Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
More serious causes of red eye that warrant immediate attention and evacuation of the
individual to the nearest medical facility include iritis, scleritis, and acute angle-closure
glaucoma. These all have a fairly distinct presentation and should be taken very seriously
as they can result in permanent loss of vision if not treated appropriately and quickly.
Scleritisischaracterizedbyinflammationofthesclera(thewhitepartoftheeyebeneath
the bulbar conjunctiva). It causes pain and is tender to touch. The redness that it produces
can be either in one area or diffuse. The palpebral conjunctiva is not involved in scleritis,
which helps differentiate this condition from conjunctivitis. Scleritis can pose a significant
threat to vision and may be associated with serious disease in other parts of the body.
Iritis (acute anterior uveitis) is characterized by inflammation in the front part of the in-
side of the eye. Characteristic findings can be seen with the magnification of a slit lamp,
butthisisnotfeasibleinanoutdoorenvironment.Thefollowingcluesmayhelpidentifyir-
itis.Itcausespain,photophobia(increasedsensitivityorintolerancetolight),blurryvision,
and redness. The pain is often described as an ache. The redness is usually greatest at the
limbus, where the white part of the eye meets the clear part, and decreases as it gets farther
away.Thepupilisoftenslightlyconstrictedorirregularaswellassomewhatsluggishinits
response to light. Sometimes, if the condition is severe, an accumulation of white, purulent
material may settle on the inside of the cornea and be visible without magnification.
Acute angle-closure glaucoma can also cause a red eye and is an ocular emergency.
Normally, a healthy eye contains fluid that keeps the internal pressure within a certain
range. This fluid is constantly being produced and drained in a balanced manner that keeps
arelativelyspecificamountwithintheeye.Theareawherethefluiddrainsisthetrabecular
meshwork located at the angle where the iris meets the cornea. If this angle becomes too
narrow or closes, then the outflow tract is blocked and fluid builds up in the eye, leading
to rapidly elevated intraocular pressure. The result is moderate to severe pain and redness.
Most often involvement is limited to one eye. The redness, as in iritis, is greatest at the
limbus.
If angle-closure glaucoma is suspected, gently pressing on each eye with the lids closed
reveals that the eye on the involved side is much harder. As opposed to the semi-constric-
ted pupil in iritis, the pupil in angle-closure glaucoma is dilated and does not react to light.
The pupil in the unaffected eye is normal in size and does react to light. This condition can
resultinopticnerveatrophyandpermanentlossofvisionwithinhoursifnottreatedappro-
priately.
Iritis, scleritis, and acute angle-closure glaucoma all require immediate evacuation to
the nearest medical facility with an ophthalmologist.
OCULAR SURFACE DISORDERS
Otherproblemsthatpeoplemayexperienceinoutdoorsettingsincludedamageorirritation
to the ocular surface, particularly the cornea, the clear area on the front surface of the eye.
Search WWH ::




Custom Search