The eye is shaped much like a tennis Ball, hollow inside with three different layers of tissue surrounding a central cavity. The outermost layer is the sclera (white coat of the eye). The innermost is the retina (the image gathering tissue at the back of the eye, like the film in a camera). The middle layer, between the sclera and the retina, is called the uvea, from the Greek word uvea, meaning grape. When the uvea becomes inflamed, the condition is called Uveitis. The front portion of the uvea is the iris. In the laboratory, it looks like a peeled grape.

Kinds of Uveitis

When the uvea is inflamed at the front of the eye, in the iris, it is described as irises. If the uvea is inflamed in the middle of the eye involving the ciliary’s body, it is called cyclists. If the inflammation is in the back of the eye affecting the choroids, it is called choroiditis

Diagnosis of Uveitis

A careful eye examination by an ophthalmologist is extremely important when the symptoms appear.

Inflammation inside the eye can permanently affect sight and, at times, lead to blindness.

An ophthalmologist will use instruments to examine the inside of the eye and can often make a diagnosis on that basis. In some circumstances, blood tests, skin tests, X-rays and sometimes even specimens taken surgically from the eye may assist the diagnosis. Since Uveitis can be associated with disease in other parts of the body, an evaluation and understanding of the patient’s overall medical health are important. This may involve consultation with other medical specialists.

Symptoms of Uveitis

Symptoms of Uveitis include light sensitivity, blurring of vision, and pain and redness of the eye. Uveitis may come on suddenly, with redness and pain, or it may be slow in its onset, with little pain or redness, but with a gradual blurring of vision.

Causes of Uveitis ?

Uveitis has many different causes. It may result from virus (such as histoplasmosis), or a parasite (such as toxoplasmosis). In most cases, however, the cause remains unknown.

Uveitis tan also be related to diseases in other parts of the body (such as arthritis) or may occur as a consequence of an injury to the eye. Inflammation in one eye can result from a severe injury to the opposite eye (sympathetic Uveitis).

Treatment of Uveitis

Prompt treatment is necessary to minimize any loss of vision. Eye drops, especially local, and oral steroids and pupil dilators (e.g. Atropine), are the medications used to reduce inflammation and pain. For deeper inflammation oral anti-inflammators like Inocin and Indomethacid tablets, medication or injections may be necessary. Complications such as glaucoma (high pressure of fluid in the eyeball), cataract (clouding of lens of the eye), or new blood vessel formation (neovasularisation), may also need treatment during the course of the disease. If complications are advanced, conventional surgery or laser surgery may be necessary. Uveitis arising in the front or in the middle part of the eye (iritis or cyclitis) is commonly more sudden in its onset, lasting generally six to eight weeks, and can usually be controlled in its early stages by the frequent use of drops. Often, this type of Uveitis cannot be given a specific cause. Uveitis in the back part of the eye (choroiditis) is commonly slower in its onset and may last longer and is often more difficult to treat.

Herpes simplex virus causes Eye Herpes infection. Commonly known as herpes keratitis or ocular herpes, Eye Herpes is a common and recurrent viral infection affecting eyes. This virus causes scarring and inflammation of the cornea, sometimes called a cold sore on the eye. The herpes virus is easily transmittable through the contact with an infected patient suffering from this disease. The herpes virus causes redness of the eye that spreads from surface layers to the other deeper parts of cornea and may cause severe complications if left untreated.

According to the National Eye Institute (NEI), approximately 400,000 Americans suffers from different types of ocular herpes and about 50,000 recurring and new cases of herpes infection occurs every year.

Signs and Symptoms Of Eye Herpes

There are several signs and symptoms related to the outbreak ofEye Herpes infection. Patients suffering from this infection experience inflammation and redness of the cornea responsible for causing irritation and severe eye pain. Moreover, cornea becomes cloudy causing blurry vision. Following are the symptoms of this eye infection:

• Recurrent eye infections
• Foreign body sensation
• Eye sores
• Swelling around the eyes
• Tearing
• Eye redness
• Watery discharge
• Sensitivity to light
• Irritation
• Headache
• tiredness
• general pain and aches

An ophthalmologist examines the eye with a magnifier. He may also put stain on the front part of the eye in order to have a look at the irregular areas of the cornea. In this condition, a patient develops an ulcer on the cornea. ‘Dendritic’ ulcer is one of the most common ulcers. It means many fingered. Like a tree, this ulcer has a smooth edge with various fingered like branches.

Type of Eye Herpes

This type of eye infection varies from a simple eye infection to a condition that may cause blindness:

Stromal keratitis

This condition occurs when the infection settles into the deeper layers of cornea. This infection leads to loss of vision, scarring, and even blindness. Although, it is one of the rarest eye infection but according to NEI, it is one of the leading causes of corneal scarring.

Herpes keratitis

It is one of the most common viral corneal eye herpes infections. In this condition, ocular herpes affects the top layer of the cornea and generally cures without scarring.

Iridocyclitis

The iris and adjoining tissues inside the eye becomes inflamed in this type of serious eye condition. It causes blurred vision, sensitivity to light, redness and pain. It affects the frontal portions of the eye

Causes of Eye Herpes

This virus spreads after coming in contact with an infected patient or through self-contact. This virus enters human body through the mouth or nose and travels to the nerves. Once reached nerves, it may remain inactive for years. The exact reason for herpes outbreak is unknown but it is associated with factors like sunburn, fever, trauma and major dental procedures.

Eye Herpes Treatment

The treatment for this infection depends where this infection is located in the eyes – in the iris, corneal epithelium, retina; corneal stroma etc. if in case, the ocular infection is external than doctors treat it by using anti viral ointments or eye drops or antiviral pills. At times, he may treat the eye infection by scuffing the infected corneal epithelial cells with a corneal spatula instrument or cotton swab.

Steroid drops decrease the infection and thwart the corneal scarring when the eye infection develops into the deeper corneal layers.

Tear production normally decreases with age. Although dry eyes can occur in both men and women at any age, women, especially during menopause, are most often susceptible to dry eyes.

Dry eyes can also be associated with arthritis and accompanied by a dry mouth. People with dry eyes, dry mouth and arthritis are said to have Sjogren’s Syndrome.

Allergy to drugs and medication, e.g. Sulpha or Brufen used in excess or over a prolonged period, can also cause dry eyes by reducing tear secretion. Since medication is often necessary, the dry eye condition may have to be tolerated or treated with artificial tears. Drug induced ‘dry eye’ is the most common malady of modern times. Preservatives used in making eye drops by pharmaceuticals are the agents that cause” dry eyes” if used indiscriminately and for a long time without medical supervision. They are Benzylcholium Chloride and Mercuric Nitrate.

Methods of Preventing Dry Eyes ?

Preventing the evaporation of tears can prove helpful in preventing dry eyes. In winter, when the heater is turned on, a humidifier or a pan of water on the radiator adds moisture to dry air. Wraparound glasses (illegal to wear while driving in some states) may cut down the evaporation of eye moisture due to wind.

Anything that adds to dryness, such as overly warm room, hair dryers, wind or irritants in the air, makes persons with dry eyes more uncomfortable. Smoking is especially bothersome.

Some people with dry eyes complain of ‘scratchy eyes’ upon awakening. This symptom can be treated by using an ointment at bedtime. Use the smallest amount of the ointment necessary for comfort since the ointment can cause a temporary blurring of vision.

Although ointments containing vitamin A seem to be of some benefit to people with extremely dry eyes due to scarring from Stevens – Johnson syndrome or pemphigoid, vitamin A does seem to help people with ordinary dry eyes.

Who Can Treat Dry Eyes?

A person suffering from dry eyes may only need over the-counter artificial tears, but since extreme dryness can cause serious damage to the eye, an examination and diagnosis by an ophthalmologist is suggested.

An ophthalmologist is the medical doctor who is educated, trained, and licensed to provide total care of the eyes. Total eye care includes performing comprehensive medical eye examinations, prescribing corrective lenses, diagnosing diseases and disorders bf the eye and using the appropriate medical and surgical procedures necessary for their treatment. Only an ophthalmologist can provide total eye care

How are Dry Eyes Diagnosed?

Often an ophthalmologist is able to diagnose dry eyes by simply examining the eyes. Sometimes tests which measure tear production may be necessary. One widely used test, the Schirmer Tear Test, involves placing filter paper strips under the lower eyelids to measure the rate of tear production under various conditions.

Treatment for Dry Eyes

Replacing the Tears:

Replacing natural tears with artificial tears is the basis of treatment for dry eyes. Artificial tears are available without a prescription and are used as eye drops to lubricate the eyes and compensate for the missing moisture. There are many brands of artificial tears in the market, and many people try several different brands to find one which suits them best. The artificial tears may be used only once or twice a day, or as often as several times an hour. Solid inserts that gradually release lubricants during the day are also beneficial to some people.

Conserving the Tears

Conserving the naturally produced tears is another way of keeping the eyes moist. After bathing the eye’s surface, the tears enter a small opening in each lid, the pomatum, and drain through a small canal, the canaliculus, into the lachrymal sac and down the nasolachrymal duct into the nose. These channels may be closed, temporarily or permanently, by the ophthalmologist. The closure creates a reservoir of tears which allows the eyes to stay moist for longer periods of time.

Diabetic Retinopathy is one of the most common eye disease linked with diabetes. It is the leading cause of blindness among working age people and adults in America. It is diabetic complication but with early treatment and detection, severe vision loss is preventable.

It is unambiguous micro vascular complication found in both non- insulin and insulin dependent (type 2) diabetes patient and it occurs due to the microangiopathy affecting the venules, precapillary arterioles and capillaries. According to the United States, National Eye Institute, it is one of the major causes of blindness in Americans. In some cases, patients suffering from this condition suffer from inflamed blood vessels and excretion of the fluid. If left untreated, it may lead to vision loss or blindness.

Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy

Many times, patients report no symptoms in the early stage of Diabetic Retinopathy. Patients experience following symptoms in the advance stage of this eye condition:

• Red film or dark streaks that obstruct the vision
• Missing or shadow areas of vision
• Spots floating
• Poor night vision
• Blurred vision
• Vision loss

The irregular growth of new blood vessels gives rise to serious complications such as retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhage, glaucoma and blindness. Usually, this disease affects both eyes.

Diabetic Retinopathy Risk factors

People suffering from severe diabetes or increased glucose levels for longer period are at an increased risk of developing Diabetic Retinopathy. High cholesterol levels, smoking, failure to control diabetes, and high blood pressure are few risk factors for associated with this eye disease. Pregnant women suffering from diabetes are at a greater risk of developing this eye disease.

Detecting Diabetic Retinopathy

If you notice any of the above listed symptoms, immediately seek the advice of a doctor. An eye specialist examines your eye thoroughly. In this test, an eye specialist enlarges the pupil by using eye drops and then examines the retina. He examines the eye for the following conditions:

• Swelling
• Abnormal blood vessels
• Fatty deposits or bleeding in the retina
• Development of new blood vessels
• Bleeding in vitreous, (it is a jelly like substance filling the center of the eye)
• Scar tissues
• Retinal detachment

Doctors also suggests other tests such as fluorescein angiography, also called retinal photography and optical coherence tomography (OCT) for detecting Diabetic Retinopathy.

A squint or ‘cross-eye’ is a condition of childhood which is curable, provided its treatment begins at the earliest. A squint, in most cases, is a condition of childhood. The price is heavy if it is left to Nature or time to cure. The child will never grow out of the squint; instead the squinting eye will become blind. Treatment, if resorted to in time and with proper care, will not only make the eye straight but will help regain sight. In short, the child will become normal.

We often come across a face with cross-eyes. Such a face immediately evokes our sympathy. The unfortunate victim of this condition avoids being looked at directly in the eye, more so if he or she is in the prime of youth. Squints seen in adults are cases of neglect whose onset, if traced in major cases, will be found to have been in early childhood. Cross-eyes acquired in middle age are secondary to diseases of the other components of eye with partial or total blindness. In this study we will discuss cross-~yes acquired at a very early age.

Cure For Squint or Cross-eye

The earlier the treatment begins, the better are the results. Making a trip to a specialized eye clinic will be well rewarded. There is no cure for superstition, fear and ignorance except education and awakening, but for cross-eyes there is definitely a cure.

The cross-eyed child needs sympathy and rational handling by his guardians and carefully planned therapy from ophthalmic surgeons. This branch of ophthalmology has taken big strides during the last ten years, and the majority of squinters who did not delay their treatment have reverted to normal eyes.

The cooperation of the parents and the cross-eyed child is of paramount importance. Here are the fundamental principles that all concerned must grasp.

Babies’ Tendency: All newborn babies have a tendency to appear a little cross-eyed till they reach the age of two or three months. This must not cause any alarm. However, a big degree of cross-eye at this stage certainly needs a visit to the eye clinic.

Pre-squint Symptoms: The presence of an occasional squint or squint of any kind after the age of three months must not be left to nature cure. The advice of a specialist should be sought forthwith. Squints in children are usually preceded by high fever, typhoid, epileptic fits, etc.

False Squinters: A false impression of a squint is not an uncommon phenomenon in children. A worried mother might come to an eye clinic saying her child squints when looking sideways. On examination it turns out to be false-impression cross-eye. Children with very broad bridge of the nose have small opening of the eye. When they look close the ball gets behind the skin fold, giving a false look of ‘squint’. The ophthalmic surgeon’s assurance that there is no squint is a great relief. Such a false look is also produced in people with very shortsighted or long-sighted eyes. This needs no treatment it is only a passing phase. As the child grows, the appearance of cross-eyes disappears. There is no cause for alarm. But an early visit to the eye clinic is rewarding

Procedure For Curing Cross-eye

At the Squint Clinic: All efforts are made to befriend the child. Whatever the age, the examination of the cross-eyes does not involve any elaborate procedures, and a child as young as two months is easily examined for a squint by torchlight. Jingling keys, pleasant-sounding toys and attractive pictures are also helpful. The back of the eye is then examined in a darkroom by dilating the pupils with special medicines. This is the only examination where, if the child does not cooperate, an injection for sleep is given and the examination is completed. Every case is an individual one and the surgeon chalks out the line of treatment by the following procedures, individually or collectively.

Provision of Spectacles: The squinting child, in many cases has weak eyesight, either in one eye or in both eyes. This can be improved with spectacle lenses. This may sound dreadful to some parents-they wonder how a small child of two years can wear glasses. But a child will take to glasses if he finds that he sees better with them. The child’s eyesight continues to improve as long as spectacles are used. It is heartening that the eyes of around 25 per cent of cross-eyed children tend to become normal with the provision of glasses alone. Glasses should essentially have round frames so that the child does not look above them. About 50 per cent children do show partial improvement after using glasses. The residual 25 per cent do not improve with glasses. This happens in those born witl1 a squint.

Eye Exercises: For five or six years old children, who will cooperate with the eye surgeon, exercises on a special machine (syneptophore major) are arranged. Here the child is taught to use both-eyes simultaneously to see one single object. Attractive pictures, slides and absorbing games are made use of to keep the child interested and happy. These exercises for muscular imbalance (latent squint), however, cannot be carried out unless the child cooperates. Hence, they are not useful for very small children.

Forced Use (Occlusion) of the Normal Eye: The cross-eye is made to look straight by closing the other e which is normal. By so doing the cross-eye is stimulated to come out of darkness and laziness, and begins to see things. Once the eye begins to see, it begins to look straight. The treatment is carried out if there is an improvement in sight over a period of 30 days or so. If the vision does not improve the treatment is stopped. By prolonged stretch of this treatment, the normal eye can get lazy.

Cross-eye Operation

Operation: Surgery is by far the best and most vital part of the treatment. The operation is performed on the strings of the muscles which move the eyeball in all directions. These muscles are either made strong or loosened, depending en the type of cross-eye. Lf the eye is crossed to the inner side, the outside muscle is made strong so that it pulls it outwards and the inside muscle is loosened to relax itself. The opposite procedure is adopted if the eyeball is crossed to the outer side. A similar procedure is adopted for the upper and lower muscles if the eyeball is pointing upwards 0:downwards. (Cross-eyes are more common in the horizontal direction). The procedure is based on the mathematical and anatomical calculations and on the past judgment of the surgeon. It should be noted that in no case does the eyeball have to be opened and there”, should be no alteration of any other structure of the eye whatsoever.

This method brings gratifying results in cases of early squints. (Throughout this discussion the word ‘early’ has been repeated to show how important it is to be treatment as soon as the squint is detected.) The provision of glasses, exercises and forcible use of eye are all aimed at bringing the eyesight to optimal level. The finishing touch of straightening the eye is performed by surgery. All four procedures, either individually or collectively, are put into practice to give better vision to the eye.

Post-operation Follow-up

style=”font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;”>The child should be examined in the eye clinic after the operation. The child may need exercises or a subsequent change in glasses. Operating on a squint is the final and finishing touch, akin to the gloss an architect gives a building whose “foundation, brickwork and woodwork are already done.

Ideal Age for Squint Surgery

The ideal age for squint surgery is between two and four years. Parents are often. Reluctant to get their children operated at this age because of fear. This is an unpardonable error. It should be clearly understood that surgery, under modern methods of anesthesia and surgical craft, will produce the best results at this age. The outer limit at which cross-eye can be operated is four or five or six years, which is also the school-going age. If surgery is done before this, the child enters school with straight eyes and has all the confidence and courage needed.

Danger of Delay

Leaving the cure of cross-eye to Nature and time is catastrophic because the cross-eye then gradually becomes lazy and blind. If the cross-eye is not in use, the brain shuts itself from recovering any impression from the source. The blindness is not in the eyeball but in the brain centers. The age limit by which the brain: entres will adjust is five or six years. During this vital period the brain reflexes are in the process of being laid down. They can be altered to the requirements of the eyes during this phase. Once the age passes the battle is lost. If the age is passed, the operation can make the eye straight but the eye will remain partly or totally blind. The complication due to delay does not stop here, because even though the eyeball is made straight by operation it has a tendency to revert to its original position of ‘cross’ in due course. According to Canvases, a French scientist, a child with the squint has moral right to be put in the care of a specialist the moment the squint is detected.

Above Ten Years

Cross-eye in children after the age of ten is usually due to paralysis of muscles controlling the eye movements. This can also occur in small children, which the eye specialist alone can differentiate and deal with. In older children, cross-eye by paralysis is due to:

1. an accidental fall on the head, causing internal injury to the brain or the eyes directly;
2. brain fevers, typhoid, diphtheria, meningitis or brain abscess;
3. smallpox; and
4. Diseases of the brain matter due to unknown causes.

The paralysis ~f the eye muscle is a part of the disease of the nerves coming out from the brain. The eye sc involved is treated like any other paralyzed muscles the body. Here the contrast is very marked. No surgeries advocated. The nerves and muscles are given rest tonics to regain lost strength. With the passage of time about 50 per cent of these cases recover partially completely. As opposed to the squints of children who operation is not to be delayed, the paralyzed cross -eye must be straightened only as a last resort or not at all. In modern clinics, treatment with electric heat (diathermy) and physiotherapy brings out gratifying results. Operating delayed cases of squints, which begin in childhood but are neglected, can make the eyes straight, irrespective of age. In this case, however, while the cosmetic results are good, the sight, in all probability, is not restored.

An eye may become ‘cross’ due to long-standing blinding disease. A blind eye of long standing has a tendency to turn outwards. This is the natural position of rest when the eye is not used for vision. It becomes lazy and diseased. A cross-eye of this kind cannot be set right unless the blinding disease is treated at a very early stage.

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) is a common eye disease affecting millions of people every year. Inflammation of the conjunctiva or an infection causes this eye infection. It is the inflammation or redness of the membrane that covers the white part of the eye and the conjunctiva (membrane) on the inner area of the eyelids.

These conjunctivas react to a wide array of viruses, toxic agents, bacteria, irritants, allergy-provoking agents and to the underlying diseases in the body. Although, it is not a serious eye condition but it requires proper medical treatment as the symptoms do not go away without appropriate medication. Further, Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) needs treatment immediately because the infection passes onto other people being exposed to identical items. As the eye turns red, it looks bad on the first diagnosis but the worst part is that it causes itching and irritation

Symptoms of Conjunctivitis

The unique forms of Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) have similar signs but each type of conjunctivitis can have different degrees of a particular symptom. A no. of the symptoms is present in varying forms of pink eye. The visibly noticeable symptom is the pink to reddish color covering the infected eyes due to inflammation. Irritation and itchiness are two other signs of conjunctivitis. Tearing is another common symptom of this eye infection. There are some differences in different forms of pink eye like discharge, frequent in both the bacterial and viral conjunctivitis. This discharge is yellow or green in color and flows down the two sides of the eye and is responsible for the sticking of the eyelids.

• Allergic Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

1. Affects both eyes
2. Swollen eyelids
3. Tearing
4. Itching
5. Discomfort

• Viral conjunctivitis

1. Irritation
2. Infection begins with one eye but spreads to the other eye as well
3. Watery discharge
4. Red eye

• Bacterial conjunctivitis

1. Redness
2. Swelling of the membrane
3. Gritty feeling or irritation
4. Redness
5. Stringy discharge responsible for the eye lids to stick together

Causes of Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis results in irritation, inflammation or redness of the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is the thin and clear membrane covering the inner surface of the eyelids as well the white portion of the eye. It commonly reacts to viruses, bacteria, allergy causing, medium, diseases or irritants of the different parts of the body.

Virus spread from various diseases like sore throats, cold and respiratory infections provoke viral conjunctivitis.

Certain bacteria enter the body through eye causes Bacterial Conjunctivitis. For example, bacteria like streptococci or staphylococci.

Allergic reactions to different chemicals such as dust mites, fumes, air born chemicals, cosmetic drugs and many other causes Allergic Conjunctivitis.

Treating Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

Patients suffering from conjunctivitis require proper medical treatment. The treatment depends upon the causes of infection.

Doctors prescribe antibiotic ointments or eye drops covering a wide range of bacteria to the patients suffering from Bacterial conjunctivitis.

For the patients suffering from allergic type of conjunctivitis, artificial tears and cool compresses sometimes provide relief mild cases. In severe cases, doctors prescribe antihistamines or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines.

There is no treatment for viral Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) like common cold. However, in order to relieve the symptoms, doctors prescribe artificial tears and cool compresses. In the severe cases, ophthalmologists prescribe topical steroid drops to decrease the discomfort from inflammation.

Diploma refers to the treatment of a condition in which whenever you look at an object, you see it in two images rather than one. It is commonly called double vision.  Sometimes it is confused with blurred vision. However, if you are someone who has burr vision than you will see single images appearing unclear and in case of double vision, you will see two images at a time.

It is difficult to lead a life with this eye problem. It can affect your decision making capacity and can also put your life at risk.

Disorder of the nerves that stimulate the muscles or a defective or faulty function of the extra ocular muscle causes this eye problem. double vision

Diplopia Symptoms:

Double Vision can occur due to impairment in any part of the vision system that is eye including nerves, eye muscles, lens, cornea or the brain. Here are few symptoms of Diplopia:

• Misaligned or crossed eyes, “wandering eyes” in layman’s language
• Seeing double images when they are single
• Squint, turning head in unusual ways are few other symptoms of double viison or diplopia.

Causes of Diplopia :

• Complications in the Brain:
  Aneurism is an area in which the brain arteries bulge and can cause the problem of Double Vision. Increased pressure and strokes are other brain problems that may lead to Diplopia. Cancer or brain tumors behind the eye can distort the image or picture produced by the eye.

• Diseases:
  One of the most common causes of Diplopia is diseases. Diabetes, thyroid problems,  Multiple sclerosis and  myasthenia gravis  are few other causes of double vision.

• Lens Problem:
  Problems associated with lens such as dislocated lens or cataract are some common causes of Double Vision. Cataract is one of the most common causes of monocular Diplopia.

• Corneal Problems:
  Corneal problems also leads to Double Vision. These corneal problems occur due to the infections in the cornea such as herpes zoster or shingles.

Treatment of Diplopia:

The ideal treatment for Diplopia depends upon the condition that is responsible for vision problem. If you develop this problem then immediately seek the advice of an ophthalmologist.

If the problem occurs due to  misalignment then there is high possibility that an ophthalmologist may treat the condition with eyes exercise or surgical intervention. Some condition requires a combination of therapy and surgery. If it occurs as a result of some other health problem then doctors will reduce that problem. There are many diseases that may cause this problem and managing the signs is one of the best ways to reduce the symptoms.

Diplopia Surgery:

Nowadays, Diplopia can be cured by opting for an eye surgery. Diplopia surgeries are highly successful and one can lead a normal life after undergoing a surgery.

Keratoconus is an eye infection in which the round shaped cornea thins and swells into a triangular shape. This cone shaped cornea deflects the light as it penetrates the eye, thus causing distorted vision. Keratoconus can occur in one or both the eyes and usually begins during the early 20s of a person.

Signs and Symptoms :

It is difficult to detect this eye disease as it develops slowly, in other words, it is a silent killer. However, sometimes it proceeds rapidly. Gradually cornea becomes uneven in shape causing irregular  and nearsightedness leading to additional problems like blurred and distorted vision.

Following are the some common symptoms of this eye infection:

• Regular changes in eye glass no.
• Blurred vision that cannot be rectified with eye glasses
• Difficulty while driving at night and night vision problems like Ghosting, flares and Halo’s
• Irregular astigmatism and shortsightedness
• Allergies, dry eyes, excessive rubbing of eyes and eye irritation
• General eye pain, squinting, eye strain and headaches
• Increased light sensitivity

There is high possibility that a patient suffering from this eye disease may not experience any or all pf the above listed symptoms. Some of these symptoms are related with the different stages of eye infection. It is difficult to diagnose it and all of the above mentioned symptoms may be associated with some other eye disease.

Causes of Keratoconus :

One of the major causes of this eye disease is the weakening of corneal tissue  due to the disparity of enzymes in the cornea. Because of this disparity the cornea becomes more susceptible to oxidative damage from free radical compounds which further leads to weakening and bulging of cornea.

This eye infection is also related with the excessive eye rubbing, over exposure to the ultraviolet rays coming from the sun, chronic eye irritation and a history of improperly fitted contact lenses.

Risk factors for the weakening and oxidative damage to the cornea of the eye also include a genetic predisposition.

Keratoconus Treatment :

The mildest form of this eye disease can be rectified with the aid of soft on tact lenses and eyeglasses. But as the disease is progressive in nature, soft contact lenses and glasses fails to provide adequate vision.

Keratoconus Treatment for advanced and moderate type of eye disease includes:

• Gas permeable contact lenses

The rigid gas permeable contact (RGP) lenses are prescribed to the patients when soft contact lenses or eye glasses fails to control this eye disease. Their firm lens material allows RGP lenses to leap over the cornea, thus, replacing its cone shape with a uniform and smooth refracting surface for better vision.

• Corneal cross linking

This is a non invasive process that strengthens the corneal tissue to stop the bulging of eyes. Different methods are under analysis; one brand name linked with this process is C3-R, commonly known as corneal cross linking with riboflavin. In this procedure, riboflavin eye drops are placed into the patient’s eyes which are activated by ultraviolet light to strengthen the connection between connective tissues in the cornea.

• Corneal transplant

Some patients suffering from Keratoconus cannot tolerate rigid contact lenses or reaches a point where different therapies fail to provide corrected vision. One of the last remedies considered for this eye disease is cornea transplant, also called penetrating keratoplasty.  After transplant, patients need contact lenses or eye glasses for clear vision.

Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is the name given to the cluster of diseases affecting retina. Retina is located at the back of the eye and functions like a camera. It captures images from the surroundings. It is fragile layer of cells which captures the images and sends it to the brain. In this eye disease, degeneration of retina causes night vision and peripheral vision to diminish, and gradually the central vision diminishes as well.

Types of Retinitis Pigmentosa and related problems include Refsum disease, rod-cone disease, Usher syndrome, Bardet-Biedl syndrome and Leber’s congenital amaurosis.

Symptoms of Retinitis Pigmentosa:

Symptoms of RP depend on whether cones or rods are primarily involved or not. In most of the cases, rods are affected first. As rods are located in the outer parts of the cornea and are activated by dim light, their deterioration affects night and peripheral vision. When centrally located cones accountable for color and sharp vision are involved, there is loss major loss in color sensitivity and central vision.

Night blindness is one of the most frequent and earliest symptoms of this eye disease. Patients suffering from cone degeneration first experiences diminished central vision and failure to distinguish between different colors.

It is normally diagnosed during the adolescent and young age. RP is a progressive disorder. The degree of visual loss and the rate of progression differ from person to person. Most of the RP patients are blind by the time they turn forty. As it is a genetic eye disease, it is always inherited.

Retinitis Pigmentosa Treatment :

The detection of RP is overwhelming to the patients. As there are few therapies to treat this eye condition, doctors should emphasis on the therapies that may help the patients. There are many devices to help the patients suffering from night blindness. Regular examination including periodic ERG evaluation and visual field testing helps with the diagnosis of this eye disease. Often these examinations provide assurance that the changes are not rapid.

Following are few treatments for Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) patients:

• Acetazolamide :

Macular edema reduces patients vision in the in the later stages of this eye disease. Of the many treatments, oral acetazolamide proved to be most beneficial as it improved the visual function of the patients. Topical acetazolamide is also effective but not as oral therapy.

• Vitamin A/beta-carotene :

Antioxidants are useful for the treating the patients suffering from Retinitis Pigmentosa. However, there is no clear evidence that supports vitamin supplements for treating this eye disease. According to a recently conducted, epidemiologic study, high doses of vitamin A reduce the progress of RP by 3 percent per year. Annually check vitamin A liver enzyme levels. Doctors recommend 25,000 IU doses of Beta-carotene.

• Although doctors recommend ascorbic acid but there is no evidence to prove that this medicine is helpful in treating this eye disease. Some doctors recommend   bilberry as an alternative medicine but no study documents its safety in treating the patients suffering from Retinitis Pigmentosa.

A Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) or retinopathia Pigmentosa is a genetic disease that affects the functioning of retina causing damage to their cells. Patients suffering from this eye disease slowly loose their vision. At first, they loose their night vision and gradually they even loose their vision during the day. The loss of perception of shades and colors in contrast also slowly affects the patient.

Retinitis Pigmentosa refers to a cluster name of inherited eye disorders. These eye disorders affects the functioning of retina , which is situated inside the layer lining at the back of the eye, light sensitive tissue, in which the first stages of viewing takes place. In this eye condition, vision loss is gradual and slow but progressive. It is unusual and abnormal for the patients suffering from Retinitis Pigmentosa to become completely blind because most of them retain some useful vision in old age.

Retinitis Pigmentosa Symptoms:

href=”http://eyecaremanual.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/RetinitisPigmentosa.jpg”>One of the most common symptoms of RP is difficulty in seeing in poor light, such as, in a dimly lit room or outdoors at dusk. Secondly, there is reduction of the visual area, in which a patient fails to see things from above, below or from the sides.

In many types of RP, glare from dazzling lights increases trouble and problems, although some patients do not experience it until the more advanced stage.

In some cases of Retinitis Pigmentosa, vision loss appears first. The primary symptoms of this are facing difficulty in reading books or carrying detailed work. Although, symptoms of retina develops slowly and gradually but the pace at which deterioration occurs varies from patient to patient.

Retinitis Pigmentosa Causes:

Not much is known about the causes of RP except that it is genetically inherited. Even if either your mother or father carries a modified gene related with the trait, there is high possibility that you may develop this eye disease. A shrinking vision field is one of the early warning signs of RP.

Retinitis Pigmentosa Treatment:

Currently, there is no treatment available to treat this eye disease. However, according to some ophthalmologist increased consumption of Vitamin A may delay vision loss. There is high possibility that occupational therapy may prove helpful as it is easy to adjust to waning vision in former stages of vision loss.

Patients suffering from Retinitis Pigmentosa can use low vision devices that can help in illuminating and magnifying objects in work places and home.

Retinitis Pigmentosa Surgery:

Researchers are looking into different ways to treat this eye condition through retinal implants and artificial retina. However, all these surgical options are being tested in laboratories.