Eagleview Eye Clinic

Tag eye diseases

CORNEA DEBRIDING

Corneal debridement is the careful removal of damaged, diseased, or infected tissue from the cornea. It’s a common procedure in eye care, especially for infections like fungal keratitis.

Why it’s done:

  • Improves drug penetration: Meds can reach deeper layers better.
  • Diagnostic: Tissue can be tested to identify the pathogen.
  • Therapeutic: Removes infected tissue to stop spread.

How it’s done:

  1. Numbing: Anesthetic eye drops are used to prevent pain.
  2. Sterile instruments: A spatula, blade, or cotton swab is used to gently scrape the cornea.
  3. Microscope guidance: Often done under a slit-lamp or operating microscope.
  4. Cleaning: After scraping, the area may be irrigated.
  5. Medication: Antifungal, antibacterial, or antiviral drops are applied afterward.

It’s usually quick (minutes) and done in a clinic or minor operating room.

VIRAL CONJUNCTIVITIS

Viral keratitis = corneal infection caused by a virus (most often herpes simplex virus type 1). It’s a common cause of corneal inflammation and can lead to recurrent episodes.

Causes

  • Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1): Most common
  • Varicella-zoster virus (VZV): Shingles can affect the eye
  • Other viruses like adenovirus can cause keratitis too

Symptoms

  • Watery eyes
  • Eye pain or discomfort
  • Redness
  • Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
  • Blurred vision
  • Feeling of something in the eye
  • Sometimes tiny corneal ulcers or dendritic lesions (branching pattern)

Diagnosis

  • Slit-lamp exam: Look for typical dendritic ulcers with fluorescein stain
  • Viral PCR testing (corneal scraping) if needed

Treatment

  • Antivirals: Acyclovir ointment, ganciclovir gel, or oral antivirals for HSV
  • Steroids: May be used cautiously to reduce inflammation, but need monitoring
  • Supportive care: Lubricating eye drops for comfort

Complications

  • Recurrent episodes (HSV can hide in nerves and reactivate)
  • Corneal scarring → vision loss
  • Stromal keratitis (deeper corneal inflammation)

Prevention

  • Good hand hygiene
  • Avoid touching or rubbing eyes
  • Antiviral prophylaxis may be used for recurrent cases

FUNGAL KERATITIS

Fungal keratitis = infection of the cornea (the clear front part of the eye) caused by fungi. It’s less common than bacterial keratitis but can be more sneaky and harder to treat.

How it happens 🍄

  • Trauma with organic matter (tree branch, soil, plant material)
  • Contact lenses (especially if you wear them overnight or in dirty conditions)
  • Immunosuppression or chronic eye disease
  • Contaminated eye drops or solutions

Common culprits

  • Filamentous fungi: Fusarium, Aspergillus
  • Yeasts: Candida

Symptoms (often slower onset than bacterial)

  • Eye pain (can be severe)
  • Redness
  • Blurred or hazy vision
  • Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
  • Tearing or watery discharge
  • White, gray, or feathery corneal infiltrate (spot)

Diagnosis

  • Slit-lamp exam: Looks for typical fungal plaque or ulcer
  • Corneal scraping: Microscopy and culture to ID the fungus
  • Sometimes PCR testing for faster results

Treatment goals

  1. Kill the fungus
  2. Control inflammation
  3. Prevent complications (like scarring or perforation)

Treatment options

  • Topical antifungals: Natamycin 5% (gold standard for filamentous), Amphotericin B, Voriconazole drops
  • Oral antifungals: Voriconazole or Itraconazole for severe/deep cases
  • Debridement: Scrape infected tissue to improve drug penetration
  • Steroids: Controversial; used cautiously to control inflammation after fungal load is down

Complications if untreated

  • Corneal scarring → vision loss
  • Corneal perforation (hole in cornea)
  • Endophthalmitis (infection spreads inside the eye)

Prevention tips

  • Protect eyes in dusty/agricultural settings (goggles)
  • Proper contact lens hygiene (clean, replace solutions, no overnight wear unless approved)
  • Avoid rubbing eyes after injury; seek care ASAP
SECONDARY EYE INFECTION

Secondary eye infection = infection that shows up after the eye’s already been hurt or irritated (like after a lash‑extension mishap or the irrigation you just did). Basically, the eye’s natural barrier gets compromised, and bacteria or fungi take advantage of that opening.

What it looks like 👀

  • Redness that gets worse or spreads
  • Swelling around the eyelid or eye itself
  • Discharge that’s yellow‑green, thick, or crusty (not just watery tears)
  • Pain or a gritty feeling that lingers
  • Vision changes (blurry, hazy)
  • Itching or a feeling like something’s still in the eye

Common culprits 🦠

  • Bacterial: Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Pseudomonas (especially if you used tap water for irrigation)
  • Fungal: rare, but can happen after prolonged steroid use or contaminated solutions
  • Viral: sometimes a secondary viral conjunctivitis can tag along

Prevention tips 🛡️

  1. Use sterile saline (or a commercial eye‑wash) for irrigation—no tap water.
  2. Keep hands clean before touching the eye area.
  3. Don’t reuse applicators or share eye drops.
  4. Replace contact lenses (if you wear them) with a fresh pair after the incident.
  5. Avoid rubbing the eye—use a clean, damp compress instead.

When to get professional help 🚨

  • Symptoms persist >24 h after irrigation
  • You notice increasing pain, swelling, or discharge
  • Vision gets blurry or cloudy
  • Any fever or feeling generally unwell

A doctor can prescribe antibiotic eye drops/ointment (e.g., moxifloxacin, tobramycin) or antifungal drops if needed. Early treatment usually clears it up fast.

COPIOUS IRRIGATION

Copious irrigation is like giving your eye a superhero-level rinse! 🚿💦 Here’s the deets:

What it is:

Flushing the eye with a large amount of sterile water or saline solution to remove irritants, chemicals, or foreign particles (like lash glue!).

How to do it:

  1. Use sterile water or saline: Lukewarm is best.
  2. Flush for 15-20 minutes: Keep the eye open and pour water/saline continuously.
  3. Tilt head: To the side, so the water runs out of the eye.
  4. Avoid rubbing: Gently keep the eye open.

When to do it:

  • After a lash extension accident
  • Chemical splash
  • Foreign object in the eye

Why it’s important:

  • Removes harmful substances
  • Reduces risk of damage or infection
  • Soothes irritation

DARK EYE CIRCLES

Dark eye circles 👀🖤 can be tricky. Here’s the lowdown:

Causes:

  1. Thin skin: Shows underlying blood vessels
  2. Allergies: Histamines cause swelling
  3. Fatigue: Lack of sleep shows!
  4. Genetics: Some skin tones show darker circles
  5. Aging: Skin loses collagen

Fixes & hacks:

  1. Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hrs 💤
  2. Cold compress: Shrink those vessels ❤️‍🩹
  3. Concealer: Quick cover-up 💄
  4. Allergy meds: If allergies are the culprit 🤧
  5. Eye creams: With retinol or vitamin K 🌿

SALACYN EYEDROPS

Salacyn 5% Eye Drops are essentially concentrated salt (sodium chloride) used for the temporary relief of swollen eyes (corneal edema) by drawing excess fluid out of the cornea. They are a prescription medication, often causing mild stinging initially, and typically applied as 1-2 drops every 3-4 hours as directed by a doctor, helping to clear the fluid via tears. 

Key Details:

  • Active Ingredient: Sodium Chloride (Salt).
  • Purpose: Reduces corneal swelling (edema) by creating a hypertonic solution that pulls fluid out of the eye.
  • How it Works: The high salt concentration draws water from the swollen cornea into the tear film, which is then shed, reducing swelling and improving vision.
  • Dosage: Usually 1 to 2 drops in the affected eye(s) every 3 to 4 hours, or as prescribed.
  • Common Sensation: Mild stinging or burning is normal upon application but usually subsides quickly.
  • Availability: Prescription-only (POM) in many regions, manufactured by companies like Ashford Laboratories.
  • Usage: Do not touch the tip of the dropper to any surface to prevent contamination; keep the cap tightly closed. 

Important Considerations:

  • Consult a Doctor: Always use under professional guidance; your doctor needs to confirm it’s the right treatment for your specific condition.
  • Symptoms: If symptoms don’t improve or worsen, contact your eye doctor.
  • Serious Side Effects: Rare but contact your doctor if you experience severe allergic reactions (hives, swelling) or signs of salicylate toxicity (nausea, dizziness, hearing loss). 

CATALIN

👨‍⚕️ Catalin is a topical eye drop for cataract management.

Key points:

  1. Active ingredient: Sodium 1-hydroxy-5-oxo-5H-pyrido[3,2-a]phenoxazine-3-carboxylate
  2. Antioxidant properties: May reduce oxidative stress in the lens
  3. Usage: Instill 1-2 drops, 3-4 times daily

Potential benefits:

  1. Slows cataract progression: May help delay surgery
  2. Antioxidant effect: Protects lens proteins

Notes:

  1. Consult an eye doctor: For proper diagnosis and treatment
  2. Not a cure: Management tool
EYEBETSOL N

👨‍⚕️ Betamethasone is a corticosteroid.

Uses:

  1. Inflammation: Reduces swelling and redness
  2. Allergies: Treats allergic reactions
  3. Eye conditions: Uveitis, scleritis, or post-surgery inflammation

Eye-related uses:

  1. Post-operative care: Reduces inflammation
  2. Uveitis: Treats eye inflammation
  3. Scleritis: Manages scleral inflammation

Forms:

  1. Eye drops: Topical application
  2. Injections: Periocular or intravitreal
Slow-k

👨‍⚕️ SLOW K is a potassium supplement.

Uses:

  1. Potassium deficiency: Treats or prevents low levels
  2. Hypokalemia: Manages low potassium
  3. Diuretic therapy: Replenishes potassium

Eye-related connection:

  1. Glaucoma treatment: Sometimes used with other meds

Notes:

  1. Monitor levels: Regular blood tests
  2. GI side effects: Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea