Condition Lookup
Category:
Surface and External Eye Conditions
Number of Conditions: 4
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
Specialty: Ophthalmology
Category: Surface and External Eye Conditions
Symptoms:
red eyes; itchy eyes; tearing; discharge from eyes; crusting of eyelids
Root Cause:
Infection or irritation causes inflammation of the conjunctiva.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical evaluation; culture if infectious cause is suspected.
Treatment:
Antibiotic drops for bacterial infections, antihistamines for allergic conjunctivitis.
Medications:
Antibiotic eye drops (e.g., Erythromycin , Ofloxacin ), antihistamines (e.g., Ketotifen ) for allergic conjunctivitis.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Very common; affects millions of people globally each year.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Viral or bacterial infections, allergies, exposure to irritants.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Viral cases resolve within 1–2 weeks; bacterial cases improve with antibiotics.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Secondary infections, scarring (rare).
Dry Eye Syndrome
Specialty: Ophthalmology
Category: Surface and External Eye Conditions
Symptoms:
stinging; burning; dry eyes; gritty sensation; red eyes; light sensitivity; blurry vision
Root Cause:
Insufficient tear production or rapid tear evaporation causes dryness and irritation.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Tear break-up time test, Schirmer’s test, or Slit-lamp examination.
Treatment:
Artificial tears, prescription medications like Restasis, or punctal plugs.
Medications:
Artificial tears, cyclosporine eye drops (e.g., Restasis ), lifitegrast eye drops (e.g., Xiidra).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects 5–50% of people worldwide, more common in older adults and women.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Aging, hormonal changes, screen use, environmental factors, autoimmune diseases.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Manageable with proper treatment; chronic cases may persist.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic irritation, corneal damage, reduced quality of life.
Blepharitis
Specialty: Ophthalmology
Category: Surface and External Eye Conditions
Symptoms:
red eyes; swollen eyelids; itchy eyes; flaking skin around eyes; burning; crusting of eyelashes
Root Cause:
Chronic inflammation of the eyelid margins due to bacterial overgrowth or clogged oil glands.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination of the eyelids and eyelashes, sometimes using a slit-lamp.
Treatment:
Warm compresses, eyelid scrubs, and antibiotic ointments like Erythromycin.
Medications:
Warm compresses, eyelid scrubs, and antibiotic ointments (e.g., Erythromycin ).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Very common; affects people of all ages, especially those with oily skin or dandruff.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Poor eyelid hygiene, rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Chronic but manageable with consistent treatment.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Recurrent styes, dry eyes, corneal irritation.
Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia
Specialty: Ophthalmology
Category: Surface and External Eye Conditions
Symptoms:
growth on conjunctiva; red eyes; eye irritation
Root Cause:
Abnormal cell growth on the conjunctiva due to UV exposure.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Biopsy of the lesion.
Treatment:
Surgical excision, topical chemotherapy (Mitomycin C), cryotherapy.
Medications:
Topical chemotherapy (e.g., Mitomycin C, 5-Fluorouracil).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare; higher prevalence in regions with high UV exposure.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
UV exposure, HPV infection, HIV/AIDS.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Early-stage lesions have a good prognosis with treatment.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Recurrence, invasion of deeper ocular structures.