Dry Eye Baltimore, MD can spot problems with your vision, eye diseases and health issues that may affect the rest of your body. That’s why it’s important to see your eye doctor regularly, especially as you get older.
Your eye exam will include checking your close and distance vision. Your eye doctor will also test how well your eyes can read from a chart.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that attacks the tissues of your joints, leading to pain, swelling and stiffness. It’s also a systemic disease, which means it can affect other parts of your body, including the skin, lungs and eyes.
Eye complications are not uncommon in people with RA, particularly in those with a more severe form of the disease. One common symptom is dry eyes, which can lead to infection and can be caused by the inflammation of the white part of the eye called the sclera or the clear structure at the front of the eye called the cornea. The inflammation of the sclera can be more painful and may bleed, and is referred to as scleritis. It can be very serious and requires a prompt referral to the eye specialist.
If you have RA, it’s important to see both your rheumatologist and an optometrist for regular eye exams. This will help to manage the symptoms of the eye disease and reduce their severity. It can also help to catch chronic eye diseases such as cataracts and glaucoma, which are more likely in people with RA. These conditions need to be treated promptly because they can cause permanent vision loss.
Dry Eye
For people who suffer from recurrent eye irritation, such as burning, itching or redness, it can be tempting to dismiss the symptoms as allergies or spending too much time at the computer. But these irritants could be signs of Dry Eye Syndrome, and a visit to an ophthalmologist is the best way to determine the underlying cause of the symptoms.
Symptoms are usually related to a lack of natural oil in the tears due to blocked (meibomian) glands in the eyelids. The condition can also be exacerbated by environmental conditions such as smoke, wind, circulating airplane or car air and low humidity, and by medications for depression, blood pressure, glaucoma and pain.
Eye doctors will start with a patient history to determine the duration and severity of symptoms and note any general health problems or medications that may contribute to the disorder. They will also perform an external examination of the eyes, including the lids and the surface of the cornea using a bright light and magnification. Special dyes, such as fluorescein and lissamine green staining, may be used to help identify the presence of foreign matter or damage to the corneal tissues. Other tests include a tear flow evaluation, corneal cell counts, infrared imaging and an assessment of the blinking pattern.
Glaucoma
Your eye doctor may use a variety of tests to check for glaucoma. They’ll ask you about your family history of the disease and other health problems. They’ll also do a complete vision test and check your blood pressure.
They might do a painless air-puff test. You’ll rest your chin on a machine, and the eye care specialist blows a puff of air into your eyes to measure your intraocular pressure. Your doctor will also use an instrument called a tonometer and do an exam of your peripheral (side) vision. They might dilate your eyes and do an exam of the structure of your optic nerve. They’ll also do a test of how well you see above and below your line of sight when looking straight ahead (field of vision).
An eye surgeon can treat most types of glaucoma by changing the way your eye makes or drains fluid. They may need to do surgery or laser therapy to improve the flow of fluids from your eye. They’ll monitor your eye pressure regularly to keep it in a safe range to prevent further damage to your optic nerve. They’ll probably give you eyedrops that lower the creation of fluid or help it drain more quickly, lowering your eye pressure.
Ocular Infections
Infection can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites; in some cases allergies also contribute. These infectious agents spread easily from person to person, usually by touching the eyes with contaminated hands or through a contaminated surface or by breathing in bacteria or viruses.
In the eye, infections can be caused by bacteria, fungi and parasites; they may also result from a foreign body in the eye such as a contact lens or an injury. Infections can be acute or chronic, ranging from mild to severe. The symptoms include pain, itching, eye discharge and blurred vision.
In the clinic, eye infections can be spread from patient to patient by simple social greeting (shaking hands). A healthcare worker should ensure that their hands are washed well before and after each patient examination. They should also wash their chin rest, head rim and hand grips between patients. The reusable parts of an exam instrument should be soaked in sodium hypochlorite 1% between uses. These measures reduce the risk of infection for both the patient and the eye doctor. Symptoms of infection should be reported to the doctor as soon as possible to avoid permanent damage and spread of disease.
Syphilis
Syphilis is one of the world’s oldest and most dangerous sexually transmitted diseases, but it’s also among the most difficult to diagnose. Symptoms of the disease typically start with painless sores on the genitals or anus. Untreated, the bacteria can spread to other parts of the body, including the eyes.
The bacterium that causes syphilis is called Treponema pallidum, and it can enter the bloodstream and reach the brain. This is what’s known as neurosyphilis, and it can cause uveitis and optic neuropathy. Often, eye symptoms appear only in the late stages of syphilis. But the disease can become latent, or hidden, in your body for years without causing any symptoms.
Ocular involvement in syphilis is a manifestation of neurosyphilis and can occur during the primary, secondary, or latent stages of the infection. It’s important to note that patients who develop ocular syphilis must receive systemic treatment for the disease from a physician with STD expertise. This is because a local Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction in the eye can be destructive and requires aggressive antimicrobial therapy. All ocular syphilis patients should also be tested for HIV and gonorrhea. This is because syphilis can lead to a deadly form of HIV.
Herpes
Herpes is a common infection that affects the cornea (the clear outer layer of your eye) and can cause painful red eyes, sensitivity to light, and clusters of bumps or blisters filled with fluid (vesicles) on the lids and around the eyes. It’s caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) and can occur in one or both eyes. Herpes can also spread to the deeper layers of the cornea, which is more dangerous and can damage vision. Most people with herpes have HSV-1, the same virus that causes cold sores on the lips and mouth, while some have HSV-2, which is more often associated with genital herpes.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of herpes, your eye doctor can check for an outbreak by examining your eyelids and surrounding skin for signs of sores or other changes. They may also swab your eye surface for testing, or order blood tests to check for herpes simplex or varicella zoster (chickenpox) antibodies.
You may need prescription antiviral medications to treat ocular herpes. These usually help to relieve the symptoms of an outbreak, but they can’t cure it completely. Most ocular herpes cases are mild and will go away on their own after a few weeks, but flare-ups can happen again in the future, even after 10 years of being dormant.
HIV
HIV causes the body’s immune system to break down, leaving it vulnerable to disease. When the virus attacks the retina, a herpes-type infection known as cytomegalovirus (CMV) can lead to eye problems including floaters, light flashes, and reduced vision. It is also the leading cause of blindness in people with advanced AIDS.
Another ocular condition caused by HIV is called HIV retinopathy, which involves damaged blood vessels. Symptoms include floating spots or white “cotton wool” patches in the center of the retina. The disease can also cause a smaller field of vision and color and contrast sensitivity. Other ocular complications of HIV include Kaposi’s sarcoma, which is a cancerous tumor that can develop on the skin around the eyes and mouth.
Luckily, antiviral drugs can help control HIV and prevent or improve many eye diseases associated with the virus. However, people with HIV should see their doctors regularly for a comprehensive exam. They should also have regular blood tests to monitor their CD4-T cell count, as a low number indicates an increased risk of eye problems. A person’s ophthalmologist can then provide them with the appropriate treatment to keep their eyes healthy. Sian Ferguson is a health and cannabis writer who is passionate about empowering readers to take care of their mental and physical health through science-based, empathetically delivered information.