired heterochromia include:

• Eye injury
• Bleeding in the eye
• Swelling, due to iritis or uveitis
• Eye surgery
• Fuchs' heterochromic cyclitis
• Acquired Horner’s syndrome
• Glaucoma and some medications used to treat it
• Latisse, a repurposed glaucoma medication used cosmetically to thicken eyelashes
• Pigment dispersion syndrome
• Ocular melanosis
• Posner-Schlossman syndrome
• Iris ectropion syndrome
• Benign and malignant tumors of the iris
• Diabetes mellitus
• Central retinal vein occlusion
• Chediak-Higashi syndrome

این خصوصیت ( داشتن دو رنگ چشم متفاوت در یك فرد) نتیجه تغییرات در یكی از ژنهایی است كه رنگ چشم را كنترل می كنند كه می تواند ارثی باشد. البته صدمات و یا بعضی از داروهای خاص در افزایش و یا كاهش مقدار رنگدانه ها در یكی از عنبیه ها تاثیر می گذارد و یا حتی بعضی از سندرم ها مانند:Syndrome Waardendurg می تواند باعث بروز این خصوصیت درفرد شود. البته درحالیكه گروهی از این افراد از لنزهای رنگی برای تطابق دو چشم خود استفاده می كنند، عده ای دیگر به این خصوصیت بارز خود می بالند!

دلیل رنگی بودن چشم

چشم شما به شکل کره است، که در جلو يک برآمدگی دارد و نور از همان جا وارد چشم می شود. این برجستگی را قرنيه نامند ، که بی رنگ است. پشت آن به ترتيب مردمک و عنبيه چشم قرار دارند ، که اولی بر حسب مقدار نور، فراخ يا تنگ ميشود. دومي به شکل عدسي است که شکست نور را سبب ميشود. اگر به چشم افراد مختلف نگاه کنيد، آنها را در رنگ‌های مختلفي خواهيد ديد . چرا در افراد مختلف رنگ چشم متفاوت است؟ در داخل عنبيه ملانين (رنگدانه‌ها) وجود دارند همان ماده‌ای که پوست را رنگ مي کند . سلول های کوچک ملانين قهوه ای پررنگ هستند. اگر تعداد آنها زياد باشد. رنگ چشم ها قهوه ای سير خواهد بود ، وبر عکس کم بودن آنها باعث ميشود،که چشم ها قهوه ای پررنگ باشند.

البته رنگ چشم نمي تواند به طور کامل سياه باشد ،اما دليل آبي بودن برخي چشم ها را مي توان چنين توضيح داد : چشم هايي ميتوانند آبي باشند ، که ملانين کمتری دارند . در اين گونه چشم ها توده هاي کوچکي از ماده خاصي وجود دارند، که قابل رويت نيستند آنها از هفت رنگ تشکيل دهنده نور سفيد (قرمز- نارنجي – زرد- سبز- آبي – نيلي – بنفش)،که دريافت مي کنند، همه را جذب کرده، فقط آبي را پخش مي کنند . پس رنگ آبي چشم ، بازتاب ملانين هايي است، که در عنبيه قرار دارند.

Types of eye heterochromia

The different types of heterochromia of the eye include:

Central heterochromia

Central heterochromia is characterized by having two different colors in the same iris. Usually, the outer ring of the iris is one color while the inner ring is another.

The inner ring often seems to have "spikes" of different colors that radiate from the pupil or the black circle at the center of the iris. Eyes that have this pattern may be referred to as "cat eyes." The outer color is considered to be the true iris color in people with central heterochromia.

Central heterochromia tends to occur in irises that have low levels of melanin.

Complete heterochromia

People with this condition have two different-colored eyes. For example, they may have one blue eye and one brown eye.

Sectoral heterochromia(Cat eye)

In people with sectoral heterochromia, also known as partial heterochromia, one part of the iris is a different color from the rest. Sectoral heterochromia often resembles an irregular spot on the iris of the eye and does not form a ring around the pupil.

Identifying heterochromia

Heterochromia of the eye is easy to identify. The person will have two different colored eyes or color differences within one or both eyes.

Color differences may be slight and may only become apparent under certain lighting conditions or in photographs.

Aside from variations in eye color, there are usually no other signs and symptoms of heterochromia. However, if a medical condition or trauma is responsible for the heterochromia, other signs and symptoms may be present.

Reference:

• aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-heterochromia
• medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319389.php#identifying-heterochromia

​For a shortsighted person, close objects are clear, but distant objects- such as a school blackboard, a street sign, or a face across a room- are blurred and difficult to distinguish. Over 25% of adults worldwide are shortsighted.

Myopia (near-sightedness)
Myopia (near-sightedness), hyperopia (far-sightedness), and astigmatism (distorted vision) are what as know as refractive errors.

For proper eyesight, the cornea (the clear window in front of the eye) and the lens (behind the pupil) must properly focus or "refract" light onto the retina (at the back of the eye). If the length or shape of the eye is not ideal, the light may get focused too early or too late leaving a blurred image on the retina.

Myopia, or near-sightedness, is the ability to clearly see objects up close but not those at a distance.

Causes

It is an inherited condition usually detected in children between the ages of eight and twelve. Few factors outside of heredity affect this condition. Using dim light, reading too much or nutritional deficiencies do not seem to impact it one way or the other.

Risk Factors for Myopia

Myopia is often an inherited condition. If one of your parents has myopia there is a much greater chance that you will develop this refractive error Certain health conditions, such as diabetes, can also increase the risk for developing nearsightedness.

Some studies are finding an association between near work and myopia. Near work describes activities that require close visual focus for a long period, such as using a computer. Understanding digital eye strain and how to best manage it may help your eyes adjust to modern digital demands.

What is Myopia Control? By Beth Longware Duff; reviewed by Gary Heiting, OD

Myopia control is the use of specific treatments to slow the progression of nearsightedness in children. Myopia control measures typically are prescribed by an eye doctor (an optometrist or an ophthalmologist).

Currently, there are four categories of myopia control treatments: atropine eye drops, multifocal contact lenses, multifocal eyeglasses and orthokeratology (ortho-k).

Myopia control is important because it may help reduce the risk of vision-threatening complications associated with high myopia later in life — including glaucoma, cataracts, retinal detachment and even blindness.

Myopia promo 5: There are methods to slow the progression of myopia in kids.
Atropine eye drops
Atropine eye drops commonly are used to reduce the pain associated with certain types of eye inflammation. They also relieve focusing fatigue by dilating the pupil and temporarily limiting the eye's ability to automatically change focus (a process called accommodation).

The effect atropine has on accommodation may be what accounts for its effectiveness in also reducing the progression of myopia in children. Some studies have shown that atropine is the most effective way of controlling myopia, and that its use can reduce myopia progression by up to 77 percent.

Multifocal contacts
Multifocal contact lenses are primarily designed to provide clear vision at all distances for people who have refractive errors, including myopia, and also are experiencing the normal age-related loss of near focusing ability called presbyopia.

A two-year study in the U.S. concluded that nearsighted children who wore multifocal lenses on a daily basis had a 50 percent reduction in the progression of their myopia when compared with similarly nearsighted children who wore regular soft contacts for the same period.

Multifocal eyeglasses
Multifocal eyeglass lenses work similarly to multifocal contacts to help wearers with presbyopia see clearly at all distances.

Studies in the U.S. and abroad have concluded that children who wear multifocal glasses have a statistically significant lower rate of myopia progression than children who wear regular single vision glasses. One study concluded that multifocal eyeglasses provide up to a 33 percent reduction in myopia progression.

Orthokeratology (Ortho-k)
Also known as "corneal reshaping lenses", ortho-k contact lenses are specially designed gas permeable contacts that are worn only at night during sleep. In the morning, the lenses are removed and the temporary correction is good enough so corrective lenses are not needed during the day.

A recent study found that — in addition to temporarily correcting existing myopia — ortho-k contact lenses reduced myopia progression by 45 percent.

To learn more about nearsightedness and myopia control, schedule an eye exam with an eye doctor near you.

Slowing the progression of myopia has become a considerable concern for parents of myopic children. At the same time, clinical science is rapidly advancing the knowledge about methods to slow myopia progression.

Several strategies have been shown to be ineffective for myopia control, including undercorrection of myopic refractive error, alignment fit gas-permeable contact lenses, outdoor time, and bifocal of multifocal spectacles.

However, a recent randomized clinical trial fitted progressing myopic children with executive bifocals for 3 years and found a 39% slowing of myopia progression for bifocal-only spectacles and 50% treatment effect for bifocal spectacles with base-in prism, although there was not a significant difference in progression between the bifocal-only and bifocal plus prism groups.

Interestingly, outdoor time has shown to be effective for reducing the onset of myopia but not for slowing the progression of myopic refractive error. More effective methods of myopia control include orthokeratology, soft bifocal contact lenses, and antimuscarinic agents. Orthokeratology and soft bifocal contact lenses are both thought to provide myopic blur to the retina, which acts as a putative cue to slow myopic eye growth. Each of these myopia control methods provides, on average, slightly less than 50% slowing of myopia progression.

All studies have shown clinically meaningful slowing of myopia progression, including several randomized clinical trials. The most investigated antimuscarinic agents include pirenzepine and atropine. Pirenzepine slows myopia progression by approximately 40%, but it is not commercially available in the United States. Atropine provides the best myopia control, but the cycloplegic and mydriatic side effects render it a rarely prescribed myopia control agent in the United States. However, low-concentration atropine has been shown to provide effective myopia control with far fewer side effects than 1.0% atropine.

Finally, two agents, low-concentration atropine and outdoor time have been shown to reduce the likelihood of myopia onset. Over the past few years, much has been learned about how to slow the progression of nearsightedness in children, but we still have a lot to learn.

Some studies suggest you may be able to slow its progression though.

You can, however, help protect your eyes and your vision by following these tips:

• Have your eyes checked. Do this regularly even if you see well.
• Control chronic health conditions. Certain conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, can affect your vision if you don't receive proper treatment.
• Protect your eyes from the sun. Wear sunglasses that block ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
• Prevent eye injuries. Wear protective eyewear when doing certain things, such as playing sports, mowing the lawn, painting or using other products with toxic fumes.
• Eat healthy foods. Try to eat plenty of leafy greens, other vegetables and fruits. And studies show that your eyes benefit if you also include in your diet fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as tuna and salmon.
• Don't smoke. Just as smoking isn't good for the rest of your body, smoking can adversely affect your eye health as well.
• Use the right corrective lenses. The right lenses optimize your vision. Having regular exams will ensure that your prescription is correct. There is evidence that wearing a prescription that is too weak (undercorrecting) can increase the development of nearsightedness.
• Use good lighting. Turn up or add light for better vision.
• Reduce eyestrain. Look away from your computer or near-task work, including reading, every 20 minutes — for 20 seconds — at something 20 feet away. eResearch by Navid Ajamin -- autumn 2011

See your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms: Sudden loss of vision in one eye with or without pain; sudden hazy or blurred vision; double vision; or you see flashes of light, black spots or halos around lights. This may represent a serious medical or eye condition.

What age does myopia get better?

Myopia is typically diagnosed between the ages of 8 and 12. Changes in prescription often slow down about the age of 20, when our eyes begin to stop growing. Many people will not experience an increasing degree of myopia as they exit their 20s, but diagnosis as a child will usually remain with someone their whole life.

What Causes Myopia to Worsen?

There are several factors that can contribute to the worsening of myopia. One of the most significant is genetics. Studies have shown that if one or both parents have myopia, the chances of their children developing it are significantly higher.

Spending time engaging in close-up work, such as reading or using electronic devices, can strain the eyes and also contribute to myopia progression.

Another factor is a lack of outdoor time. Studies have shown that exposure to natural light and time spent outside can slow the progression of myopia.

If you have myopia, it is essential to have regular eye exams and follow your eye doctor’s recommendations to manage and slow its progression.

Reference:

• eyesite.ca
• bausch.com.au
• allaboutvision.com
• nightlenses.com/myopia-control
• ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26513719
• visilab.ch/en/vision/visual-disorders/myopia-children
• drtcarlson.com/eye-care-services/myopia-management
• myeyewellness.com/does-myopia-always-get-worse-as-you-age
• mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nearsightedness/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20375561​
• cbc.ca/news/health/myopia-children-shortsightedness-prevalence-outdoor-indoor-1.7399141

اورژانس چشم

تعریف: اورژانس های چشم و بینائی به مواردی گفته میشود که بایستی در اسرع وقت و فوری اقدام به درمان نمود و عدم درمان به موقع باعث وارد شدن صدمات جبران ناپذیر به چشم و سیستم بینائی می شود.

An eye emergency occurs any time you have a foreign object or chemicals in your eye, or when an injury or burn affects your eye area.

Remember, you should seek medical attention if you ever experience swelling, redness, or pain in your eyes. Without proper treatment, eye damage can lead to partial loss of
vision or even permanent blindness.

Preventing eye injury
Eye injuries can happen anywhere, including at home, work, athletic
events, or on the playground. Accidents can happen during high-risk activities, but also in places where you least expect them.

What are 5 ophthalmic emergencies?

All ocular emergencies, including a penetrating globe injury, retinal detachment, central retinal artery occlusion, acute angle-closure glaucoma, and chemical burns, should be referred immediately to the emergency department or an ophthalmologist.

Careful eye examination and simple tests can help primary care physicians make decisions about appropriate treatment and referral. All patients with eye problems should be tested for visual acuity and ocular movements. Confrontation visual field examination, pupillary examination, and direct ophthalmoscopy of both eyes also should be performed. Ocular injury from high-velocity trauma or from chemicals may be easily misdiagnosed. After a chemical burn, thorough eye washing for at least 30 minutes or until the pH of the eye is within physiologic range is critical to prevent further damage. Use of an eye shield is required in patients with a ruptured globe to protect the injured eye and preserve the patient's vision.

There are things you can do to decrease your risk of eye injuries, including:

• Wear protective eyewear when you use power tools orengage in high-risk sporting events. You’re at an increased risk any time you’re around flying objects, even if you’re not participating.
• Follow the directions carefully when working with chemicals or cleaning supplies.
• Keep scissors, knives, and other sharp instruments away from young children.
• Teach older children how to use them safely and supervise them when they do.
• Don’t let your children play with projectile toys, such as darts or pellet guns.
• Childproof your home by either removing or cushioning items with sharp edges.
• Use caution when cooking with grease and oil.
• Keep heated hair appliances, like curling irons and straightening tools, away from your eyes.
• Keep your distance from amateur fireworks.
• To decrease your chances of developing permanent eye damage,you should always see an eye doctor after you experience an eye injury.

Symptoms of eye injury

Eye emergencies cover a range of incidents and conditions, each with their own distinct symptoms.

You should contact your doctor if it feels like you have something in your eye, or if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• loss of vision
• burning or stinging
• pupils that are not the same size
• one eye is not moving like the other
• one eye is sticking out or bulging
• eye pain
• decreased vision
• double vision
• redness and irritation
• light sensitivity
• bruising around the eye
• bleeding from the eye
• blood in the white part of the eye
• discharge from the eye
• severe itching
• new or severe headaches

If there’s an injury to your eye, or if you have sudden vision loss, swelling, bleeding, or pain in your eye, visit an emergency room or urgent care center.

Serious complications can occur from an eye injury. You shouldn’t attempt to treat yourself.

Although you may be tempted, be sure not to:

• rub or apply pressure to your eye
• try to remove foreign
• objects that are stuck in any part of your eye
• use tweezers or any other tools in your eye (cotton swabs can be used, but only on the eyelid)
• put medications or ointments in your eye

If you wear contact lenses, don’t take them out if you think you’ve suffered an eye injury. Attempting to remove your contacts can make your injury worse.

The only exceptions to this rule are in situations where you have a chemical injury and your lenses didn’t flush out with water, or where you cannot receive immediate medical help.

The best thing you can do in an eye emergency is to get to your doctor as soon as possible.

Chemical injuries to the eye

Chemical burns result when cleaning products, garden chemicals, or industrial chemicals get into your eyes. You can also suffer burns in your eye from aerosols and fumes.

If you get acid in your eye, early treatment generally results in a good prognosis. However,
alkaline products like drain cleaners, sodium hydroxide, lye, or lime can permanently damage your cornea.

If you get chemicals in your eye, you should take the following steps:

• Wash hands with soap and water to remove any chemicals that may have gotten on your hands.
• Turn your head so the injured eye is down and to the side.
• Hold your eyelid open and flush with clean cool tap water for 15 minutes. This an also be done in the shower.
• If you’re wearing contact lenses and they’re still in your eye after flushing, try to remove them.

Get to an emergency room or urgent care center as quickly as possible. If possible, continue to flush your eye with clean water while you’re waiting for an ambulance or traveling to the medical center.

Small foreign objects in the eye

If something gets in your eye, it can cause eye damage or a loss of vision. Even something as small as sand or dust can cause irritation.

Take the following steps if you have something small in your eye or eyelid:

• Try blinking to see if it clears your eye. Don’t rub your eye.
• Wash your hands before touching your eye. Look into your eye to try to locate the object. You may need someone to help you with this.
• If necessary, look behind your lower lid by pulling it down gently. You can look under your upper lid by placing a cotton swab on the lid and flipping the lid over it.
• Use artificial tear eye drops to help rinse out the foreign body.
• If the foreign object is stuck on one of your eyelids, flush it with water.
• If the object is in your eye, flush your eye with cool water.
• If you cannot remove the object or if the irritation continues, contact your doctor.

Large foreign objects stuck in your eye

Glass, metal, or objects that enter your eye at high speed can cause serious damage. If something is stuck in your eye, leave it where it is.

Do not touch it, do not apply pressure, and do not attempt to remove it.

This is a medical emergency and you should seek help immediately. Try to move your eye as little as possible while you wait for medical care. If the object is small and you’re with another person, it may help to cover both eyes with a clean piece of cloth. This will reduce your eye movement until your doctor examines you.

Sudden Blurry Vision or Vision Loss

Blurry vision can happen if you have a refractive error like myopia or hyperopia, but sudden blurred vision is concerning. Not all instances of sudden blurry vision are emergencies but seek treatment regardless. Only your eye doctor can determine the cause of your blurry vision.

Sudden blurry vision can be a symptom of:

• Detached retina
• Concussion
• Stroke
• Hyphema
• Age-related macular degeneration
• Macular hole
• Eye infection
• Migraine
• Eyestrain

If you ever experience sudden vision loss, seek immediate medical attention. Don’t assume this issue will resolve itself—protect your vision by seeing your optometrist.

Corneal Abrasion

A corneal abrasion is a scratch on your cornea. This injury can happen because of contact with dirt, dust, sand, wood, metal, contact lenses, and other materials. You may have a corneal abrasion if you’re experiencing:

• Pain
• A gritty feeling in your eye
• Watery eyes
• Redness
• Light sensitivity
• Headache

You require an assessment after scratching your cornea. In the meantime, you can rinse your eye with clean water to remove as much material as possible and blink several times to get rid of smaller particles.

اورژانس های چشم عبارتند از:

• گلوکوم با زاویه بسته AACG
• انسداد ورید و شریان مرکزی چشم
• سوختگی های شیمیائی
• سوختگی های تشعشعی
• سوختگی های حرارتی
• اجسام خارجی در چشم
• پارگی های قرنیه و صلبیه
• صدمات اوربیت
• نارسائی پیوند چشم

1) گلوکوم

اصطلاحی است برای گروهی از بیماری های چشم به دلیل بالا رفتن فشار داخلی چشم (IOP) آسیب میبیند و در نتیجه بینائی شخص کاهش میلبد و اگر درمان نشود شخص بینائی خود را از دست میدهد.این افزایش IOP به دلیل گیر افتادن مایع زلالیه که بین عدسی و عنبیه جریان دارد می باشد(مایع زلالیه عدسی و قرنیه را تغذیه میکند).

چندین نوع گلوکوم وجود دارد اما یکی از موارد خطرناک گلوکوم که یک اورژانس چشمی است گلوکوم با زاویه بسته می باشد. که عنبیه راه خروج مایع زلالیه را میبندد در نتیجه مایع زلالیه که دائما در حال تولید می باشد.در چشم تجمع پیدا میکند و فشار داخل چشم را به سرعت بالا میبرد.

علائم:

کاهش سریع و پیشرونده بینائی و تاری دید،درد پیرامون چشم،پر خونی ملتحمه(چشم شخص قرمز به نظر میرسد)و احتقان درد ممکن است با تهوع و برادیکاردی(کاهش ضربان قلب) توام باشد،کاهش دید مرکزی،مردمک ها به شکل بیضی عمودی در می آیند و در نیمه متسع تثبیت می شوند و به نور واکنش نمی دهند و قدرت تطابق خود را از دست میدهند.در صورت عدم درمان شخص ظرف ۱-۲ روز بینائی خود را از دست میدهد.

درمان:

جراحی لیزری فوری برای یاز کردن راه خروجی مایع زلالیه و همچنین از داروهای کاهنده IOP مثل پیلوکاربین استفاده کرد. چشم دیگر هم باید بوسیله پیلوکاربین یاجراحی درمان شود تا از حملات بعدی جلوگیری شود.

۲ )نارسائی پیوند چشم:

علائم اولیه:تیرگی دید ،ناراحتی،اشک ریزش،و قرمزی چشم

اگر شخص پیوند چشم زده باشد و دچار نشانه های بالا شد باید هر چه سریعتر به چشم پزشک مراجعه کند.

درمان: تجویز فوری کورتیکوستروئید های موضعی به صورت ساعتی و تزریق کورتیکوستروئیدها در پیرامون چشم می باشد.تمام تلاش ها متوجه جلوگیری از حفظ پیوند است که ممکن است در موارد شدید و مقاوم رد پیوند از عوامل تضعیف کننده سیستم ایمنی بدن استفاده شود.

۳)انسداد ورید و شریان مرکزی چشم:

علائم:دید چشم بطور ناگهانی بدون احساس هیچ دردی از بین میرود.از علت های آن می توان بیماری های دریچه ای قلب،رکود خون وریدی،افزایش غلظت خون و….را نام برد.این بیماری معمولا در افراد با فشار بالا و یا افرادی که دچار ارترواسکلروزیس هستند اتفاق بیافتد.اگر از بین رفتن بیماری به دلیل انسداد ورید و شریان مرکزی چشم باشد و وقت آن از ۱ ساعت بگذرد دیگر کاری نمیتوان انجام داد و بینائی برای همیشه از بین میرود،پس در این گونه موارد فوت وقت اصلا جایز نیست و باید شخص را هر چه سریعتر به چشم پزشک رسانید.

۴ )سوختگی های شیمیائی:

شامل سوختگی های اسید و باز می باشد که هر دو خطرناک است ولی باز از اسید خطرناک تر است و در میان بازها آمونیاک از همه خطرناکتر. بازها چون میتوانند بیشتر در چشم نفوذ کنند و تا مدت بیشتری به آسیبهای خود ادامه دهند.و iop را افزایش دهند.اسیدها به نسبت بازها خطر کمتری دارند زیرا پروتئین های مربوط به بافت های آسیب دیده رسوب کرده و به مانعی در برابر نفوذ بیشتر اسید تبدیل می شوند.

اساس درمان در این مواقع شتشوی چشم تا حدی است که ph چشم نرمال و ph قرنیه به حدود۷/۳-۷/۶ برسد.بهترین مایع برای شتشو محلول نرمال سالین و یا رینگر و اگر نبود آب استریل و یا آب جوشیده سرد شده و یا آب معمولی.باید پشت پلک ها را هم شست و سریع مصدوم را به مرکز تخصصی چشم انتقال داد.

۵)سوختگی های تشعشعی:

در این نوع سوختگی ها معمولا در اثر قرار گرفتن طولانی مدت قرنیه چشم در معرض اشعه های مضر
مانند اشعه ماورای بنفش اتفاق میافتد و باعث سوختگی و زخم قرنیه میشود.اهم آن سوختگی در جوشکاران بدون عینک محافظ،اسکی بازان و سوختگی ناشی از لامپ های خورشیدی است.

علائم:درد شدید در چشم،حساسیت شدید به نور و ریزش اشک زیاد می باشد.

اساس درمان در این نوع سوختگی بستن چشم همراه با استراحت و استفاده از مسکن جهت کنترل درد و استفاده از قطره های آنتی بیوتیک و سیکلوپلژیک ها(برای اتساع مردمک چشم)که البته با تجویز پزشک انجام میشود.

اگر لایه های عمقی قرنیه در گیر نشده باشد معمولا ۲۴-۴۸ ساعت بهبودی حاصل میشود.از قطره های تتراکائین منحصرا در بیمارستان برای بیحسی موقت چشم برای عمل جراحی،معاینه استفاده میشود.و در حد یکی دو بار هم مصرف نمیگردد(شخص در هنگام استفاده از این قطره ها نباید چشم خود را بمالد چون ممکن است به قرنیه آسیب بزند.شروع اثر دارو ۲۰ ثانیه تا ۱ دقیقه و اثر آن ۱۰-۲۰ دقیقه باقی میماند.استفاده ی بیش از یکی دو بار به شدت به سلولهای قرنیه آسیب میرساند و زمینه را برای زخم وعفونتهای قرنیه فراهم میسازد،که نتیجه ی نهائی(ایجاد یک بافت جوشگاه)در قرنیه و افت شدید بینائی است.معمولا جوشکارها و تراشکارها ی بدون محافظ که دچار سوختگی قرنیه شده اند از این دارو سر خود و به دفعات زیاد مصرف میکنند و در نتیجه دچار مشکل میشوند.این افراد حتی بدون درمان ۶-۸ ساعته خوب میشوند و درد آنها تسکین می یابد.این افراد باید در طول ۶-۸ ساعت چشمها را بسته و از مسکنهایی مثل استامینوفن با یا بدون کدئین استفاده نمایند و استراحت کنند.

۶)سوختگی های حرارتی:

در سوختگی های حرارتی به علت بسته شدن غیر ارادی پلک ها اغلب تنها پلک ها آسیب میبینند و قرنیه آسیبی نمیبیند.تورم و قرمزی پلکها از علائم مهم این عارضه است.

کمک های اولیه شامل شستن چشم ها با آب فراوان است تا حرارت چشم گرفته شود و بعد باید چشم را پانسمان کرد و شخص را به مرکز درمانی مربوطه رساند.

اساس درمان در سوختگی های چشم مانند درمان سوختگی های سایر نقاط بدن است.یعنی استفاده از مسکنهای سیستمیک مانند مرفین و استفاده از پمادهای آنتی بیوتیک مانند تتراسیکلین،و یکی از مهمترین اقدامات دوختن پلک های بالا به پلک های تحتانی با نخ بخیه ۴ صفر سیلک است.تا از بروز چروکیدگی پلک و برگشتن پلک ها به سمت خارج جلوگیری شود.

۷)اجسام خارجی در چشم:

چنانچه اجسام خارجی در سطح قرنیه یا ملتحمه باشد و فرو نرفته باشد میتوان آن را از سطح قرنیه برداشت ولی اگر احتمال فرو رفتن آن باشد نباید دستکاری کرد و باید یک لیوان کوچک یا کاپ چشمی روی چشم گذاشت و بعد چشم را با باند بست.این عمل به این خاطر است که پانسمان روی چشم فشار وارد نکند و باعث تخلیه محتویات چشم نشود.

اجسامی مثل آهن،استیل،مس،و سبزیجات میتوانند موجب واکنش التهابی شدید شوند.اگر اجسامی مثل میخ یا چاقو در چشم فرو رفته باشد باید ابتدا در دو طرف آن ۲ باند گذاشت و یا با باند امامه ای آن را فیکس کرد و بعد ۱ لیوان روی آن گذاشت تا به چاقو یا جسمی که در چشم فرو رفته فشار نیاید و بیشتر در چشم فرو نرودبعد لیوان را با باند فیکس کرد.

در تمام موارد بالاباید هر دو چشم بست زیرا حرکت چشم سالم چشم آسیب دیده را هم تکان میدهد و باعث آسیب بیشتر آن میشود.در صدمات نافذ چشم آسپیرین منع مصرف دارد زیرا باعث تداوم خونریزی میشود.در صدمات نافذ چشم در صورت عدم حس نور تخلیه ی اولیه کره ی چشم انجام میشود که طی آن محتویات چشم با مقداری عصب بینائی خارج میشود. این عمل باید ظرف ۲ هفته از صدمه
ی اولیه انجا م شود و گرنه باعث بروز افتالمی سمپاتیکی (ophthalmia sympathetic) میشود که التهاب ناشی از صدمه چشم مبتلا به چشم سالمتر نیز سرایت میکند و آن را نابینا میگرداند.

۸ )پارگی های قرنیه و صلبیه:

بسیار خطرناک هستند زیراقسمت های درونی چشم در معرض عفونت قرار میگیرند و در نتیجه دچار
آسیب میشوند.در هنگام وارد شدن ضربه های سنگین و احتمالیه پارگی قرنیه و صلبیه نباید به چشم فشار آورد یا آن را پانسمان کرد زیرا ممکن است محتویات چشم در اثر فشار بیرون بریزد پس باید به شیوه ای که در بخش اجسام خارجی گفته شد با یک لیوان کوچک یا کاپ چشمی چشم را بست.

درمان شامل دوختن پارگی و پیشگیری از عفونت است که توسط پزشک انجام میشود.

۹)صدمات اوربیت:

در صدمات اوربیت چون صدمه به جمجمه خورده است اول باید علائم مغزی راچک کرد و وضعیت او را پایدار کرد بعد بینائی را چک نمود.بعد از پایداری وضعیت مصدوم برای وسعت صدمات چشم در اولین فرصت بینائی شخص را کنترل کرد که در چه حدی است.کره چشم باید از نظر صدمات بافت نرم مورد نظر قرار گیرد.

در ضربات کند مثل ضربه مشت ،زانو،آرنج،توپ گلف، و تنیس چون یک مرتبه اثر این ضربات فشار داخل اوربیت زیاد میشود استخوان کف اوربیت که کمترین مقاومت را دارد میشکند. در صدمات اوربیت نیز اگر خونریزی دارد باید هر چه سریعتر مصدوم را به مرکز تخصصی چشم انتقال داد.

پیشگیری از صدمات چشم:

1. هنگام سرخ کردن غذا در ماهی تابه کاملا آن را به روغن آغشته کنید تا از پاشیده شدن روغن به بیرون جلوگیری شود.
2. هنگام استفاده از مواد شیمیائی قوی از عینک ایمنی استفاده کنید و بعد از استفاده دست های خود را خوب بشورید.
3. برای حفاظت چشم در برابر اشعه های نور خورشید از عینک استفاده نمائید.
4. ۴-در باغ یا جنگل مراقب برخورد شاخه درختها با چشم و صورت خود باشید.
5. به کسی اجازه ندهید جلو یا کنار ماشین چمن زنی بایستد.سنگها را از جلوی ماشین چمن زنی بردارید زیرا ممکن است با برخورد و یا از زیر ماشین در برود و صدمات جدی و شدیدی را به چشم وارد کند
6. برای مشاهده ی نور ماشین در شب از چراغ قوه استفاده نمائید و از کبریت یا شمع استفاده نکنید.
7. در هنگام استفاده از کابل پرشی در استارت ماشین از عینک محافظ استفاده نمائید.ابتدا اطمینان پیدا کنید که شخص با ماشین در تماس نیست،مطمئن شوید که کابل های مورد استفاده با هم اتصال ندارندو هرگز کابل را به پایانه ی منفی باطری وصل نکنید.
8. در ورزشهای تنیس،اسکواش و از این قبیل مراقب برخورد توپ با چشم باشید
9. در هنگام آتش بازی به کودکان اجازه ندهید آتش را شعله ور کنند و مواد محترقه در آتش بریزنند.سعی نکنید خاکستر را دوباره شعله ور کنید و در پایان روی آن آب بریزید.

Reference:

• هفته نامه نوین پزشکی
• parastoonursing.com
• queenswayoptometric.com
• aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2007/0915/p829.html
• healthline.com/health/eye-emergencies#chemical-injuries
• sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1357303918302378
• greatlakesvisioncare.com/blog/common-eye-emergencies-symptoms-and-treatment.html

See also:

• Top 10 Eye Emergencies
• Lasik Patients Should Be Warned of Complications

A good education for your child means good schools, good teachers and good vision. Your child's eyes are constantly in use in the classroom and at play. So when his or her vision is not functioning properly, learning and participation in recreational activities will suffer.

The basic vision skills needed for school use are:

• Near Vision. The ability to see clearly and comfortably at 10-13 inches.

• Distance Vision. The ability to see clearly and comfortably beyond arm's reach.

• Binocular coordination. The ability to use both eyes together.

• Eye movement skills. The ability to aim the eyes accurately, move them smoothly across a page, and shift them quickly and accurately from one object to another.

• Focusing skills. The ability to keep both eyes accurately focused at the proper distance to see clearly and to change focus quickly.

• Peripheral awareness. The ability to be aware of things located to the side while looking straight ahead.

• Eye/hand coordination. The ability to use the eyes and hands together[1]

Your child's vision is essential to his success in school. When his vision suffers, chances are his schoolwork does, too.

Vision problems are common among school-age kids. According to Prevent Blindness America, one in four school-age children have vision problems that, if left untreated, can affect learning ability, personality and adjustment in school.

School-age children also spend a lot of time in recreational activities that require good vision. After-school team sports or playing in the backyard aren't as fun if you can't see well.

Warning Signs of Vision Problems in Kids

Refractive errors are the most common cause of vision problems among school-age children. Parents, as well as teachers, should be aware of these 10 signs that a child's vision needs correction:

1. Consistently sitting too close to the TV or holding a book too close
2. Losing his place while reading or using a finger to guide his eyes when reading
3. Squinting or tilting the head to see better
4. Frequent eye rubbing
5. Sensitivity to light and/or excessive tearing
6. Closing one eye to read, watch TV or see better
7. Avoiding activities which require near vision, such as reading or homework, or distance vision, such as participating in sports or other recreational activities
8. Complaining of headaches or tired eyes
9. Avoiding using a computer, because it "hurts his eyes"
10. Receiving lower grades than usual [2]

eResearch by Navid Ajamin

Reference:1.elkgroveoptometry.com 2.allaboutvision.com

Night Vision Problems: Halos, Blurred Vision, and Night Blindness

Are you having problems with night vision? Millions of Americans do. Poor night vision may simple be an early sign of progressive cataracts. Problems with night vision -- or at the extreme, night blindness -- may be treatable or could be a sign of a congenital problem such as retinitis pigmentosa or other more serious conditions.

What Causes Poor Night Vision?

Difficulty with night vision can also stem from exposure to the sun and vitamin deficiencies to a chronic disease such as diabetes:

Cataracts. The lens of the eye is located behind the pupil. Over a lifetime, the process of cell turnover inside the lens produces debris that gradually builds up. This creates a cataract. Painless and progressive, cataracts slowly cloud the lens.

The first symptom of cataracts is usually decreased night vision. The light distortion caused by cataracts also frequently produces halos around lights -- again, mostly at night. Blurry vision is also  common.

Vitamin A deficiency . Vitamin A is an essential vitamin that's found in carrots and yellow or green leafy vegetables. It helps keep the retina -- in the back of the eye -- healthy. Vitamin A deficiency is a rare cause of night blindness in the U.S. It occurs mostly in people with problems absorbing nutrients from the gut. This might occur as a result of different diseases and conditions such as Crohn's disease, celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, or pancreatic insufficiency.

Zinc deficiency. Zinc works in the eye as a partner to vitamin A. Without zinc, the vitamin A hat's present may not be as effective, and night blindness could result. Beef, poultry, beans, and nuts are rich sources of zinc. This dietary deficiency is uncommon in this country.

Retinitis pigmentosa . Retinitis pigmentosa is an uncommon genetic disorder. It affects young people, usually before age 30. Worsening night vision is often the earliest symptom. Variable amounts of vision loss follow, although most people retain some vision.

Sunlight exposure. If your night vision seems temporarily worse after a trip to the beach, it probably is. Sustained bright sunlight can impair night vision for up to two days. Wear your sunglasses regularly to avoid this cause of poor night vision.

LASIK surgery problems. Complications after LASIK surgery are uncommon. However, some people do experience night vision problems after LASIK. The most common complaint is distorted vision in the form of glare and halos around objects.

Distorted vision may be present during the day, too. It becomes more noticeable and bothersome, though, at night. Some people are more prone to developing night vision problems after LASIK. Those who are can be identified before the surgery based on characteristics of their eyes. Ask about your own chances of complications if you're considering LASIK.  eResearch by Navid Ajamin -- summer 2011

Diabetes. People with diabetes are at higher risk for night vision problems. Over years, high blood sugar is toxic to the blood vessels and nerves in the eye. The retina -- the back of the eye where images are focused -- is gradually damaged (retinopathy). Two early signs of retinopathy from diabetes are poor night vision and taking a long time to see normally after coming indoors from bright light outside. 

Reference: webmd.com

The eye depends on the flow of tears to provide constant moisture and lubrication to maintain vision and comfort. Tears are a combination of water, for moisture; oils, for lubrication; mucus, for even spreading; and antibodies and special proteins, for resistance to infection. These components are secreted by special glands located around the eye. When there is an imbalance in this tear system, a person may experience dry eyes.

When tears do not adequately lubricate the eye, a person may experience:

• Pain

• Light sensitivity

• A gritty sensation

• A feeling of a foreign body or sand in the eye

• Itching

• Redness

• Blurring of vision

Sometimes, a person with a dry eye will have excess tears running down the cheeks, which may seem confusing. This happens when the eye isn't getting enough lubrication. The eye sends a distress signal through the nervous system for more lubrication. In response, the eye is flooded with tears to try to compensate for the underlying dryness. However, these tears are mostly water and do not have the lubricating qualities or the rich composition of normal tears. They will wash debris away, but they will not coat the eye surface properly.

Anatomy of lacrimation, showing
a) Lacrimal gland
b) Superior lacrimal punctum
c) Superior lacrimal canal
d) Lacrimal sac
e) Inferior lacrimal punctum
f) Inferior lacrimal canal
g) Nasolacrimal canal

What Causes Dry Eyes? eResearch by Navid Ajamin -- summer 2011

In addition to an imbalance in the tear-flow system of the eye, dry eyes can be caused by situations that dry out the tear film. This can be due to dry air from air conditioning, heat, or other environmental conditions. Other conditions that may cause dry eyes are:

• The natural aging process, especially menopause.

• Side effects of certain medications such as antihistamines and birth control pills.

• Diseases that affect the ability to make tears, such as Sjogren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and collagen vascular diseases.

• Structural problems with the eye lids that don't allow them to close properly.

How Are Dry Eyes Treated?

Though dry eyes cannot be cured, there are a number of steps that can be taken to treat them. You should discuss treatment options with an ophthalmologist.

Treatments for dry eyes may include:

• Artificial tear drops and ointments. The use of artificial teardrops is the primary treatment for dry eye. Artificial teardrops are available over the counter. No one drop works for everyone, so you might have to experiment to find the drop that works for you. If you have chronic dry eye, it is important to use the drops even when your eyes feel fine, to keep them lubricated. If your eyes dry out while you sleep, you can use a thicker lubricant, such as an ointment, at night.

• Temporary punctal occlusion. Sometimes it is necessary to close the ducts that drain tears out of the eye. This is first done via a painless test where a plug that will dissolve over a few days is inserted into the tear drain of the lower eyelid to determine whether permanent plugs can provide an adequate supply of tears.

• Permanent punctal occlusion. If temporary plugging of the tear drains works well, then silicone plugs (punctal occlusion) may be used. The plugs will hold tears around the eyes as long as they are in place. They can be removed. Rarely, the plugs may come out spontaneously or migrate down the tear drain. Many patients find that the plugs improve comfort and reduce the need for artificial tears.

• Restasis. In 2002, the FDA approved the prescription eye drop Restasis for the treatment of chronic dry eye. It is currently the only prescription eye drop that helps your eyes increase their own tear production with continued use.

• Other medications. Other medications, including topical steroids, may also be beneficial in some cases.

• Surgery. If needed, the ducts that drain tears into the nose can be permanently closed to allow more tears to remain around the eye. This is done with local anesthetic on an outpatient basis. There are no limitations in activity after having this surgery.

Dry eyes can be diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination. Testing, with emphasis on the evaluation of the quantity and quality of tears produced by the eyes, may include:

• Patient history to determine the patient's symptoms and to note any general health problems, medications or environmental factors that may be contributing to the dry eye problem.
• External examination of the eye, including lid structure and blink dynamics.
• Evaluation of the eyelids and cornea using bright light and magnification.
• Measurement of the quantity and quality of tears for any abnormalities. Special dyes may be put in the eyes to better observe tear flow and to highlight any changes to the outer surface of the eye caused by insufficient tears.

You can take the following steps to reduce symptoms of dry eyes:

• Remember to blink regularly when reading or staring at a computer screen for long periods of time.
• Increase the humidity in the air at work and at home.
• Wear sunglasses outdoors, particularly those with wraparound frames, to reduce exposure to drying winds and the sun.
• Nutritional supplements containing essential fatty acids may help decrease dry eye symptoms in some people. Ask your optometrist if taking dietary supplements could help your dry eye problems.
• Avoiding becoming dehydrated by drinking plenty of water (8 to 10 glasses) each day.

Related to:

• Dry eyes due to smoking and radiations
• Dry eyes due to hormone imbalance
• Dry eyes due to alcohol usage
• Dry eyes due to sun exposure
• Dry eyes due to lasik
• Dry eyes due to bell's palsy
• Dry eyes due to allergies
• Dry eyes due to sjogren's syndrome
• Dry eyes due to contacts
• Dry eyes due to low humidity
• Dry eyes due to dry air
• Dry eyes due to glacuma
• Dry eyes due to hypothyroidism
• Dry eyes due to lack of sleep
• Dry eyes due to dehydration
• Dry eyes due to thyroid
• Dry eyes due to inflammation
• Dry eyes due to sinus infection
• Dry eyes due to vitamin D deficiency
• Dry eyes due to computer , LCD/LED , Lamp , tablet , phoneset or any digital devices
• Dry eyes due to some medications, including antihistamines, nasal decongestants, birth control pills, and antidepressants

Reference: webmd.com wikipedia.org aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-and-vision-problem

See Also:

• Getting Relief From Dry Eyes -- american optometric association
• Why It’s Important to Treat Dry Eyes -- bettermedicine.com

یوئیت(Uveitis) به التهاب بافت يووه‌آ(uvea) چشم گویند. يووه‌آ لایهٔ میانی چشم است و شامل عنبیه، جسم مژگانی و مشیمیه می‌باشد. بسیاری از انواع یووئیت مزمن هستند.

uvea /ˈjuːvɪə/

the pigmented layer of the eye, lying beneath the sclera and cornea, and comprising the iris, choroid, and ciliary body.[5]

علائم یوئیت:

علائم یووئیت عبارتند از:

• تاري ديد
• حساسيت به نور
• ريزش اشك از چشم
• اجسام شناور در ميدان بينايي
• درد و قرمزي (قرمزي دور قرنيه)

البته علائم یوئیت بستگي به محل درگيري التهاب در سيستم يووه‌آ دارد.

اهميت يووه‌آ(uvea) چيست؟

بيشتر عروق خوني تغذيه كننده چشم در يووه‌آ مي‌باشد. التهاب يووه‌آ مي‌تواند بر قرنيه,‌ شبكيه, صلبيه و قسمت‌هاي حياتي ديگر چشم تأثير گذارد. از آنجايي كه يووه‌آ در مجاورت بسياري از قسمت‌هاي مهم چشم قرار دارد لذا التهاب اين لايه از چشم ممكن است ديد را تهديد نموده و از التهاب‌هاي شايع‌تر لايه‌هاي بيروني چشم شديدتر باشد.

یوئیت قدامی Anterior : به التهاب عنبیه به تنهایی و یا به التهاب عنبیه و جسم مژگانی یوئیت قدامی اطلاق می‌شود.

یوئیت میانی Intermediate : به التهاب جسم مژگانی یوئیت میانی گفته می‌شود.

یوئیت خلفی Posterior : به التهاب مشیمیه گفته می‌شود. یوئیت میانی و یوئیت خلفی معمولاً بدون درد هستند. نشانه‌های یوئیت خلفی و یوئیت میانی شامل، کاهش دید و مگس پران (دیدن سایه‌ای متحرک شبیه مگس در میدان بینایی) بوده و معمولاً دو طرفه‌است. بیشتر بیماران دچار یوئیت میانی، در سنین طفولیت یا جوانی مبتلا می‌شوند.

یوئیت منتشر Panuveitis : به التهاب در همهٔ قسمت‌های یوه یوئیت منتشرگفته می‌شود. یوئیت قدامی شایع‌ترین نوع یووئیت است. نشانه‌های یوئیت قدامی ممکن است تنها در یک چشم بروز کند. بیمار ممکن است درد خفیف تا شدید، قرمزی چشم و حساسیت به نور داشته باشد. ممکن است دید بیمار نیز دچار کاهش شده باشد.

بیماری یووئیت منتشر مجموعه‌ای از نشانه‌های همهٔ انواع را دارد.

علل يوئيت بسيار گوناگون است از جمله:

• ويروس (مانند شينگل، مامپس يا هرپس)
• قارچ (مانند هيستوپلاسموزيس)
• پارازيت (مانند توكسوپلاسموزيس)

ممكن است باعث ايجاد يوئيت شوند. در بسياري از موارد علت ابتلا به بیماری یوئیت ناشناخته است. همچنين يووئيت ممكن است در نتيجه آسيب به چشم يا ناشي از بيماري باشد كه در نقاط ديگر بدن رخ داده است (مانند آرتريت). ايجاد التهاب در يك چشم ممكن است در نتيجه آسيب شديد چشم ديگر باشد(يووئيت همدرد Sympalhetic).

عوارض بیماری یوئیت چشم:

ممکن است بیماری یووئیت منجر به برخی عوارض از جمله آب مروارید، کاهش یا افزایش فشار چشم، آب سیاه، مشکلات شبکیه و کراتوپاتی باند شکل (Band keratopathy) شود. هر یک از این عوارض ممکن است منجر به کاهش دید شود. بیماری یوئیت چشم ممکن است در هر سنی بروز کند.

چگونگی تشخیص بیماری یوئیت چشم:

انجام معاينه دقيق چشم توسط چشم پزشك به هنگام بروز علائم از اهميت ويژه‌اي برخوردار است. التهاب درون چشمي ممكن است براي هميشه روي بينايي اثر بگذارد يا گاهي به نابينايي منجر شود. چشم پزشك از وسايل ويژه‌اي استفاده كرده، درون چشم را معاينه مي‌كند و غالباً بر همان اساس تشخيص بيماري را مي‌دهد.

در برخي شرايط انجام آزمايش‌هاي خوني، آزمايش‌هاي پوستي عكس از سينه و گاهي حتي نمونه‌برداري به طريقه جراحي از چشم ممكن است در تشخيص مفيد باشند از آنجايي كه بیماری یوئیت مي‌تواند با وجود بيماري در قسمت‌ هاي ديگر بدن همراه باشد، لذا ارزيابي و درك سلامتي عمومي بيمار حائز اهميت است. اين كار ممكن است نيازمند انجام مشاوره با متخصصين پزشكي ديگر باشد.

بیماری يوؤيت جدى است كه مى تواند عوارض دائمى روى چشم بگذارد، بنابراين بايد بلا فاصله بعد از تشخيص، درمان بیماری یوئیت چشم را شروع شود.

معمولا استروئيد (كورتون) به شكل قطره به همراه قطره سيكلوپلژيك مثل تروپيكاميد جهت كاهش درد و التهاب تجويز مي‌شود. بسته به نوع و شدت بيماري ممكن است استروئيد به صورت تزريق اطراف چشم ويا قرص خوراكى نيز تجويز گردد. یوئیت قدامي بدليل گرفتاري قسمت هاي قدامي چشم، معمولا با قطره قابل درمان است.

گاهي در درمان یوئیت از داروهاي ديگري كه باعث كنترل التهاب مي شوند و اصطلاحا به آنها ايمونوساپرسيو (سرکوبگر سیستم ایمنی) گفته مي شود، استفاده مي گردد. اين داروها و همچنين استروئيدها ممكن است عوارضي ايجاد كنند كه شامل گلوكوم، كاتاراكت، افزايش قند خون، افزايش فشار خون، مشكلات كليوي و پوكي استخوان مي باشند.

بنابراين بسيار مهم است كه فردی که دارای بیماری یوئیت است دستورات دارويي پزشك را بدقت اجرا کند و بيمار بطور منظم تحت معاينه و پيگيري قرار گيرد، تا پيشرفت بيماري و يا عوارض ناشي از داروهای یوئیت تحت كنترل باشد. گاهي در يوئيت هاي مزمني كه لازم است سالها دارو مصرف كنند، دارو را به صورت مخازني در داخل چشم كاشته، و دارو به مدت چند ماه يا سال بتدريج در داخل چشم آزاد مي گردد.[4,5]

Uveitis (pronounced you-vee-EYE-tis) is basically an inflammation of the eye. The condition involves all inflammatory processes of the middle layers of the eye, also called the uveal tract or uvea. The uvea includes the iris (colored part of the eye), choroid (a thin membrane containing many blood vessels) and ciliary body (the part of the eye that joins these together).

The uvea is very important because its many veins and arteries transport blood to the parts of the eye that are critical for vision.

Symptoms of uveitis may include: eResearch by Navid Ajamin -- summer 2011

• Eye redness and irritation

• Blurred vision

• Eye pain

• Increased sensitivity to light [1]

• Floating spots before the eyes

• Alteration of the color of the iris

• Photophobia - abnormal sensitivity to light
• Eye redness
• General vision problems
• Floaters - debris in the eye make you see tiny rods, chains of transparent bubbles floating around in your field of vision

• Cloudy vision

• Headaches
• A small pupil [3]

Uveitis may develop rapidly, and it is very important that you see your ophthalmologist for a complete eye exam if you develop these symptoms, especially if a painful, red eye does not clear up quickly.Left untreated, uveitis may permanently damage your vision.[1]

About half of all uveitis cases — with most occurring in the anterior uvea — don't have an obvious cause. Symptoms of anterior uveitis include light sensitivity, decreased visual acuity and eye pain.

Intermediate and posterior uveitis usually are painless. Symptoms of these types of uveitis include blurred vision and floaters, typically in both eyes. Most people who develop intermediate uveitis are in their teens, 20s or 30s.

Diffuse uveitis has a combination of symptoms of all types of uveitis.[2]

Uveitis has many potential causes, including infection with a virus, fungus, bacteria or parasite, inflammatory disease affecting other parts of the body, or injury to the eye.

There are four types of uveitis:

• Iritis is the most common form of uveitis. It affects the iris and is often associated with autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis. Iritis may develop suddenly and may last up to eight weeks, even with treatment.

• Cyclitis is an inflammation of the middle portion of the eye and may affect the muscle that focuses the lens. This also may develop suddenly and last several months.

• Retinitis affects the back of the eye. It may be rapidly progressive, making it difficult to treat. Retinitis may be caused by viruses such as shingles or herpes and bacterial infections such as syphilis or toxoplasmosis.

• Choroiditis is an inflammation of the layer beneath the retina. It may also be caused by an infection such as tuberculosis.

Because uveitis is serious, treatment needs to begin right away. For uveitis not caused by an infection, your ophthalmologist may prescribe eye drops containing steroids to reduce swelling and drugs to relieve pain. Antibiotics are used in patients with infectious uveitis.

Dark glasses will help with light sensitivity.

Complications of uveitis may include glaucoma, cataracts, abnormal growth of blood vessels in the eyes that interfere with vision, fluid within the retina, and vision loss. Early diagnosis and treatment by your ophthalmologist is critical.[1]

New evidence shows that smoking also appears linked to development of uveitis, according to a study reported in the March 2010 issue of Ophthalmology.

"Cigarette smoke includes compounds that stimulate inflammation within the blood vessels, and this may contribute to immune system disruption and uveitis," said University of California San Francisco (UCSF) researcher and ophthalmologist Dr. Nisha Acharya.[2]

Types of Uveitis

There are four types of uveitis: anterior, intermediate, posterior and panuveitis.

• Anterior uveitis (also called iritis) affects the front section of the uvea, including, the tissue between the iris and the cornea, the iris itself, and the ciliary body. This type is usually the easiest to treat.
• Intermediate uveitis affects the middle of the uvea, including the retina, the blood vessels behind the lens and the vitreous (the transparent, gel-like substance in the center of the eye).
• Posterior uveitis affects the back of the uvea, including the retina or the choroid (the tissues that make up the wall in the back of the eye. This type is difficult to treat and is most likely to cause severe complications.
• Panuveitis affects all three layers of the uvea at once. This is the rarest type of uveitis.[6]

What are the risk factors of uveitis? [7]

Patients over 60, those with long-term uveitis, and some who have uveitis in the middle or back of the eye might be at increased risk of complications. If left untreated, uveitis can cause long-term problems such as:

• Cataracts, which cloud the lens of the eye
• Damage to the optic nerve that can lead to vision loss
• Detachment of the retina
• Glaucoma, when fluid can’t drain from the eye leading to increased pressure in the eye
• Macular edema, or swelling of the retina
• Retina scarring in spots, which can lead to vision loss
• Permanent vision loss

Reference:

1. medicinenet.com
2. allaboutvision.com
3. medicalnewstoday.com
4. lod.ir
5. dictionary.com
6. myvision.org/eye-conditions/uveitis
7. utswmed.org/medblog/uveitis-eye-inflammation

WHAT IS A CATARACT (CAT-ah-rackt)? 
The word cataract is derived from a Greek word meaning "waterfall" (looking through falling water). Cataracts are most commonly caused by chemical changes within the lens of the eye, which is thought to be part of the natural aging process.[1]

A cataract is a gradual clouding of the eye's natural lens. The formation of a cataract occurs during the normal process of aging. Although cataracts may affect people of any age, they are most common in older adults. Because cataracts form gradually, the symptoms are often difficult to spot. Perhaps you have noticed increased difficulty when driving toward the sun, find it harder to see traffic lights against a bright sky, or find it takes longer for your vision to return to normal after passing an oncoming set of bright headlights.

Symptoms include reduced depth perception, diminished color perception, annoying glare in sunlight, and poor night vision. Headaches, eye fatigue, burning, and watering of the eyes when exposed to bright light are also some other symptoms attributed to cataracts.[2]

More than half of all Americans age 65 and older have cataracts.

What Causes Cataracts?

The eye functions much like a camera. Light rays enter the eye, passing through the cornea, the aqueous humor -- transparent fluid in the front of the eye -- and then the pupil and into the lens. The lens bends the light rays to focus objects onto the retina lining the back of the eye. From there, the image passes through the retinal cells, into the optic nerve, and finally to the back of the brain which process the images.

Cataracts occur when there is a buildup of protein in the lens that makes it cloudy. This prevents light from passing clearly through a the lens, causing some loss of vision. Since new lens cells form on the outside of the lens, all the older cells are compacted into the center of the lens resulting in the cataract.

Types of cataracts include:

Age-related cataracts. As the name suggests, this type of cataract develops as a result of aging.

Congenital cataracts. Babies are sometimes born with cataracts as a result of an infection, injury, or poor development before they were born, or they may develop during childhood.

Secondary cataracts. These develop as a result of other medical conditions, like diabetes, or exposure to toxic substances, certain drugs (such as corticosteroids or diuretics), ultraviolet light, or radiation.

Traumatic cataracts. These form after injury to the eye.

Other factors that can increase a person's risk of developing cataracts include cigarette smoke, air pollution, and heavy alcohol consumption.

What Are the Symptoms of Cataracts?

Cataracts usually form slowly and cause few symptoms until they noticeable block light. When symptoms are present, they can include:

• Vision that is cloudy, blurry, foggy, or filmy.

• Progressive nearsightedness in older people often called "second sight" because they may no longer need glasses.

• Changes in the way you see color because the discolored lens acts as a filter.

• Problems driving at night such as glare from oncoming headlights.

• Problems with glare during the day.

• Double vision.

• Sudden changes in glasses prescription. [3]

Reference:

1. optometry.com 2.southerneyecenter.net/cataracts.html 3.webmd.com/eye-health/cataracts/health-cataracts-eyes

Did you know that staring at your computer for even a few hours at a stretch can strain your eyes so much that it can cause blurred vision?

Blurry vision is the loss of sharpness of eyesight, making objects appear out of focus and hazy. The primary causes of blurred vision are refractive errors — nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism — or presbyopia. But blurry vision also can be a symptom of more serious problems, including a potentially sight-threatening eye disease or neurological disorder.

Common causes of blurry vision:

1. Astigmatism
2. Concussion
3. Corneal abrasion
4. Cataracts
5. Conjunctivitis
6. Dry eye syndrome
7. Diabetes
8. Eye Strain
9. Eye infection
10. Glaucoma
11. High blood pressure
12. Hyperopia
13. Myopia
14. Macular degeneration
15. Migraine
16. Optic neuritis
17. Presbyopia
18. Pregnancy
19. Retinal detachment
20. Refractive error
21. Stroke

When do I seek medical help for blurred vision?
You should call your local emergency services and get immediate medical attention if your blurred vision comes on suddenly and you have any of these symptoms:

• severe headache
• difficulty speaking
• loss of muscle control on one side of your body
• facial drooping
• trouble seeing

Blurred vision can affect both eyes, but some people experience blurry vision in one eye only.

Cloudy vision, where objects are obscured and appear "milky," is very similar to blurry vision. Cloudy vision usually is a symptom of specific conditions such as cataracts.

Blurry vision and cloudy vision both can be symptoms of a serious eye problem, especially if they occur suddenly.

To determine whether you have blurry vision and what is causing it, see an eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam.

While the simplistic explanation for this condition is the inability to see properly, doctors define it as a loss of sharp vision. One can develop blurry vision in one or both eyes and may come on suddenly or gradually. Apart from all the other factors like staring at your computer screen, blurred vision may also be a normal sign of aging.

Depending on the cause, blurred vision can begin suddenly and disappear as quickly, or you may have severe episodes within a given period. Digital eye strain is also one of the reasons why you experience blurred vision. Here are some causes of blurred vision that would need medical intervention:

Eye Conditions causing blurred vision

1. Myopia: Myopia, or better known as nearsightedness, is an eye condition where you can see objects near you very clearly, but far away objects seem hazy or blurry. This condition is usually diagnosed at the age of 8 to 12 years of age. Eyestrain from long hours on the computer or too much reading are also risked factors for myopia, even in adults. Nearsightedness can be corrected using contact lenses or glasses.

2. Cataract: Clouding of the lens of the eye is called cataract. Cataracts develop slowly, so there usually are no problems with your vision in the early stages. With time, they may cause blurred vision. You may also experience sensitivity to light and see a halo around lights; you many also have double vision. Surgery is the safest and best way of dealing with cataracts.

3. Glaucoma: Is an eye condition that is the result of optic nerve damage, which leads to eventual loss of vision. The most common type of glaucoma that causes blurry vision is acute angle-closure glaucoma (where a person loses sight from the corners of the eyes first and then completely loses the ability to see). The other symptoms of this eye condition are reddening of the eye, eye pain, nausea and vomiting and formation of a halo around the light.

Other Diseases and Disorders

Many medical conditions may cause blurry vision. Some of the most common ones are:

4. Diabetes: Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that everyone now is familiar with. There is always someone in your family or someone among your friends or colleagues who is suffering from this disease. If someone is diabetic for a long time, there are high chances that they might develop vision problem called diabetic maculopathy. Diabetic maculopathy affects the retina (the nerve layer lining the back of the eye). Diabetes causes the blood vessels of the retina to leak fluid and protein. This makes the retina to swell and when the centre of the retina, called macula, is swollen, vision blurs.

5. Low blood sugar: Your vision may blur if your blood sugar levels drop drastically, say below 70mg/dL. You are likely to have episodes of low blood sugar or hypoglycaemia if you have diabetes. The other signs are a rapid heartbeat, sudden mood changes, unexplained fatigue, headache, difficulty sleeping, tingling sensations, and trouble concentrating.

6. Mini stroke: Medically termed transient ischemic attack, a mini stroke causes blurring of vision. During a mini stroke, blood stops flowing to the brain although it does not kill the brain cells as a real stroke does. However, get immediate medical attention to prevent the risk of an actual stroke. During a mini-stroke, you may experience numbness in an arm or leg, fatigue, lack of balance, trouble speaking, and sudden rise in blood pressure; you may lose consciousness or suffer from temporary memory loss. And of course, you may also see hazy.

7. A brain aneurysm – This is a condition in which an artery in the brain balloons or bulges. A brain aneurysm becomes a potentially life-threatening condition if the artery bursts and leaks blood into the brain. This is called haemorrhagic stroke. Although sudden, extremely severe headache is the key symptoms of the condition, it also causes blurred or double vision, nausea, and vomiting, sometimes loss of consciousness, seizure, stiffness in the neck, and sensitivity to light.

8. Certain autoimmune diseases – Some autoimmune diseases too can cause blurry vision. These include multiple sclerosis, a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord; myasthenia gravis, a neuromuscular disease causing weakness of muscles; and systemic lupus erythematosus, in which the body’s immune system attacks its own healthy cells.

Medication

Another probable reason for your blurry vision is certain medicines you might be taking for your illness/disorder. This includes:

9. Antihistamines: The antihistamines you are taking to relieve your allergy symptoms can rapidly increase the pressure inside the eye, especially if you suffer from glaucoma, causing blurry vision. Apart from blurred vision, you may also have other symptoms such as eye pain, headache, nausea, and vomiting. Glaucoma is basically of two types – open angle and narrow-angle. If you have narrow angle glaucoma, your doctor may ask you to avoid antihistamines that could dilate your pupils.

10. Corticosteroids: Corticosteroids and more specifically prednisone is another drug that can cause blurry vision. Prednisone is used to treat conditions like arthritis, asthma and other breathing disorders, ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, and severe allergies. The drug can increase eye pressure in some people and is a significant risk for developing glaucoma or cataract.

11. Antipsychotic drugs: The antipsychotic drugs chlorpromazine and thioridazine are other drugs that may cause cataract in some people. Both of them, especially thioridazine, can lead to blurred vision as toxic substances are deposited in the retina of the eye. You may also lose night vision.

12. Breast cancer treatment drug: Tamoxifen used in breast cancer treatment can also cause retinal changes and decrease color vision. Get your eyes tested when you start the drug and at least every two years as long as you are on the drug. Isotretinoin used, rarely, to prevent skin or pancreatic cancers, but primarily used as a treatment for cystic acne can cause blurred vision and decreased night vision.

13. Erectile dysfunction drugs: Viagra and other erectile dysfunction drugs, too, may sometimes cause blurry vision. Other than blurred vision, men may also see a temporary blue tinge in objects and become light sensitive.

14. Tuberculosis drugs: Ethambutol, an antibiotic to treat tuberculosis, and isoniazid, another TB drug have shown to be associated with optic nerve problems. People taking this drug have reported loss of visual acuity, blurring of vision, and difficulty seeing certain colors.

There are of course many other causes for blurry vision such as anaemia and migraine, but whatever the cause seek immediate medical attention if blurry vision occurs after a head trauma or if blurry vision is accompanied by symptoms such as:

• - You become unconscious or your level of alertness changes
• - Slurred speech, inability to speak, or difficulty understanding speech
• - High fever
• - Seizure
• - Numbness or paralysis on one side of the body
• - Memory loss
• - Sudden weight loss

There can be many causes of blurred vision. Examples of common causes are:

• refractive errors, such as near-sightedness, far-sightedness, or astigmatism
• abrasions to the cornea
• age-related macular degeneration
• cataracts
• corneal opacification, or scarring
• infectious retinitis
• migraine
• optic neuritis
• retinopathy, such as diabetic retinopathy
• stroke
• trauma or injury to the eyes

Do not ignore your blurred vision.

Take timely action and save your eyes and your health.

Reference:

• healthline.com/health/hazy-vision#causes
• webmd.com/eye-health/why-is-my-vision-blurry
• allaboutvision.com/conditions/blurry-vision.htm
• thehealthsite.com/diseases-conditions/14-causes-of-blurred-vision-you-might-not-know-about

Blinking, a normal involuntary reflex, occurs, on average, 12 times per minute or 17,000 times a day, Professor Alan Hedge of Cornell University states. Sometimes children begin blinking so frequently it seems that they're blinking 17,000 times a minute, rather than a day. Parents often get concerned over the causes of rapid eye blinking, but most blinking is benign and self-limiting, according to a 2001 study reported by lead author David Coats of Baylor College of Medicine in the journal "Ophthalmology."

Causes

Causes for frequent blinking vary greatly. Frequent blinking can occur because a child has visual problems such as convergence insufficiency, which is trouble focusing both eyes on an up-close object. Double or blurred vision caused by convergence insufficiency can lead to excessive blinking, Baylor College of Medicine explains. Problems with the eyelids or the anterior segment of the eye, which consists of the cornea, iris, anterior chamber and lens, accounted for 37 percent of excessive blinking, Coats reported in the 2001 "Ophthalmology" study. Uncorrected refractive errors caused 14 percent of cases, he added.

Habit tics accounted for 23 percent of excessive blinking in Coats' report. Tics may also occur in children with Tourette's syndrome, a type of tic disorder that usually begins between ages 3 and 10, Family doctor.org reports. Movement disorders, called dystonias, can also cause excessive blinking, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke reports. Allergic reactions can also cause excessive blinking, pediatrician Jeffrey Hull states. Rapid eye blinking may also occur as part of epilepsy, notes the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.

Characteristics

In 89 percent of children with excessive blinking, both eyes are affected. Boys with excessive blinking outnumber girls two to one, Coats reported.

Diagnosis

History and clinical examination are usually adequate to make a diagnosis, Coats says, with neurological examination and neuroimaging usually not being required.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause. Tics often require nothing more than ignoring the symptoms until they disappear, Hull advises. Medications may help relieve specific symptoms of Tourette's. Correcting refractive errors and vision problems helps stop blinking caused by trouble seeing. Anticonvulsants are used to treat epilepsy. Dystonias may also respond to medications such as anticonvulsants as well as drugs that correct neurotransmitter abnormalities.

Considerations

Excessive blinking rarely causes serious problems and often resolves without treatment. Blepharospasm, a type of dystonia that causes first one eye and then both, in most cases, to close forcefully and repeatedly, can cause functional blindness even though both eyes see normally, by causing the eyelids to eventually remain completely closed, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke warns. Conditions such as epilepsy and dystonia require close medical evaluation and follow-up. eResearch by Navid Ajamin -- spring 2011

Excessive blinking can be caused by problems with the eyelids or anterior segment (front surface of the eye), habitual tics, refractive error (need for glasses), intermittent exotropia or turning out of the eye, and stress. It is very rare for excessive blinking to be a sign of an undiagnosed neurologic disorder.

A pediatric ophthalmologist will be able to diagnose the cause of the symptoms. A thorough exam will be performed. If there is a problem such as an ingrown eyelash, corneal abrasion (scratch on the front surface of the eye), conjunctivitis (pink eye), foreign body in the eye, allergies affecting the eye or eye dryness, this can easily be diagnosed by performing an examination with an instrument called a slit lamp. This is a special microscope used to magnify the eye. If glasses are needed, this can also be easily detected. Any strabismus (in turning or out turning of the eye) will be diagnosed when the ophthalmologist examines the eye movements.

A pediatric ophthalmologist will be able to diagnose the cause of the symptoms. A thorough exam will be performed. If there is a problem such as an ingrown eyelash, corneal abrasion (scratch on the front surface of the eye), conjunctivitis (pink eye), foreign body in the eye, allergies affecting the eye or eye dryness, this can easily be diagnosed by performing an examination with an instrument called a slit lamp. This is a special microscope used to magnify the eye. If glasses are needed, this can also be easily detected. Any strabismus (in turning or out turning of the eye) will be diagnosed when the ophthalmologist examines the eye movements.If an abrasion or conjunctivitis is diagnosed, eye drops, or ointment may be given.

Glasses may be prescribed if the excessive blinking is caused by blurry vision.

بلفارواسپاسم Blepharospasm به معنای پلک زدن غیر ارادی یا بسته شدن غیر ارادی پلک‌ها است.

بلفارواسپاسم یک عارضه پیش رونده عصبی است که بیشتر در زنان میانسال و سالمند اتفاق می‌افتد.

علت ایجاد بلفارواسپاسم چیست؟

به نظر می رسد كه بلفارواسپاسم ناشی از نوعی از اشكال در عملكرد “عقده‌های قاعده ای مغز” باشد. عقده های قاعده ای بخشی از مغز هستند كه در تنظیم حركات هماهنگ عضلات دخالت دارند. البته هنوز به طور دقیق نمی دانیم كه چه مشكلی باعث بروز بلفارواسپاسم می شود.

در بیشتر موارد بلفارواسپاسم به صورت خودبه‌خودی و بدون هیچ علت مشخصی ایجاد می شود.

البته در بسیاری از افراد، خشكی چشم عامل محركی باشد كه در افراد حساس باعث شروع بلفارواسپاسم شود.

گاهی بلفارواسپاسم یا انواع دیگر دیستونی در افراد یك خانواده بروز می كند، بنابراین شاید زمینه های ارثی و ژنتیكی در بروز آن مؤثر باشند.

توصیه‌های بیماری بلفارواسپاسم [3]

۱. آموزش بیمار و اطرافیان و حمایت موثر افراد خانواده از فرد مبتلا به بلفارواسپاسم می‌تواند نتایج مفیدی در کنترل علائم داشته باشد.

۲. استفاده از عینک‌های آفتابی تیره به دو علت به مبتلایان بلفارواسپاسم کمک می‌کند. اول آنکه عینک آفتابی با جلوگیری از تابش نور شدید به چشم، مانع از تحریک چشم شده و تا حدی از بروز حمله بلفارواسپاسم جلوگیری می‌کند.

ثانیاً عینک تیره با پنهان کردن چشم، مانع از آن می‌شود که سایرین متوجه پلک زدن غیر عادی فرد شوند، در نتیجه حضور در اجتماع را برای فرد آسان‌تر می‌کند.

۳. استفاده از قطره‌های اشک مصنوعی و مرطوب کننده‌های چشم برای درمان خشکی چشم و درمان التهاب پلک (بلفاریت) با کاهش تحریک سطح چشم ممکن است به کنترل حملات بلفارواسپاسم کمک کند.

لرزش پلک چشم چیست؟ [4]

لرزش چشم یا پرش پلک که با نام میوکیمیا نیز شناخته می شود، یکی از اسپاسم های ناخواسته عضلات پلک چشم است که معمولا در پلک بالا رخ می دهد، البته میوکیمیا ممکن است در پلک پایین هم رخ دهد. در این حالت پلک چشم می پرد و ممکن است این حرکت آنقدر خفیف باشد که شخص متوجه آن نشود و در حالتی دیگر نیز ممکن است آنقدر لرزش پلک چشم شدید باشد که باعث کلافه شدن فرد شود. دلیل عمده این نوع پرش ها، انقباضات غیر ارادی ماهیچه ها است که با روش هایی می توان از این انقباضات ماهیچه ای جلوگیری کرد.

دلایل

همانگونه که گفته شد، لرزش های پلک چشم معمولا به دلیل اسپاسم های عضلات چشم و پلک است که این اسپاسم ها می تواند به دلایل ذیل رخ دهند.

• خستگی و سوزش چشم ها
• کشیدگی عضلات اطراف چشم
• کارهای سنگین فیزیکی
• میزان استرس بالا
• مصرف برخی از داروها
• مصرف کافئین، تنباکو و الکل

در واقع موارد ذکر شده می توانند در بوجود آمدن و تشدید اسپاسم های عضلانی پلک بسیار موثر باشند. اما به جز موارد گفته شده،دلایل عصبی و مغزی دیگری نیز وجود دارند که باعث ایجاد عارضه پریدن پلک می شوند که این دلایل عبارتند از:

• فلج صورت یکی از مشکلاتی است که ممکن است باعث لرزش غیر طبیعی پلک شود.
• دیستونی که یکی از عواملی است که باعث ایجاد اسپاسم ناگهانی عضلات می شود.
• بیماری پارکینسون می تواند منجر به لرزش پلک های چشم شود.
• سندرم تورتس نیز می تواند باعث حرکت های ناخواسته و پرش پلک شود.
• خراش های موجود بر روی قرنیه چشم نیز ممکن است باعث پرش پلک شود.
• بیماری سیستم عصبی موسوم به مولتیپل اسکلروز نیز می تواند منجر به اختلالات حرکتی در پلک ها شود.

برای درمان لرزش پلک چشم، ابتدا باید عاملی که در به وجود آمدن لرزش پلک تاثیر داشته است را شناسایی کرده و آن را برطرف نمایید. اما راهکارهایی وجود دارند که به صورت کلی می توانند باعث درمان این عارضه شوند.

Reference:

1. livestrong.com/article/199401-abnormal-eye-blinking-in-children
2. aapos.org/glossary/excessive-blinking-in-children
3. pezeshk.us
4. binaii.com/ArticleDetail/10217

The problem with baby’s eyes is very hard to diagnosis due to its acuteness and severity. Mainly small kids are too young to actually tell about the difference between clear vision and the blur vision. Normally when kids reach an age of 4 years or so, their parents must be constantly looking out for such signs.

Normally there are some telltale signs which tell much about the presence of baby eyes problem but they are not that evident in toddlers and babies eyes.

According to a recent research, as many as 20 percent of kids at an age of 3 to 5 years are more prone to eye problems and parents need to pay attention towards this element. If this is ignored at that age, it can lead to more problems later on. It is therefore necessary to get a vision screening of kids every six months. Apart from this screening, there are some other things which parents can do to solve baby eyes issue.

Baby eyes problem are either due to congenital issues or acquired. Congenital occurs due to developmental issues. When damage is due to the intrauterine development after an intake of any drugs by mother or some infections. Mothers with congenital problems have no symptom common. On the other hand in the case of acquired baby eyes problem starts in the initial 28 days of baby’s life. This is normally infective since origin.

It is always pretty easy for parents to find out the presence of baby eyes problem.

• Farsightedness: in this case the distinct objects appear clear to babies while they feel problem when focusing on close things. Kids mainly rub their eyes more often and try to sit closer to television. At times they even squint to make their vision clear. When doing some work, like drawing or reading, kid may not be able to stay focused for a longer period of time. The extreme farsightedness causes inability to view even the far end things. Naturally new babies are born with some signs of farsightedness but with the passage of time, their eyes are adjusted to normal view. If fail to treat, it can have drastic effects on the baby eyes.

• The nearsightedness is associated with an ability to see near objects while difficulty in focusing the far ends things. Such kids squint when view near objects and also complain of an inability to see chalkboard in school from far distance. Either a child is given spectacles or making him sit in the front row can also resolve problem. If the both eyes of a baby are even, kids of age 4 years or so are not given spectacles, however in case of strain problem has to be identified to avoid further problems.

• The last problem that baby eyes may get is astigmatism, but this can only be diagnosed by professional as layman can’t figure out

It is always better to take babies to pediatric if you feel any problem with their eyes.

Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)

Amblyopia, also known as lazy eye, is a condition in which one or both eyes do not develop normal vision due to various factors that cause the visual part of the brain to function abnormally. This weakens the eye and can lead to long-term vision problems. If recognized early, amblyopia generally responds well to treatment. Amblyopia therapy can include glasses, patching, eye drops, and sometimes surgery. Click here to learn more about amblyopia.

Astigmatism-Farsightedness-Nearsightedness

These three conditions, or refractive errors, are the most common eye problems in children and adults and are most often caused by abnormalities in the surface of the eye that prevent light from properly being focused on the retina. Click here to learn more about these refractive errors.

Childhood Tearing/Epiphora

Epiphora is the term for excessive tearing. Childhood epiphora is often noted soon after birth, but can be acquired later. When noted during infancy, it is usually due to blockage of the tear drainage system. This type of tearing often improves spontaneously by 6 to 12 months of age. Medical treatment includes tear sac massage and eye drops, but if tearing persists, surgical probing of the drainage system may be required. Other rare causes of childhood tearing include pediatric glaucoma and ocular surface diseases.

Cortical Visual Impairment

Cortical visual impairment (CVI) is vision loss due to any abnormality of the visual center in the brain. The eyes are normal, but the visual interpretation center in the brain does not function properly and prevents normal vision.

Developmental Abnormalities

During development of the fetus, abnormalities in the visual system can occur. Some developmental abnormalities include coloboma, microphthalmia (small eye), and optic nerve hypoplasia. These abnormalities often result in vision loss.

Double Vision

Double vision (diplopia) is typically caused by misalignment of the eyes (strabismus), which causes one to see an object in two different places at the same time. The object can be displaced in a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal fashion. Double vision can result from many conditions and should be evaluated at the time of onset. Treatment for double vision can include prism glasses, strabismus surgery, or Botox injections.

Genetic Eye Disease

Many eye diseases have a known genetic abnormality. These diseases are often inherited and frequently there are other family members who have had the disease. In cases of known inherited eye disease in the family, early evaluation is important. The Dean McGee Eye Institute has an ophthalmic genetic counselor who routinely sees patients in the clinic.

Nystagmus

Nystagmus is an involuntary, rhythmic oscillation of the eyes. The eye movements can be side-to-side, up and down, or rotary. Nystagmus may be present at birth or acquired later in life. It may result from abnormal binocular fixation early in life, and may also accompany a number of eye disorders and neurological diseases.

Pediatric Cataract

A cataract is a cloudiness or opacification of the normally clear lens of the eye. Depending on the size and location, the cataract can interfere with light passing to the retina and cause blurred vision. Cataracts are typically associated with older adults, but cataracts can occur at birth or during childhood. Early detection and treatment of cataracts are critical in infants and young children in order to restore normal visual development. A white area in the pupil and misalignment of the eye can be a sign of cataract.

Pediatric cataracts that significantly obstruct vision require surgery. Patients subsequently require treatment with eyeglasses, bifocals, or contact lenses, and eye-patching. Often, pediatric cataracts result in some degree of lazy eye (amblyopia) and strabismus as well.

Pediatric Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a condition that is associated with high pressure within the eye. This pressure can damage the optic nerve, which is critical for vision, resulting in permanent vision loss. Pediatric glaucoma is a rare condition that can present in the newborn or during childhood. Signs and symptoms of pediatric glaucoma include cloudy corneas, tearing, frequent blinking, light sensitivity, and redness of the eye.

Pediatric Ptosis (Drooping Eyelid)

Ptosis, or drooping of the upper eyelid, occurs in both children and adults. Children can be born with ptosis (congenital) or acquire it during childhood. Neurological diseases can also trigger it.

Ptosis is caused by weakness in the muscle that elevates the eyelid. A droopy eyelid can block light passing to the retina in the back of the eye and/or create significant astigmatism that produces a blurry image in the affected eye. These situations cause lazy eye (amblyopia) and, if untreated, can result in permanent loss of vision. In addition, children may develop a chin-up head position due to the droopy eyelid. If the ptosis is significant, surgical correction may be necessary.

Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is an eye disease that occurs in some premature infants. It results from abnormal development of the blood vessels in the retina. ROP is progressive, starting with mild changes and sometimes progressing to severe, sight-threatening changes. Most infants with ROP improve spontaneously, but some develop severe changes that require laser treatment or injections of medicine into the eye.

Complications of ROP can include strabismus (eye misalignment), myopia (nearsightedness), cataract, and, in severe cases, blindness from retinal detachment. Premature infants at risk of ROP are identified in the hospital and enrolled in a routine screening protocol.

Strabismus (Crossed Eyes)

Strabismus is the term for misalignment of the eyes in which an eye may be turned inward, outward, upward, or downward. Strabismus in children can result in lazy eye (amblyopia) and cause permanent loss of vision if treatment is delayed. Adults and older children often experience double vision (diplopia). Depending on the type and cause of the strabismus, treatment may include eyeglasses, prisms, surgery, Botox injection, or eye-patching therapy.

Reference:

• bhszone.com
• dmei.org/services-specialties/pediatric-ophthalmology-strabismus/common-pediatric-eye-problems/

Related To: Finding out the Infant’s Eye Color

شايد بتوان گفت بينائى مهم‌ترين حس انسان است. نه تنها به اين علت که در ارتباط با محيط خارج از بدن، نقش مهمى دارد، بلکه از اين‌رو که اختلال ديد، سبب کاهش يادگيرى نيز مى‌شود. شخص با حس بينائى مى‌تواند از خود محافظت کند، تعادل خود را نگه‌دارد، خلاقيت داشته باشد و بالاخره از ديدن محيط اطراف لذت ببرد. لذا از چشم‌ها بايد نهايت مواظبت به‌عمل آمده و براى بهداشت آن به نکات زير توجه گردد:

• هرگز نبايد دست آلوده را به چشم ماليد. دست و صورت خصوصاً دست‌ها بايد مرتب با آب و صابون شسته شود. از شستن دست و صورت در آب‌هاى آلوده و کثيف، جداً بايد خوددارى گردد.
• بايد از حوله و دستمال شخصى و تميز استفاده کرد و هرگز حوله و دستمال ديگران را مورد استفاده قرار نداد.
• مطالعه بايستى در نور کافى انجام گيرد و از خواندن نوشته‌هاى خيلى‌ريز خوددارى شود.
• به‌هنگام مسافرت با اتومبيل و ساير وسايط ‌نقليه، حتى‌المقدور از مطالعه خوددارى شود.
• فاصله چشم از کتاب بايد حدود ۳۰ سانتى‌متر و زاويه کتاب نسبت به سطح مورد مطالعه ۴۵ تا ۷۰ درجه باشد.
• از خيره‌شدن به نور شديد، مانند خورشيد و لامپ‌هاى پرنور خوددارى شود. هم‌چنين در مقابل آفتاب، باد، گرد و خاک، از چشم‌ها محافظت شود.
• براى خواب و استراحت، اتاق بايد تاريک باشد تا اعصاب چشم به‌خوبى استراحت کند.
• مصرف غذاهاى داراى ويتامين A و پروتئين در حفظ سلامت چشم اهميت به‌سزائى دارد.

اختلالات بينائى در سلامت دانش‌آموز و پيشرفت تحصيلى او اثر زيادى دارد و بايد مورد توجه مسئولان آموزشگاه قرار گيرد. آموزگار، مدير، پزشک، مربى بهداشت در تأمين سلامت بينائى شاگردان مسئوليت مشترک دارند. آموزگار به‌علت تماس دائمى با شاگردان، بهتر از هر شخص ديگر با توجه دقيق، به خواندن و نوشتن و کار کردن آنها مى‌تواند افرادى را که داراى اختلال يا ضعفى در قوه بينائى هستند، بشناسد و پس از آزمايش، آنها را نزد پزشک هدايت نمايد.

به‌طور کلى علائمى که شخص با ديدن آن علائم، بايد متوجه اختلالاتى در دستگاه بينائى خود گردد، عبارتند از:

• - اگر اشياء و نوشته‌ها را در فاصله معمولى به‌خوبى نتوان مشاهده نمود و يا هنگام نگاه‌کردن به آنها احساس ناراحتى کرد.
• - اگر در هنگام غروب آفتاب نتوان به‌خوبى ديد.
• - اگر احساس شود که چشم زود خسته مى‌شود.
• - اگر گاهى سردرد، به‌خصوص هنگام غروب عارض شود.
• - اگر چشم، خارش و سوزش داشته باشد و يا درد بگيرد.
• - اگر صبح‌ها، هنگام بيدار شدن، در گوشه چشم ترشحاتى جمع شود.

با مشاهده علائم بالا، لازم است به چشم پزشک مراجعه نموده و دستورات وى را به دقت به‌کار برید.

اختلالات بينائى

دوربينى، نزديک‌بينى، و آستيگماتيسم، از اختلالات عمده بينائى در دانش‌آموزان به شمار مى‌رود.
دوربينى
در افراد دوربين، اشعه‌هاى نورانى که به‌طور موازى به چشم مى‌تابد، در عقب شبکيه، تشکيل تصوير مى‌دهد که اين اختلال گاهى علل ارثى دارد. دانش‌آموزانى که به اين عارضه دچار هستند، چشمان خود را زياد مى‌مالند. در موقع کارهاى ظريف مضطرب و بى‌‌قرار هستند. در موقع خواندن يا نوشتن، سر را دورتر از حد معمول نگاه مى‌دارند. به خواندن يا ديدن کتاب‌هاى مصور تمايلى نشان نمى‌دهند. درد چشم، سردرد، التهاب پلک، تيک صورت و گاهى سرگيجه دارند. براى درمان دوربيني، از عينک‌هاى با عدسى محدب استفاده مى‌گردد.

نزديک‌بينى
در افراد نزديک‌بين، اشعه نورانى که به چشم مى‌تابد جلوتر از شبکيه، تشکيل تصوير مى‌دهد. نزديک‌بينى به حالت و عادت کسانى که چشم خود را تنگ مى‌کنند تا بهتر ببينند، اطلاق مى‌شود. فاکتورهائى نظير کار نزديک، کمى‌ نور، کمبود ويتامين‌ها و غيره در ايجاد نزديک‌بينى مؤثر هستند. دانش‌آموزانى که به اين عارضه دچارند، اغلب موقع نگاه‌کردن به دور، گردن مى‌کشند. در موقع نوشتن يا خواندن، سر را از حد معمول نزديک‌تر مى‌برند. گاهى يک چشم را مى‌بندند و با تنگ نمودن چشم ديگر، سعى در تطابق اجسام دارند. سردرد و آب‌ريزى از چشم نيز مشاهده مى‌گردد. براى درمان نزديک‌بيني، از عينک‌هاى با عدسى مقعر مناسب استفاده مى‌گردد.

آستيگماتيسم
اين عارضه از عيوب انکسارى چشم است. در اين عارضه، تصوير يک نقطه همان يک نقطه درک نمى‌شود، بلکه از يک نقطه از هر جسم خارجي، دو خط افقى ديده مى‌شود. در اين حالت بعضى از اشعه‌هاى نوراني، يکديگر را روى شبکيه قطع مى‌کنند، در حالى‌که محل تلاقى پاره‌اى ديگر، در جلو يا عقب شبکيه است و تصويرى که ايجاد مى‌کند، زياد روشن و واضح به‌نظر نمى‌رسند. دانش‌آموزان مبتلا به آستيگماتيسم، اغلب سر را به کتاب يا تصوير نزديک مى‌کنند، سردرد دارند و چشم را هنگام مشاهده تصاوير ظريف مى‌مالند. تصحيح چشم آستيگمات اغلب ساده بوده و با استفاده از عدسى استوانه‌ائى که در جهت مناسبى از چشم قرار داده مى‌شود، انجام مى‌گيرد. مگر در بعضى حالات نادر که تصحيح آن بسيار مشکل بوده و گاهى حتى غيرممکن است.

Reference: www.pezeshki.net

If you can see objects nearby with no problem, but reading road signs or making out the writing on the board at school is more difficult, you may be near- or short-sighted.

Your eye care professional may refer to the condition as myopia, a term that comes from a Greek word meaning "closed eyes." Use of the word "myopia" for this condition may have grown out of one of the main indications of nearsightedness: Squinting to see distant objects clearly.

Myopia is not a disease, nor does it mean that you have "bad eyes." It simply refers to a variation in the shape of your eyeball. The degree of variation determines whether you will need corrective eyewear.

What causes nearsightedness ? Myopia most often occurs because the eyeball is too long, rather than the normal, more rounded shape. Another less frequent cause of myopia is that the cornea, the eye's clear outer window, is too curved. There is some evidence that nearsightedness may also be caused by too much close vision work.

How does myopia affect sight ? Our ability to "see" starts when light enters the eye through the cornea.

The shape of the cornea, lens and eyeball help bend (refract) light rays in such amanner that light is focused into a point precisely on the retina. In contrast, if you are nearsighted, the light rays from a distant point are focused at a place in front of the retina. As the light will only be focused in that one place, by the time it reaches the retina it will have "defocused" again, forming a blurred image.

Who is affected by nearsightedness ? Myopia usually occurs between the ages of 8 to 12 years. Since the eyes continue to grow during childhood, nearsightedness usually occurs before the age of 20. Often the degree of myopia increases as the body grows rapidly,then levels off in adulthood.

During the years of rapid growth, frequent changes in prescription eyewear may be needed to maintain clear vision.

How is myopia diagnosed ?Myopia is often suspected when a teacher notices a child squinting to see a blackboard or a child performs poorly during a routine eye screening. Further examination will reveal the degree of the problem. A comprehensive eye health examination will detect myopia. Periodic examinations should follow after myopia has been discovered to determine whether the condition is changing, and whether a change in prescriptive eyewear is needed. Eye exams also help to ensure that vision impairments do not interfere with daily activities.

How is myopia treated ?

Corrective concave lenses are prescribed to help focus light more precisely on the retina, where a clear image will be formed. Depending on the degree of myopia, glasses or contact lenses may be needed all of the time for clear vision. If the degree of impairment is slight, corrective lenses may be needed only for activities that require distance vision, such as driving, watching TV or in sports requiring fine vision.

How will nearsightedness affect my lifestyle ?

If glasses or contact lenses are prescribed, it may take you a few days to adjust to them. After that, nearsightedness will probably not significantly affect your lifestyle. However, more severely nearsighted individuals may find the condition limits their choice of occupation in some cases.

Nearsightedness in children

School age children may have vision problems ranging from mild to severe. When problems are suspected, it is important that the child have a comprehensive eye health examination to determine the nature of the problem and to rule out serious eye diseases. When vision conditions are treated properly, the child will enjoy the best possible sight.

To help a child cope with nearsightedness

- Avoid referring to the child's eyes as "bad eyes;" instead tell the child that his or her eyes just bend light differently and corrective lenses are needed to help focus light rays.

- Use illustrations and simple explanations to help the child understand how a differently-shaped eyeball may result in his or her being nearsighted.

- Make the occasion of selecting new frames for lenses a fun time.

- Consider contact lenses as an option.

- Do not restrict the child's activities because of poor vision.

- Include the child in discussions about his or her eyesight.

Encourage the child to verbalise concerns about the adjustment to rapidly changing vision.

Reference: eyecaretrust.org.uk

راه های درمان و بهبود آلرژی های چشمی شامل موارد زیر است:

1- پرهیز از عامل حساسیت زا: در مواردی که بتوان ماده مسئول ایجاد آلرژی را شناسایی کرد، بهترین و مؤثرترین درمان پرهیز از تماس با این ماده است.

2- پاک سازی و بهبود محیط زندگی: تمیز نگه داشتن خانه به منظور به حداقل رساندن گرد و غبار، پرهیز از نگه داری حیوانات خانگی، حفظ رطوبت مناسب در هوا، خنک کردن هوای منزل و استفاده از صافی های جذب کننده غبار می تواند به کنترل علائم آلرژی کمک کند.

3- پرهیز از خاراندن چشم ها

4- استفاده از کمپرس سرد: کمپرس سرد باعث کم شدن تحریک چشم ها و احساس خارش می شود و معمولا اثر تسکین دهنده دارد.

5- آلرژی درمانی: در مواردی خاص، ممکن است بتوان با روش هایی مثل تلقیح ماده آلرژی زا و افزایش تدریجی مقدار آن، واکنش دستگاه ایمنی بدن به یک ماده خاص را تغییر داد و مانع بروز علائم آلرژی در فرد مبتلا گردید. البته این روش پرهزینه و وقت گیر است و در بسیاری موارد امکان پذیر نمی باشد.

6- استفاده از داروهای مناسب:

الف-قطره اشک مصنوعی

قطره اشک مصنوعی گرچه اثر مستقیمی در درمان آلرژی ندارد، اما استفاده از آن باعث رقیق شدن مواد آلرژی زا تجمع یافته در چشم می شود. به علاوه تا حدی از چسبیدن مواد آلرژی زا به سطح ملتحمه جلوگیری می کند و عملکرد دفاعی لایه اشک را بهبود می بخشد. استفاده از این قطره ها به عنوان درمان کمکی به خصوص در افرادی که علاوه بر آلرژی، زمینه خشکی چشم دارند، گاه اثرات درمانی شگفت آوری دارد.

ب-قطره های آنتی هیستامین و دکونژستانت(ضد احتقان)

به هیچ وجه از قطره های آنتی هیستامین و دکنونژستانت نظیر قطره نفازولین + آنتازولین بیش از 2-1 هفته بصورت متوالی استفاده نکنید، زیرا مصرف طولانی مدت این قطره ها خود می تواند باعث تحریک و قرمزی چشم شود و حتی ممکن است در اثر عدم مصرف قطره، چشم شدیدا قرمز شود.

قطره های آنتی هیستامین، اثر هیستامین در ملتحمه را خنثی می کنند و باعث کاهش خارش چشم ها می شوند، اما روی تورم و قرمزی اثر چندانی ندارند. قطره های آنتی هیستامین دو مزیت عمده نسبت به اشکال خوراکی آنتی هیستامین دارند: اولا این قطره ها سریع تر از قرص و شربت اثر می کنند. ثانیا مصرف دارو به صورت قطره کمتر از مصرف خوراکی باعث ایجاد خشکی چشم می شود.

قطره های دکونژستانت قرمزی چشم را کم می کنند و در نتیجه ظاهر فرد بهبود پیدا می کند، اما این قطره ها اثری روی خارش ندارند. این داروها باعث تنگ شدن رگ های ملتحمه می شوند و در نتیجه قرمزی چشم کم می شود. البته در صورت مصرف طولانی مدت، خود این قطره ها می توانند باعث تحریک و قرمزی چشم شوند. به علاوه پس از چند روز مصرف مداوم، چشم اصطلاحا به این قطره ها عادت می کند و قطره بی اثر می شود و حتی ممکن است در اثر عدم مصرف قطره چشم شدیدا قرمز شود. بنابراین به هیچ وجه نباید این قطره ها را بیش از یکی دو هفته به صورت متوالی استفاده کرد. مصرف قطره های دکونژستانت در افراد مبتلا به آب سیاه(گلوکوم) ممکن است خطرناک باشد. بنابراین این افراد هرگز نباید به صورت خودسرانه این قطره ها را مصرف کنند.

در برخی از فراورده های دارویی مثل قطره نفازولین + آنتازولین ماده آنتی هیستامین و دکونژستانت با هم بکار رفته است. مصرف این قطره ها می تواند ظرف چند دقیقه قرمزی و خارش چشم را کنترل کند و معمولا این اثر تا 4-3 ساعت قابل توجه است. بنابراین در درمان علائم حاد آلرژی می توان از این قطره ها استفاده کرد و مصرف کوتاه مدت آن ها معمولا عارضه مهمی(غیر ازسوزش چشم در موقع استفاده از قطره) ندارد. اما همان طور که گفته شد مصرف دراز مدت آن ها چندان مفید نیست و ممکن است باعث بروز عوارضی شود.

ج-قطره های پایدار کننده ماست سل ها

همان طور که گفته شد واسطه اصلی ایجاد آلرژی ماده ای به نام "هیستامین" است که از گروهی از سلول های ایمنی به نام "ماست سل ها" آزاد می شود. داروهای پایدار کننده ماست سل ها مانع آزاد شدن هیستامین از ماست سل ها می شود و در نتیجه از بروز واکنش های آلرژیک جلوگیری می کنند. این داروها در تمام انواع حساسیت مؤثر است؛ در افراد مبتلا به حساسیت فصلی و کراتوکنژنکتیویت بهاره می توان از یکی دو هفته پیش از شروع فصل حساسیت این قطره ها را استفاده کرد، تا از بروز علائم حساسیت جلوگیری شود.

از آنجا که این داروها نسبتا بدون عارضه هستند می توان مصرف آن ها را برای یک دوره طولانی (مثلاً چند ماه) ادامه داد بدون این که مشکل خاصی ایجاد شود. البته باید توجه داشت که شروع اثر این داروها نسبتا کند است و برای آغاز بهبودی با مصرف این داروها معمولا چند روز زمان لازم است. از داروهای این گروه می توان به کرومولین سدیم اشاره کرد. البته در حال حاضر داروهای قوی تر و مؤثرتری نیز از این دسته در دسترس است.

د-قطره های ضد التهاب غیر استروئیدی

این قطره ها با اثر ضد التهابی خود باعث کاهش علائم آلرژی، به ویژه خارش می شوند. اما مصرف دراز مدت آن ها می تواند سوزش و خارش چشم را بدتر کند. از این دسته دارویی می توان به قطره ولتازن(دیکلوفناک) اشاره کرد.

ه-قطره های ضد التهاب استروئیدی

این قطره ها مثل بتامتازون، پردنیزولون و دگزامتازون در درمان حساسیت های چشمی بسیار مؤثرند، اما به علت عوارض جلدی بالقوه مصرف آن ها محدود به آلرژی های شدیدی است که با درمان های معمولی بهبود پیدا نکند. به علت احتمال بروز عوارض جلدی مثل آب مروارید(کاتاراکت) و گلوکوم(آب سیاه) مصرف این داروها باید حتماً با تجویز چشم پزشک و برای مدت کوتاه انجام گیرد.

و- آنتی هیستامین های خوراکی

مصرف آنتی هیستامین خوراکی معمولا در درمان آلرژی چشمی چندان مؤثر نیست، اما در مورادی که آب ریزش از بینی یا حساسیت پوستی(بویژه درماتیت آتوپیک) به همراه حساسیت چشمی وجود دارد، مصرف آنتی هیستامین خوراکی می تواند به کنترل این علائم کمک کند.

چند نکته مهم:

1. در موراد آلرژی های شدید چشمی و یا آلرژی های طولانی مدت، حتما به چشم پزشک مراجعه کنید.
2. به یاد داشته باشید که آلرژی یک زمینه مزمن است و ممکن است مکررا عود کند.
3. آلرژی ها آزار دهنده اند، اما اغلب خطرناک نیستند.

What Is the Treatment for Eye Allergies?
The first and best option is to avoid contact with substances that trigger your eye allergies. If that is not enough, consider using:

• Saline eye drops to wash away the allergens
• Over-the-counter medicine or eye drops (short-term use)
• Prescription treatments from your doctor
• Allergy shots (immunotherapy) from your doctor

Eye allergy symptoms may disappear completely when the allergen is removed or after the allergy is treated. Talk to your pharmacist and health care provider about what is best for you.

How Can I Prevent Eye Allergies?
The first and best option is to avoid contact with things that trigger your eye allergies.

Other tips are:

• Don’t touch or rub your eye(s).
• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• Wash your bed linens and pillowcases in hot water and detergent to reduce allergens.
• Use allergen covers (encasements) for pillows, comforters, duvets, mattresses and consider using them for box springs.
• Keep pets out of the bedroom to reduce pet dander allergen in your bedding.
• Wear sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat to help keep pollen from getting into your eyes.
• Keep windows closed during high pollen and mold seasons. Use the air conditioner in your car and home.

• درمان آلرژی های حاد با استفاده از قطره های آنتی هیستامین- دکونژستانت چشمی در یک دوره کوتاه به بهبود علائم کمک می کند.
• در آلرژی های مزمن، بهترین دارو برای استفاده دراز مدت، قطره های پایدار کننده ماست سل ها(mast cells) است.
• قطره های استروئیدی حتما باید در یک دوره کوتاه و تحت نظر چشم پزشک مصرف شوند.
• از مصرف خودسرانه این داروها (بتامتازون - دگزامتازون - پردنیزولون) جدا پرهیز کنید.
• قطره های خنک معمولا خارش چشم را بیشتر تسکین می دهند.
• قطره های چشمی را در یخچال نگهداری کنید.

آلرژي هاي چشمي يكي از شايعترين علت هاي مراجعه به چشم پزشك است بطور متوسط از هر 10 تا 15 نفر يك نفر در طول عمر خود دچار علائم حساسيت هاي چشمي مي شود. علائم آلرژي چشمي در افراد مختلف متفاوت است و طيف وسيعي از علائم از سوزش و خارش خفيف تا علائم شديد و آزار دهنده و گاه خطرناك را در برمي گيرد. به علاوه، حساسيت هاي چشمي اغلب با ساير علائم آلرژي مثل تب يونجه (آبريزش از بيني) و حساسيت هاي پوستي (مثل درماتيت آتوپيك) همراه است. گرده گل ها و گياهان، مو و كرك و پر حيوانات، داروها و لوازم آرايش نقش اساسي را در ايجاد آلرژي چشمي دارند. البته گاهي اوقات هم تحريك چشم ناشي از مواد محرك (مثل دود سيگار يا گرد و غبار) علائمي ايجاد مي كند كه با آلرژي چشمي اشتباه مي شود.

چشم دريچه اي به جهان خارج است. وقتي چشم ها باز هستند ملتحمه در تماس مستقيم با مواد حساسيت زاي موجود در هواست. ملتحمه كه بافت پوششي مخاطي قسمت جلوي كره چشم و سطح داخلي پلك هاست يك سد دفاعي در برابر محيط خارج است. در ملتحمه تعداد زيادي رگ، سلول هاي ايمني و مواد دفاعي وجود دارد كه باعث حفاظت لايه هاي داخلي تر كره چشم در برابر عفونت ها و عوامل بيگانه مي شود. به علاوه اشك چشم نيز داراي سلول ها و عوامل ايمني مي باشد كه به دفاع در برابر عوامل خارجي كمك مي كند بنابراين بسياري از واكنش هاي دفاعي در جلوي كره چشم در سطح ملتحمه اتفاق مي افتد. هرگاه كنترل طبيعي اين واكنش هاي دفاعي به هم بخورد و يا واكنش هاي دفاعي به جاي عوامل بيگانه در برابر عوامل خودي اتفاق بيافتد واكنش هاي حساسيتي ايجاد مي شود. مهمترين عوامل ايجاد واكنش هاي حساسيتي ماده اي به نام "هيستامين" است كه از گروهي از سلول هاي ايمني به نام "ماست سل ها" مي شود. هيستامين باعث ايجاد خارش مي شود. به علاوه هيستامين موجب گشاد شدن رگ هاي موجود در ملتحمه مي شود و همين امر باعث مي شود كه چشم قرمز به نظر برسد. البته به جز هيستامين مواد ديگري نيز مي توانند در واكنش هاي آلرژيك دخيل باشند اما هيستامين مهمترين واسطه ايجاد علائم حساسيت است.

اصولاً واكنش هاي حساسيتي در افراد جوان (سن زير 30 سال) شايع تر است. به علاوه احتمال بروز آلرژي در كساني كه سابقه حساسيت قبلي داشته اند و يا در خانواده آن ها بيماري هاي آلرژيك وجود دارد بيشتر است. بخصوص افرادي كه آلرژي هايي از نوع تب يونجه (آبريزش از بيني حساسيتي) يا آلرژي پوستي (درماتيت آتوپيك) دارند بسيار مستعد ابتلا به حساسيت هاي چشمي هستند.

همانطور كه گفته شد واسطه اصلي ايجاد علائم آلرژي هيستامين است. ترشح هيستامين در ملتحمه باعث بروز خارش، سوزش و اشكريزش مي شود. همچنين هيستامين با گشاد كردن رگ ها باعث مي شود كه چشم قرمز و پرخون بنظر برسد. به علاوه اين ماده موجب مي شود كه مقداري مايع از رگ ها به داخل بافت ملتحمه و پلك نشست كند در اين حالت تورم پلك ايجاد مي شود. ممكن است پلك ها آنقدر متورم شوند كه فرد حتي نتواند چشم هايش را باز كند. تجمع مايع در ملتحمه باعث مي شود كه ملتحمه ظاهر آبي پيدا كند، به علاوه گاهي اوقات تجمع مايع در ملتحمه آنقدر زياد است كه ملتحمه از سطح چشم فاصله مي گيرد و از داخل شكاف پلكي بيرون مي زند و شبيه يك كهير يا تاول بزرگي مي شود. گاهي اوقات بخصوص وقتي قرنيه نيز درگير حساسيت شده باشد حساسيت به نور ايجاد مي شود.

آلرژي چشمي معمولاً هر دو چشم را درگير مي كند، اما گاهي علائم حساسيت فقط در يك چشم بروز مي كند، بخصوص وقتي كه يك ذره حساسيت زا وارد چشم شود و فرد چشم مبتلا را بخاراند ممكن است شدت علائم در اين چشم خيلي بيشتر از چشم مقابل باشد.

ورم ملتحمه آلرژيك (Allergic conjunctivitis)

ورم ملتحمه يا كنژتكتيوبت شايع ترين شكل حساسيت چشمي است. اين بيماري اغلب در اثر حساسيت به گرده گل ها و گياهان ايجاد مي شود، به همين علت در فصل بهار شايع تر است؛ اما در افرادي كه به گرد و خاك خانگي، كپك ها، مو و پر حيوانات يا مواد شيميايي يا داروهاي خاص حساسيت دارند ممكن است علائم حساسيت در هر فصلي از سال ايجاد شود. كنژنكتيوبت آلرژيك فصلي اغلب با آبريزش از بيني همراه است. علائم مهم كنژتكتيويت آلرژيك عبارتند از: خارش و سوزش و قرمزي چشم ها، اشكريزش و ترشحات آبكي و تورم پلك و ملتحمه. از آنجا كه اكثر علائم حاد بيماري ناشي از آزاد شدن هيستامين در بافت ملتحمه است، درمان انتخابي اين علائم استفاده از قطره هاي چشمي آنتي هيستامين است جهت پيشگيري از بروز اين علائم مي توان از قطره هاي پايدار كننده ماست سل ها استفاده كرد (در مورد اين داروها در زير توضيح خواهيم داد). همچنين در موارد حساسيت خيلي شديد مي توان با نظر چشم پزشك از قطره هاي استروئيدي براي مدت كوتاهي استفاده كرد. شربت ها و قرص هاي آنتي هيستامين معمولاً روي علائم چشمي بيمار چندان مؤثر نيستند اما براي كنترل آبريزش از بيني و علائم پوستي حساسيت بكار مي روند.

ماليدن چشمي كه مي خارد يك واكنش طبيعي است اما ماليدن چشم ها باعث آزاد شدن مقادير بيشتر هيستامين و ساير واسطه هاي آلرژي مي شود و در نتيجه موجب بدتر شدن علائم حساسيت مي گردد. پس سعي كنيد تا جايي كه امكان دارد چشم ها را نماليد.

ورم ملتحمه همراه با درماتيت آتوپيك (Atopic dermatitis)

درماتيت آتوپيك نوعي حساسيت شديد پوستي است كه با خارش شديد همراه است و اغلب در بچه ها و نوجوانان تظاهر مي كند. علائم چشمي اين بيماري معمولاً نوجوانان و جوانان بخصوص پسرها را درگير مي كند. علامت چشمي اصلي اين بيماري خارش شديد و قرمزي پلك هاست. چشم ها ترشحات فراوان دارند و پلك ها حالت پوسته پوسته و دلمه بسته پيدا مي كنند. پلك ها ضخيم و سفت مي شوند گاهي حساسيت به نور ايجاد مي شود. اين بيماري در صورت درمان نامناسب به علت خارش مزمن و خراش مكرر سطح قرنيه توسط سطح ناهموار پلك ها، باعث ايجاد لك قرنيه و تاري ديد مي گردد.

گاهي اوقات مصرف برخي مواد غذايي حساسيت زا مثل تخم مرغ، آجيل، توت فرنگي، گوجه فرنگي، بادنجان، ادويه ها، شير و ماهي ممكن است باعث بدتر شدن علائم پوستي و چشمي درماتيت آتوپيك شود. در اين حالت حذف اين مواد از رژيم غذايي به كنترل بيماري كمك مي كند. به علاوه مواد حساسيت زاي موجود در هوا مثل گرد و خاك خانگي، كپك ها، مو و پرز حيوانات نيز مي تواند باعث شديدتر شدن علائم در افراد مبتلا شود.

پايه اصلي درمان اين بيماري استفاده از آنتي هيستامين هاي خوراكي قوي است براي كنترل خارش است. استفاده از قطره هاي آنتي هيستامين، قطره هاي پايدار كننده ماست سل ها و در موارد شديد دوره هاي كوتاه مدت قطره هاي استروئيدي مي تواند به كنترل علائم چشمي كمك كند.

گاهي اوقات يك عفونت ميكروبي پلك ها در زمينه درماتيت آتوپيك ايجاد مي شود كه باعث بدتر شدن خارش و ساير علائم چشمي مي شود. در اين حالت درمان عفونت با استفاده از قطره ها و پمادهاي آنتي بيوتيك و شستشوي مكرر پلك ها مي تواند به رفع عفونت و بهتر شدن علائم كمك كند.

علائم چشمي درماتيت آتوپيك ممكن است فرد را سال ها درگير كند. به علاوه در افراد مبتلا به اين بيماري احتمال ايجاد آب مرواريد (كاتاراكت) و لك قرنيه بيشتر از افراد عادي است به همين دلايل اين افراد بايد مرتباً تحت نظر چشم پزشك باشند.

كراتوكنژنكتيويت بهاره (Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis)

كراتوكنژنكتيويت (التهاب ملتحمه و قرنيه) بهاره بيماري ناشايعي است كه اغلب در مناطق روستايي گرمسير و در نوجوانان، بخصوص پسرها اتفاق مي افتد و قبل از 20 سالگي به تدريج بهبود مي يابد. بيماري معمولاً از اواسط بهار كه هوا رو به گرمي مي رود شروع مي شود و پس از 3-2 ماه كم كم برطرف مي شود و در سال بعد مجدداً عود مي كند.

در اين بيماري چشم ها خارش شديد پيدا مي كند و پلك ها متورم و سنگين مي شوند (گاهي به همين علت فرد ظاهر خواب آلوده پيدا مي کند). ممکن است حساسيت به نور ايجاد گردد. معمولاً ترشحات شيري رنگ چسبناک در گوشه چشم ها جمع مي شود. در پشت پلک بالايي ظاهر سنگ فرشي ايجاد مي شود (اين منظره در معاينه، با ميکروسکوپ چشم پزشکي به راحتي با برگرداندن پلک قابل مشاهده است) همچنين به علت تجمع سلول هاي التهابي در ملتحمه ممکن است لکه هاي سفيدرنگي در ملتحمه و دور قرنيه ديده شود. گاهي اوقات در اين بيماران بافت ملتحمه در اطراف قرنيه حالت برجسته و پشته پشته يدا مي کند.

کراتوکنژنکتيويت ها بهاره مي تواند به علت خارش مکرر باعث ايجاد خراش و لک قرنيه شود. مؤثرترين درمان اين بيماري استفاده از قطره هاي استروئيد چشمي (براي مدت کوتاه و زير نظر چشم پزشک) است. مي توان براي کمک به کنترل بيماري و جلوگيري از عود آن از قطره هاي پايدار کننده ماست سل ها و قطره هاي آنتي هيستامين موضعي نيز استفاده کرد. استفاده از عينک هاي آفتابي با شيشه بزرگ و دسته هاي ضخيم (که از ورود گرد و خاک به چشم جلوگيري مي کند) مي تواند به کنترل بيماري کمک کند. همچنين استفاده از کمپرس آب سرد و خنک کردن محل زندگي مي تواند تا حدي علائم را تسکين بخشد.

حساسيت ناشي از لنز تماسي (کنتاکت لنز)

هر جسم خارجي که بصورت مزمن با ملتحمه و سطح داخلي پلک در تماس باشد مي تواند باعث بروز حساسيت شود. در مورد لنز تماسي خود لنز، رسوبات پروتئيني ايجاد شده بر روي لنز و محلول هاي تميز کننده لنز (بخصوص مواد نگهدارنده موجود در محلول) مي تواند موجب ايجاد حساسيت شود. خوابيدن با لنز تماسي احتمال ايجاد حساسيت را شديداً افزايش مي دهد.

حساسيت به لنز تماسي معمولاً بصورت قرمزي و خارش چشم و ايجاد ترشحات فراوان و غليظ بروز مي کند. بعلاوه معمولاً در سطح خلفي پشت پلک فوقاني حالت پشته پشته ايجاد مي شود (اين پشته ها در حقيقت برجستگي هاي طبيعي ملتحمه هستند که پاپيلا نام دارند و در اثر حساسيت بصورت غير طبيعي بزرگ و برجسته مي شوند)

مؤثرترين درمان اين نوع حساسيت توقف استفاده از لنز تماسي است. معمولاً قرمزي و خارش چشم چند روز تا چند هفته پس از توقف استفاده از لنز بهبود مي يابد اما برطرف شدن برجستگي هاي پشت پلک (پاپيلاها) ممکن است چندين ماه طول بکشد. در صورتيکه نتوان از عينک يا روش هاي ديگر براي اصلاح ديد استفاده کرد و فرد ناچار به استفاده از لنز باشد تغيير نوع لنز، تميز کردن مکرر لنز و شيسشوي کامل رسوبات پروتئيني و سپس آبکشي دقيق با آب مقطر و يا استفاده از لنزهايي که به صورت روزانه تعويض مي شوند ممکن است به بهبود اين عارضه کمک کند.

به علاوه ممکن است لازم باشد قطره هاي چشمي پايدار کننده ماست سل ها تا چند ماه در اين افراد مصرف شود. (در موقع استفاده از قطره بايد لنز تماسي را از چشم خارج کرد)

حساسيت هاي پلک

حساسيت هاي پلک اغلب نوعي واکنش حساسيتي ويروس است که در اثر برخورد مستقيم با يک ماده آلرژي زاي خاص ايجاد مي شود. اين عارضه معمولاً در اثر تماس با مواد شوينده يا مواد آرايشي اتفاق مي افتد و به همين دليل در خانم ها شايع تر است. (لاک ناخن در صورت ماليدن دست ها به چشم مي تواند اين عارضه را ايجاد کند).

علائم اين نوع حساسيت معمولاً 24 تا 48 ساعت پس از برخورد با ماده آلرژي زا اتفاق مي افتد. معمولاً پلک ها دچار خارش شديد و قرمزي مي شود، ممکن است جوش هاي ريز آبکي روي پلک ها ايجاد شود گاهي ملتحمه نيز قرمز مي شود. درصورتيکه فرد بطور مکرر با ماده آلرژي زا در تماس باشد پوست پلک ها ضخيم شده حالت چرمي پيدا مي کند و پلک کلفت مي شود.

بهترين درمان اين عارضه شناسايي ماده مولد حساسيت و پرهيز از آن است. در موارد حاد شديد استفاده از يک پماد چشمي استروئيدي ملايم براي مدت چند روز مي تواند به کنترل علائم کمک کند. درصورتيکه عفونت ميکروبي به ضايعه حساسيتي پلک اضافه شود لازم است عفونت با داروهاي آنتي بيوتيکي درمان شود.

چه بيماري هايي با آلرژي چشمي اشتباه مي شوند؟

بسياري از بيماري هاي چشمي مي توانند با آلرژي اشتباه شوند. شايعترين اين بيماري ها عبارتند از:

خشکي چشم: معمولاً باعث ايجاد سوزش چشم ها و احساس وجود شن ريزه در چشم مي شود. در اين بيماري خارش چشم کمتر از بيماري هاي آلرژيک است. بعلاوه خشکي چشم معمولاً افراد مسن را مبتلا مي کند در حاليکه آلرژي در افراد جوانتر اتفاق مي افتد. يک نکته مهم آن است که داروهاي آنتي هيستامين که براي کنترل علائم آلرژي مصرف مي شوند مي توانند خشکي چشم را بدتر کنند.

انسداد مجراي اشکي: در اين بيماري نيز به علت بسته شدن مجراي اشکي چشم ها دچار اشکريزش مي شود اما بر خلاف بيماري هاي آلرژيک در اين حالت معمولاً خارش وجود ندارد. اين بيماري نيز در افراد مسن تر شايع تر است.

ورم ملتحمه عفوني: ورم ملتحمه عفوني ناشي از بيماري ها و ويروس ها مي تواند علائمي شبيه آلرژي چشمي ايجاد کند. تشخيص ورم ملتحمه عفوني از آلرژي چشمي مهم است چون ورم ملتحمه عفوني بخصوص نوع ويروسي آن، شديداً واگيردار است و مي تواند اطرافيان را مبتلا کند.

بطور کلي در موارديکه علائم آلرژي شديدتر از معمول است يا علائم به اقدامات معمول برطرف نمي شود لازم است حتماً معاينه چشم پزشکي انجام شود چون برخي از بيماري هاي جدي چشمي مي تواند در ابتدا تظاهراتي مشابه آلرژي داشته باشد.

Which Eyedrops Help Eye Allergies?

Allergy eyedrops are liquid medicines used to treat symptoms of eye allergies. Eye allergy symptoms include:

• A burning feeling in your eye
• Feeling like something is in the eye
• Itchy eyes
• Red (bloodshot) eyes
• Swollen eyelid
• Tearing

An eye allergy can be triggered by the same things that cause hay fever, such as:

• Pollen
• Dust
• Pet dander

Certain medications or contact lenses can also be triggers.

Types of Allergy Eyedrops