Puffy Eyes | causes | diagnosis | treatment | prevention

By Medicover Hospitals / 29 Mar 2021
Home | symptoms | puffy-eyes

Article Context:

1. What Are Puffy Eyes?
2. Causes
3. Diagnosis
4. Treatment
5. When to visit a Doctor?
6. Preventions
7. FAQ’s

What Are Puffy Eyes?

Causes:

• Medical
• Natural
• Life Style

Medical Causes:

• mononucleosis
• allergic reactions
• skin disorders
• thyroid diseases
• periorbital cellulitis
• Chagas disease
• nephrotic syndrome
• trichinosis
• tear duct problems
• conjunctivitis
• eye wound
• sinusitis

Natural Causes:

• Crying: When a person cries, their tears can irritate their eyes. This can lead to swelling.
• Aging: As a person ages, their body expels more water during the day. This can make the body try to retain more fluid, causing swelling around the eyes.

Life Style Causes:

• Irregular sleep: Sleeping too much or too little can make a person’s body retain fluids.
• Consuming too much salt: Eating a diet rich in salt can make the body retain more fluids.
• Drinking too much alcohol: Alcohol can lead to dehydration. When a person frequently drinks a lot of alcohol, it can cause fluid retention.
• Smoking: Smoking cigarettes can cause hormonal imbalances. This can lead to fluid retention.

Causes of Puffy Eyes in the Morning:

• While we are sleeping, we are not blinking. And that is part of the reason the swelling of the eyes develops.
• Blinking your eyelids is like walking for your legs. At rest, some people develop swelling in the lower extremities that go away as soon as they walk, and the muscles in the legs start to “milk” the trapped fluids (edema), which are put back into circulation.
• A similar action takes place in the eyelids. Closed, non-blinking eyelids during sleep can potentially swell in some people prone to this problem. So, in the morning, you might wake up with unusually swollen and swollen eyelids. After you open your eyes and start blinking, some of this swelling may go away in about an hour.

Diagnosis:

• blood test
• allergy tests
• skin biopsy
• imaging tests

Treatment:

• following a low-salt diet
• increase water intake
• placing a cold compress on the eyes for a few minutes at a time

• Corticosteroids: Applied topically or by mouth, these can help reduce inflammation around the eyes.
• Anti-inflammatory drugs: Also applied topically or orally, these can reduce inflammation and pain.
• Antihistamines: These help stop allergic reactions.
• Adrenaline or Epinephrine: These are used when emergency life-saving treatment is needed to treat an anaphylactic reaction.
• Antibiotics: These treat infections that can cause periorbital edema.

When to see a doctor?

• Becomes severe and persistent
• It is accompanied by redness, itching, or pain
• It affects other areas of the body, such as the legs

Preventions:

Get enough sleep:

• Get enough sleep:
• It is important to remember that your bedtime routine begins long before you go to bed to fall asleep. To get a good night’s sleep, you should:
• Stick to a sleep schedule
• Stop drinking caffeine at least 6 hours before bedtime
• Stop drinking alcohol before bed
• Finish eating dinner about 3 hours before bedtime
• Finish your exercises several hours before bedtime
• Turn off electronics 1 to 2 hours before bedtime

Support yourself:

• Sleep with a few pillows under your head to prevent fluid from settling around your eyes. If you can’t sleep sideways on a wedge pillow or a stack of pillows, try lifting the head off your bed slightly to achieve the same effect.
• To do this, place a stack of books or another corner under the legs of your bed on the side where you rest your head. If you notice a difference in the frequency or severity of your swollen eyes, consider a more stable solution, such as a bad booster.

Treat your allergies:

• Talk to your doctor if you have seasonal or year-round allergies. Allergies can make your eyes redden, swell, and swell. This may cause you to rub your eyes more, which will lead to more puffiness.
• Your doctor can help you create a treatment plan to relieve your symptoms. This can include eye drops and over-the-counter or prescription medications.

Drink enough water:

• Eye bags can result from dehydration. Drink plenty of water every day to keep your skin healthy. The general rule of thumb is to drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day.
• To stay on track, consider setting an hourly reminder on your phone. You can also use a refillable water bottle marked with specific times to help you drink enough water throughout the day.

Avoid alcohol:

• Try to limit or avoid alcohol and other drinks that can dehydrate you. Dehydration can lead to puffy eyes, so it’s best to have a glass of water instead.
• If you’ve had enough of plain water, infusing it with fresh fruit is a great way to stay hydrated and refreshed. Try adding any fruit of your choice to a water bottle for infused water that lasts all day.

Pass on the salt:

• Eating too much salt can lead to additional water retention in your body. It can also lead to other health problems, such as an increased risk of heart problems and stroke.
• According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the current daily value of sodium is 2300 milligrams (mg). However, the American Heart Association recommends limiting sodium to 1,500 mg per day.
• Over 70% of the sodium in American diets comes from processed or restaurant foods. To reduce your salt intake, avoid cold meats, cheese, bread, and other processed foods.
• Prepackaged foods like instant soups are often high in sodium. Reading labels can help you identify excessive amounts of salt.
• Instead, eat more whole foods like fresh vegetables and fruits.

Talk to your doctor about cosmetic surgery:

• If your swollen eyes are severe, and lifestyle changes or other remedies don’t work, consider cosmetic surgery.
• One type of surgery is blepharoplasty, which is eyelid surgery. During this procedure, a doctor moves or removes excess fat, muscle, and skin from your eyelid.
• Your doctor may also recommend laser treatments, chemical peels, or prescription medications to help with severe cases of swollen eyes.

Eat more potassium:

• Potassium can help reduce excess fluid in your body, so increase your potassium intake. You can do this by adding bananas, beans, yogurt, and leafy greens to your diet.
• If you are already on a high potassium diet, ask your doctor if your potassium levels are okay as is or if it is safe to add potassium supplements to your daily routine.

Use a cool compress:

• You can reduce eye swelling by putting a cool washcloth on your eyelids for about 10 minutes. This can help drain excess fluid from under your eyes.
• A compress of green or black tea bags can also do the trick. Tea contains antioxidants and caffeine which can reduce inflammation and constrict blood vessels.

Try an eye cream:

• There are many eye creams on the market that can relieve puffiness. Some ingredients to look for in an eye cream include chamomile, cucumber, and arnica.These all contain properties that can reduce inflammation and tighten the skin.
• Eye creams and makeup that contain caffeine can also help reduce puffy eyes.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• Cold Compress
• Cucumbers
• Cucumber Juice + Lemon Juice
• Rose Water
• Tomatoes
• Cold tea bags
• Potatoes
• Cold Milk

• Fast Food
• Eggplant
• Tomatoes
• Canned Foods
• Wheat Bread
• Dairy
• Hot Peppers
• Sugar

Citations:

Treating swollen eyes – dealing with uncomfortable symptoms

Posted: 23rd May 2018 | Posted by Costa

Treating swollen eyes

Most people love the summer. Great weather, beautiful sunshine, nature in full bloom. What’s not to love? Well, for some of us, the summer weather can bring a season of allergies, with uncomfortable symptoms like sore throats, blocked noses, and swollen eyes.

As summer appears to be coming into full swing, it’s important to know how to deal with allergy symptoms. When it comes to the eyes, it can range from mild irritation to severe vision impairment. During the summer, hay fever sufferers are more likely to become triggered by things like pollen. Though other allergies like dust, pet dander, and perfume can also cause severe eye reactions.

Symptoms

The most common form of eye allergy is seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (or SAC). The typical symptoms include itching, redness, and swelling. These symptoms often come alongside the common symptoms associated with hay fever, such as sneezing and nasal congestion.

If you have suffered an allergic reaction and you have swollen eyes, the first step you should take is to wash your face. By doing this, you’ll be getting rid of any allergens that are still stuck to your skin. Always be sure to cleanse yourself of allergens before treating symptoms. Any lingering allergens could worsen your reaction or cause it to return following treatment.

Next step

Once you’re confident that you’re free of allergens, rinse out your eyes. Use a little bit of water to rinse allergens from the inside of your eyes to prevent further swelling. After rinsing, use a wet flannel or towel, or even a frozen bag of vegetables, to reduce the swelling. Lie down and lay your cold aid over your eyes and let the cool temperatures soothe your symptoms. They’ll even relieve any itchiness.

If your cold aids don’t provide much help there are over-the-counter remedies that could work, but it’s always better to determine the root of the problem before relying on long-term remedies. Prevention does help so it pays to stay vigilant during the summer months.

When pollen counts reach their peak, try to stay indoors as much as you can. Wearing glasses or sunglasses can minimise pollen exposure around your eyes. When indoors, use wet cloths to dust surfaces as opposed to dry-dusting, and use mite-proof covers for bedding. While these can be effective, they aren’t reliable solutions. Immunotherapy could be a solution for an allergy-free future.

The best way to avoid swollen eyes and symptoms of an allergic reaction is to avoid the triggering substances. If you don’t know what these substances are, it’s best to book an allergy test to determine your triggers to allow you to live stress-free and safe. At The London Allergy & Immunology Centre, we test for a selection of more than 600 allergens when you book an appointment with one of our consultants.

How to Reduce Eye Swelling?

Everyone wants to know how swollen eyelid treatment fast works. Normally, people could get swollen eyes from crying, which could give them a day-long of puffy and slightly red eyes. The same thing happens if insect bites happen, and when you get dirt in your eyes accidentally, this can rapidly produce swelling under one eye.

We still want to know how to reduce pain due to swollen under the eye. Here are some quick suggestions to ease your worries away.

What Causes Swollen Eyelids?

Before going further about treating swollen eyes, we need to identify its causes. According to medical experts, there are several reasons why your eyelids may be swollen.

Conjunctivitis, also known as the “pinkeye” is common during colds and flu season.

The eyes are infected by bacteria and viruses, or inflamed by irritants. The sand-like sensation in the eye that may cause crusting of the eyelashes is known as blepharitis.

Blepharitis is the medical term for eyelid inflammation. Eye edema, or swollen eyelids, occurs when there is an excess production of edema (eye fluid) in the connective tissues around the eyes.

All in all, there are a lot of possible causes of swollen eyes: eye infections, eye injuries, eye sensitivity, eye trauma—and even allergies to dust and dirt. In general, the swelling naturally goes away within 24 hours.

Hot or cold compresses can reduce the swelling, but the treatment varies depending on the cause. Severe cases or swelling that goes beyond the 24-hour window requires professional eye treatment to prevent further complications.

Eye Conditions

Swollen eyelids require different treatments, depending on the cause of the inflammation. Below are specific methods for inflammatory conditions that can be done in the comfort of your home.

Cyst

If you feel that your upper or lower eyelid is painful or tender to touch, there may be a cyst. Typically, cysts swell in the middle portion of the eyelid and can take a few days to clear.

Improper or prolonged treatment of a cyst can make result in a hard and bumpy cyst. To treat a possible cyst, hold a damp, heated cloth over your eye.

Hotter temperatures can help reduce blockages and improve oil secretion. Apply a hot compress four to five times a day. If the symptoms persist, contact an eye doctor who can perform an extraction of the cyst.

Stye

If you noticed a well-defined red bump located at the base of the eyelid, it could be a stye. Styes could be internal or external and could release pus from the swollen bumps. Like cysts, a stye could be treated with a hot compress to bring relief to your swollen eyes. If you’re using makeup and other cosmetics, refrain from using them for now, as they can irritate your stye.

Pink Eye

If pus appears on the eyelashes and in the corners of the eyes, it could be pink eye or conjunctivitis. As mentioned earlier, pinkeye is caused by bacteria, viruses, and allergies that can produce inflammation on one side of the eye—which then could spread to both sides.

To treat pink eye, cleaning the crusty eyelids with warm water and clean cotton could give instant relief. It is also recommended to refrain from touching one’s eyes and keeping the bed and pillowcases clean to prevent dirt from further irritating the swollen eyes.

Cellulitis

If the skin around the eye turns red and painful, it may be due to cellulitis, a form of skin infection. Commonly, cellulitis form in legs and arms, but it could be painful once it is produced near the skin of the eyes. Swelling due to cellulitis requires antibiotics and additional consultations with a specialist.

Itchy Eyes

If your eyes just feel itchy, this may be due to allergies. Most likely, itchy eyes are caused by an allergy to a specific substance like pollen, dust, fur, dirt, and among others.

Allergens release compounds called histamines around the eye, and this results in severe itching, redness, and swelling. Oral and topical antihistamines and avoiding allergens can ease the itching of the eyes due to seasonal allergies.

Watery Eyes

If your tear ducts produce a lot of tears, this could also make your eyes inflamed. Watery eyes can cause generalized swelling and could give a puffy and painful sensation due to the over-production of the lacrimal glands. Store-brought eye drops, antibiotics, and hot compresses could treat watery eyes easily.

Eye Trauma

If any object hits your eye, blood can collect underneath the eyelids, and this may also lead to swelling. If the eye experiences a light trauma, a cold compress is highly suggested. Applying an ice-cold towel near the injured eye could reduce further bleeding.

In applying cold compresses, one should not place the cold compress directly on the eye but rather, around the injured area and only with minimal pressure. If pain persists, over-the-counter acetaminophen or ibuprofen could reduce the stinging pain. However, if bleeding, blurry vision, and severe pain occur, see a doctor right away.

Grave’s Disease

Some cases of inflammation of the eyes may also be due to an autoimmune disease due to the over-production of the thyroid hormone—this condition is also known as Graves’ disease. Graves’ disease produces several complications throughout the body, including the eyes.

When to Use Hot Compress and Cold Compress?

Hot compress and cold compress are two of the most common treatments for swollen eyelids. Commonly, hot compress is done to aid in opening blocked pores and to improve oil extraction.

This treatment is highly recommended for infected, swollen eyelids where pus is forming on the eyelids already. On the other hand, you can apply cold compress on any sore area on the body, as it can reduce swelling in general. Cold compress requires less pressure and is only effective as a blood-restraining compression method (i.e., swelling due to light or heavy trauma).

Blepharitis | Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

What is blepharitis?

Eye with eyelid detail

Blepharitis is an inflammation, so although it can be caused by infections, it can also be caused by allergies and skin reactions. It usually affects the edges (margins) of the eyelids. Blepharitis is not usually serious but it may become an uncomfortable, irritating problem.

Blepharitis is typically persistent (chronic) and it usually affects both eyes.

Anatomy of the eye

When you look at an object you see it because light reflects off the object and enters your eye….

What causes blepharitis?

There are three main types of blepharitis:

• Staphylococcal blepharitis – caused by staphylococcal germs (bacteria).
• Seborrhoeic blepharitis.
• Meibomian blepharitis.

All three types can cause similar symptoms.

Staphylococcal blepharitis

This type of blepharitis is thought to be caused by a germ (bacterium) called staphylococcus. This bacterium is all around us in our environment, and typically lives in low numbers on our skin. Most often it does so without doing any harm; however, occasionally it can cause skin infections such as impetigo and inflamed acne. In some people this bacterium seems to make its way into the skin at the edge of the eyelids, causing blepharitis. Exactly why this happens only in some people is unclear.

Seborrhoeic blepharitis

Seborrhoeic blepharitis is closely associated with a skin condition called seborrhoeic dermatitis. In seborrhoeic dermatitis, the skin tends to be oily and can become scaly. It typically causes bad dandruff and sometimes a rash, commonly on the face and upper body. The underlying cause of seborrhoeic dermatitis is not clear. A type of yeast called Malassezia furfur is thought to be involved in triggering the condition in some people.

This type of blepharitis may be a reaction to the yeast, which lives in the oil (sebum) of human skin in most adults and which usually does no harm. Seborrhoeic dermatitis is not contagious – it is the reaction to the yeast which seems to cause the condition, rather than the yeast itself. 

Meibomian blepharitis

This is also known as meibomian gland dysfunction. The meibomian glands in the eyelids lie just behind the eyelashes. There are about 25-30 meibomian glands on each upper and lower eyelid. They make a small amount of oily fluid which comes out on the inside of the eyelids next to the eye. This oily fluid forms the outer layer of the tear film which lubricates the front of the eye.

People with meibomian blepharitis are thought to have a slight problem with their meibomian glands and the fluid they produce. This may lead to eyelid inflammation. This also explains why people with meibomian blepharitis often have dry eyes, as the fluid they make may not have quite the right balance of oils needed to lubricate the eye.

Combinations of the above

In practice, it is often not possible to tell the difference between the different causes of blepharitis, and commonly more than one is present at the same time. Seborrhoeic blepharitis commonly occurs together with meibomian blepharitis. Once the skin is inflamed then it typically becomes infected with staphylococcus too. This means that whatever begins the condition, by the time you seek treatment your doctor may wish to treat all three possible causes.

What are the symptoms of blepharitis?

• The main symptom is sore eyelids. Both eyes are usually affected.
• The eyes may feel gritty, itchy or as though they are burning.
• The eyelids may look inflamed or greasy.
• The eyes may become sticky with discharge. In particular, the eyelids may stick together in the morning.
• Sometimes tiny flakes or scales appear on the eyelids, which look like small flakes of dandruff. Crusts may develop at the base of eyelashes.
• One or more of the tiny glands of the eyelids (meibomian glands) may block and fill with an oily fluid.

Blepharitis

Image: clubtable, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

By clubtable, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Symptoms often come and go. Typically, symptoms flare up from time to time; however, you may have long periods without any symptoms.

Three other conditions are commonly associated with blepharitis. They are:

• Dry eye syndrome (keratoconjunctivitis sicca).
• Seborrhoeic dermatitis – described above.
• Rosacea. Symptoms include facial flushing, spots and central facial redness.

See the separate leaflets called Seborrhoeic Dermatitis, Dry Eyes and Rosacea for further information.

What are the possible complications of blepharitis?

In most cases, blepharitis is uncomfortable but not serious or sight-threatening. Complications are uncommon. They include:

• Chalazion (meibomian cyst). This is a painless swelling, most prominent on the inside of the eyelid. It is due to a blocked meibomian gland. Although it is painless, it may make the eyelid bulge and look a little unsightly. It can easily be treated. Sometimes a chalazion can become infected and painful. See the separate leaflet called Chalazion for further information.
• Stye. This is a painful infected swelling most prominent on the outside of the eyelid. It is due to an infection of the root (follicle) of an eyelash. See the separate leaflet called Stye for more information.
• Contact lens wearers may find that their lenses feel uncomfortable when they have a flare-up of blepharitis.
• Changes to the eyelashes can occur in long-standing cases. These include:
  • Loss of eyelashes (madarosis).
  • Misdirection of eyelashes towards the eye (trichiasis).
  • Loss of the colour of the eyelashes (poliosis).
• Inflammation of the front of the eye (conjunctivitis). This may cause a sore, red eye with discharge or watering. See the separate leaflet called Infective Conjunctivitis for more information.
• Conjunctival phlyctenules. These are tiny (1-3 mm), hard, yellowish-white lumps (nodules) surrounded by tiny blood vessels. They tend to occur on the lower part of the eye just below the transparent front part of the eye (the cornea). They are clumps of white blood cells that are responding to the presence of germs (bacteria).
• Inflammation of the cornea (keratitis). This complication is rare but serious as it can affect sight. See a doctor urgently if you develop eye pain (more than the irritation/grittiness of dry eye) or any loss of vision from the affected eye.
• Eyelid ulceration (and later scarring) occur rarely. This can cause the eyelid to turn inwards against the eyeball (entropion) or outwards (ectropion). See the separate leaflet called Ectropion.

What is the treatment for blepharitis?

There is no ‘quick’ one-off cure for blepharitis, as the inflammation tends to recur if you do not keep up with treatment. However, with regular treatment, symptoms can usually be eased and then kept to a minimum, and flare-ups can be prevented.

The aim of treatment is to control or manage blepharitis. Most of the treatment is done by you, rather than having prescriptions or treatments from your doctor. The main treatment is regular eyelid hygiene (see below). Other treatments that may be needed include antibiotics and artificial tear drops.

Regular eyelid hygiene

This is the most important part of treatment and prevention of blepharitis. The aim is to soothe the eyelids, unplug any blocked meibomian glands and clear out any stagnant oily secretions from these glands. The eyelids are cleaned and debris is removed. This is a daily routine that consists of three parts – warmth, massage and cleansing. Remove any contact lenses before following the routine.

Warmth

The purpose of warmth is to soften the skin and any crusts attached to the eyelids. It also allows the oily secretions made by the meibomian glands to flow more freely, as warmth makes oils more runny. Therefore, warmth helps to unplug any blocked glands and allow the oily secretions to flow more readily. Warmth applied to the eyelids for five to ten minutes is sufficient to do this.

The traditional method is to press on the eyelids gently with a flannel (facecloth) soaked in very warm water for 5-10 minutes. If the flannel cools, keep re-warming it in the warm water.

A popular alternative is to use a specially designed reusable heat bag which you place over your eyes for about five minutes. There are a number of such bags available, which you can buy from some opticians or online. The heat bags are warmed in a microwave. The advantage of a heat bag over a hot flannel is that the heat is retained for many minutes and so it keeps a constant warmth over the eyes. You can simply lie down and relax for five to ten minutes with the bag placed over your eyes. (A hot flannel usually cools quickly.)

Massage

Massage the eyelids immediately after applying the warmth. Massaging helps to push out the oily fluid from the tiny meibomian glands. To massage the eyelids:

• Massage along the length of the upper and lower eyelids towards the eye. That is, sweeping downwards when moving along the upper eyelid, and upwards when moving along the lower eyelid. The idea is that you are moving the oily secretions towards the edge of the eyelid so that they can come out of the glands.
• Repeat this massage action 5 to 10 times over about 30 seconds immediately following the warming.
• Massaging should neither to be too gentle nor too firm. It should be relatively comfortable and you should not press hard enough to actually hurt your eyeball under the closed lids.
• Always massage with the eyes shut.

Clean

After warmth and massage, clean the eyelids. This can be done by any of the following ways. There is a lack of research studies to say which is the best method, so use whatever you find most useful:

• Some people recommend using special eyelid scrubs that you can buy at some opticians/optometrists.
• Some people say that simply washing the eyelids with cooled water that has recently been boiled (or preserved water for contact lens wearers) is effective.

You should do the above routine – warmth, massage, clean – at least twice a day until symptoms settle. When the symptoms have eased, keep doing this routine once a day, every day, to prevent further flare-ups. If you are prone to blepharitis it is best to think of this as part of your daily routine – just like brushing your teeth. This is the best way to keep symptoms away, or to a minimum.

Artificial tear drops

Blepharitis is often associated with dry eyes. This is because the tear film is produced by the meibomian glands. So if they are blocked or not working well, your eyes will not be as well lubricated. Therefore, artificial tear drops may help ease symptoms. These come as eye drops and gels. You can buy them at pharmacies or get them on prescription. You may need to use them regularly to keep symptoms away.

There are several types of artificial tear drops and gels with different ingredients. Occasionally, some people find one type may irritate. A change to a different preparation may help if the first does not suit. Preservative-free eyedrops are least likely to cause irritation.

Antibiotic treatments

If your blepharitis doesn’t respond to regular cleaning, you may be prescribed a course of antibiotic ointments, creams or eye drops (topical antibiotics).

Antibiotic eye ointment or drops should be rubbed very gently along the edge of the eyelid (not the eye) after cleaning the eyelid in the way described above. Apply them with clean fingers or a cotton bud. They are usually used several times a day to start with, and eventually once a day, for about six weeks.

You should stop wearing contact lenses when using antibiotic eye drops, as they can affect the lenses, which can also trap drops behind them which can irritate your eye. If using more than one type of eye drop, leave at least five minutes between applying them.

Oral antibiotics (tablets), taken once or twice a day, are occasionally prescribed if other treatments fail. You will normally be advised to use these for three months, and sometimes for longer. Doxycycline is most often used, although this antibiotic can cause a rash in some people if they are exposed to the sun, and it’s also advisable to avoid sunbeds if taking it. Doxycycline and some similar antibiotics should not be taken if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, and is avoided in children aged under 12 years.

Further advice

Wearing eye make-up, particularly eyeliner, may make symptoms worse. It is best to avoid eyeliner, particularly during a flare-up. It’s also sensible to discard any liquid eye make-up you were using when the condition developed.

Rubbing the eyelids will often make inflammation worse, as it will make your eyelids swell more and make them more inflamed.

Some studies have suggested that omega-3 oils, found in oily fish, may improve symptoms for some people with dry eye syndrome and blepharitis. Omega-3 supplements can be purchased in health food shops. There is no set dose for blepharitis so they should be taken at the doses recommended by the manufacturer.

Rather than taking the oil, you could increase your consumption of oily fish (although if you are pregnant, or trying to become pregnant, you should not eat more than two portions of oily fish per week. This is because it may contain substances such as mercury which can be harmful to your unborn baby).

If you also have seborrhoeic dermatitis, rosacea or dry eye syndrome, treating these conditions will also help to ease symptoms of blepharitis.

Blepharitis | AOA

Blepharitis is classified into two types.

Anterior blepharitis

Anterior blepharitis occurs at the outside front edge of the eyelid where the eyelashes attach.

Posterior blepharitis

Posterior blepharitis affects the inner edge of the eyelid that touches the eyeball.

Causes & risk factors

Anterior blepharitis is commonly caused by bacteria (staphylococcal blepharitis) or dandruff of the scalp and eyebrows (seborrheic blepharitis). These bacteria are commonly found on the face and lids, but if they become excessive, or the lid area reacts poorly to their presence, an infection may occur. Less commonly, allergies or a mite infestation of the eyelashes can cause anterior blepharitis.

Posterior blepharitis can occur when the glands of the eyelids irregularly produce oil (meibomian blepharitis). This creates a favorable environment for bacterial growth. Posterior blepharitis can also develop as a result of other skin conditions, such as rosacea and scalp dandruff.

Symptoms

People with blepharitis may experience a gritty or burning sensation in their eyes, excessive tearing, itching, red and swollen eyelids, dry eyes or crusting of the eyelids. For some people, blepharitis causes only minor irritation and itching. However, it can lead to more severe symptoms, such as blurring of vision, missing or misdirected eyelashes, and inflammation of other eye tissue, particularly the cornea. By touching and rubbing the irritated area, a secondary infection can also result.

Diagnosis

Blepharitis can be diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination. Testing, with special emphasis on the eyelids and the front surface of the eyeball, may include:

• Patient history to determine any symptoms the patient is experiencing and any general health problems that may be contributing to the eye problem.
• External examination of the eye, including lid structure, skin texture, and eyelash appearance.
• Evaluation of the lid margins, the base of the eyelashes and meibomian gland openings using bright light and magnification.
• Evaluation of the quantity and quality of tears to check for any abnormalities.

A doctor of optometry can determine the type of blepharitis based on the appearance of the eyelid margins. The different types and symptoms are as follows:

• Staphylococcal blepharitis patients frequently exhibit mildly sticking eyelids, thickened lid margins, and missing and misdirected eyelashes.
• Seborrheic blepharitis patients have greasy flakes or scales around the base of eyelashes and a mild redness of the eyelids.
• Ulcerative blepharitis patients have matted, hard crusts around the eyelashes. Removing the crusts leaves small sores that ooze and bleed. These patients may also experience eyelash loss, distortion of the front edges of the eyelids and chronic tearing. In severe cases, the cornea (the transparent front covering of the eyeball) becomes inflamed.
• Meibomian blepharitis patients have a blockage of the oil glands in the eyelids, poor quality of tears and redness of the lining of the eyelids.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the type of blepharitis. The key to treating most types of blepharitis is keeping the lids clean and free of crusts. Applying warm compresses can loosen the crusts. Then gently scrub the eyelids with a mixture of water and baby shampoo or an over-the-counter lid cleansing product. In cases involving bacterial infection, an antibiotic may be prescribed.

People with blepharitis might find the following helpful:

• If the glands in the eyelids are blocked, massage the eyelids to clean out oil accumulated in the eyelid glands.
• Use artificial tear solutions or lubricating ointments, if prescribed.
• Use anti-dandruff shampoo on the scalp.
• Limit or stop using eye makeup during treatment, as it makes lid hygiene more difficult.
• Temporarily discontinue wearing contact lenses during treatment.

Some blepharitis cases may require more complex treatment plans. Blepharitis seldom disappears completely. Even with successful treatment, blepharitis may reoccur.

Self-care directions for a warm soak of the eyelids:

1. Wash hands thoroughly.
2. Mix warm water and a small amount of non-irritating (baby) shampoo or a commercially prepared lid scrub solution recommended by a doctor of optometry.
3. Using a clean cloth (a different one for each eye), rub the solution back and forth across the eyelashes and the edge of the closed eyelid.
4. Rinse with clear water.
5. Repeat with the other eye.

Prevention

In many cases, good hygiene can help control blepharitis. This includes frequently washing the scalp and face, using warm compresses to soak the eyelids and scrubbing the eyelids. When a bacterial infection is causing or accompanies blepharitis, antibiotics and other medications may be prescribed.

Conjunctivitis symptoms & treatments – Illnesses & conditions

The recommended treatment for conjunctivitis will depend on whether it’s caused by infection, an allergic reaction or an irritant, such as a stray eyelash.

Each treatment option is discussed in more detail below.

Infective conjunctivitis

Most cases of infective conjunctivitis don’t need medical treatment and clear up in one to two weeks.

Self care

There are several ways you can treat infective conjunctivitis at home. The advice below should help ease your symptoms.

• Remove your contact lenses – if you wear contact lenses, take them out until all the symptoms of the infection have gone; don’t re-use old lenses after the infection has gone because they could be a potential source of re-infection; always use new lenses, solutions and cases after an infection.
• Use lubricant eye drops – these are available over the counter at pharmacies or they may be prescribed for you; they may help ease any soreness and stickiness in your eyes; always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Gently clean away sticky discharge from your eyelids and lashes using cotton wool soaked in water.
• Wash your hands regularly – this is particularly important after touching your eyes and will stop the infection spreading to others.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics aren’t usually prescribed for infective conjunctivitis because it usually clears up by itself and there’s a very low risk of complications for untreated conjunctivitis.

However, if the infection is particularly severe or it has lasted for more than two weeks, you may be prescribed antibiotics. Some schools or playgroups may insist that a child is treated with antibiotics before they can return, although this is rare.

Chloramphenicol and fusidic acid are the two main types of antibiotics that may be prescribed.

Chloramphenicol

Chloramphenicol is usually the first choice of antibiotic and comes in the form of eye drops. It’s available without a prescription from pharmacies to treat bacterial conjunctivitis.

Chloramphenicol needs to be used carefully to get the best results, so make sure you follow the advice of your pharmacist about how and when to use it, or check the patient information leaflet that comes with the medication so you know how to use it properly.

If eye drops aren’t suitable for you, you may be prescribed the antibiotic as an eye ointment instead.

Fusidic acid

Fusidic acid may be prescribed if chloramphenicol isn’t suitable for you. It’s often better for children and elderly people because it doesn’t need to be used as often. It’s also the preferred treatment for pregnant women.

Like chloramphenicol, fusidic acid comes in the form of eye drops and should be used as advised by your doctor or as described in the instructions that come with the medication.

Side effects

Eye drops can briefly cause blurred vision. Avoid driving or operating machinery straight after using eye drops.

Chloramphenicol and fusidic acid can also cause other side effects, such as a slight stinging or burning sensation in your eye, although this shouldn’t last long.

Further treatment

It’s very important to go back to your GP if you still have symptoms after two weeks. You should also contact your GP immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• eye pain
• sensitivity to light (photophobia)
• loss of vision
• intense redness in one eye or both eyes

Your GP may recommend that you’re tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Some STIs, such as chlamydia, can cause infective conjunctivitis. If this is the case, your symptoms may last for several months.

Allergic conjunctivitis

Your treatment will depend on the type of allergic conjunctivitis you have.

The four main types of allergic conjunctivitis are:

• seasonal conjunctivitis – typically caused by an allergy to pollen
• perennial conjunctivitis – usually caused by an allergy to dust mites or pets
• contact dermatoconjunctivitis – usually caused by an allergy to eye drops or cosmetics
• giant papillary conjunctivitis – usually caused by an allergy to contact lenses

Whatever the cause, you’ll find that some self-help methods can ease your symptoms.

Self care

If you have allergic conjunctivitis, you can follow the guidelines below to treat your condition at home.

• If you wear contact lenses, take them out until all the signs and symptoms of the conjunctivitis have gone.
• Don’t rub your eyes, even though they may be itchy. Rubbing your eyes can make your symptoms worse.
• Place a cool compress over your eyes. Wetting a flannel with cool water and holding it over your eyes will help ease your symptoms.
• Avoid exposure to the allergen, if possible.

Seasonal and perennial allergic conjunctivitis

If you have seasonal or perennial conjunctivitis, you may be prescribed the following medicines:

These are described in more detail below.

Antihistamines

If allergic conjunctivitis needs rapid relief, your GP will probably prescribe a medicine known as an antihistamine.

Antihistamines work by blocking the action of the chemical histamine, which the body releases when it thinks it’s under attack from an allergen. This prevents the symptoms of the allergic reaction occurring.

Antihistamine eye drops

You may be prescribed antihistamine eye drops, such as:

• azelastine (not suitable for children under four years of age)
• emedastine (not suitable for children under three years of age)
• ketotifen (not suitable for children under three years of age)
• antazoline with xylometazoline (Otrivine-Antistin, not suitable for children under 12 years of age)

Antazoline with xylometazoline (Otrivine-Antistin) is also available over the counter from pharmacies without prescription. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, some antihistamine eye drops may not be suitable. Speak to your GP for advice.  

Oral antihistamines

You may be prescribed an antihistamine such as:

• cetirizine
• fexofenadine
• loratadine

You’ll usually only have to take an antihistamine once a day.

If possible, oral antihistamines shouldn’t be taken if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Speak to your GP for advice.

Although new antihistamines shouldn’t make you drowsy, they may still have a sedating effect. This is more likely if you take high doses or drink alcohol while you’re taking antihistamines.

Mast cell stabilisers

Mast cell stabilisers are an alternative type of medicine. Unlike antihistamines, they won’t provide rapid symptom relief, but they are better at controlling your symptoms over a longer period of time.

It may take several weeks to feel the effects of a mast cell stabiliser, so you may also be prescribed an antihistamine to take at the same time.

Mast cell stabilisers that are commonly prescribed in the form of eye drops include:

• lodoxamide
• nedocromil sodium
• sodium cromoglicate

Corticosteroids

If your symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis are particularly severe, you may be prescribed a short course of topical corticosteroids (a cream, gel or ointment). However, these aren’t usually prescribed unless absolutely necessary.

Giant papillary conjunctivitis

As giant papillary conjunctivitis is usually caused by contact lenses, the symptoms often clear up after you stop wearing them. The spots that form on the inside of your upper eyelid may last slightly longer.

If you develop giant papillary conjunctivitis as a result of recent eye surgery, you’ll be immediately referred to an ophthalmologist. This is so that your eyes can be carefully monitored and the most effective treatment given.

Irritant conjunctivitis

Most cases of irritant conjunctivitis don’t need any treatment, as the condition should clear up once the irritant is removed from the eye.

An exception to this is if your eyes were exposed to harmful substances such as bleach or acid. This is usually regarded as a medical emergency and you’ll need to be admitted to hospital so your eyes can be washed out with saline solution.

Conjunctivitis (pink eye) – symptoms and treatment

Conjunctivitis, also called pink eye, is inflammation of the thin clear tissue (conjunctiva) that lies over the white part of the eye (sclera) and lines the underside of the eyelid. It can be caused by bacterial or viral infection, or as a reaction to irritants or allergens entering the eye. Typical symptoms are redness, grittiness, and discharge. Treatment depends on the cause.

Causes

Conjunctivitis can occur in people of all ages. However, infectious conjunctivitis is more common in children than in adults, as bacteria and viruses are easily spread from child to child when they play. 

In babies, conjunctivitis is often the result of a partially open or blocked tear duct. Neonatal conjunctivitis (occurring during the first three weeks of a baby’s life) can be caused by infection contracted during birth.

Bacterial and viral conjunctivitis often occur at the same time as a cold or other infection of the airways, such as strep throat or sinusitis. Bacterial conjunctivitis can also be caused by wearing contact lenses that have not been cleaned properly.

Because bacterial and viral conjunctivitis are highly contagious, early diagnosis and treatment is important to avoid infecting other people.

Non-infectious conjunctivitis is caused by allergens, chemicals, or environmental factors. The most frequent causes of allergic conjunctivitis are seasonal pollens, animal dander, and dust. Conjunctivitis occurring during pollen season is likely to be a form of hay fever.

Environmental or chemical forms of conjunctivitis are caused by irritating substances entering the eyes. Common irritants are household cleaners, sprays of any kind, smoke, foreign objects, smog, and industrial pollutants.

Persistent conjunctivitis can be associated with an underlying inflammatory disease such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. 

Symptoms and diagnosis

Diagnosis of conjunctivitis is made by a doctor based on the signs and symptoms and a person’s recent health history. Laboratory tests are rarely necessary. Symptoms of conjunctivitis vary depending on the cause.

Infectious conjunctivitis

The symptoms of viral conjunctivitis are variable but usually feature an intensely red eye and excessive watery discharge that is not green or yellow. Viral cold-like symptoms, such as nasal congestion and runny nose, may also be present. The eyelids may be swollen and the eyes sensitive to bright light.

Typical symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis are thick mucus-like discharge from the eyes, eyelids stuck together in the morning, and swelling of the eyelids . The discharge is usually thick and yellow or green in colour. The lymph nodes located in front of the ears may be enlarged.

Non-infectious conjunctivitis

The symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis are usually seasonal and include intense itching (made worse by rubbing the eyes) and tearing. Soreness is minimal or absent. These symptoms may be accompanied by other typical allergic symptoms, such as sneezing, itchy nose, and/or a scratchy throat.

Pain, sensitivity to bright lights, watering, and blurred vision are typical symptoms of chemical or environmental conjunctivitis.

Conjunctivitis may be confused with blepharitis, which is inflammation of the edges of the eyelids. Blepharitis is a common eye disorder that affects people of all ages. The typical symptoms are red, itchy, irritated eyelids, and dandruff-like scales on the eyelashes. 

Treatment

You should see your doctor if you think you have conjunctivitis, you have pain inside your eye, there is a sudden change in your vision, or if light makes your eyes hurt.

Babies with symptoms of conjunctivitis should be taken to the doctor immediately because bacterial conjunctivitis can be serious and is highly contagious for others coming in contact with the baby.

If you wear contact lenses and develop symptoms of conjunctivitis, you should stop wearing your lenses and visit your doctor as soon as possible. Conjunctivitis requires prompt treatment if you are a contact lens wearer because it carries a higher risk of keratitis (inflammation of the cornea), which can cause permanent damage to the eyes.

The choice of conjunctivitis treatment largely depends on the cause of the condition.

Infectious conjunctivitis

Viral conjunctivitis will usually disappear on its own (within two to four weeks) without use of anti-viral medication. Symptoms may be relieved by the application of cold compresses and eye drop lubricants, such as artificial tears. However, because viral conjunctivitis is highly contagious for two weeks after symptoms first appear, as long as the eyes are red, it is important to take steps to prevent its spread to other people.

In cases of bacterial conjunctivitis, frequent use of a clean, warm washcloth to remove the discharge may be required. Antibiotic eye drops or ointment prescribed by a doctor may be needed to help clear up the infection. Oral antibiotics may be required for treatment of some infections. With treatment, bacterial conjunctivitis usually resolves within one to two weeks. 

Non-infectious conjunctivitis

For treatment of allergic conjunctivitis, the allergen causing the conjunctivitis should be avoided, as well as the use of eye make-up.

The application of cold, moist washcloths to the eyes and use of lubricating eye drops (not containing preservatives) may provide some relief from the symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis. Decongestant eye drops and antihistamine medication may be obtained from a pharmacy. Stronger medication, such as topical corticosteroids, requires a prescription from your doctor.

Treatment of environmental or chemical conjunctivitis requires prompt and thorough flushing of the eyes with large amounts of water. A healthcare professional should be contacted if a chemical of any type splashes into the eyes. Many common household cleaning products are damaging to delicate eye tissue.

 Prevention

Infectious forms of conjunctivitis are highly contagious, being spread by direct contact with infected people for up to two weeks after their symptoms first appear (i.e., for as long as their eyes are red). Maintaining good personal and household hygiene is the key to preventing the spread of infectious conjunctivitis:

• Avoid contact with people who have conjunctivitis
• Disinfect household surfaces, e.g. doorknobs and countertops
• Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes
• Wash your pillowcases often
• Wash your hands often, using disposable paper towels for drying your hands
• Ensure that eye drops and ointments, facecloths, towels, and pillowcases are not shared
• Do not share eye cosmetics, such as mascara, or contact lenses
• Use and care for your contact lenses correctly

Additionally, children should not attend childcare centres or school when they have signs of conjunctivitis.

References

Ministry of Health (2020). Conjunctivitis (eye infection or allergic irritation) (Web Page). Wellington: New Zealand Government Ministry of Health. https://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/conditions-and-treatments/diseases-and-illnesses/conjunctivitis-eye-infection-or-allergic-irritation [Accessed 07/02/21]

O’Toole, M.T. (Ed.) (2017). Conjunctivitis. Mosby’s Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing & Health Professions (10th ed.). St Louis, MI: Elsevier.

O’Toole, M.T. (Ed.) (2017). Conjunctivitis of the new born. Mosby’s Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing & Health Professions (10th ed.). St Louis, MI: Elsevier.

Scott, I.U. (2020). Viral Conjunctivitis (pink eye) (Web Page). Medscape Drugs and Diseases. New York, NY: WebMD LLC. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1191370-overview [Accessed 07/02/21]

Ventocilla M. (2019). Allergic conjunctivitis (Web Page). Medscape Drugs and Diseases. New York, NY: WebMD LLC. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1191467-overview [07/02/21]

Yeung, K.K. (2019). Bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye) (Web Page). Medscape Drugs and Diseases. New York, NY: WebMD LLC. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1191730-overview [Accessed 07/02/21]

Reviewed: February 2021

90,000 treatment and diagnosis – Malignant tumor of the eye

Tumors of the eye – a group of oncological diseases that arise and develop in various tissues of the eye. Tumors of the eye can be benign, malignant, localized.

Among malignant neoplasms, eye cancer occurs less frequently than other oncological tumors, such neoplasms make up no more than 5% of all.

More than half of cancers of the visual organs are tumors of the eyelids and conjunctiva.In second place are intraocular and orbital tumors.

Treatment of tumors of the eye organs

There are two approaches to the treatment of eye tumors: surgical and organ-preserving. We give preference to the organ-preserving method, offering our patients modern radiosurgical treatment of eye tumors using the CyberKnife system.

The Spizhenko Clinic was one of the first in the world to perform a unique operation on the CyberKnife system for uveal melanoma of the eye, as a result of which the patient managed to preserve not only the organ itself (before that, the only treatment option for this disease was to remove the eyeball), but also vision.

Radiosurgery with CyberKnife allows you to remove a tumor without residue in one to three sessions, while healthy tissues near the neoplasm are not damaged, does not require administration of anesthesia, inpatient treatment and recovery period.

Expert commentary

Chebotareva T.I.

Head of the Department of Radiosurgery Tatiana Ilyinichna Chebotareva

“Treatment of eye tumors with CyberKnife, which provides for the preservation of the eye, is promising and effective.This is a painless, non-invasive treatment, in which it is possible to carry out a therapeutic measure both with small prominences, and with large ones. We carry out a course of treatment in one session and achieve the death of cancer cells. According to our observations, the five-year survival rate after treatment is more than 95%, and the survival rate after all treatments without CyberKnife is from 56 to 90% “

What is radiosurgery for eye cancer?

Radiosurgical treatment on the CyberKnife system consists of two stages: preparation for treatment and the radiosurgery itself.Based on CT scans and MRI diagnostics, computer scheduling is created for the delivery of multiple microbeams of radiation to the tumor, taking into account the location of healthy tissues and critical structures (optic nerve, salivary glands, brain, etc.).

Choroidal melanoma. CyberKnife radiosurgical treatment plan

Treatment is carried out in just one fraction (session), after which the patient leaves the clinic on his own. During radiosurgery, the patient is comfortably positioned on the CyberKnife treatment table, while the compact linear accelerator moves around it, delivering high doses of ionizing radiation exactly to the volume of the eye tumor.

Single ablative dose for CyberKnife at 22-27 Gy and hypofractional irradiation of 3-5 fr. (30 Gy) causes destruction of tumor tissue.

Eye tumor. Organ-saving treatment results

Radiosurgery on the CyberKnife system is today the “gold standard” for treating tumor processes in the organs of vision, since it allows you to cure diseases without resorting to surgical intervention (treatment is carried out remotely) – without removing the eyeball, without losing vision.

Diagnosis of oncological tumors of the eye

The preliminary diagnosis – “cancer of the organs of the eye” can be made after ophthalmoscopy.

Computed tomography is performed on a high-precision 32-slice spiral tomograph Siemens SOMATOM go.Up

To confirm an oncological tumor, the patient will need to undergo a series of procedures that will give an idea of ​​the nature of the neoplasm. Patients undergo eyeball ultrasound, CT, MRI and fluorescence angiography.Also, if necessary, a biopsy of the neoplasm is prescribed for histological examination of tissues. All diagnostic methods and laboratory tests are available.

Symptoms of eye cancer

Tumors of the eye have a number of symptoms, which are regarded as potentially turning into oncological ones. It is:

• vision loss
• spots appear on the iris
• blurry visions, spots, light flashes appear in the eye
• the eyeball is clearly shifting
• strabismus appears
• severe pain appears in the eye or the area around it
• growths are formed on the eyelid, thickening
• with conjunctival tumors, pronounced nodules appear, a dense whitish film with a bright vascular pattern is also possible
• if a tumor appears in the lacrimal gland, then pain and profuse lacrimation begin
• with retinoblastoma, photophobia is manifested, possibly severe strabismus.

The emergence of each of the above symptoms is a reason to contact a specialist, and preferably an oncological profile.

Causes of eye cancer

Scientists have not yet been able to establish the exact causes of oncological tumors of the organs of vision. Research results indicate that there are a number of cancer-triggering factors.

Metastases of other oncological tumors also often provoke eye cancer.

Common factors of ocular cancer:

• one of the important factors is heredity;
• the disease can manifest itself in those who live in poor environmental conditions or work in hazardous industries.
• ultraviolet rays are hazardous to the organs of eyes.
• Common causes of eye cancer include nevi (age spots) on the iris.
• HIV infection can be the cause of oncological tumor of the eye.

Classification of eye tumors

Depending on the location, the following classification of oncological eye tumors is adopted:

• tumors of the eyelid – carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, basalioma.
• tumors of the orbit and lacrimal gland – adenocystic carcinoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, retinoblastoma, tumor of the choroid.
• tumors of the conjunctiva – papillomatous tumors and pterygoid tumors.

Carcinoma is one of the most common cancers of the eye organs, its share is almost 90%. It is localized on the conjunctiva of the lower eyelid and the border of the skin of the upper eyelid. There are cases of tumor growth in the inner corner of the eye. It looks like a knot. With the development of the tumor, the primary nodule grows, the center becomes covered with a crust, which bleeds upon separation. In rare, advanced cases, it can go to the cheeks and conjunctiva.

Sarcoma affects the orbit of the eye.The main feature of sarcoma is that this type of oncological tumor grows rapidly. It is customary to differentiate sarcoma as fibrosarcoma, Kaposi’s angiosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, chondrosarcoma. With sarcoma, exophthalmos develops – the eyeball is displaced, which in turn causes painful sensations, a burning sensation and a bursting of the eye. Also, one of the manifestations of sarcoma is eyelid edema and optic nerve atrophy.

Melanoma develops on the iris of the eye, ciliary body, choroid.The main danger of melanoma is that it develops rapidly and metastases to organs that are close to the tumor.

Melanoma grows at the posterior pole of the eye, then spreads along its choroid. If only the choroid is affected by melanoma, then the oncological disease often proceeds without symptoms at all. Visual impairment begins to disturb patients. It is much more difficult to detect melanoma in the ciliary body and choroid, since these neoplasms can only be diagnosed with a specialized technique.

It is important to remember that any visual impairment is a direct indication for a visit to a specialist.

Retinoblastoma. Among oncological tumors of the eye, retinoblastoma meets much less often than others. This type of tumor is inherited only and is diagnosed in young and preschool children. Signs: hypertrophied pupils, glaucoma, pronounced squint, blindness.

Nikolay Gross has worked as a machine operator for more than a dozen years in the fields of his native Tabunsky district under the scorching sun of the Kulunda steppe.Several years ago, I noticed that a lump began to grow under the right eye on the eyelid. She did not hurt, did not itch, did not bleed – did not manifest herself at all. “It grew slowly” – that is, in fact, all the symptoms.

“Zhirovik” – the man diagnosed himself, paying no more attention to this fact than to the annoying horsefly in the midst of suffering. However, after a couple of years, the lump was removed in the regional hospital – after all, the eye. And after a while, she began to grow again. So Nikolai Gross got to the oncologists of the regional oncological dispensary “Nadezhda” and found out that he had no fat, but a basal cell carcinoma of the skin of the lower eyelid…

Eye cancer is a rather rare disease, which does not make it less dangerous. Head of the Department of Head and Neck Tumors of the Altai Regional Oncological Dispensary Grigory Glikenfreid told Komsomolskaya Pravda about malignant eye pathologies on the day of the World Day of the Ophthalmologist (celebrated on August 8).

– How common is eye cancer in the Altai Territory?

– Unfortunately, there are no separate statistics on this pathology in the regions.All-Russian data are collected and analyzed by the three leading ophthalmological centers of the country – Research Institute “Eye Microsurgery” named after V.I. S.N. Fedorov, Moscow Research Institute of Eye Diseases named. Helmholtz and the Ophthalmological Clinical Hospital (branch No. 1 of the SP Botkin City Clinical Hospital). But in general, I can say that in the structure of oncological morbidity, eye tumors are approximately 3.5-4% percent. If we talk about the Altai Territory, then this is no more than 30-40 patients per year.

– What types of eye cancer are there? Which ones are the most dangerous?

– There are three types of malignant eye tumors.Tumors of the protective apparatus – eyelids, conjunctiva, cornea, lacrimal passages. They occupy up to 70% of all eye oncopathology. At the same time, in practice, in our dispensary, we mainly encounter tumors of the eyelid skin – basal cell carcinomas. Much less common are malignant tumors of the conjunctiva and lacrimal sac, literally in 1-2 residents of the Altai Territory per year.

Malignant pathologies of the eyeball itself (intraocular tumors) account for approximately 20% of all malignant neoplasms of the eye.The most common is choroid melanoma. Oncopathologies of the iris are extremely rare. But the most common type of intraocular neoplasms in children under 6 years old is retinoblastoma. As a rule, patients with eyeball pathologies are sent for high-tech treatment under quotas to federal ophthalmological centers. In our region, only the removal of the eyeball is possible, which is justified only in neglected cases. The third type is orbital tumors. In total, they account for no more than 10% of all cases of eye cancer.

– What factors contribute to the development of the disease?

– The main reason is ultraviolet radiation, frequent and prolonged exposure to the sun without special protective equipment. If the glasses do not have a special coating with UV filters, then a person may well get a burn of the membranes of the eye, against which oncopathology most often develops. So do not skimp on your own health and buy cheap counterfeit sunglasses.

Another provoking factor is chronic eye injury. For example, there are people who like to rub their eyes. Sometimes it becomes a bad habit. Glasses that are incorrectly matched to the anatomy of the face can also cause chronic eye injury.

– So contact lenses are also dangerous?

– Strange as it may seem, but just the opposite. Now they use soft contact lenses and to injure the eyes with them you need to try very hard.

– Can eyeball tattooing trigger eye cancer?

– The eye is a rather fragile organ with a delicate internal structure.The more we injure him physically – and, even more so if a certain dye is injected inside, which is a priori a chemical agent – the more we increase the risk of developing cancer. I will not be surprised at all if in a few years such patients will actively come to us.

– Are long work at the computer, hobby for electronic gadgets dangerous?

– From the point of view of reduced vision – definitely, but in the prism of our topic – I don’t think so.Here, by the way, it is just the opposite: it is not a decrease in vision that leads to cancer, and in case of malignant pathologies of the eye, various disorders of visual function can be a frequent symptom. For example, the loss of visual fields, when a person saw all objects both to the right and to the left, and suddenly fog or emptiness appears from one side. With such serious “calls”, you must definitely go to the ophthalmologist so that he examined the eyes with the help of special equipment.

– What other symptoms can indicate the presence of a malignant eye pathology?

– If we are talking about pathologies of the skin of the eyelids, then any lump or seal is a reason to consult a doctor, especially if it has a wide base, a characteristic pearl shine and does not pass more than a month.You do not need to make yourself diagnoses like “wen” or “barley”. Firstly, only a specialist is able to determine whether this neoplasm is benign or malignant. And secondly, any benign neoplasm can (not necessarily, but can!) Degenerate into cancer! A timely detected and treated basal cell carcinoma is almost always a favorable outcome for the patient. Remember this!

But melanoma of the choroid has been asymptomatic for a long time – this is its insidiousness.Loss of visual fields is, as a rule, an already started process, in which even the removal of the eye cannot always save the patient from death.

Therefore, people with the so-called Celtic or Nordic type (light freckled skin, blue eyes, blonde hair) after 40 years old need to visit not only a dermatologist, but also an ophthalmologist every year. The same applies to blood relatives of patients who have had melanoma.

– Which organs are most often metastasized by eye cancer?

– Basal cell carcinomas do not metastasize at all.This is the reason for the good prognosis for such patients, especially if the pathology is detected in the early stages.

Melanoma of the choroid is another matter: this organ is well supplied with blood, so the likelihood of malignant cells entering the bloodstream is quite high. Often and very aggressively, retinal melanoma metastasizes to the liver. But at the same time, if after 2-3 years metastases do not appear, then the risk of their occurrence further decreases to almost a minimum.

– What methods are used to treat eye cancer?

– The main method of treatment is surgical.If the process is common, then follow-up radiation therapy may be required. Chemotherapy for malignant neoplasms, as a rule, is used only in advanced cases, when it is not about recovery, but about palliative care.

– Can radiation therapy make you blind?

– This is nonsense. Modern equipment and technologies allow for local adjustment of the radiation that kills exclusively the skin tumor, and special plates protect the eye itself.But if we are talking about choroidal melanoma, which is treated in federal centers, then here radiation therapy is just the same as a gentle method, in contrast to surgical treatment.

… At the end of July, Nikolai Gross underwent surgery – the tumor was removed and flap plasty was performed on the operated area of ​​the skin. Now he has already been discharged from the clinic and went to his native Tabunsky district. True, he will now have to work in a sparing mode – work under the scorching sun, without protective equipment, is categorically contraindicated.But the doctors say that it is worth it: Nikolai Nikolayevich’s forecasts are encouraging, since he was treated radically.

Can the miracle of self-healing from cancer be repeated?

• David Robson
• BBC Future

March 24, 2015

Photo author, Thinkstock

Several patients unexpectedly recovered from cancer, which greatly surprised the doctors. Correspondent

BBC Future wonders if these rare cases can be used to develop a method to fight cancer.

The case history of one patient puzzled everyone who had anything to do with her. A 74-year-old woman was worried about a rash that never went away. By the time she got to the hospital, the lower half of her right leg was covered with waxy bumps and a bright reddish-purple rash. The tests confirmed the worst suspicions: the woman was diagnosed with carcinoma, a form of skin cancer.

The forecasts looked disappointing. Considering the spread of the tumor, radiotherapy would be ineffective, and doctors could not remove the inflammation from the skin.Most likely, the best solution would be amputation, says the patient’s doctor Alan Irvine from St. James Hospital in Dublin – but the woman’s old age would hardly allow her to adapt normally to the prosthesis. After a long and frank discussion, it was decided to wait until the best option was chosen. “We struggled for a long time, what to do,” explains Irvine.

And then the miracle began. Although the patient was not treated in any way, the tumors shrank and shrank before our eyes.“We watched her for several months, and the tumors just disappeared,” the doctor says. After 20 weeks, the cancer was gone. “There was no doubt about her diagnosis,” he clarifies. “However, neither the biopsy results nor the ultrasound showed any signs of carcinoma.”

Somehow the woman was cured of what is perhaps the worst disease of our day. “Everyone was delighted, but somewhat puzzled,” Alan Irvine commented on the situation with restraint. “It turns out that the body can get rid of cancer on its own – even if it happens very rarely.”

The question is, how exactly did this happen? Irvine’s patient was confident that divine intervention had helped: she kissed the religious shrine exactly before the healing process began. However, scientists are interested in the biological background of what happened, the so-called spontaneous regression. By examining it, they hope to find clues through which they could provoke self-healing. “If at all it turns out to teach the body to do these things, such a technique will be widely used,” – says Irvine.

Photo author, SPL

Photo caption,

Scientists are looking for a way to provoke the immune system to respond to cancer

In theory, our immune system should calculate and destroy mutated cells, preventing the development of cancer. However, sometimes these cells manage to go unnoticed, and they begin to multiply, which leads to tumor growth.

By the time cancer attracts the attention of doctors, the patient is unlikely to be able to heal on his own: according to statistics, only one in a hundred thousand cancer patients gets rid of the disease without the help of medicine.

Sudden disappearance

Some of these rare cases are quite incredible. So, recently the story of a patient of one of the British hospitals, who suffered from infertility for a long time, was published. After some time, doctors found a tumor between her rectum and uterus, but when the woman was ready to go to surgery, she finally managed to get pregnant. Everything went well, a healthy baby was born. The survey showed that during pregnancy, the cancer disappeared mysteriously.After nine years, no signs of relapse have been observed.

No less impressive recovery histories have been reported in patients with a wide variety of cancers, including particularly aggressive forms such as acute myeloid leukemia, which involves abnormal proliferation of white blood cells. “If a patient is left untreated, he usually dies within a few weeks and sometimes days,” says Armin Rashidi of the University of Washington in St. Louis. However, he was able to find 46 cases when acute myeloid leukemia retreated on its own.True, only eight of them managed to avoid a subsequent relapse. “If you ask a random oncologist if this could happen, 99% will say no, it doesn’t happen,” says Rashidi, who published a study with colleague Stephen Fisher on the topic.

An agonizing wait

At the same time, cases of radical cure from childhood cancer called neuroblastoma occur surprisingly often, which gives scientists room for hypotheses about the causes of spontaneous remission.This type of cancer is characterized by tumors in the nervous system and endocrine glands. If it then spreads (metastases), nodules may appear on the skin and neoplasms in the liver. A tumor in the abdomen makes it difficult for a child to breathe.

Author of the photo, Thinkstock

Caption,

Fast and relatively painless getting rid of cancer is now considered a miracle.

Neuroblastoma is an extremely unpleasant disease, but sometimes it disappears as quickly as it appeared, even without medical intervention.Moreover, if the patient is less than a year old, regression is so common that doctors usually do not start chemotherapy right away, hoping that the tumor will resolve on its own. “I remember three cases when the skin showed impressive metastases, and the liver enlarged, but we just watched the patients – and they managed on their own,” says Garrett Broder of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

But making the decision to sit back and watch can be challenging: while avoiding painful treatment is a relief for some parents, others find it hard to be inactive and helpless.Broder seeks to understand the reason for the disappearance of cancer in order to avoid such suffering. “We want to develop a specific drug that can trigger a regression mechanism — so we don’t have to wait for the grace of nature or ‘divine intervention,’” he explains.

Keys to Understanding

Garrett Broder has found some interesting clues so far. So, unlike other nerve cells, tumor cells in neuroblastoma seem to have learned to survive in the absence of the so-called “nerve growth factor” (NGF) – a protein secreted by the body that stimulates the development and activity of neurons.Spontaneous remission can be caused by natural changes in tumor cells of neuroblastoma – it is possible that this process involves cellular receptors to which NGF binds. Whatever the changes, this may mean that cells will not be able to continue to survive without an essential nutrient for them.

In this case, a drug that acts directly on the receptors could contribute to the recovery of other patients. Broder said the two pharmaceutical companies have already figured out several possible options, and he hopes clinical trials will begin soon.”It would selectively kill tumor cells that are sensitive to this metabolic pathway, and patients would be able to do without chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery,” he said.

Responsive immune fire

Unfortunately, cases of unexpected relief from other forms of cancer are less well understood – perhaps because they are so rare. However, there are some landmarks, their appearance was facilitated, among other things, by the innovative activities of a little-known American doctor more than a hundred years ago.

Photo author, Thinkstock

Photo caption,

Scientists do not want to wait for mercy from nature or “divine intervention”

At the end of the 19th century, William Bradley Coley tried to save a patient who was found to have a large tumor in his neck. Five surgeries performed did not help cure the cancer. The man then fell ill with an unpleasant skin infection accompanied by a high fever. By the time he recovered from the infection, the tumor had disappeared. Kohli decided to test this principle on a small group of other patients and found that inoperable tumors dissolve if the patient takes microbial toxins or is deliberately infected with bacteria.

Can infection generally stimulate spontaneous remission? Analysis of recent data clearly supports further investigation of this issue. For example, a study by Rashidi and Fisher showed that 90% of patients who recovered from leukemia suffered another disease – for example, pneumonia – shortly before the disappearance of cancer. Other studies note that tumors receded after a patient fell ill with diphtheria, gonorrhea, hepatitis, influenza, malaria, measles, smallpox, and syphilis.Truly, what does not kill you makes you stronger.

The microbes themselves are not the cause of the cure; the infection is thought to elicit an immune response that is unfavorable for the existence of the tumor. For example, a high temperature can make tumor cells more vulnerable and cause them to “suicide.” Or, an important role is played by the fact that when our body is fighting bacteria or viruses, our blood contains many inflammatory molecules that activate macrophage cells, and these immune cells become warriors, destroying and absorbing microbes – and potentially cancer.

“I think the infection causes the body’s immune cells to stop promoting the development of tumor cells and start destroying them,” says Henrik Schmidt from Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark. This, in turn, can also stimulate other parts of the immune system – for example, dendritic cells and T cells – to recognize tumor cells and attack them again if cancer recurs.

According to Schmidt, an understanding of the process of spontaneous remission is necessary for the development of the latest immunotherapy technique, which uses the body’s natural defense system to fight cancer.For example, one treatment involves the injection of inflammatory “cytokines” that kickstart the immune system. Side effects – high fever and other flu symptoms – are usually mitigated by medications such as paracetamol to relieve the patient’s condition.

Photo author, Thinkstock

Photo caption,

Standard anti-TB vaccination appears to reduce the likelihood of melanoma recurrence after chemotherapy

However, given that fever itself can cause remission, Schmidt suggested that paracetamol could reduce the effectiveness of the technique.Indeed, he found that twice as many patients – 25% versus 10% – were able to survive the two-year period if their temperature was not brought down.

There are other simple but powerful cancer control options based on this evidence. For example, one person experienced spontaneous remission after being vaccinated against tetanus and diphtheria, possibly because the vaccines also activate the immune system. On this basis, Rashidi points out that standard booster vaccinations – such as the anti-tuberculosis BCG vaccine – appear to reduce the likelihood of melanoma recurrence after chemotherapy.

Reformat the immune system

Other researchers consider it necessary to apply more radical methods of influence. So, adherents of one of the approaches argue that it is necessary to deliberately infect cancer patients with a tropical disease.

This method, developed by an American startup called PrimeVax, involves a struggle in two directions at once. Dendritic cells from a patient’s blood, which help coordinate the immune response to a threat, are exposed to his tumor cells in the laboratory.Thus, they are programmed to recognize cancer cells. At the same time, the patient is infected with dengue fever, which is usually carried by insects, after which he is injected with “trained” dendritic cells.

Photo author, SPL

Caption,

Cancer patients are offered to be infected with tropical diseases in order to activate their immune system

Under the supervision of doctors, the patient’s temperature rises to 40.5 degrees, at the same time a lot of inflammation molecules are released into his blood – as a result, the body’s immune system begins to work in an emergency mode.The tumor, previously unnoticed, becomes a target for attack by immune cells, which are controlled by programmed dendritic cells. “Dengue fever invades and reshapes the immune system so that it starts killing tumor cells,” says Bruce Lyday of PrimeVax.

Infecting debilitated patients with tropical fever might seem like a risky move, but the average adult is less likely to die from dengue than from the common cold, making it the safest possible infection.When the temperature drops, the programmed immune cells will continue to be vigilant for tumor cells if they reappear. “Cancer is a moving target. In most of the methods, it is attacked from only one side, but we are trying to put it once and for all in a knowingly losing position,” says Laydey.

It is difficult to question the motivation behind the development of this treatment. “Our mission is to recreate spontaneous remission in the most standardized way possible,” explains Layday’s colleague Tony Chen.However, PrimeVax employees emphasize that their idea is still in the early stages of development – and until clinical trials begin, they do not know how things will turn out. The researchers hope that patients with advanced melanoma will be the first to test the technique on themselves, this may happen by the end of the year.

Obviously, you need to be careful. As Irvine points out, “Spontaneous remission is just a tiny clue in a huge, complex puzzle.” But if scientists still manage to win (which is not a fact at all), then the consequences of their work will be colossal.Getting rid of cancer quickly and relatively painlessly is now considered a miracle. How I would like it to become the norm!

Tumors of the Eye and Eyelid

Ocular oncology is a branch of science that deals with tumors of the eye and surrounding tissues.

Tumors of the eyelid

Approximately ¾ of the tumors seen on the eyelid and around the eyes are benign. If there is a non-healing wound on the eyelid, it is necessary to undergo an examination by an ophthalmologist to determine if it is a malignant tumor.Surgical treatment is required.

Tumors of the Lacrimal System

Tumors of the lacrimal gland are more common than tumors of the lacrimal system. It is more common in adults. Although treatment varies depending on the type of tumor, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are the methods used in the treatment.

Intraocular Tumors (Melanoma)

Uveal melanoma is the most common intraocular tumor in adults. While in the eye, it does not pose a danger to life.Large tumors require surgical treatment and removal of the eye (enucleation). For small tumors, radiation therapy (radiotherapy), tumor radiotherapy (brachytherapy), transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) can be used.

Intraocular Tumors (Retinoblastoma)

Retinoblastoma is the most common intraocular tumor in children. Surgery, radiation therapy (radiation therapy), the use of a laser are the methods that are used in treatment today.

Capillary Hemangioma

These are benign, tangled capillary formations, especially on the eyelids, around the eyes and behind them, occurring at birth or in the first months after birth.Lesions affecting vision must be treated.

Cavernous Hemangioma

This is the most common benign eye tumor in adults. It must be removed surgically.

Lymphangioma

Although it is a benign vascular lesion, it is difficult to heal completely as it spreads between the tissues of the orbit and gradually enlarges. Treatment varies from case to case.

Lymphoma

This is one of the most common orbital tumors and the incidence is constantly increasing.Treatments include radiation therapy (radiotherapy) and chemotherapy, depending on the situation.

Meningioma

This is a benign neurogenic tumor of the orbit. Treatment varies from case to case.

Optical Glioma

This is a tumor of the optic nerve and optic pathways. Treatment can be with radiation therapy or surgery, depending on the condition of the eye.

Rhabdomyosarcoma

This is the most common malignant tumor of the orbit in children.Surgical treatment, radiation therapy (radiotherapy), and drug therapy (chemotherapy) are used together.

90,000 Articles

Injuries to the eyes in cats

12 September 2019

Kotik was delivered to the clinic of the Verkh-Isetsky district on the 7th day after a penetrating wound of the eyeball (corneoscleral rupture of the eyeball with prolapse of the choroid and vitreous hernia).The animal was urgently provided with qualified assistance by an experienced veterinary surgeon. As a result of the developed septic panophthalmitis, the eyeball was enucleated. The eye could have been saved if the owners had gone to the clinic for help on the first day of the injury. Often not even days, but hours after the injury, decide the fate of the injured eye.

Traumatic eye injuries are a very serious problem, in the worst case they can lead to blindness or loss of an eye.Therefore, as a rule, a pet with an eye injury requires urgent qualified assistance.
No one is insured against injury, but there is a risk group.
Outdoor cats, brachiocephalic (due to anatomical features) and hunting (due to lifestyle) dog breeds.
How often are our patients injured?
Playing with relatives, in a fight, on a walk (sharp mown grass, plant seeds in the conjunctiva, thickets and branches), playing with children.
What symptoms should alert you?
After communicating with other animals, after a walk, or just unexpectedly, the pet suddenly squinted or closed its eyes (blepharospasm), profuse lacrimation or purulent discharge began from the eye, an irregularity appeared on the shiny surface of the cornea.
As a rule, one eye is injured, if both are affected, first of all, it will be necessary to look for the infectious / viral nature of the disease.
What to do?
Try to show your pet to an ophthalmologist as soon as possible, as there is a real danger of losing an eye.Small breeds of dogs can show signs of general depression, most often associated with the pain that accompanies the trauma.
Before the doctor, you can: if there is an outflow, wash the eye and conjunctiva, for this you can use ordinary boiled water, furacilin solution (1 tab. Per glass of boiled water). You can also use drops with an antibiotic, for example, Tsipromed, Tobrex, Normax, Bars, Gentamicin eye drops, depending on the size of the animal, from 1 to 3 drops in the eye 4-6 times a day.
Drops should contain only an antibiotic or antiseptic component.
The use of Albucid is undesirable, because these drops cause very strong burning and irritation.
The use of eye drops, containing corticosteroid hormones (prednisolone, dexamethasone), without a doctor’s prescription is strictly prohibited!
During the examination, the doctor needs to diagnose the injury visually and using a special solution (fluorescein) that stains the damage.
Depending on the nature of the injury, its size, the state of the cornea and other eye structures, the time elapsed since the injury, the doctor prescribes conservative (drops) or surgical treatment.
Eye redness
If the whites of the eyeball, usually white, turn red, this may indicate an increase in both intraocular and general pressure, and the presence of an inflammatory process. Perhaps the trauma went unnoticed, and we see a hematoma.Any of the options requires diagnosis, and if it turns out that the reddening of the eye structures was a sign of an allergic reaction, then consider it easy to get off. All other violations require urgent therapeutic measures, because if this is an increase in intraocular pressure, then there is a risk of losing an eye, and if a hematoma, then the task is to prevent the development of blindness. It is necessary to exclude hematomas (hemorrhages) in the fundus, check the safety of all intraocular structures, and assess the neurological status of the animal as a whole.
The use of nonspecific treatment in this case does not make sense.
Purulent discharge
A sudden onset of purulent discharge from the eyes and / or itching can be a sign of an acute inflammatory reaction that was not noticed during trauma, the presence of a foreign body in the conjunctiva, or a systemic disease. You can rinse the eye, as described above, use drops with an antibiotic, however, to find out the cause, you should immediately see an ophthalmologist, since there is a significant difference between the treatment of a mechanical problem (trauma, foreign body) and the treatment of a viral infection that led to inflammatory symptoms.
Magnification of one eye
A sudden increase in one eye (sometimes two) is also a reason for an early visit to the doctor, as it may indicate an increase in intraocular pressure, which in turn develops for a variety of reasons, ranging from an inflammatory process inside the eye and dislocation of the lens, ending with chronic renal failure (CRF). In addition, it is possible that the other eye is reduced and hurts. It is necessary to measure the intraocular pressure, examine the fundus, possibly conduct a blood test if the doctor at the reception finds signs of a systemic problem, which was reflected in an increase in intraocular pressure.Before contacting a doctor, you do not need to use any medications and drops, again due to a variety of reasons that provoked the problem.
Prolapsed eyeball
Loss of the eyeball is a common reason for owners to treat brachiocephalic dogs, the anatomical features of which are a flattened muzzle, a very wide palpebral fissure, and the eyes seem to be “bulging”.
What to do?
First, don’t panic.
Secondly, constantly moisturize the dropped eye, this can be done with water, preferably boiled, but if it is not there, then use any.Place a gauze bandage over your eye and keep it moist, the bandage must not be allowed to dry. Also, to moisturize and retain moisture, you can thickly apply antibiotic eye ointments on it – for example, tetracycline, colbiocin, floxal.
After you have taken care of this, you urgently need to go to the clinic. In this case, you do not need to wait for the ophthalmologist if he is out of the access zone; an experienced surgeon is sufficient, who will be able to adjust the eye in place, under general anesthesia.
A red swelling appeared in the inner corner of the eye.
Contrary to popular belief, this, as a rule, is not a tumor, not a 3rd century adenoma, which is quite rare, but a prolapse of the Garder’s gland, which is necessary for the eye to produce tears (according to various sources, the Gardner gland accounts for up to 40% produced tears).
It must be adjusted, not removed, because with a shortage of tears, over time, “dry eye syndrome” develops, which will then have to be treated all his life.If everything is left as it is, it is likely that a corneal ulcer will develop at the site of its contact with the gland and / or conjunctivitis, keratitis. Antibiotic drops can be used before the doctor’s appointment. But the faster the gland is set, the more likely it is to have a successful drug treatment, since prolapse often occurs against the background of acute inflammation of the conjunctiva. If conservative treatment has not brought the desired result, surgical fixation of the gland is performed.

Health to you and your pets!

90,000 Why does a dog’s eyes fester and how to treat them

Self-diagnosis and treatment of a pet at home is fraught with not only reduced vision.Lack of timely qualified assistance in some cases leads to the death of a pet. That is why dog ​​owners should know preventive measures and eye treatment rules. Identification of the cause of suppuration and full treatment is the concern of an experienced veterinarian.

Why do dog eyes fester: the main reasons

Inflammation and the appearance of purulent exudate in the eyes of a dog can be triggered by both external irritation and internal systemic disorders.Identification of the true cause of suppuration of the eyes in a dog determines the further tactics of treatment.

Causes of eye suppuration:

• allergy – most often it manifests itself when changing feed, during the flowering period of some plants, due to inappropriate shampoo;
• infectious conjunctivitis – occurs when bacteria enter, chronic inflammation in puppies can indicate an abnormal development of the lacrimal canal, in older dogs conjunctivitis often indicates a decrease in immunity;

90,076 skin diseases – skin fungus, fleas or ticks cause the dog to scratch the eye area;

• worm infestation – pus in the eyes often indicates an extensive colony of worms in the pet’s intestines;
• bowel diseases – dysbiosis is often combined with the rapid growth of fungal flora;
• hypovitaminosis A – in most cases associated with an insufficient amount of retinol in the dog’s diet;
• injuries – a branch or a grain of sand in the eye, a blow to the head can provoke an inflammatory reaction and suppuration;
• eversion of the eyelid – mechanical irritation provokes constant inflammation, sharpei and other breeds often occur;
• otitis media – inflammation of the eyes develops as a result of a complicated course of otitis media;
• Exposure to external toxins – smoke, vapors of chemicals and household cleaning products cause severe eye irritation, similar to allergies;
• viral infections – canine flu, distemper, infectious hepatitis, adenovirus, parvovirus enteritis;
• latent infections – dogs infected with mycoplasma and chlamydia are capable of infecting humans;
• Diabetes mellitus, liver failure – often diagnosed in older dogs and externally manifested by pus in the eyes.

Important! Slight discharge, clear or dry with a grayish crust, is normal in dogs and is caused by periodic accumulation of tear fluid. The owner of the dog must only observe the hygiene of his pet. Treatment is required if the dog has yellow or greenish discharge, even if the general condition of the animal is normal.

Diseases: symptoms associated with suppuration of the eyes

Symptoms accompanying eye suppuration help to suspect this or that disease in a pet.Signs can help your veterinarian determine why your dog’s eyes are festering and provide an effective treatment.

Injury

Eye scratches often provoke one-sided suppuration. On examination, you can see a hemorrhage in the eyeball. Any injury is characterized by a sharp onset of symptoms: swelling and swelling of one or both eyes, lacrimation, redness of the eyelids. However, after a strong blow to the head and damage to the nasolacrimal passages, there are no obvious signs of eye inflammation.The dog experiences pain in the nose, and pus appears in the corners of the eyes after a few days.

Allergy

It usually starts with profuse lachrymation from both eyes. Only over time, transparent tear discharge turns yellow due to the addition of a bacterial infection. At the same time, a clear liquid flows out of the nose, the dog often snorts, scratches his nose and eyes. Allergies are also characterized by increased hair loss, foul odor from the mouth, photophobia and frequent bowel movements.The pet is constantly itching due to itching, licks the front paws and anus.

Important! Unlike allergies, a dog’s skin fungus appears as bald patches in the coat, covered with small white scales. Severe itching provokes the pet’s nervousness.

Hypovitaminosis A

Lack of vit. And it manifests itself already in puppyhood. Babies grow poorly, dermatitis often occurs, and vision decreases. The first signs of hypovitaminosis: deterioration of night vision, lacrimation and conjunctivitis, the appearance of cloudy spots on the cornea.As a result of chronic retinol deficiency in dogs, vision is impaired and reproductive function is impaired.

Helminthiasis

Intestinal parasites are often the cause of pus in the eyes of a dog, while the inflammatory response is mild. Thick pus dries quickly, forming gray crusts and causing the eyes to stick together.

Pathology of the lacrimal canal, eversion of the eyelids

Congenital anatomical abnormalities first appear in animals as early as childhood.In the absence of allergies and against the background of a normal state (good appetite, activity), the eyes of the puppies begin to fester. This is due to bacterial seeding of stagnant lacrimal fluid.

Otitis

The main symptom of the development of inflammation is pain. The dog does not allow probing the outer ear, often shakes its head and scratches its ears. At the same time, purulent discharge often appears from the eye on the side of the lesion.

Infections: salmonellosis, plague, rabies

Bacterial infection of the intestine (salmonellosis) often begins with symptoms of gastroenteritis: abdominal pain, vomiting, fever, lethargy, frequent loose stools.When the infection spreads to the lungs (pneumonia), the dog begins to cough, shortness of breath and pus in the eyes appears.

Unlike common intestinal infections, the plague caused by the virus develops with lightning speed. One of the first symptoms of a viral infection is pus in the eyes. The animal suddenly refuses to eat, there is critical hyperthermia, indomitable vomiting, convulsions. Coma sets in after 3 days.

Rabies is the most dangerous canine infection for humans.Initially, the dog’s behavior changes: periods of special affection and playfulness quickly turn into a state of violence and aggression. A sick pet has foam from the mouth and pus in the eyes, breathing is difficult. The pet cannot be saved, the main task of the owner is to avoid being bitten and infected.

Hidden infections

Chlamydia and mycoplasmosis may not show painful symptoms for a long time. With a decrease in immunity, microbes begin to multiply rapidly, provoking the development of pneumonia, rhinitis and conjunctivitis.In severe cases, the myocardium is affected (shortness of breath with minimal exertion), the genitourinary system. One third of dogs with chlamydia experience symptoms of gastrointestinal tract damage: vomiting, diarrhea, liver enlargement. Infection with chlamydial infection and mycoplasma is especially dangerous for women: there is a high risk of miscarriage, infertility, and birth defects in the development of the fetus.

Rules for treating eyes in a dog

Sometimes the owner himself can determine why the dog’s eyes fester when examining the pet. However, in no case is it recommended to self-medicate.

Important! A reliable diagnosis can only be made by a veterinarian after a thorough examination of the dog and carrying out the necessary studies to exclude severe infections.

The owner can only regularly cleanse the pet’s eyes from pus before visiting the veterinary clinic.

Rules for the treatment of pesky eyes in a dog:

• For washing the eyes, extracts of St. John’s wort, chamomile or calendula are used (for a glass of boiling water, 1 tbsp.l. dry grass) or an aqueous solution of furacilin (1 tab.per glass). In extreme cases, it is permissible to use tea leaves (for a glass of boiling water 1. tbsp. L.). Before use, be sure to check the temperature of the solution!
• A cotton pad moistened with a remedy is gently passed from the outer corner of the eyes to the inner corner. Each eye is treated with a separate cotton pad!
• Next, dry the area around the eyes with a paper towel. Do not use wet and scented wipes intended for human hygiene.
• The treatment should be repeated 4 times a day or whenever a large amount of pus accumulates.
• After washing, carefully apply tetracycline ointment strictly 1% to the lower eyelid (the 3% ointment sold in pharmacies is not recommended). The eyelids should be closed and gently massaged to better distribute the medication to the eye.
• To prevent scratching of the eyes, it is recommended to put a cone-screen around the pet’s neck, which can be made from a regular plastic bottle.

Important! The use of albucide to soften purulent crusts provokes a burning sensation in the eyes and can cause aggression of the pet towards the owner. Any medication should be used only as directed by a doctor.

Treating the eyes for suppuration will not cure the dog from the disease, but will alleviate his condition before going to the veterinary clinic.

Not valid:

• Use strong antibacterial agents on your own.
• Warm the site of inflammation.
• Attempt to remove a foreign body that has entered the eye on your own.
• Turn on a bright light in the room where the pet is.

Veterinary treatment

The treatment regimen for a dog can differ dramatically depending on the identified cause of eye suppuration. Only after a thorough examination of the dog and obtaining the results of the necessary studies (blood test, ultrasound, etc.), the veterinarian will make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe an effective therapy.

Important! If conjunctivitis (not an allergy!) Is found in one puppy, the whole litter is treated.

• In case of allergies, it is imperative to eliminate the irritation factor (change of feed, unsuitable shampoo) and prescribe antipruritic tablets, vitamins and immunostimulants.
• With limited fungal skin lesions, clotrimazole ointments (the safest), juglon are topically prescribed. With extensive dermatophytosis, antifungal shampoos (imaverol) and fungicidal tablets / injections (ketoconazole, griseofulvin) are used.Due to the high toxicity of antifungal agents, the fluffy patient is simultaneously prescribed immunostimulants and hepatoprotectors.
• In the initial stage of salmonellosis, immunoglobulins are effective. With the development of the disease, antibiotics are prescribed: chloramphenicol, drugs from the aminoglycoside group (streptomycin, gentamicin), penicillins and cephalosporins. With persistent diarrhea, it is recommended to carry out enemas with an aqueous solution of nitrofuran, give tablets of biseptol or besalol, and dissolve an antiseptic (rivanol, furacilin) ​​in drinking water.
• Treatment of distemper includes intravenous infusion of calcium gluconate, urotropine, glucose. Necessarily the introduction of hyperimmune serum. Also prescribed are cardiac drugs, furosemide, antipsychotics (aminazine) and anticonvulsants (pagluferal, finlepsin), antibiotics (streptomycin, claforan, norsulfazole), vit. C, group B.

Important! When rabies is diagnosed, the dog is euthanized to relieve it of the torment, as there is no effective treatment for the disease.The owner is advised to undergo an examination and, if necessary, get vaccinated against rabies.

Prevention

To avoid serious pet health problems, dog owners should follow these guidelines:

• Compulsory rabies vaccination.
• Antihelminthic courses 4 times a year.
• Provision of complete, hypoallergenic nutrition, enriched with vitamins.
• For puppies special food rich in Vit.A.
• Daily examination of the pet and cleansing the eyes from shriveled crusts.
• Psam with bulging eyes (lapdogs, pugs, etc.) daily instillation of “artificial tears”.
• Cutting long hair around the eyes.
• Regular hygiene – pet washing, litter cleaning.
• Organization of walks in safe places to avoid dog fights and cat attacks.
• Immediate referral to the veterinary clinic upon detection of the first signs of eye inflammation.

Compliance with these simple recommendations will significantly reduce the risk of pus in the eyes of the dog, and avoid worrying about your pet. A healthy dog ​​is a happy owner.

Diabetic macular edema (DME) – Bayer Pharmaceuticals Russia

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that develops as a result of the body’s inability to produce sufficient amounts of the hormone insulin or the inability to use it effectively, and is diagnosed when high blood sugar levels are detected (hyperglycemia ).Patients suffering from diabetes mellitus are at high risk of developing a variety of complications that affect various organ systems. One of these is diabetic retinopathy, which can cause severe vision loss.

Eye, retina and macula

The retina is a light-sensitive nerve tissue that lines the surface of the back of the eye and contains cells called photoreceptors that convert light entering your eye into signals that the brain can understand.There are two types of photoreceptors: rods, which are sensitive to low light levels, and cones, which allow you to see color.

The cones are most densely concentrated in an area of ​​the retina called the macula, which is responsible for central vision, such as reading or driving a car.

How does diabetes damage the eye?

The retina also contains many small and delicate blood vessels (capillaries) that supply oxygen and nutrients to the photoreceptors.

With insufficient control of diabetes mellitus, persistently elevated blood glucose levels can damage retinal capillaries. Damage to the capillaries, as well as lack of nutrition in the retina, contribute to the increased production of a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). High VEGF levels cause increased vascular permeability. As a result, fluid seeps out from the capillaries into the retina. In addition, VEGF stimulates the growth of new blood vessels (a process called neovascularization) through which fluid can also leak.

What is DMO?

As a result of fluid seepage from the vessels into the retina, macular edema develops – diabetic macular edema (DME) – deforming tissue and causing visual impairment. If untreated, DMO can lead to complete loss of central vision.

DMO develops in about one in three people with diabetes for 20 years or more.

How can I prevent my own DME from developing?

If you have diabetes, the most important thing you can do is keep your blood sugar tightly controlled to avoid damaging the fragile capillaries in your eyes.Your healthcare provider will be able to resolve any doubts and questions you have about diabetes care.

It is also important to see an ophthalmologist regularly so that retinal lesions can be identified and treated as early as possible. If your vision becomes less clear or blurred, you should make an unscheduled visit to the ophthalmologist and inform him about all the symptoms.

What are the treatment options for DME?

Previously, the main method of treating DMO was the use of laser therapy, but today, new effective means have appeared in the arsenal of ophthalmologists.

So, some time ago, the use of a new class of drugs that purposefully act on VEGF (anti-VEGF therapy) entered into widespread practice. When injected into the eye, these drugs suppress the effects of VEGF and can reduce swelling and improve vision. Anti-VEGF therapy is a pathogenetically based treatment for DMO. In addition to anti-VEGF drugs, steroids are also used to treat DMO.

BAYER’s ophthalmic portfolio also includes anti-VEGF therapy, which is aimed at improving the visual acuity of patients with DMO.The substance is registered for the treatment of a number of retinal pathologies.

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