EYE PROBLEMS

See also

Headache

Common problems

• Sticky eye - often secondary to blocked tear duct
  1) not open in new born
  2) temporarily obstructed in URTI
  3) blocked in elderly
• Red eye - possibly due to:
  1) Infection
  2) Allergy (may be history of Atopy)
  3)Other eye disease - including glaucoma
• Dry eyes - usually minor infection
  Rarely associated with connective tissue disease.
• Blepharitis - swelling of lids associated with allergy
• Stye - infection in a hair follicle. Local warmth may bring it to a head and then remove infected lash.

Danger signs

• Red eye in middle aged/elderly - beware of Glaucoma, the commonest, preventable cause of blindness, may be a family history - Contact GP.
• Alteration in visual acuity - suggest more serious eye pathology - Visit Optician.

Notes for children

• Conjunctivitis is very common in young babies. Wiping eyes with cotton wool buds - from temple to nasal direction and antiseptic eye drops will often control. If fails - Contact GP.
• Atopic children may often develop allergic conjunctivitis - relieving eye drops and oral anti- histamines can control. Also consider: sodium chromoglycate eye drops.

Notes for the elderly

• Blocked tear duct - causing chronic conjunctivitis is very common. Refer - or manage with regular lubricant eye drops.
• Dry eyes - provide symptomatic relief.
• Avoid topical preparations while contact lenses are used.

General advice

• Have a list of local Ophthalmic Opticians available - refer people with changed visual acuity. They are able to detect and treat a wide range of eye disease.

Therapy

• Antiseptic eye drops
• Lubricant/soothing eye drops
• Oral antihistamines
• Anti-allergic eye drops - sodium chromoglycate.

Dictionary

Acuity: sharpness, especially in vision.
Atopy: type I allergic reaction, specifically one with strong familial tendencies caused by allergens such as pollens, foods and insect venoms.
Conjunctivis: inflammation of the conjunctiva.
Conjunctiva: the mucous membrane covering the anterior surface of the eyeball and lining the lids.
Glaucoma: disease of the eye characterised by increased intra-ocular pressure due to restricted outflow of the aqueous humour through the aqueous veins and Schlemm's canal
Stye (hordeolum): suppurative infection of a marginal gland of the eyelid. In ,flammation of the sebaceous gland of an eyelash, or internal, acute purulent infection of a Meibomian gland.
URTI: upper Respiratory Tract Infection.

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