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Showing posts with label Eyes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Eyes. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Eye Burning, Itching, and Discharge
Here's what to do for eye burning, itching and discharge. Follow the steps below:
1. Is vision decreased?
if YES: see doctor today!
if NO: proceed to #2.
2. Is the pupil irregular, or is there pain on exposure to bright light?
if YES: see doctor today!
if NO: proceed to #3.
3. Does this discharge resemble pus? Is it thick, greenish, or yellow-green?
if YES: see doctor today!
if NO: use home treatment
HOME TREATMENT
If a physical, chemical, or allergic exposure is the cause of the symptoms, the most important thing is avoiding exposure. Dark glasses, goggles at work, houses and cars with air-conditioning to filter the air, avoidance of chlorinated swimming pools, and other such measures are appropriate.
Antihistamines, either over-the-counter or by prescription, may help slightly if the problem is an allergy, but don't expect total relief without a good deal of drowsiness from the medication. Similarly, a viral infection related to a cold or flu will run its course in a few days, and it is best to be patient.
If the eye irritation doesn't clear up, if the discharge gets thicker, or if you have eye pain or a problem with vision, see your doctor. Don't expect a fever with bacterial infection of the eye; it may be absent. Because the infection is superficial, washing the eye gently with a boric acid solution (follow directions on the label) will help remove some of the bacteria, but you should still see a doctor. Eye drops ( Murine, Visine, etc.) may soothe minor conjunctivitis but won't cure it.
Burning eyes may be a call to social action. If the smoking of others around you is annoying, say so. If an industrial plant in your are is polluting, get the company to clean up its act.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE
The doctor will check vision, eye motion, eyelids, and the reaction of the pupil to light. An ophthalmologist may perform a slit-lamp examination. Antihistamines may be prescribed, and general advice may be given. Antibiotic eye drops or ointments are frequently given. Cortisone-like eye ointments should be prescribed infrequently; certain infections (herpes) may get worse with these medicines. If herpes is diagnosed- usually by an ophthalmologist- special eye drops and other medicines will be needed.
Source: Take Care of Yourself by Vickery and Fries. 6th Ed.
1. Is vision decreased?
if YES: see doctor today!
if NO: proceed to #2.
2. Is the pupil irregular, or is there pain on exposure to bright light?
if YES: see doctor today!
if NO: proceed to #3.
3. Does this discharge resemble pus? Is it thick, greenish, or yellow-green?
if YES: see doctor today!
if NO: use home treatment
HOME TREATMENT
If a physical, chemical, or allergic exposure is the cause of the symptoms, the most important thing is avoiding exposure. Dark glasses, goggles at work, houses and cars with air-conditioning to filter the air, avoidance of chlorinated swimming pools, and other such measures are appropriate.
Antihistamines, either over-the-counter or by prescription, may help slightly if the problem is an allergy, but don't expect total relief without a good deal of drowsiness from the medication. Similarly, a viral infection related to a cold or flu will run its course in a few days, and it is best to be patient.
If the eye irritation doesn't clear up, if the discharge gets thicker, or if you have eye pain or a problem with vision, see your doctor. Don't expect a fever with bacterial infection of the eye; it may be absent. Because the infection is superficial, washing the eye gently with a boric acid solution (follow directions on the label) will help remove some of the bacteria, but you should still see a doctor. Eye drops ( Murine, Visine, etc.) may soothe minor conjunctivitis but won't cure it.
Burning eyes may be a call to social action. If the smoking of others around you is annoying, say so. If an industrial plant in your are is polluting, get the company to clean up its act.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE
The doctor will check vision, eye motion, eyelids, and the reaction of the pupil to light. An ophthalmologist may perform a slit-lamp examination. Antihistamines may be prescribed, and general advice may be given. Antibiotic eye drops or ointments are frequently given. Cortisone-like eye ointments should be prescribed infrequently; certain infections (herpes) may get worse with these medicines. If herpes is diagnosed- usually by an ophthalmologist- special eye drops and other medicines will be needed.
Source: Take Care of Yourself by Vickery and Fries. 6th Ed.
Decreased Vision
Here's what to do for decreased vision, follow the steps below:
1. Did blindness (partial or complete) occur suddenly in one or both eyes, or has the visual loss been severe?
if YES: see doctor now!
if NO: proceed to #2.
2. Do you have troubke seeing objects to either side, or do ou see halos around lights?
if YES: see doctor now!
if NO: proceed to #3.
3. Has the visual loss occurred very slowly over a long period?
if YES: see ophthalmologist or optometrist
if NO: make an appointment with doctor
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE
The doctor will check vision, eye movements, pupils, back of the eye, and eye pressure when appropriate; a slit-lamp examination may be done. A general medical evaluation will be done as required. Testing for eyeglasses may be needed; busy ophthalmologists will sometimes refer this procedure to an optometrist. Surgery may be recommended for some conditions.
Source: Take Care of Yourself by Vickery and Fries. 6th Ed.
1. Did blindness (partial or complete) occur suddenly in one or both eyes, or has the visual loss been severe?
if YES: see doctor now!
if NO: proceed to #2.
2. Do you have troubke seeing objects to either side, or do ou see halos around lights?
if YES: see doctor now!
if NO: proceed to #3.
3. Has the visual loss occurred very slowly over a long period?
if YES: see ophthalmologist or optometrist
if NO: make an appointment with doctor
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE
The doctor will check vision, eye movements, pupils, back of the eye, and eye pressure when appropriate; a slit-lamp examination may be done. A general medical evaluation will be done as required. Testing for eyeglasses may be needed; busy ophthalmologists will sometimes refer this procedure to an optometrist. Surgery may be recommended for some conditions.
Source: Take Care of Yourself by Vickery and Fries. 6th Ed.
Foreign Body in Eye
Here's what to do in case of foreign bodies in the eyes, follow the steps below:
1. Do any of the following apply?
a. Can the foreign body be seen, and does it remain after gentle washing?
b. Could the injury have penetrated the globe of the eye?
c. Can you see blood in the eye?
if YES: see doctor now!
if NO: proceed to #2.
2. Is there any problem with vision, or does it feel as if a foreign body might be trapped behind the upper lid?
if YES: see doctor now!
if NO: use home treatment
HOME TREATMENT
Be gentle. Wash the eye out. Water is good; a weak solution of boric acid is better, if available (follow label directions).
Inspect the eye yourself and have someone else check it as well. Use a good light and shine it from the front and the side. Pay particular attention to the cornea.
An eye patch will relieve pain. Take it off each day to recheck the eye; it is usually needed for 24 hours or less. Make the patch with several layers of gauze and tape it firmly in place; you want some gentle pressure on the eye.
Check vision each day; compare the two eyes by reading different sizes of newspaper type from across the room, first with one eye, then with the other. If you aren't sure all is going well, see a doctor.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE
The doctor will check your vision and inspect the eye, including under the upper lid - this isn't painful. Usually he or she will drop a fluorescent stain into the eye and then examine it under ultraviolet light- this isn't painful or hazardous. An opthalmologist will examine the eye with a microscope.
The doctor will remove any foreign body in the eye. In the office, the doctor may use a cotton swab, an eyewash solution, or a small needle or "eye spud". He or she sometimes applies an antibiotic ointment or provides an eye patch. Eye drops that dilate the pupil may be employed. The doctor may have X-rays taken if a foreign body may be inside the globe of the eye.
1. Do any of the following apply?
a. Can the foreign body be seen, and does it remain after gentle washing?
b. Could the injury have penetrated the globe of the eye?
c. Can you see blood in the eye?
if YES: see doctor now!
if NO: proceed to #2.
2. Is there any problem with vision, or does it feel as if a foreign body might be trapped behind the upper lid?
if YES: see doctor now!
if NO: use home treatment
HOME TREATMENT
Be gentle. Wash the eye out. Water is good; a weak solution of boric acid is better, if available (follow label directions).
Inspect the eye yourself and have someone else check it as well. Use a good light and shine it from the front and the side. Pay particular attention to the cornea.
An eye patch will relieve pain. Take it off each day to recheck the eye; it is usually needed for 24 hours or less. Make the patch with several layers of gauze and tape it firmly in place; you want some gentle pressure on the eye.
Check vision each day; compare the two eyes by reading different sizes of newspaper type from across the room, first with one eye, then with the other. If you aren't sure all is going well, see a doctor.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE
The doctor will check your vision and inspect the eye, including under the upper lid - this isn't painful. Usually he or she will drop a fluorescent stain into the eye and then examine it under ultraviolet light- this isn't painful or hazardous. An opthalmologist will examine the eye with a microscope.
The doctor will remove any foreign body in the eye. In the office, the doctor may use a cotton swab, an eyewash solution, or a small needle or "eye spud". He or she sometimes applies an antibiotic ointment or provides an eye patch. Eye drops that dilate the pupil may be employed. The doctor may have X-rays taken if a foreign body may be inside the globe of the eye.
Eye Pain
Pain in the eye can be an important symptom and can't be safely ignored for long. Fortunately it is an unusual complaint. Itching and burning are more common. Eye pain may be due to injury, infection, or an underlying disease.
An important disease that can cause eye pain is glaucoma. Glaucoma may slowly lead to blindness if not treated. In glaucoma, the fluid inside the eye is under abnormally high pressure, and the globe of the eye is tense, causing discomfort. Vision to the sides is the first to be lost. Gradually and almost imperceptibly, the field of vision narrows until the individual has "tunnel vision". In addition, a person often will see halos around light. Unfortunately, this sequence can occur even when there is no associated pain.
A feeling of tiredness in the eyes or some discomfort after a long period of fine work (eyestrain) is generally a minor problem and doesn't really qualify as eye pain. Severe pain behid the eye may result from migraine headacehs, and pain either above or below the eye may suggest sinus problems.
Pain in both eyes, particularly upon exposure to bright light, "photophobia", is common with many viral infections such as flu and will go away as the infection improves. More severe photophobia, particularly when only one eye is involved, may indicate inflammation of the deeper layers of the eye and requires a doctor.
Here's what to do in case of eye pain, follow the steps below:
EYE PAIN
1. Is the pain related to a significant injury, or is a foreign body present?
if YES: see Foreign Body in Eye
if NO: proceed to #2.
2. Is the pain an itching or burning sensation, or are the eyes runny?
if YES: see Eye Burning, Itching, and Discharge
if NO: proceed to #3.
3. Is there any decrease in vision?
if YES: see Decreased Vision
if NO: proceed to #4.
4. Is the pain severe or prolonged beyond 48 hours?
if YES: see your doctor today!
if NO: proceed to #5.
5. Is the pain more of a feeling of tiredness in the eyes, or are flu-like symptoms present?
if YES: make appointment with doctor!
if NO: use home treatment
HOME TREATMENT
Except for eye pain associated with a viral illness or eyestrain, or minor discomfort that is more tiredness than pain, we don't recommend home treatment. In these instances, resting the eyes, taking a few acetaminophen, and avoiding bright light may help.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE
The doctor will check vision, eye movements, and the back of the eye with an opthalmoscope. An opthalmologist (surgeon specializing in diseases of the eye) may look at the eye through a microscope or a device called a slit lamp. If glaucoma is possible, the doctor may check the pressure of the globe. This is simple, quick, and painless.
Source: Take Care of Yourself by Vickery and Fries. 6th Ed.
An important disease that can cause eye pain is glaucoma. Glaucoma may slowly lead to blindness if not treated. In glaucoma, the fluid inside the eye is under abnormally high pressure, and the globe of the eye is tense, causing discomfort. Vision to the sides is the first to be lost. Gradually and almost imperceptibly, the field of vision narrows until the individual has "tunnel vision". In addition, a person often will see halos around light. Unfortunately, this sequence can occur even when there is no associated pain.
A feeling of tiredness in the eyes or some discomfort after a long period of fine work (eyestrain) is generally a minor problem and doesn't really qualify as eye pain. Severe pain behid the eye may result from migraine headacehs, and pain either above or below the eye may suggest sinus problems.
Pain in both eyes, particularly upon exposure to bright light, "photophobia", is common with many viral infections such as flu and will go away as the infection improves. More severe photophobia, particularly when only one eye is involved, may indicate inflammation of the deeper layers of the eye and requires a doctor.
Here's what to do in case of eye pain, follow the steps below:
EYE PAIN
1. Is the pain related to a significant injury, or is a foreign body present?
if YES: see Foreign Body in Eye
if NO: proceed to #2.
2. Is the pain an itching or burning sensation, or are the eyes runny?
if YES: see Eye Burning, Itching, and Discharge
if NO: proceed to #3.
3. Is there any decrease in vision?
if YES: see Decreased Vision
if NO: proceed to #4.
4. Is the pain severe or prolonged beyond 48 hours?
if YES: see your doctor today!
if NO: proceed to #5.
5. Is the pain more of a feeling of tiredness in the eyes, or are flu-like symptoms present?
if YES: make appointment with doctor!
if NO: use home treatment
HOME TREATMENT
Except for eye pain associated with a viral illness or eyestrain, or minor discomfort that is more tiredness than pain, we don't recommend home treatment. In these instances, resting the eyes, taking a few acetaminophen, and avoiding bright light may help.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE
The doctor will check vision, eye movements, and the back of the eye with an opthalmoscope. An opthalmologist (surgeon specializing in diseases of the eye) may look at the eye through a microscope or a device called a slit lamp. If glaucoma is possible, the doctor may check the pressure of the globe. This is simple, quick, and painless.
Source: Take Care of Yourself by Vickery and Fries. 6th Ed.
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