Inflammatory diseases of the conjunctiva – objective sypmtoms and subjective complaints
The term Conjunctivitis (pink eye) refers to inflammation of the conjunctiva. Conjunctiva is the mucous membrane that covers the front of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelids. It functions by facilitating in mobility and also provides defence against infections.
Inflammation of conjunctiva:
- Infective conjunctivitis o Bacterial o Viral o Chlamydial (check essay 23) o Fungal
- Non-infectious o Allergic (check essay 24) o In refractory errors o In Mechanical, physical, chemical impacts o “Dry eye” syndrome (check essay 25)
Subjective symptoms:
- foreign body sensation, burning, gritty irritation, itching.
Objective signs:
- Hyperemia (redness) o Typical sign of conjunctivitis o Due to increased filling of the conjunctival blood vessels Discharge (nature of exudate depends on the etiology):
- Serous discharge – suggests a viral or toxic conjunctivitis o purulent discharge – suggests a bacterial conjunctivitis o mucous discharge – suggests a conjunctivitis sicca and vernal conjunctivitis o mucopurulent discharge – chlamidia infections o membranous – diphterial conjunctivitis
- Oedema
- Circulation disorders (as a result of disturbances in venous or lymph drainage) o Inflammation of periocular tissues o Caused by traumas, burns, operative interventions, or inflammatory processes affecting the eye itself
- Folicles o In viral, chlamydia, and toxic conjunctivitis
- Papillae o Hyperplastic conjunctival epithelium growth, resembling pavement or velvet o In allergic and bacterial conjunctivitis
- Phlyctenae o Dense grayish translucent nodule (infiltrate) at the limbus surrounded by an area of hyperemia. Manifestation of allergic reaction