KERATITIS

Definition

Keratitis is an inflammation of the cornea, the transparent membrane that covers the colored part of the eye (iris) and pupil of the eye.

What causes keratitis?

• poor contact lens care; overuse of contact lenses
• illnesses or other factors that reduce the body's ability to overcome infection
• cold sores, genital herpes, and other viral infections
• crowded, dirty living conditions; poor hygiene
• poor nutrition (especially a deficiency of Vitamin A, which is essential for normal vision)

What are the symptoms of keratitis?

• pain and redness in the eye
• discomfort when the child looks at a light (photophobia)
• tearing, watery eyes, or discharge
• blurry vision
• feeling as if something is in the eye

Treatment for keratitis:

Specific treatment for keratitis will be determined by your child's physician based on:

* your child's age, overall health, and medical history
* the extent of the disease
* your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
* expectations for the course of the disease
* your opinion or preference

astigmatism

"What is an astigmatism?" is a question that optometrists hear every day, Astigmatism is the most common vision problem, but most people don't know what it is. It may nearsightedness or farsightedness.

Usually it is caused by an irregularly shaped cornea(called corneal astigmatism). But sometimes it is the result of an irregularly shaped lens, which is located behind the cornea; this is called lenticular astigmatism. Either kind of astigmatism can usually be corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses or can be by refractive surgery( lasik ).more detail...

HYPHAEMA

A hyphaema is common to eye trauma results from damage to blood vessels in the iris with hemorrhage into in front of the anterior chamber. As clotting does not readily occur in the aqueous humour the blood disperses through the anterior chamber where it obscures vision and impairs examination of the fundus. In time, the blood settles and creates a fluid level forms in the anterior chamber.
Usually, the hyphaema disappears within a few days even no treatment. Most of the case of hyphaema is need admission for further examination or to control any complication.

chemical eye burn

chemical exposure to any part of the eye or eye lid results in chemical eye burn. chemical burn represents 7 to 10 percent of eye injury. 15 % to 20 % of face burn involved at least one eye. severity of burn depend on the substance that cause it or how long the substance had expose to the eye. cornea is very top layer that often affected. The severity of the injury is related to whether the chemical is alkali or acid. Alkali chemicals are more destructive then acidic chemicals because of their ability to adhere to the eye and penetrate tissues.

Alkali- based chemicals

• Lime (cement, plaster, whitewash)

• Drain cleaners

• Lye

• Metal polishes

• Ammonia

• Oven cleaners

Acid-based chemicals

• Swimming pool acid (muriatic acid)

• Battery (sulfuric) acid

emergency care

After chemical exposure, the first step is to immediately (within seconds) begin flushing the eye with water. If the accident occurs in an industrial setting, special irrigating facilities should be available. If the injury happens at home, begin flushing the eye with water right away, call for help immediately and contact your local ophthalmologist.

First aid at home Help the patient hold his or her head over a sink Gently hold the lids apart with a cotton swab or dry cloth Pour water over the eye, making sure to rinse inside the eyelidsCall your ophthalmologist

cataract

A cataract is an opacity that develops in the lens of the eye, which lies behind the iris and the pupil.The lens works much like a camera lens, focusing light onto the retina at the back of the eye. The lens also adjusts the eye's focus, letting us see things clearly both up close and far away.
Cataracts develop from a variety of reasons, including long-term ultraviolet exposure,exposure to radiation, secondary effects of diseases such as diabetes, or simply due to advanced age; they are usually a result of Denaturation of lens. genetic factors are often a cause of congenital cataracts and positive family history may also play a role in predisposing someone to cataracts at an earlier age, a phenomenon of "anticipation" in pre-senile cataracts. Cataracts may also be produced by eye injury.

Common symptoms are

• Blurry vision
• Colors that seem faded
• Glare
• Not being able to see well at night
• Double vision
• Frequent prescription changes in your eye wear

Cataracts are classified as one of three types:

• A nuclear cataract is most commonly seen as it forms. This cataract forms in the nucleus, the center of the lens, and is due to natural aging changes.
  
• A cortical cataract, which forms in the lens cortex, gradually extends its spokes from the outside of the lens to the center. Many diabetics develop cortical cataracts.
  
• A subcapsular cataract begins at the back of the lens. People with diabetes, high farsightedness,retinitis pigmentosa or those taking high doses of steroids may develop a subcapsular cataract.

TREATMENT OF CATARACT

When symptoms begin to early, you may be able to improve your vision while using new glasses, strong bifocals, appropriate lighting or other visual aids as long as not disturbing your daily activity. In mature cataract it may consider to do surgery. And most history cataract surgery are succesfull to restore vision.