MedicoTips.Com

  Weak eyesight is a problem that may occur in many people. Every home has at least one family member with spectacles. There are many factors that contribute to the development of weak eyesight. These include: 1. Genetic Factors: Conditions like Keratoconus, congenital cataract, congenital corneal malformations, congenital retinal diseases, squint and congenital glaucoma may cause a visual problem. 2. Acquired Factors: Conditions like acquired cataract, acquired glaucoma, corneal ulcers, uveitis, ophthalmitis, dislocation of the lens, hypermetropia, myopia, squint and astigmatism cause visual dimness. How to check your eyesight at home. Long-sightedness (Far vision): Long-sightedness (farsightedness) means you can see far objects clearly or better than near objects. You feel difficulty in reading a newspaper. You have to hold it at distance to read better. When you feel any of such symptoms see your doctor. Treatment: Spectacles are preferred, These are worn while read...

White pupillary reflex is the whitish appearance of pupil . This condition is also known as leukocoria. It can occur in a number of conditions.  Following are the causes of white pupillary reflex in early life and these causes must be included in the differential diagnosis. 1. Congenital Cataract A congenital cataract is the congenital opacity of the lens of the eye. When light is thrown into the eye it gives white pupillary reflex . 2. Retinoblastoma It is a congenital tumour of retina. It is a life-threatening malignant condition and it usually occurs within the first three years of life. 3. Retrolental fibroplasia (Retro = behind, Lental = Lens). It is a disease of the retina. It usually occurs in premature infants who are kept in incubators under high pressure of oxygen. High oxygen has been identified as a case of retrolental fibroplasia. It is a fibrovascular mass present behind the lens. It impairs the vision and it gives white pupillary reflex on examination. 4. An...

NYSTAGMUS Nystagmus is a rhythmic oscillation of the eyes (moving eyes). It is a sign of disease of either the ocular or the vestibular system and its connections. Nystagmus impairs the visual ability of an individual. There are ocular causes of Nystagmus (defect in eye, eye muscles), Central Causes of Nystagmus (nystagmus secondary to central vertigo, central vertigo results from damage to the vestibular nucleus of the brain stem. which has connections to the visual nucleus so any lesion of the vestibular nucleus may affect the visual nuclei) Peripheral causes of nystagmus ( Peripheral causes include diseases of the ear, the vestibular apparatus of the ear, inner ear infections, damage to semicircular canals etc) Types of Nystagmus There are two types of nystagmus: Jerk Nystagmus It is the usual nystagmus of neurological disease and has two components, fast and slow. Horizontal or rotatory nystagmus Horizontal or rotatory nystagmus may be due to the peripheral lesion (in ...

Sympathetic Ophthalmia or Sympathetic Ophthalmitis, Sympathizing Eye, Causes and Treatment. Sympathetic ophthalmia, also called sympathetic ophthalmitis is a condition which results after penetrating trauma to one eye. This condition doesn't occur in the eye which has received the trauma, it occurs in the other healthy eye. An inflammatory reaction occurs in the other normal eye. This normal eye is called “sympathizing eye”. As it shows sympathy with the injured eye and becomes inflamed itself. This inflammatory reaction is not self-limiting. In fact, it continues for life if left untreated and vision may lose. Causes of Sympathetic Ophthalmia: The Exact cause of sympathetic ophthalmia (sympathetic ophthalmitis) is unknown. But scientists think it occurs due to an autoimmune reaction. Antibodies are formed against the eye uveal tissue which induces inflammation in the other eye. Other scientists think that it occurs in response to some bacterial antigens. Diagnosis: Diagnosis...

Retinal Detachment: Retinal detachment is a pathological condition of the retina where there is a separation of the two layers of the retina, the retina proper and the pigmentary epithelium by sub-retinal fluid. Classification            1. Primary or simple detachment, also known as Rhegmatogenous detachment            2. Secondary detachment, also known as non-rhegmatogenous detachment. Symptoms Signs and Diagnosis Complications and Treatment of Retinal Detachment. Retinal detachment is an ophthalmological emergency and the patient who is suspected to have a retinal detachment should be referred to an ophthalmologist urgently.  Visit Home page

Primary or Simple or Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment It is due to a break in the retina in the form of a hole or tear. Fluid from the vitreous seep through the hole or tear and raise the retina from its bud. Mechanism Of Detachment:  Retinal degeneration or trauma creates a hole or tears in the retina, fluid seeps through it and cause retinal separation. A strong traumatic force can separate the retina, presence of degenerated vitreous fluid aid to separation. Visit Home page

Secondary or Non-Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment. It is always secondary to retinal disease or pathology, unlike primary retinal detachment which is caused by trauma or mechanical force. Mechanism Of Detachment. 1. Retina being pushed away from its bed by the accumulation of blood for example as in case of choroidal haemorrhage or exudate as in case of exudative choroiditis or retinopathy. Neoplasms or tumours of the choroid may also push the retina away from its bed. 2. The retina is pulled away from its bed for example as in case of contraction of fibrous tissue bands in the vitreous for example as in plastic cyclitis, proliferative retinopathy or retrolental fibroplasia... Visit Home Page

Complications Of Detached Retina. 1. Total Retinal Detachment may occur 2. Proliferative vitreoretinopathy 3. Complicated Cataract 4. Chronic Uveitis 5. Phthisis bulbi may occur. Treatment of Detached Retina. The mainstay of treatment is to approximate and adhere to the torn part of the retina to the area of choroid by exciting aseptic inflammation of choroid. following methods are used. 1. Photocoagulation : 2. Cryosurgery : It is done to seal the retinal breaks by causing tissue necrosis. 3. Scleral Buckling 4. Drainage of subretinal fluid 5. Pars Plana Vitrectomy: It breaks the tractional fibrous band in the vitreous, thus releasing the pull on the retina in cases of tractional retinal detachment.  6. Pneumoretinopexy : Air or other suitable gas such as SF6 or silicon oil is used as a vitreous substitute to produce internal tamponade which pushes the retina back to its position. Visit Home Page

Symptoms, Signs and Diagnosis Of Retinal Detachment - Separation Of Retina Symptoms : 1. Transient flashes of light (photopsia) 2. Muscae Volitantes 3. Distortion of objects 4. Shadow or cloud is seen in front of the eye 5. dimness of vision. Signs and Diagnosis: 1. Plan mirror examination : There is defective or no red glow was seen 2. Fundus examination: The detached retina looks greyish white and raised above the surface, the retinal vessels are dark with no central light reflex, the detached retina oscillates with the movement of the eye, one or more holes are commonly seen in the upper temporal region, in total retinal detachment the retina is funnel-shaped being attached to the disc and ora serrata, it is grey in colour. 3. Visual fields : Scotomas (dark spots) appear corresponding to the area of detached retina 4. Electroretinography (ERG) It is subnormal or absent 5. Ultrasonography (B scan): it confirms the diagnosis of retinal detachment in cases whe...

Causes Of Sudden Loss of Vision Eye sight Sudden loss of vision commonly occurs in  1. Central Retinal Artery Occlusion 2. Central Retinal Vein Occlusion. 3. Retinal Detachment 4. Papillitis 5. Acute Congestive Glaucoma 6. Vitreous Haemorrhage Causes Of gradual Loss Of Vision / Eye sight The gradual loss of vision commonly occurs in  1. Cataract  2. Open-angle glaucoma 3. Uveitis maculopathy (Uveitis is defined as inflammation of the uveal tract of which the anatomy includes the    iris, ciliary body, and choroid and  A maculopathy is any pathological condition of the macula, an area at the centre of the retina that is associated with highly sensitive, accurate vision . , ) 4. Toxic amblyopia (Toxic amblyopia is a condition where a toxic reaction in the optic nerve results in visual loss. Various poisonous substances may cause the condition as well as nutritional factors. Tobacco amblyopia is a form of toxic amblyopia caused by tobacco...

Trichiasis : The term trichiasis means the abnormal direction of the eyelashes. The abnormal lashes rub against the corneal surface of the eyeball with resultant irritation, watering and potential damage to the cornea. Causes: All causes of entropion (entropion = lid margins turn inward) produce trichiasis, for example, spasm of the muscle of riolan, fibrosis of palpebral conjunctiva, loss of tone and elasticity of lid margins, Steven Johnson's syndrome. Pure trichiasis occurs in the following conditions 1 . Congenital Trichiasis: It is also called Distichiasis. In this disorder, an extra row of cilia is present behind the grey line in the place of ducts of the meibomian glands. Meibomian glands are absent. 2. Acquired Causes: a) Trachoma , due to fibrosis distorting the follicles. b) Ulcerative blepharitis: due to fibrosis near the follicles. Symptoms and signs: 1. Sandy or foreign body sensation 2. Photo-phobia 3. Lacrimation (watering) Complications : 1. Chro...

Define The Terms: 1) Argyle Robertson Pupil:     It is a pupil that: a) remain constricted b) Doesn't respond to accommodation. Cause : The lesion in the vicinity of the aqueduct of Sylvius and superior colliculi in syphilis of CNS. 2) Horner's Syndrome: It is the collection of symptoms resulting from interruption of sympathetic nerve supply to eyes. Symptoms are; a) Miosis, that is pupil remain constricted. b) Ptosis, that is superior eyelid drops, c) Anhidrosis, that is sweating on the affected side does not occur. d) Vasodilation of blood vessels of the affected side. 3) Xerophthalmia: It is a disease characterized by small triangular white patches on outer and inner sides of cornea. Caused by: Vitamin A deficiency. 4. Keratomalacia: It is a disease in which cornea becomes dull, insensitive and necrotic. Caused by: Severe Vitamin A deficiency. 5. Anisocoria: If two pupils are unequal, this is called anisocoria.

Blindness is obviously a very dangerous condition which puts the patient's life in immense darkness. Any abnormality in the structure of the eye can lead to blindness. For example, Any abnormality in the following structures can lead to blindness. Cornea Pupil Aqueous Humor Vitreous Humor Lens Intraocular pressure Retina  Optic nerve. Therefore, the localization of abnormality is necessary for proper treatment. The identification of the false structure and appropriate treatment is the goal of the therapy. A man who's been blind for ten years and had given up hope of ever seeing again has received the gift of sight this Christmas. A new artificial cornea has allowed him to see. Norman Simpson badly damaged the front of his one good eye in an accident. Corneal transplants from donor's eyes failed and doctors said there was nothing more they could do. But the artificial cornea - the window at the front of the eye - has improved his vision so much he can read...

Soft lenses are very good for daily use. These are soft flexible lenses made up of good quality plastic. But the side effect of the use of this lens is that it requires more care, cleaning and frequent replacement.  Follow the steps given below to remove your contact lenses and have them cleaned. Requirements: The directions Paper Water Saline/lubricating solution Soap Soft towe l Procedure: The new contact lens is provided with a paper containing important instruction regarding the proper use and care during inserting and removing the lens. Save this paper and read it and follow it. Wash and rinse your hands before handling lenses. odourless (fragrance-free) soaps are better to use for this purpose. insert 2 or 3 drops of your saline solution or your lubricating drops in each eye 15 minutes before removing a soft contact lens. The lens will absorb water and become softer and will favour removal. Take out the right lens first, then the left, always. Look up, touch th...

It is important that you put contact lenses in the eyes very carefully otherwise it can seriously damage your eyes. Follow the following steps. Wash Your Hands Thoroughly. Use good quality soap. Dry your hands with a clean towel. If it is possible, avoid drying with toilet paper or tissue paper, it leaves traces on your hand. Make sure that all the soap has washed properly. Carefully Remove The Contact Lens From its Case .  Make sure, whether it is for your right or left eye. It matters if you have different power numbers prescribed. Place the contact on your index finger of the hand you will be applying the contact with . You should use your dominant hand. Make sure that all the outside edges are face up and none are sticking to your finger. If the rim points out slightly instead of up, the lens is probably inside-out. Inspect lense for rips, tears, or debris. Rinse with lens solution if there is visible dust, etc. on the lens. Use the index finger...