Actinic conjunctivitis

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Actinic conjunctivitis
Actinic conjunctivitis causes a redness of the eyes, as well as swelling and often grayness around the eyes- 2014-05-21 23-27.JPG
Actinic conjunctivitis causes a redness of the eyes, as well as swelling and often greyness around the eyes.

Actinic conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the eye contracted from prolonged exposure to actinic (ultraviolet) rays. Symptoms are redness and swelling of the eyes. Most often the condition is caused by prolonged exposure to Klieg lights, therapeutic lamps or acetylene torches. Other names for the condition include Klieg conjunctivitis, eyeburn, arc-flash, welder's conjunctivitis, flash keratoconjunctivitis, actinic ray ophthalmia, X-ray ophthalmia and ultraviolet ray ophthalmia. [1]

Contents

Symptoms

Conjunctivitis eye condition contracted from exposure to actinic rays. Symptoms are redness and swelling. [2]

Causes

Conjunctivitis is prevalent among children of the highlands of Ecuador. The finding supports the hypothesis that prolonged exposure to the sun at altitude, in the less dense atmosphere (with the resultant lower UV absorption), is one cause of the condition. [3]

Diagnosis

The diagnostic process of Actinic conjunctivitis stems from a doctor check-up once symptoms of redness, itching, or infection become evident in one or both eyes. In addition to the doctor inquiring about your symptoms, the medical appointment can consist of a slit lamp examination to observe the eye closely and in some cases an eye surface swabbing with fluorescein to test for foreign agents in the eye. [4] [5]

Management

The wearing of sunglasses and avoiding prolonged sun exposure are the two main ways to prevent actinic conjunctivitis. Once the patient contracts this conjunctivitis, however, the symptoms can be treated with cyclosporine A and other steroids. On more advanced lesions, surgery may be necessary. [3]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conjunctivitis</span> Inflammation of the eye

Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is inflammation of the outermost layer of the white part of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelid. It makes the eye appear pink or reddish. Pain, burning, scratchiness, or itchiness may occur. The affected eye may have increased tears or be "stuck shut" in the morning. Swelling of the white part of the eye may also occur. Itching is more common in cases due to allergies. Conjunctivitis can affect one or both eyes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sclera</span> White part of an eyeball

The sclera, also known as the white of the eye or, in older literature, as the tunica albuginea oculi, is the opaque, fibrous, protective outer layer of the eye containing mainly collagen and some crucial elastic fiber.

Photokeratitis or ultraviolet keratitis is a painful eye condition caused by exposure of insufficiently protected eyes to the ultraviolet (UV) rays from either natural or artificial sources. Photokeratitis is akin to a sunburn of the cornea and conjunctiva.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pterygium (eye)</span> Pinkish, triangular tissue growth on the cornea of the eye

A pterygium of the eye is a pinkish, roughly triangular tissue growth of the conjunctiva onto the cornea of the eye. It typically starts on the cornea near the nose. It may slowly grow but rarely grows so large that it covers the pupil and impairs vision. Often both eyes are involved.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blepharitis</span> Medical condition of the eyelid

Blepharitis, sometimes known as granulated eyelids, is one of the most common ocular conditions characterized by inflammation, scaling, reddening, and crusting of the eyelid. This condition may also cause swelling, burning, itching, or a grainy sensation when introducing foreign objects or substances to the eye. Although blepharitis by itself is not sight-threatening, it can lead to permanent alterations of the eyelid margin. The primary cause is bacteria and inflammation from congested meibomian oil glands at the base of each eyelash. Other conditions may give rise to blepharitis, whether they be infectious or noninfectious, including, but not limited to, bacterial infections or allergies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dry eye syndrome</span> Medical condition

Dry eye syndrome, also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, is the condition of having dry eyes. Symptoms include dryness in the eye, irritation, redness, discharge, blurred vision, and easily fatigued eyes. Symptoms range from mild and occasional to severe and continuous. Dry eye syndrome can lead to blurred vision, instability of the tear film, increased risk of damage to the ocular surface such as scarring of the cornea, and changes in the eye including the neurosensory system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Klieg light</span> Carbon arc lamp used in stage & screen lighting

A Klieg light is an intense carbon arc lamp especially used in filmmaking. It is named after inventor John Kliegl and his brother Anton Kliegl. Klieg lights usually have a Fresnel lens with a spherical reflector or an ellipsoidal reflector with a lens train containing two plano-convex lenses or a single step lens.

Actinism is the property of solar radiation that leads to the production of photochemical and photobiological effects. Actinism is derived from the Ancient Greek ἀκτίς, ἀκτῖνος. The word actinism is found, for example, in the terminology of imaging technology, medicine, and chemistry, and the concept of actinism is applied, for example, in chemical photography and X-ray imaging.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red eye (medicine)</span> Eye that appears red due to illness or injury

A red eye is an eye that appears red due to illness or injury. It is usually injection and prominence of the superficial blood vessels of the conjunctiva, which may be caused by disorders of these or adjacent structures. Conjunctivitis and subconjunctival hemorrhage are two of the less serious but more common causes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allergic conjunctivitis</span> Medical condition

Allergic conjunctivitis (AC) is inflammation of the conjunctiva due to allergy. Although allergens differ among patients, the most common cause is hay fever. Symptoms consist of redness, edema (swelling) of the conjunctiva, itching, and increased lacrimation. If this is combined with rhinitis, the condition is termed allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eye drop</span> Liquid applied directly to the eye

Eye drops or eyedrops are liquid drops applied directly to the surface of the eye usually in small amounts such as a single drop or a few drops. Eye drops usually contain saline to match the salinity of the eye. Drops containing only saline and sometimes a lubricant are often used as artificial tears to treat dry eyes or simple eye irritation such as itching or redness. Eye drops may also contain one or more medications to treat a wide variety of eye diseases. Depending on the condition being treated, they may contain steroids, antihistamines, sympathomimetics, beta receptor blockers, parasympathomimetics, parasympatholytics, prostaglandins, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antibiotics, antifungals, or topical anesthetics.

Keratoconjunctivitis is a term used to describe inflammation of both the cornea and the conjunctiva. This condition can have various causes, and its presentation may vary depending on the underlying factors.

Light sensitivity or photosensitivity refers to a notable or increased reactivity to light. Apart from vision, human beings have many physiological and psychological responses to light. In rare individuals an atypical response may result in serious discomfort, disease, or injury. Some drugs have a photosensitizing effect. Properties of natural or artificial light that may abnormally affect people include:

Photodermatoses is a skin condition resulting in abnormal skin reactions to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. These abnormal skin reactions may develop into rashes. While reactions to UV radiation is common, true photodermatoses is considered when an abnormal reaction is caused by UV-A rays or radiation between 320 and 400 nm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neonatal conjunctivitis</span> Medical condition

Neonatal conjunctivitis is a form of conjunctivitis which affects newborn babies following birth. It is typically due to neonatal bacterial infection, although it can also be non-infectious. Infectious neonatal conjunctivitis is typically contracted during vaginal delivery from exposure to bacteria from the birth canal, most commonly Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Chlamydia trachomatis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emedastine</span> Chemical compound

Emedastine (trade name Emadine) is a second generation antihistamine used in eye drops to alleviate the symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis. It acts as a H1 receptor antagonist. It works by blocking the action of histamine that causes allergic symptoms. It is used in form of the difumarate. The emedastine difumarate is a white, crystalline, water-soluble fine powder. Emedastine eye drops is usually applied twice a day to the affected eye. When the patients with allergic conjunctivitis were treated with 0.05% emedastine difumarate ophthalmic solution for six weeks, the signs and symptoms such as redness, itching and swelling of the eyes were relieved. Emedastine appears to be devoid of effects on adrenergic, dopaminergic and serotonin receptors. This drug was developed by Alcon, which is global medical company specializing in eye care products.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Punctate epithelial erosions</span> Medical condition

Punctate epithelial erosions are a pathology affecting the cornea.

Ophthalmia is inflammation of the eye. It results in congestion of the eyeball, often eye-watering, redness and swelling, itching and burning, and a general feeling of irritation under the eyelids. Ophthalmia can have different causes, such as infection from bacteria, viruses, fungi, or may result from a physical trauma to the eye, chemical irritation, and allergies. A bacteria infection can result in a mucus and pus secretion. Severe cases of ophthalmia can cause blindness if not treated, especially in newborns, who contract it from the environment in the womb. Treatments vary according to the nature of the cause, with minor irritations going away on their own.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis in Ghana</span> Aspect of public health in Ghana

Acute Haemmorrhagic Conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the conjunctiva of sudden onset. It presents as a reddening of the eye due to the infection of the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is the thin transparent tissue that covers the eye from the Corneal limbus to the lid margin. Many conditions can lead to the inflammation of the conjunctiva. They include allergies, bacterial infection, viral infection etc. A common form of the condition that occurs every rainy season is the seasonal conjunctivitis popularly referred to as "Apollo" by West Africans because the reports of its first epidemic in Accra coincided with the Apollo 11 Moon landing. Every year prior to the rainy season in the country, various health warnings are given to remind citizens of the condition.

Photophthalmia is ophthalmia or inflammation of the eye, especially of the cornea and conjunctiva due to exposure to intense light of short wavelength, as in snow blindness.

References

  1. "Dorland's Medical Dictionary (confabulation — connexus)". Archived from the original on 2007-08-13. Retrieved 2007-07-27.
  2. "Actinic conjunctivitis".
  3. 1 2 Engel, J. Mark; Molinari, Andrea; Ostfeld, Barbara; Deen, Malik; Croxatto, Oscar (April 2009). "Actinic conjunctivitis in children: Clinical features, relation to sun exposure, and proposed staging and treatment". Journal of American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. 13 (2): 161–165. doi:10.1016/j.jaapos.2008.10.017. ISSN   1091-8531.
  4. "Conjunctivitis Information | Mount Sinai - New York". Mount Sinai Health System. Retrieved 2024-04-28.
  5. "Fluorescein eye stain: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia". medlineplus.gov. Retrieved 2024-04-29.