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Ophthalmology is the science that studies eye diseases
Ophthalmology is a branch of medicine that studies the causes and mechanisms of development of pathology of the organ of vision, as well as its entire appendage apparatus, including the orbit, lacrimal sac, lacrimal glands, nasolacrimal canal and tissues surrounding the eye.The goal of ophthalmology, as a science that studies eye diseases, is the development of methods for accurate diagnosis, effective treatment and effective prevention of eye pathologies. Which should ultimately lead to the preservation of full visual function until old age.
Like any branch of medicine, ophthalmology has its own subsections, many of which arose at the intersection of two related fields of medicine (ophthalmology and pediatrics, ophthalmology and oncology, ophthalmology and pharmacology, ophthalmology and hygiene, etc.), in particular:
- pediatric ophthalmology, which studies eye diseases of adolescents, children and newborns;
- therapeutic ophthalmology, specializing in the treatment of eye diseases using conservative methods;
- surgical ophthalmology, which develops new methods of surgical treatment of eye diseases;
- onco-ophthalmology, specializing in the treatment of neoplasms of the organ of vision and its appendages;
- endocrine ophthalmology, which studies eye complications of endocrine diseases such as diabetes mellitus, thyrotoxicosis (Graves' disease), etc.;
- infectious ophthalmology, dealing with the treatment of infectious lesions of the organ of vision;
- ophthalmopharmacology, developing medications, intended for the treatment of eye diseases;
- hygiene of the organ of vision and its appendages, specializing in the development and implementation of effective methods prevention of eye diseases.
Today, in scientific medicine in general, and in ophthalmology in particular, there has been a renewed interest in traditional methods treatment and prevention of eye diseases, so many methods of alternative medicine are today recognized and developed by official ophthalmology (herbal medicine, etc.).
At the same time, one of the tasks of modern preventive ophthalmology is outreach work with the population aimed at preventing cases of self-medication, treating eye diseases “with the help of prayers” and turning to charlatans for help.
Types of eye diseases depending on the cause
Depending on the cause of the development of the disease, all pathologies of the organ of vision can be divided into several large groups:- congenital eye diseases;
- traumatic eye injuries;
- infectious diseases eye;
- neoplasms of the eyeball, appendages of the eye and orbit;
- age-related eye diseases;
- damage to the organ of vision, which are complications of severe physical illnesses ( diabetes, hypertension, renal failure, etc.).
Thus, cataracts can be congenital, or they can be caused by exposure to various types of unfavorable factors - both external (traumatic, radiation cataract) and internal ( secondary cataracts for eye diseases, diabetes, etc.). Finally, clouding of the lens may be associated with age-related changes in metabolism in the natural lens of the eye - this is the most common cause of cataracts.
Congenital eye diseases
Names of the most common congenital eye diseases. How modern medicine treats congenital eye diseases
Congenital eye diseases include pathologies of the organ of vision that developed during the prenatal period, such as:- Anophthalmos (absence of the eyeball);
- Microophthalmos (proportional reduction in eye size);
- Anomalies in the structure of the eyelids: coloboma (eyelid defect), ptosis (drooping upper eyelid), inversion or inversion of the eyelid, etc.;
- Anomalies of the cornea (congenital opacities (cataracts) of the cornea; changes in the shape of the membrane covering the pupil that negatively affect vision - keratoconus and keratoglobus, etc.);
- Congenital glaucoma (congenital increase in intraocular pressure);
- Congenital cataract (congenital disorder of the transparency of the lens);
- Malformations of the vascular tract of the eye (slit pupil, absence of pupil, multiple pupils, etc.);
- Retinal malformations and optic nerve: colobomas (defects), hypoplasia (underdevelopment), congenital retinal detachment.
1. Minor defects that do not require special treatment (marginal retinal colobomas that do not affect visual function, optic nerve abnormalities, etc.);
2. Congenital eye diseases requiring surgical intervention (eversion of the eyelid, congenital cataract, etc.);
3. Congenital eye abnormalities, combined with other severe developmental defects, determine the prognosis for the patient’s life.
Treatment of congenital eye diseases, as a rule, is carried out surgically, so if a congenital anomaly of the organ of vision is suspected, they turn to an ophthalmologist for medical help. In cases where combined pathology is involved, consultations with other specialists may be necessary.
Congenital glaucoma as an eye disease that is inherited
Various types of congenital pathologies of the organ of vision are detected in 2-4% of newborns. Most of them are genetically determined eye diseases. Thus, 50% of cases of blindness in children are caused by hereditary pathology. For example, congenital glaucoma is a disease transmitted in an autosomal recessive manner. That is, in cases where both healthy parents carry a pathological gene in their genetic makeup, the probability of having a sick child is 25%. This pathology occurs quite often. Among students in schools for visually impaired children, patients with congenital glaucoma account for 5%.
It should be noted that the prognosis of this severe hereditary disease The eye is largely determined by the timeliness of medical care. Unfortunately, every fifth small patient is diagnosed with congenital glaucoma very late (in the second year of life and later).
Treatment of congenital glaucoma is carried out surgically, drug therapy has an auxiliary function (reduction of intraocular pressure in the preoperative period, prevention of the formation of gross scar changes after surgery, restorative therapy).
The group of infectious eye diseases has several own classifications. Thus, according to the nature of the pathogen, all infectious eye diseases are divided into bacterial, viral, fungal, chlamydial, tuberculous, etc.
According to the mechanism of development of the pathological process, exogenous and endogenous infectious eye diseases are distinguished. In case of exogenous infections, eye diseases are caused by pathogenic organisms coming from the external environment (for example, banal infectious inflammation mucous membrane of the eyeball). With endogenous infectious eye diseases, microbes migrate into the organ of vision from foci of infection located inside the body (for example, eye damage due to tuberculosis).
In addition, there is a classification of infectious eye diseases according to the localization of the process, which, in particular, includes the following most common pathologies:
- meiobite (barley);
- blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids);
- dacryocystitis (inflammation of the lacrimal bladder);
- conjunctivitis (inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye);
- keratitis (inflammation of the cornea);
- uveitis (inflammation of the choroid);
- iridocyclitis (isolated inflammation of such parts of the choroid as the iris and ciliary body);
- endophthalmitis (inflammation of the inner membranes of the eye);
- panophthalmitis (total inflammation of all tissues of the eyeball);
- paraorbital phlegmon ( purulent inflammation tissues filling the container of the eyeball - the orbit).
Injuries as eye diseases and their effect on vision
What are the types of traumatic eye diseases?
Injuries to the organ of vision varying degrees severity occurs in 1% of the population. At the same time, traumatic eye injuries are one of the most common causes of one-sided blindness in world ophthalmological practice. This is especially true for children and young people, since at least half of the injuries occur under the age of 30 years.Statistics say that every fourth bed in the eye department is occupied by a patient with traumatic eye disease. Many such patients require long-term treatment.
As a fairly common group of eye diseases, including a large number of nosological units, traumatic eye injuries have several rather complex classifications.
So, by severity There are light, moderate, severe and especially severe injuries. For minor injuries, outpatient treatment is sufficient for the patient to avoid complications. Moderate injuries require hospitalization and can lead to a decrease in eye function, severe injuries pose a serious threat of complete loss of visual function, and especially severe injuries imply irreparable destruction of the organ of vision.
By localization All traumatic lesions of the organ of vision are divided into three groups:
1.
Injuries of the orbit and auxiliary organs (eyelids, lacrimal glands, mucous membrane and orbital bones);
2.
Damage to the outer capsule of the eye (conjunctiva of the eyeball, cornea, sclera);
3.
Injuries to the internal capsule of the eye (choroid, lens, vitreous body, retina, optic nerve).
According to the terms in which an accident occurred, the following types of injuries are distinguished:
1.
Production:
- industrial;
- agricultural.
- adults;
- children's.
4. Transport.
5. Military (combat) injuries.
This classification has not only social significance. The conditions of injury often determine the nature of damage to the organ of vision, the course of post-traumatic eye disease and the risk of complications. So, for example, with sports injuries, contusions (bruises) of the eyeball are more common.
Agricultural injuries are characterized by wound contamination organic substances(plant particles, animal food, etc.) and late request for highly specialized help due to its remoteness from the scene of the incident. Therefore, even minor injuries often lead to serious consequences. Domestic injuries in adults are often associated with drunkenness, which also negatively affects the prognosis for maintaining vision.
By mechanism All traumatic eye diseases are divided into the following groups:
1.
Mechanical injuries:
- wounds (penetrating, non-penetrating);
- shell shock.
- thermal (exposure to high or low temperatures);
- chemical (if acids, alkalis and other chemically active substances get into the eye);
- radiation (burn from a welding machine, ultraviolet irradiation, etc.).
Burn disease of the eye
Serious burns to the organ of vision, as a rule, lead to severe pathology - burn disease of the eye, which can last for many months, years and even decades. The fact is that when a splash of hot liquid, hot metal or chemically active substances gets into the eye, the blink reflex is delayed and the eyelids shrink after the agent has hit the surface of the eyeball. Particularly severe burns occur as a result of contact with alkalis, since alkali has the ability to gradually penetrate deeper and deeper into the tissues of the eye, so that its effect can manifest itself hours or even days after contact with the surface of the eye.
The severity of eye burn disease is determined by clinical picture. Thus, mild burns are characterized by slight photophobia, lacrimation, hyperemia (redness) of the conjunctiva, pain syndrome moderate severity, usually combined with pain and a sensation of a foreign body in the eye. For burns mild degree the cornea appears intact, visual function is slightly impaired, although lacrimation and pain prevent the patient from fully using the affected eye.
With burns of moderate severity, damage to the cornea occurs, this is visually manifested by foci of clouding, and clinically by pronounced painful spasm of the eyelids, intense lacrimation and photophobia.
Severe burn disease of the eye is characterized by damage not only to the cornea, but also to the sclera. In this case, gray films form on the conjunctiva of the eye, and the cornea takes on the appearance of a dead porcelain plate.
First aid for eye burns consists of rinsing the conjunctival cavity with running water and prompt transportation to a specialized hospital. You should wash your eyes especially carefully after chemical burns.
Immediately before transportation, it is advisable to drip the affected eye with antimicrobial drops (30% solution of albucid or 0.5% solution of chloramphenicol), and apply eye ointment with an antibiotic (1% tetracycline ointment or 1% syntomycin emulsion).
Burn eye disease with severe and moderate eye burns is treated in specialized ophthalmology departments. In cases where a large area of the body surface is affected by a burn, the patient is sent to a burn center, where he undergoes consultation with an ophthalmologist.
Minor burns are treated on an outpatient basis. However, it should be taken into account that in the early stages of a burn disease of the eye, even an experienced specialist cannot always accurately determine the degree of damage to the organ of vision, therefore, in order to avoid severe consequences continuous monitoring is indicated.
How are the names of eye diseases written down when the organ of vision is damaged?
There is no unified classification of traumatic eye injuries in official medicine. The name of an eye disease in case of damage to the organ of vision begins with determining the nature of the injury (wound (penetrating or non-penetrating), contusion, burn (chemical, thermal, radiation)) and its localization.For example: “penetrating corneal-scleral injury”, “non-penetrating injury of the cornea”, “contusion of the eyeball”, “thermal burn of the cornea and conjunctival sac”.
In cases where the localization cannot be determined, this is also recorded in the name of the traumatic eye disease: " chemical burn eyes of unspecified localization."
The severity of the injury is then usually indicated and, if present, aggravating factors are recorded, such as:
- foreign body;
- violation of intraocular pressure;
- infection;
- intraocular hemorrhage.
Eye injuries (mechanical, chemical): causes, symptoms,
consequences, prevention - video
Eye diseases associated with the development of benign and
malignant tumors. Cat eye disease in humans
Neoplasms of the organ of vision are not the most common eye diseases, but the severity clinical course, as well as a high percentage of disability and mortality among patients require special preventive measures. Based on the location of tumor growth, the following types of pathologies are distinguished:
- intraocular tumors (about half of all cases of neoplasms in ophthalmological practice);
- tumors of orbital tissue (about 25%);
- eyelid tumors (18%);
- tumors outer shell eyeball (12%).
In adult patients, the most common oncological ocular diseases are metastatic lesions of the organ of vision, when tumor cells They enter the eyeball with the bloodstream from maternal malignant foci located in other organs and tissues. Moreover, in men, the maternal tumor is most often localized in the lungs, in women - in the mammary gland. Much less often primary tumors found in the digestive tract, genitourinary tract, endocrine organs and on the surface of the skin.
In childhood, the most common cancer the eye is retinoblastoma– a neoplasm originating from embryonic (immature) cells of the retina. This pathology is often called illness cat eye . This name arose due to the characteristic greenish-yellow glow of the pupil of the affected organ of vision.
There are hereditary and sporadic (random) forms of retinoblastoma. Hereditary (familial) retinoblastoma is transmitted in an autosomal dominant manner. That is, in cases where one of the parents suffered a hereditary form of this type of malignant tumor, the probability of having a child with retinoblastoma is extremely high (from 45 to 95% according to various sources).
Hereditary retinoblastoma occurs twice as often in boys as in girls, and in the vast majority of cases it is a multifocal bilateral process. Therefore, the prognosis for the familial form of this eye disease is always worse than for the sporadic form.
The sporadic form of retinoblastoma is somewhat more common (in 60-70% of cases), occurs randomly and affects boys and girls with equal frequency. This oncological eye disease is usually a unilateral lesion and, with timely medical intervention has a relatively favorable prognosis. The likelihood of having a sick child from a parent who has had sporadic retinoblastoma is extremely low (almost the same as in the general population).
The peak incidence of retinoblastoma occurs between the ages of 2 and 4 years. At the same time, hereditary forms often develop earlier; clinical cases have been described when it can be assumed intrauterine development tumors. Sporadic forms of cat eye disease in children are diagnosed up to early school age (8 years).
There are four stages of development of retinoblastoma. The first stage often goes unnoticed, since a sharp decrease in vision in very young children is not so easy to diagnose, and the pain syndrome has not yet developed. Upon careful examination, you may notice anisocoria (different pupils) and a lag in the reaction of the pupil to light on the side of the affected eye. Highest value To diagnose cat eye disease, a fundus examination is performed. Modern equipment makes it possible to determine the extent of tumor tissue prevalence.
As a rule, parents notice something is wrong in the second stage of the disease, when the characteristic symptom of a “cat’s pupil” appears. Then, as a result of increased intraocular pressure, a “red eye” symptom occurs and severe pain develops. As the tumor grows, the eyeball increases in size, the pupil dilates and takes on an irregular shape.
At the third stage, the tumor grows through the membranes of the eye outward and along the optic nerve inward into the cranial cavity, and at the fourth stage it spreads metastatically with the intercellular fluid in The lymph nodes and with blood flow into the bones of the skull, brain, ribs, sternum, spine, less often in internal organs. Unfortunately, at these stages it is usually not possible to save the child’s life.
Most often, retinoblastoma is diagnosed at the second stage, when it is impossible to save the affected eye, while in the earliest stages of the development of cat eye disease, it is possible to eliminate the tumor through organ-saving manipulations (cryodestruction, laser therapy).
Age-related eye diseases
Names of eye diseases that develop in old age and old age
Age-related eye diseases include pathologies whose development mechanism includes senile degenerative changes in the elements of the organ of vision.It should be noted that age-related eye diseases do not develop in all elderly people, since the occurrence of this type of pathology, as a rule, occurs under the influence of several factors at once (age, unfavorable heredity, previous injuries or other diseases of the organ of vision, non-compliance with occupational hygiene rules, etc.) .P.).
In addition, it is necessary to take into account that age-related eye diseases can also occur in young people. In such cases, degenerative processes have other causes (trauma or other eye disease, birth defects development, severe metabolic disorders in the body, etc.).
The most common age-related eye diseases include the following pathologies:
- age-related macular degeneration;
- age-related cataract;
- age-related farsightedness;
- age-related pathology vitreous;
- age-related pathology of the upper and/or lower eyelid.
Age-related macular degeneration is a senile eye disease affecting the retina
Age-related macular degeneration is a degenerative process in the area of the so-called macula of the retina. It is in this place that the largest number of nerve elements responsible for the perception of the visual signal are concentrated. Therefore, when the macula is damaged, the central, most important part of the visual field is lost. At the same time, the nerve elements located on the periphery, even in severe pathology, remain intact, so that the patient distinguishes the contours of objects and retains the ability to perceive light.
The first symptoms of age-related macular degeneration are sensations of blurred vision and difficulties that appear when reading and looking at objects. These symptoms are nonspecific and occur in many eye diseases, such as cataracts, glaucoma, and fundus diseases.
In addition, in cases where only one eye is sick, the process goes unnoticed for a long time, since the healthy eye is able to partially compensate for the lost function.
Causes of degenerative processes in macula retina in age-related macular degeneration is still not fully understood. It has been proven that age greatly influences the risk of developing this pathology. So, if a 50-year-old person has a risk of developing this eye disease of the retina only 2%, then by the age of 75 the sad chances increase 15 times.
Women suffer from macular degeneration somewhat more often than men, which is associated with a longer life expectancy. Some bad habits (smoking), eye diseases (farsightedness), systemic vascular pathologies (hypertension, atherosclerosis), metabolic disorders and a lack of certain vitamins and minerals increase the risk of developing degenerative processes.
Today, age-related macular degeneration is treated with laser therapy; timely consultation with a doctor can stop the development of a disabling eye disease and preserve the visual function of the retina.
Cataracts as an old-age eye disease
Senile cataracts are the most common type of eye disease accompanied by clouding of the lens. It should be noted that a violation of the transparency of the lens is typical reaction on the impact of any adverse factor leading to a change in the composition of the intraocular fluid surrounding the lens. Therefore, cataracts occur at any age. However, in young people, for the development of lens opacification, exposure to a very strong negative factor is necessary (severe infectious disease, endocrine pathology, mechanical or radiation injury, etc.), while in elderly patients, impaired transparency of the natural lens of the eye is associated with physiological age-related processes in body.
Medical tactics for senile cataracts, as well as for other eye diseases accompanied by a decrease in the transparency of the lens, depend on the degree of visual impairment. In cases where visual acuity is slightly reduced, conservative treatment is possible.
For severe visual impairment, surgery is indicated. Surgery for cataracts today is one of the most effective and safe operations in world medical practice.
Senile farsightedness as an age-related eye disease
By senile farsightedness we mean an eye disease when, as a result of age-related changes in the visual system of the eye (decrease in the elasticity of the lens tissue; weakening of the muscle that regulates the thickness of the lens; change in the structure of the ligamentous apparatus that supports the lens), vision is set to the far point of vision.As a result, patients with farsightedness have difficulty seeing objects up close. At the same time, visual abilities improve significantly when the object moves away from the eye. Therefore, such patients often read a newspaper or look at photographs, placing the object on their outstretched arms.
According to modern research data ophthalmological centers, senile farsightedness is the most common disease of elderly and old age. Doctors usually call this pathology presbyopia, which translated from Greek means “senile vision.”
Presbyopia most often begins to develop at the age of 40-50 years. However, the first symptoms of the pathology, such as the appearance of eye fatigue or even headaches after prolonged work with small objects, as a rule, go unnoticed by patients. So sometimes such patients say that they discovered a sharp decrease in vision literally in one day.
Senile farsightedness is corrected using special glasses, which return patients to full vision. Doctors strongly advise the use of reading glasses and/or special lenses when working with small objects, since secondary complications can occur as a result of eye strain.
So, for example, senile farsightedness is often discovered by chance when patients seek treatment for persistent conjunctivitis. At the same time, cases are described when patients treated chronic inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye for a long time and to no avail and increased immunity using “reliable folk methods.”
Floating spots in the field of vision in older people as symptoms of vitreous disease of the eyes
Often, older people complain of “foreign” floating “interference” appearing in their fields of vision. Most often, this symptom is associated with age-related changes in the vitreous body, which, filling the eye cavity, is involved in transmitting images from outer surface cornea to the light-sensitive elements of the retina.This kind of interference most often takes the form of dots, blind spots, flies and cobweb-like inclusions and is a reflection on the retina of the elements that have separated from the jelly-like vitreous body - clusters of cells and gel droplets.
Causing the symptom of “floating spots before the eyes” age-related changes, as a rule, occur after 60 years. Thus, according to statistics, such a sign of eye aging is found in every fourth sixty-year-old patient, and by the age of 85, the number of people suffering from eye floaters increases to 65% of respondents.
Senile degenerative changes in the vitreous body do not lead to severe disorders. As a rule, after a few weeks the unpleasant obstacle decreases in size. And although the front sight does not completely disappear, the eye adapts to the new working conditions, so that over time the patient no longer pays attention to the foreign inclusion.
However, when this symptom Senile disease of the vitreous body of the eyes should be consulted by a specialist, since “floaters” may be a sign of a serious pathology of the retina. The appearance of floaters in combination with light flashes and blurred fields of vision is especially dangerous. In such cases, one should be wary of retinal detachment, a pathology that leads to irreparable loss of vision.
Diseases of the upper and lower eyelids in older people
Diseases of the upper and lower eyelids in older people are pathological manifestation aging of the muscles surrounding the eyes and the skin of the eyelids. Chronic diseases of the cardiovascular and nervous systems, as well as previous injuries, contribute to the development of this pathology. The following pathologies are classified as senile diseases of the upper and lower eyelids:
- ptosis (drooping) of the upper eyelid;
- inversion of the lower eyelid;
- inversion of the lower eyelid.
ABOUT inversion of the lower eyelid they say in cases where, due to weakening of the orbicularis oculi muscle, the lower eyelid droops outward, so that the conjunctival fissure is exposed. In such cases, lacrimation occurs and conjunctivitis develops, since it becomes difficult to normal distribution tear fluid in the conjunctival sac.
Inversion of the lower eyelid represents a pathology opposite to inversion of the eyelid. The lower edge of the eyelid is folded inwards, so that the eyelashes and the relatively hard edge of the eyelid rub the conjunctiva. As a result, inflammation develops, abrasions and ulcers appear, and if a secondary infection occurs, a situation of serious threat to vision function may arise.
Diseases of the upper and lower eyelids in older people are treated surgically. Operations are performed on an outpatient basis (in a clinic setting) under local anesthesia. This type of surgical intervention is safe for the organ of vision and does not cause much concern to patients. Of course, before the operation, a general examination of the body and a study of eye function are indicated.
Ptosis: causes, symptoms, treatment - video
Diseases associated with the eyes (diseases complicated by damage to the organ of vision)
Everything in the human body is interconnected, so any disease can be complicated by pathology of the organ of vision. So, for example, chronic inflammatory processes of the mucous membrane of the eye often occur with lesions of the digestive system, chronic infections of the ENT organs and genitourinary tract, and a decrease in visual acuity often accompanies pathologies leading to general exhaustion of the body.However, diseases associated with the eyes pose a particular danger to visual function, for which damage to the organ of vision is one of the cardinal symptoms. The most common pathologies of this kind include:
- systemic vascular diseases (atherosclerosis, hypertension);
- some are heavy endocrine pathologies(thyrotoxicosis, diabetes mellitus);
- extremely severe metabolic disorders (renal and liver failure);
- caused by external or internal reasons deficiency of substances vital for the organ of vision (vitaminosis A).
On the other hand, eye-related diseases threaten the development of serious complications that lead to irreparable loss of vision: retinal detachment, optic nerve atrophy, keratomalacia (melting of the cornea of the eye).
The ophthalmologist carries out treatment of “eye” complications of the above-mentioned pathologies together with a specialist supervising the underlying disease (cardiologist, endocrinologist, nephrologist, therapist, pediatrician, etc.).
Before use, you should consult a specialist. Hippel-Lindau syndrome (HLS) is a genetically determined disease characterized by the formation of tumors in various organs. Most often, vascular tumors (hemangioblastomas) form in the retina, cerebellum - the part of the brain responsible for coordinating movements, other parts of the brain and spinal cord, kidney cancer and hormonally active adrenal tumors (pheochromocytomas).This is a rare disease. A detailed picture of the disease is present when the syndrome is inherited. Hippel-Lindau syndrome is transmitted by a defective gene in the third pair of chromosomes as an autosomal dominant disease, i.e. It is enough to have one copy of the “sick” gene to get the disease; it is enough for only one of the parents to have one “sick” gene, and 50% of the children of such a person have a chance of getting the disease. In the hereditary form of the disease, health problems usually appear in the first 20 years of life.
But not all patients diagnosed with hemangioblastoma of the retina or central nervous system (CNS) have a hereditary syndrome. In fact, most patients with only one tumor do not have affected relatives and do not acquire other tumors. It is believed that such people have sporadic (random, first-time)
Retinal hemangioblastoma is diagnosed upon examination of the fundus as a nodule of various sizes with a developed vascular network around it. The liquid part of the blood is often filtered through the leaky walls of hemangioblastoma vessels, which causes retinal swelling or detachment. In advanced cases, the eye dies from retinal detachment or glaucoma. Retinal hemangioblastomas are not life-threatening, in this sense, they are benign tumors. Their malignancy is associated with their localization in the eye, which can lead to blindness. CNS tumors also do not metastasize, but are already life-threatening, again due to their location. As a rule, they develop in the posterior cranial fossa, where vital centers that control heartbeat, breathing, and digestion are located. Their compression can lead to death. Kidney cancer and pheochromocytomas are dangerous due to their ability to spread throughout the body.
Treatment of the disease depends on the location, number and size of the tumor(s). For small and medium-sized retinal tumors, laser coagulation of the tumor and adj.
For timely diagnosis life-threatening manifestations of Hippel-Lindau syndrome must be regular examination, which should include: 1) an annual examination by a therapist, neurologist and ophthalmologist (with a thorough examination of the fundus), 2) annual examination urine for vanillylmandelic acid, 3) magnetic resonance imaging of the brain every 3 years until age 50, then every 5 years, 4) computed tomography organs abdominal wall every 1−5 years, 5) angiography of the renal vessels when the patient reaches 15−20 years of age, repeating the procedure every 1−5 years.
The cost of treatment can vary greatly depending on which organ is affected and what kind of surgery is required. Unfortunately, this systemic disease cannot be cured, and the only thing that is available to modern medicine is the treatment of complications of this disease. Laser photocoagulation of the retina is often indicated as a way to prevent further deterioration of vision. As a treatment method, this operation has one of the highest safety rates.
Damage to the organ of vision. Depending on the cause of the injury, there are mechanical eye injuries (the most common), thermal, chemical and radiation. Injuries are divided into superficial and penetrating. More often, superficial injuries lead to damage to the mucous membranes of the eye, cornea and eyelids. In such cases, after first aid, an antiseptic bandage is applied to the eye and a number of drugs are prescribed: antibiotics, corticosteroids, sanitizing drops, calcium chloride with streptomycin. Penetrating eye injuries are much more severe than superficial injuries, since in the vast majority of cases they lead to loss of the eyeball or irreversible blindness. A special place among eye injuries is given to eye burns. See Eye burn.
(trahoma) is a chronic viral eye disease in which the conjunctiva turns red, thickens, and grayish grains (follicles) are formed, which successively disintegrate and scar. If left untreated, it leads to purulent inflammation of the cornea, ulceration, entropion of the eyelids, formation of a cataract, and blindness. The causative agents of trachoma are chlamydia microorganisms similar to the virus that multiply in epithelial cells conjunctiva, often forming colonies wrapped in a mantle. The disease is transmitted from diseased eyes to healthy ones through hands and objects (handkerchief, towel, etc.) contaminated with secretions (pus, mucus, tears), as well as flies. The incubation period is 7–14 days. Usually both eyes are affected. Treatment: antibiotics, sulfonamides, etc.; for trichiasis and some other complications and consequences - surgical. The incidence of trachoma is determined social factors: economic and cultural level, and sanitary and hygienic living conditions of the population. The largest number of patients is observed in the countries of Asia and Africa.
(uveitis) - inflammation of the iris and choroid and ciliary body eyes. There is anterior uveitis - iridocyclitis and posterior uveitis - choroiditis (leads to a decrease in acuity and a change in the field of vision). The cause of uveitis can be penetrating wounds of the eyeball, perforated corneal ulcer and other eye lesions. There are also endogenous uveitis that occurs due to viral diseases, tuberculosis, toxoplasmosis, rheumatism, focal infection, etc. This disease is common cause low vision and blindness (about 25%). If you have uveitis, you should urgently consult an ophthalmologist. The main symptoms of the disease are “fog” before the eyes, blurred vision (even complete blindness is possible), redness of the eyes, photophobia and lacrimation. To treat uveitis, the patient is prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs in combination with agents that reduce discomfort and discomfort; in addition, if uveitis is caused by any specific reason, special medications are prescribed for eye drops, in injections or tablets, often in combination with other drugs.
Blockage of tear drainage
(exophthalmos) - forward displacement of the eyeball, for example, with Graves' disease, when its shape changes or is displaced by tissue edema or tumor located behind the eye.
(ectropion) - Eversion of the eyelid - turning outward of the edge of the eyelid. Eversion of the eyelid can be of a minor degree, when the eyelid is simply loosely attached to the eyeball or droops somewhat; with a more significant degree, the mucous membrane (conjunctiva) turns outward in a small area or throughout the entire eyelid, it gradually dries and increases in size. Together with the eyelid, the lacrimal punctum moves away from the eye, which leads to lacrimation and damage to the skin around the eye. As a result of non-closure of the palpebral fissure, various infectious diseases can develop, as well as keratitis with subsequent clouding of the cornea. The most common is senile (atonic) ectropion, in which the lower eyelid droops due to weakening of the eye muscles in old age. With paralysis of the orbicularis oculi muscle, the lower eyelid may also droop (spastic and paralytic ectropion). Cicatricial eversion is formed due to tightening of the skin of the eyelids after wounds, burns, systemic lupus erythematosus and others. pathological processes. Treatment of eyelid inversion is surgical, using various plastic surgery depending on the severity of eyelid inversion.
(endophthalmitis) is a purulent inflammation of the inner membranes of the eyeball, usually developing as a result of infection. The symptoms are sharp pain in the eye, decreased visual acuity, visible severe inflammation of the eye. Antibiotics are usually prescribed - inside the eye in large doses. In case of severe illness surgery.
(ulcus corneae) - inflammation of the cornea, accompanied by necrosis of its tissue with the formation of a defect; may cause a cataract.
(hordeolum) - acute purulent inflammation of the hair follicle of the eyelash or tarsal (meibomian) gland of the eyelid. The penetration of microorganisms into the hair follicle of the eyelash or the sebaceous gland is observed mainly in weakened people with reduced body resistance to various kinds infections. Barley often occurs against the background of tonsillitis, inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, dental diseases, disturbances in the physiological activity of the gastrointestinal tract, helminthic infestations, furunculosis, diabetes. Often combined with blepharitis. In the initial stage of development, a painful point appears on the edge of the eyelid (with inflammation of the sebaceous gland on the eyelid from the conjunctiva). Then a swelling, hyperemia of the skin and conjunctiva forms around it. After 2-3 days, a yellow “head” is found in the area of swelling, after opening which pus and pieces of tissue are released. Barley is accompanied by swelling of the eyelids. It is often recurrent in nature. Treatment - at the beginning of the process, the area of the painful point on the eyelid is moistened with 70% ethyl alcohol 3–5 times a day, which often allows you to stop further development. When barley has developed, sulfonamide drugs and antibiotics are used in the form of drops and ointments, dry heat, and UHF therapy are used. When body temperature rises and general malaise, sulfonamide drugs and antibiotics are also prescribed orally. Compresses and wet lotions are not recommended, because... they contribute to the local spread of infectious agents. Timely active treatment and concomitant diseases helps to avoid the development of complications.
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Many parents suffering from eye diseases worry that their children will also have vision problems. Some eye diseases are actually hereditary, but sometimes they can be prevented. This article will discuss the types of hereditary eye diseases and the reasons for their appearance.
If we look at statistics, we can see that almost ten percent of all diseases are inherited at the genetic level. As mentioned above, this also includes diseases. Many of them are asymptomatic and do not affect visual acuity, so not in all cases one can even suspect that a person has any problems in the functioning of the visual system.
Causes of congenital eye diseases
It is worth noting that the main cause of vision pathologies is gene mutation, which provokes the development of hereditary eye diseases. What other reasons provoke the appearance of eye diseases in a child? So, among the main reasons are:
1. Pathologies of tissue development during pregnancy;
2. Hormonal disorders;
3. Incompatibility of Rh factors of mother and fetus;
4. Age of parents (most often, organ pathologies occur in children of those parents who decided to have a child before 16 years of age or after 40);
5. Chromosome mutations;
6. Difficult or pathological childbirth;
7. Incest, which often leads to the development of fetal abnormalities.
8. The influence of environmental factors, among which are: radiation, infectious and viral diseases suffered during pregnancy, alcohol abuse and smoking by the expectant mother, etc.
What eye diseases are inherited?
It is worth immediately noting here that hereditary diseases eyes are divided into three large groups:
1. Congenital pathologies (in this case, surgical treatment is prescribed);
2. Minor defects (as a rule, they do not require special treatment);
3. Eye abnormalities associated with diseases of other organs.
List of major eye diseases that are inherited:
1. Colorblindness (a person does not distinguish colors);
2. Microphthalmos (disproportionately small in humans);
3. Anophthalmos (absence of one or two eyeballs);
4. Abnormalities of the cornea - for example, a change in its shape (keratoconus) or congenital opacification.
5. Glaucoma (increased intraocular pressure);
6. Cataract (clouding of the lens of the eye);
7. Anomalies in the structure of the eyelids.
8. Myopia (myopia) is an eye disease in which a person sees poorly in the distance, but sees well near.
9. Nystagmus (involuntary movements of the eyeballs).
If future parents have any eye diseases, they should consult a geneticist for advice. The specialist will tell you what preventative and curative measures will need to be accepted by parents.
Eye diseases are functional and organic lesions visual analyzer, due to which a person begins to see worse, as well as pathologies of the adnexal apparatus of the eye.
Any disease of the organs of hearing and vision negatively affects a person’s condition, his lifestyle and causes quite noticeable discomfort.
Classification of diseases of the organs of vision
Diseases of the visual organs are extensive, so for convenience they are divided into several large sections.
According to the generally accepted classification, all pathologies of the visual organs (including diseases of the visual organs in children) are divided into the following groups:
- optic nerve pathologies;
- diseases of the lacrimal ducts, eyelids, orbits;
- glaucoma;
- diseases of the conjunctiva;
- pathologies of the eye muscles;
- diseases of the iris, sclera, cornea;
- blindness;
- lens diseases;
- pathologies of the vitreous body and eyeball;
- diseases of the choroid and retina.
In addition, a distinction is made between hereditary and acquired diseases of the organ of vision.
Causes of eye diseases
The main causes of eye diseases are:
2. Defects and anomalies of development (cause hereditary diseases of the organ of vision).
3. Age-related degenerative-dystrophic changes (glaucoma, cataracts).
4. Tumor and autoimmune processes.
5. Pathologies of other organs that affect the condition of the visual organs (hypertension, dental diseases, meningitis, encephalitis, diabetes mellitus, anemia, leukemia, and so on).
Symptoms of eye diseases
Eye diseases can have different symptoms.
Myopia (myopia). With this vision defect, the image is projected not on the retina, but in front of it. As a result, a person sees close objects well and poorly those that are far away. Most often, myopia develops in adolescents. If corrective measures are not taken in time, the disease will progress, which can lead to severe loss vision and disability.
Farsightedness. With this vision defect, the image is formed behind the retina. When a person is young, he can achieve a clearer image of close objects by straining his vision. One of the symptoms of farsightedness is frequent headaches.
Conjunctivitis. This is an inflammation of the conjunctiva. The main symptoms are photophobia, lacrimation, pain and pain in the eyes, discharge from the eyes.
Strabismus. The main symptom is the asymmetrical arrangement of the corneas in relation to the edges and corners of the eyelids. Strabismus can be either congenital or acquired.
Computer syndrome. Characterized by double vision, pain, dryness, and increased sensitivity to light.
Glaucoma. A pathology in which there is a periodic increase in eye pressure. As a result, optic nerve atrophy may develop and visual acuity may decrease.
Cataract. It is characterized by clouding of the lens and can only be treated surgically.
Trembling of the eye (nystagmus). Manifested by spontaneous trembling of the eyeballs.
Diagnosis of eye diseases
The main methods of examining the organs of vision are:
2. Biomicroscopy. Using this technique, it is possible to diagnose cataracts, glaucoma, various neoplasms in the early stages, and identify foreign bodies(even the smallest ones).
3. Gonioscopy. Used to diagnose glaucoma. Based on this study, the ophthalmologist decides which method of treatment for glaucoma is necessary in this particular case, conservative or surgical.
4. Visiometry. Testing visual acuity known to every person using special tables and a set of lenses.
5. Perimetry. Used to identify early detection of sensitivity disorders of the pathways, optic nerve, and retina.
6. Tonometry. Measuring intraocular pressure. Its increase is the main symptom of glaucoma, dangerous disease, which in the absence timely treatment may cause blindness.
7. Ophthalmoscopy. Fundus examination.
8. Ultrasound of the eye orbits. It is carried out to identify pathologies of the optic nerve, lens, choroid, vitreous body, and so on.
9. Laboratory research. Conducted at infectious diseases organs of vision to identify the pathogen and prescribe adequate treatment.
Treatment of eye diseases
The level of development of medicine in our time makes it possible to diagnose diseases of the organs of hearing and vision in the early stages.
As a result, doctors have the opportunity to carry out preventive measures to prevent the progression of the disease or provide effective treatment using conservative, physiotherapeutic and surgical techniques.
Depending on the type of eye pathology, its causes and severity, selection may be prescribed contact lenses and glasses, surgery, laser correction and so on.
It is important to note that almost any eye disease in children can be successfully cured if parents pay attention to its symptoms in time and take the child to the doctor.
Exercise therapy for diseases of the visual organs
The possibilities of exercise therapy in ophthalmology have not yet been fully explored. Of all eye diseases, exercise therapy is actively prescribed in our country only for glaucoma and myopia.
However, for glaucoma, massage is more often prescribed, and physical therapy is prescribed according to the same scheme as for hypertension. For myopia, exercise therapy is prescribed much more often and its high effectiveness has been clinically proven.
Physical therapy is useful for all myopic people (except for patients who also have retinal detachment). In this case, age does not matter of great importance, but it is known that exercise therapy for children with diseases of the organs of vision is most effective.
The earlier exercise therapy is prescribed and the lower the degree of myopia, the better the treatment result will be. For congenital myopia, exercise therapy does not have much effect.
Main tasks physical therapy in the treatment of myopia are:
- general strengthening of the body;
- strengthening the sclera and eye muscles;
- improving the functioning of the cardiovascular system and respiratory system;
- improving blood supply and nutrition of eye tissue.
Prevention of eye diseases
In order to minimize the likelihood of eye diseases, the following recommendations must be followed:
1. Eliminate provoking factors (the lighting in the room should be bright enough, when working at a computer, you need to take a break every 20 minutes and do eye exercises, you can’t watch TV for a long time, and so on).
2. Prevention of diseases of the visual organs includes exercise and an active lifestyle.
3. Give up bad habits. For example, you can reduce the risk of developing cataracts several times simply by quitting smoking.
4. If possible, avoid stressful situations.
5. Eat right.
6. Keep your blood glucose levels under control.
7. Get rid of excess weight.
8. Take vitamins and increase immune protection body. If your immune system is weak, we recommend taking special medications that increase the body’s immune defense, immunomodulators and immunostimulants.
Perhaps the most effective of them today is Transfer Factor. This is a unique drug that quickly and effectively restores the body's immune defense. He has natural composition, which makes it possible to recommend Transfer Factor for use even by pregnant women and newborns.
Compliance with all the above rules will help maintain eye health and visual acuity for many years!
