Eye Injuries

Diseases of the Eye

Just as the eye can affect the entire bodily system, as in general fatigue from eyestrain, so, conversely, systemic infections can play particular havoc with the eye. Syphilis, gonor­rhea, and tuberculosis are three top offenders in this role: they have localized ocular effects, but they must be attacked systemically. Some of the childhood diseases, especially measles and scarlet fever, may affect the eyes. Some drugs or poisons taken internally have dis­astrous effects on the eyes, especially quinine and methyl (wood) alcohol.

Any part of the eye may be subject to infec­tion. The most serious are those which affect the cornea (keratitis), the iris (iritis), or the retina (retinitis).

Usually less serious but often very annoy­ing infections can afflict the external portions of the ocular system. Most frequently affected is the conjunctiva, the membrane lining the eyelid and covering the front of the eyeball. A mild form of conjunctivitis often accom­panies a common cold. Very severe infec­tions may be encountered, such as gonorrheal ophthalmia.

Pink eye is a form of conjunctivitis that usu­ally occurs in epidemic fashion. The eyes be­come bloodshot and inflamed, feel itchy and irritated, often feel as if something was in them, and may be stuck shut at night. Con­junctivitis is generally a communicable and contagious disease; the hygiene of cleanli­ness must be invoked against it. Any inflammation of the eyes demands serious medical investigation.

A sty is an infection of the lash roots and associated glands lining the margin of the eyelid. In certain respects it resembles a boil along a hair root. Persistent and repeated sties generally reflect a poor state of general health and are often associated with uncor­rected" errors of refraction and eyestrain.

The most serious infection of the eyelids is the condition known as trachoma, a highly communicable infection. It frequently causes blindness and has been the scourge of many oriental countries. Fortunately the modern sulfa drugs have proved effective in its treatment.

Diseases other than infection can afflict the eyes and cause blindness. Two important disabilities of this type are glaucoma and cataract. Both occur most commonly in mid­dle life or later. The basic, underlying causes are not known for either disease.

Glaucoma is a serious disease whose locale is within the eye itself; probably one in every eight or nine cases of blindness is a result of this disease. In glaucoma the pressure of the fluids within the eyeball unaccountably rises. Cataract is a clouding of the crystalline lens of the eye or its capsule. Light fails to reach the retina in sufficient quantity to make seeing possible. Cataracts usually develop in one eye before the other and progress gradu­ally. They can usually be relieved that is, failing sight can be restored—by a delicate operation removing the clouded lens.