According to the Mayo Clinic, trachoma is an infection that leads to blindness and is considered the leading bacterial cause of blindness worldwide. The trachoma bacteria can be contracted through eye, nose or throat secretions and can be spread...
Although Fuchs dystrophy is a known genetic disease, the one aggravating factor is cataract surgery. Individuals who have the surgery are (for whatever reason) far more likely to develop the condition than those who never do. If you're...
Herpes simplex virus causes a variety of symptoms and additional complications besides the trademark blisters and ulcers which commonly form. The two types of the virus are herpes simplex one and two. Type one generally affects the oral area...
Ocular herpes is the infection of the herpes simplex virus type 1 in the eye. The virus is associated with the oral herpes condition that causes cold sores on the lips, mouth and nasal areas. The infection is recurrent, and scarring of the cornea...
Chondroitin sulfate is a chemical used to treat a variety of ailments. Chondroitin is found in the body, particularly in cartilage near joints, acting as a cushion. Commonly used for osteoarthritis, chondroitin has been found to reduce pain and...
Individuals who experience edema and fluid buildup in the cornea can use hairdryers or other heat sources to literally dry out the tear film around the eye. Prescribed soft contact lenses can help to dehydrate/relieve fluid buildup as well. Your...
The cornea is the transparent covering of the eye's surface. Light enters the eye through the cornea and is focused for clear vision. Sometimes the cornea prevents clear vision because it's damaged or distorted. That's when replacement of the...
Routine eye exams help doctors monitor eye conditions, and when the doctor feels a surgical procedure may improve health or vision in the eye, he will discuss these options with the patient. In some instances, the patient does not have to make an...
Fuchs' dystrophy, Fuchs' heterochromic uveitis and Fuchs' spots are three different types of eye diseases all named for the same man, Ernst Fuchs. He was a Viennese professor in the early 1900s who described and named the three ocular diseases now...
The complexity of the eye structure and function includes muscles, blood vessels and nerves that constantly adjust to allow light to enter and image transmission to reach the brain for interpretation. The ear consists of three dimensions--the...
As soon as you realize that a chemical has gotten into your eye, immediately start flushing it out with water. This can be done with water from a regular sink or an emergency eye wash station, if available. As you flush, try to determine exactly...
A genetic disorder, Fuchs' dystrophy affects the cornea, which covers the iris in the eye. MedlinePlus notes that Fuchs' dystrophy usually affects both eyes. Patients with Fuchs' dystrophy have eye pain, vision that gets worse during the day,...
The purpose of the inner layer or the endothelium of the cornea is to pump the fluid out of the cornea and keep it clear. When the endothelial cells stop working, the cornea swells; this is called corneal edema. The endothelial cells can be...
The cornea is the clear outer layer that protects the front of the eye. Corneal ulcers, also known as keratitis, usually affect one eye at a time. This condition happens when bacteria or parasites enter the eye through the body, causing...
Corneal ulcers, sometimes referred to as keratitis, affect the cornea, the outer dome that covers the front of your eye. This often occurs from an infection in the cornea or from a scratch or other injury that causes an open wound in the corneal...
Although the eye is small, many things can go wrong within it. There are many types of surgeries to correct or improve various eye issues. With new technology and techniques, most common procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis and are...
Fuchs' corneal dystrophy occurs when the innermost layer of cells in the cornea fails for no obvious reason. This layer of cells is responsible for removing the water out of the cornea; when there is excess water in the cornea, the cornea swells...
The cornea is a clear dome that protects the surface of the eye. Damage to the cornea can seriously affect vision. In severe cases, damage to the cornea is so severe that corneal transplant becomes necessary. Some, but not all, of the disease...
Surprisingly, the theory behind Lasik surgery--reshaping the cornea to correct errors in refraction--has been around since the 1800s. Even the laser itself has been in use since the 1970s. Despite that longevity, having a laser shot into your...
Herpes Simplex is a viral infection transferred from person-to-person through direct contact. The virus typically affects the skin in the area where the virus enters the body, either in the mouth or in the genital area. Ocular herpes, also...
The cornea is the first line of defense against injury to the eye. The dome-shaped, clear tissue of the cornea covers the iris, the colored part of the eye, and the pupil, the hole that adjusts to let light into the eye. Diseases that damage the...
Viral infections in the eye may cause your eyes to feel uncomfortable, and some infections may result in blurry vision. Depending on the location and type of infection, your eye doctor may not have a medication to cure your eye infection. In many...
Hibiclens is the brand name for the antiseptic chlorhexidine. Chlorhexidine is widely used as a topical antiseptic skin cleanser before surgery and as a hand washing solution for surgeons. Chlorhexidine is also used as part of a mouthwash for...
The cornea makes up the front window of the eye, and helps focus light for good, clear vision. The cornea also has the responsibility of protecting the eye from outside particles. All five layers of the cornea receive nutrients from the tear film...
Chemical burns--caused by either acid or alkali substances--can cause pain, light sensitivity, reduced vision and damage to the eyelids. According to the "Handbook of Ocular Disease Management," burns caused by an alkali, such as drain cleaner,...
Vitamin deficiency may not be the first thing that comes to mind if you develop a skin condition, but many vitamin deficiencies cause skin problems. Because vitamins play such an important role in so many health areas, including tissue...
The clear tissue at the front of the eye is the cornea; in order to have clear vision, the tissue of the cornea needs to remain thin and transparent. The inner layer of the cornea called the endothelium keeps the cornea clear, and if there is a...
Any part of the eye can be affected by degenerative changes that decrease vision and interfere with activities of daily living. Some degenerative changes occur because of aging; others are related to heredity factors. Having regular eye exams and...