The Dry Eye of Ocular Rosacea

Dry eye syndrome is one of the most common problems treated by eye physicians.

Tears are comprised of three layers. The mucus layer coats the cornea, the eye’s clear outer window, forming a foundation so the tear film can adhere to the eye. The middle aqueous layer provides moisture and supplies oxygen and other important nutrients to the cornea. This layer is made of 98 percent water along with small amounts of salt, proteins and other compounds. The outer lipid layer is an oily film that seals the tear film on the eye and helps to prevent evaporation.

Tears are formed in several glands around the eye. The water layer is produced in the lacrimal gland, located under the upper eyelid. Several smaller glands in the lids make the oil and mucus layers. With each blink, the eyelids spread the tears over the eye. Excess tears flow into two tiny drainage ducts in the corner of the eye by the nose. These ducts lead to tiny canals that connect to the nasal passage. The connection between the tear ducts and the nasal passage is the reason that crying causes a runny nose.

In addition to lubricating the eye, tears are also produced as a reflex response to outside stimulus such as an injury or emotion. However, reflex tears do little to soothe a dry eye, which is why someone with watery eyes may still complain of irritation.
Dry eye syndrome has many causes. One of the most common reasons for dryness is simply the normal aging process. As we grow older, our bodies produce less oil – 60% less at age 65 then at age 18. This is more pronounced in women, who tend to have drier skin then men. The oil deficiency also affects the tear film. Without as much oil to seal the watery layer, the tear film evaporates much faster, leaving dry areas on the cornea.

Many other factors, such as hot, dry or windy climates, high altitudes, air-conditioning and cigarette smoke also cause dry eyes. Many people also find their eyes become irritated when reading or working on a computer. Stopping periodically to rest and blink keeps the eyes more comfortable.

Contact lens wearers may also suffer from dryness because the contacts absorb the tear film, causing proteins to form on the surface of the lens. Certain medications, thyroid conditions, vitamin A deficiency, and diseases such as Parkinson’s and Sjogren’s can also cause dryness. Women frequently experience problems with dry eyes as they enter menopause because of hormonal changes.

More on this can be found at:
http://www.stlukeseye.com/Conditions/DryEyeSyndrome.asp

Ocular Rosacea Eye Infection From Your Contacts

CONTACT LENS ASSOCIATED EYE INFECTIONS
Microbial keratitis, with or without associated conjunctivitis and/or iritis, associated with contact lens use has become an increasingly important problem in recent years. Somewhere between a third and two thirds of cases of ulcerative keratitis are contact lens related.
The increased frequency is largely a function of increasing usage, with contact lens usage having increased by about twenty times in the last twenty years, but also relates to the advent, and increasing popularity, of extended wear varieties and practices. People who wear soft contact lenses for 24 hours or less at a time but sleep with them in are more than three times as likely to develop corneal infection than those who take them out at night, while those who wear them for more than 24 hours at a time are more than 18 times as likely. Estimated annual incidence per 10,000 users is 1 for daily wear rigid gas permeable lenses, 4 for daily wear soft lenses and 20 for extended wear soft lenses.
Symptoms of bacterial keratitis usually present acutely (within 24 hours) and include pain, photophobia, tearing, purulent discharge and reduced vision. Early in the course of the disease, a whitish to yellow stromal infiltrate develops under an epithelial defect in the presence of anterior chamber reaction and conjunctival injection. This progresses to stromal and epithelial oedema, anterior chamber reaction, hypopyon and, eventually, stromal necrosis. Often, Gram negative bacteria induce an immune precipitate (Wessely ring) to form around the nidus of infection.
A variety of organisms can be involved but the most commonly isolated organisms are Serratia, Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter (from contaminated sterilising and washing solutions) and staphylococci (from direct handling of lenses).

2001 by wordnet.com.au.

Episcleritis

Episcleritis is an inflammatory condition of the connective tissue between the conjunctiva and sclera known as the episclera.

The eye's red appearance makes it look similar to conjunctivitis, or pink eye, but there is no discharge or tearing. It usually has no apparent cause; however, it is sometimes associated with systemic inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, lupus, and inflammatory bowel disease. Rosacea, herpes simplex, gout, tuberculosis, and other diseases are also occasionally underlying causes.

Women are typically affected by episcleritis more frequently than men. It characteristically occurs in people who are in their 30's and 40's and is often a recurrent problem.

Signs and Symptoms of episcleritis include:
Generalized or local redness
Mild soreness or discomfort.
Episcleritis is diagnosed with a slit lamp examination. The doctor will look for discharge, pain, and involvement of the underlying scleral to rule out other problems.

Treatment for episcleritis is usually not needed. Chilled artificial tears can be used to soothe the eye and reduce mild inflammation. In more severe cases of episcleritis, mild steroids and anti-inflammatory medications are prescribed to reduce inflammation.

Iridocyclitis

Iridocyclitis is an inflammation of the iris (the colored part of the eye) and of the ciliary body (muscles and tissue involved in focusing the eye). This condition is also called "anterior uvetitis".
The condition can be marked by red eye, pain, photophobia (light sensitivity, literally "fear of light"), watering of the eyes and a decrease in vision. If only one eye is affected, shining light in the good eye can produce pain in the affected eye.

This is closely related to conjunctivitis, swelling of the mucous membranes around the eye.
Treatments include steroid, atropine, antibiotic or antiviral eyedrops.

Exposure to chemicals that irritate the eyes (such as lachrymators) can cause iridocyclitis or aggravate an existing case. Seek medical treatment if the condition does not clear up on its own.
If you are not certain whether a chemical was splashed in your eye or you are suffering from iridocyclitis you should consult a physician immediately.