February 2020 Newsletter
Redness in the eye can be caused by many conditions including injuries that can lead to irritation, blood in the eye, or swelling of blood vessels. Eye Doctors specialize in diseases of the eye. Some of the causes of a red eye are highlighted below:
Blepharitis
Blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelids. They may appear red, swollen, or feel like they are burning or sore. You may have flakes or oily particles (crusts) wrapped at the base of your eyelashes too. Blepharitis is very common, especially among people who have oily skin, dandruff or rosacea.
Cellulitis
Cellulitis is an infection that can affect the skin and/or the eyes.
There are two types of cellulitis that affect the eyes:
preseptal
orbital
Preseptal cellulitis only affects eyelid tissue. This type of cellulitis usually happens in children, especially young children.
Orbital cellulitis affects the eye socket (called the orbit). This form of cellulitis can cause the eye or eyelid to swell, keeping the eye from moving properly.
Orbital cellulitis is a serious condition. It often needs to be treated more aggressively than preseptal cellulitis.
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
Conjunctivitis is often called pink eye. It happens when the conjunctiva is irritated by an infection or allergies. Your eyes are red and swollen (inflamed), and sometimes they have a sticky discharge. You can have conjunctivitis in one or both eyes. Some types of pink eye are very contagious (easily spread from person to person).
Corneal Abrasion
A corneal abrasion is a scratch, or scrape on the surface of your cornea. Fingernails, makeup brushes and tree branches are common culprits of corneal abrasions. Some other causes of corneal abrasion are rubbing your eye and having very dry eyes.
Corneal Ulcer
A corneal ulcer (also known as keratitis) is an open sore on the cornea. The cornea covers the iris and the round pupil, much like a watch crystal covers the face of a watch. A corneal ulcer usually results from an eye infection, but severe dry eye or other eye disorders can cause it.
Eye Allergies
Eye allergies, also called allergic conjunctivitis, are quite common. They occur when the eyes react to something that irritates them (called an allergen). The eyes produce a substance called histamine to fight off the allergen. As a result, the eyelids and conjunctiva become red, swollen and itchy. The eyes can tear and burn.
Unlike other kinds of conjunctivitis, eye allergies do not spread from person to person.
People who have eye allergies commonly have nasal allergies as well, with an itchy, stuffy nose and sneezing. It is usually a temporary condition associated with seasonal allergies.
You can get eye allergies from pet dander, dust, pollen, smoke, perfumes, or even foods. If you cannot avoid the cause, your allergies can be more severe. You can have significant burning and itching and even sensitivity to light.
Fungal Keratitis
Fungal keratitis is an infection of the cornea. The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped window of the front of your eye and focuses light into your eye. Fungal keratitis can develop quickly from an eye injury or contact lens use. It can cause blindness if it is not treated. In some cases, treatment cannot restore vision. In these cases, permanent vision impairment or blindness may occur.
There are many different fungi that can infect the cornea such as Fusarium, Aspergillus or Candida.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a disease that damages your eye’s optic nerve. It usually happens when fluid builds up in the front part of your eye. That extra fluid increases the pressure in your eye, damaging the optic nerve.
For more information
https://www.eyecentersofnwo.com/newsletters/january-2019-newsletter
Although it is typically painless, Closed Angle Glaucoma can cause a red and painful eye.
Herpes Keratitis
Herpes keratitis is a viral infection of the eye caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two major types of the virus:
Type I is the most common and primarily infects the face, causing the familiar "cold sore" or "fever blister."
Type II is the sexually transmitted form of herpes, infecting the genitals.
While both Type I and Type II herpes can spread to the eye and cause infection, Type I is by far the most frequent cause of eye infections. Infection can be transferred to the eye by touching an active lesion (a cold sore or blister) and then your eye.
Pinguecula & Pterygium
Pinguecula and pterygium are growths on your eye’s conjunctiva, the clear covering over the white part of the eye.
Pinguecula is a yellowish, raised growth on the conjunctiva. It’s usually on the side of the eye near your nose but can happen on the other side too. A pinguecula is a deposit of protein, fat, or calcium.
Pterygium is a growth of fleshy tissue (has blood vessels) that may start as a pinguecula. It can remain small or grow large enough to cover part of the cornea. When this happens, it can affect your vision.
Retinoblastoma
Retinoblastoma is a cancer of the eye. It begins in the retina, the layer of nerve cells lining the back of the eye. It happens when nerve cells in the retina change, growing in size and number. The cells eventually form a tumor. The cells usually spread in and around the eye. They can also spread to other parts of the body, including the brain and spine.
Retinoblastoma usually affects young children, though it can sometimes occur in adults. Children with retinoblastoma may have inherited a gene from their parents that causes this disease. These children tend to get retinoblastoma at an earlier age, and in both eyes.
Subconjunctival Hemorrhage
A subconjunctival haemorrhage is when one or more blood spots appear on the white of your eye. The eye’s conjunctiva contains a lot of tiny blood vessels that can break. If they break, blood leaks between the conjunctiva and sclera. This bleeding is the bright red spot that you see on the white of your eye.
Uveitis
There are 3 types of uveitis. They are based on which part of the uvea is affected.
Swelling of the uvea near the front of the eye is called anterior uveitis. It starts suddenly and symptoms can last many weeks. Some forms of anterior uveitis are ongoing, while others go away but keep coming back.
Swelling of the uvea in the middle of the eye is called intermediate uveitis. Symptoms can last for a few weeks to many years. This form can go through cycles of getting better, then getting worse.
Swelling of the uvea toward the back of the eye is called posterior uveitis. Symptoms can develop gradually and last for many years.
In severe cases, all layers may be involved.
Why You Should See Your Eye Doctor And NOT Your GP For A Red Eye
In This Issue
Causes of a Red Eye
Contact Us
2311 W. Hayes Ave,
Fremont
Ohio 43420
(419) 334 8121
622 Parkway Drive,
Fostoria
Ohio 44830
(419) 435 3482
Courtesy: Prevent Blindness
Courtesy: National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health (NEI/NIH)
No Vision Insurance, No Problem. Join our Membership Program today!
Courtesy: The American Academy of Ophthalmology
For previous newsletters:
