Conjunctivitis and Rosacea
The most common complication of the eye associated with rosacea is an intermittent inflammatory conjunctivitis, with or without blepharitis.
Prominent symptoms include eyes that are itchy, burning, or dry; a gritty or foreign body sensation; and erythema and swelling of the eyelid.
The ocular changes can become chronic. Corneal neovascularization and keratitis can occur, leading to corneal scarring and perforation.
The conjunctiva is a thin, translucent, relatively elastic tissue layer in the eye with both bulbar and palpebral portions. The bulbar portion of the conjunctiva lines the outer aspect of the globe, while the palpebral portion covers the inside of the eyelids. Underneath the conjunctiva lie the episclera, the sclera and the uveal tissue layers.
The clinical term "red eye" is applied to a variety of distinct infectious or inflammatory ocular disease processes that involve one or more tissue layers of the eye. Red eye is the most common ocular problem seen by primary care physicians.
The term "conjunctivitis" encompasses a broad group of conditions presenting as inflammation of the conjunctiva. The inflammation can be hyperacute, acute or chronic in presentation and infectious or noninfectious in origin.
Conjunctivitis is the most common cause of red eye.
Most frequently, conjunctivitis (and thus red eye) is caused by a bacterial or viral infection.
Sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydial infection and gonorrhea are less common causes of conjunctivitis. However, these infections are becoming more prevalent and are important to recognize because of their significant associated systemic, ocular and social implications.
Ocular allergy in its many forms is one of the major causes of chronic conjunctivitis. Blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelid margin), dry eye and the prolonged use of ophthalmic medications, contact lenses and ophthalmic solutions are also relatively frequent causes of chronic conjunctival inflammation.
Prominent symptoms include eyes that are itchy, burning, or dry; a gritty or foreign body sensation; and erythema and swelling of the eyelid.
The ocular changes can become chronic. Corneal neovascularization and keratitis can occur, leading to corneal scarring and perforation.
The conjunctiva is a thin, translucent, relatively elastic tissue layer in the eye with both bulbar and palpebral portions. The bulbar portion of the conjunctiva lines the outer aspect of the globe, while the palpebral portion covers the inside of the eyelids. Underneath the conjunctiva lie the episclera, the sclera and the uveal tissue layers.
The clinical term "red eye" is applied to a variety of distinct infectious or inflammatory ocular disease processes that involve one or more tissue layers of the eye. Red eye is the most common ocular problem seen by primary care physicians.
The term "conjunctivitis" encompasses a broad group of conditions presenting as inflammation of the conjunctiva. The inflammation can be hyperacute, acute or chronic in presentation and infectious or noninfectious in origin.
Conjunctivitis is the most common cause of red eye.
Most frequently, conjunctivitis (and thus red eye) is caused by a bacterial or viral infection.
Sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydial infection and gonorrhea are less common causes of conjunctivitis. However, these infections are becoming more prevalent and are important to recognize because of their significant associated systemic, ocular and social implications.
Ocular allergy in its many forms is one of the major causes of chronic conjunctivitis. Blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelid margin), dry eye and the prolonged use of ophthalmic medications, contact lenses and ophthalmic solutions are also relatively frequent causes of chronic conjunctival inflammation.
posted by Nick Riley at 11:09 AM
