What is blepharitis

Blepharitis - an inflammation of the eyelid margins, one of the most frequent and lengthy eye diseases.

Causes of blepharitis may be local and general. Local causes include: a variety of long-acting external irritating factors (physical, chemical, mechanical, etc.), infectious agents (often such a pathogen is Staphylococcus aureus), diseases of the adjacent tissues (conjunctiva, lacrimal system, glands cartilage century). Already caused blepharitis can be maintained for a long time and occur due to violations of the refractive power of the eye (refraction, such as farsightedness).

The reasons of a general nature - is anemia (anemia), lack of vitamins, a variety of gastrointestinal disease, diabetes Diabetes - threatening and incurable disease , Worm infestation, diseases of the teeth and throat, eczema, etc. A large variety of causes blepharitis because it is often one of the features of any other disease.

Blepharitis can be scaled (with abundant desquamation of the surface layers of the skin) and peptic ulcer (with inflammation of hair follicles). Current blepharitis is usually long-term (months and years) with frequent exacerbations after a temporary improvement.

How does the scaly blepharitis

In mild flake or a simple blepharitis there are only slight swelling and redness of the edges of the eyelids, which can be aggravated by stress and irritation of the eyes. Furthermore, it is possible to detect numerous small flakes (particles of the surface layers of the skin - the epidermis) or a thin yellowish crust fatty (withered secretions of the sebaceous glands). These scales are tightly attached to the skin at the base of the eyelashes to the eyelashes themselves.

In more severe cases, these effects may worsen scales becomes very much, but after removal of ulcers and erosions (superficial violations integrity of the skin) does not remain.

Even mild forms of blepharitis accompanied by itching in the eyes, worse at night, increased sensitivity to all kinds of stimuli (bright light, wind, heat, dust, etc.), rapid eye fatigue at work, especially in the evening light, long night's work and lack of sleep Dreams: how to understand our dreams .

What are the symptoms of ulcerative blepharitis

The most severe form is ulcerative blepharitis at which reddened and swollen eyelids covered edge yellowish or brownish crusts, firmly attached to the skin at the base of the eyelashes and eyelids often stick together in bundles. Partly visible not covered crusts small pustules around the base of the eyelashes. After removing the crusts underneath found covered with pus and bleeding ulcers, which often merge together to form elongated along the edge of the century ulcer surface. If you try to remove the crusts often with them are removed and eyelashes.

Complications

Blepharitis, especially ulcerative, may give complications of the century and of the neighboring tissues:

• due to prolonged inflammation and edema Prevention and treatment of edema - it is important to understand the root cause   fabrics lid margin steadily thicken;
• in all forms of blepharitis violated nutrition and growth of eyelashes to fall heavily and eventually often replaced by thin pale hairs; ulcerative blepharitis lashes because of purulent destruction of their roots may well disappear in some parts of the edges of the eyelids or throughout;
• scarring can result in abnormal growth of eyelashes, their friction on the cornea and irritation;
• as a result of scarring ulcers can occur eversion and neprileganie lower tear to the eye point, which will cause a persistent lacrimation and irritation of the skin around the eyelids; while the lower eyelid becomes heavy, it loses its elasticity and gradually more and more behind the eyes - there ectropion; All these changes have set the stage for diseases of the cornea and conjunctiva.

Treatment of blepharitis

Treatment of blepharitis should be general and local. The main treatment - the removal of the main causes of the disease, as well as concomitant diseases of the conjunctiva, lacrimal system and refractive errors of the eye.

For topical treatment of blepharitis, there are a variety of methods and tools. If inflammation of the cartilage began with iron age, the age of a massage performed with lubrication edges of the eyelids 1% solution of brilliant green (green stuff). Eye rims are cleaned with a cotton swab How to use sanitary pad - basic precautions   on the scales and crusts, their pre-lubricating ointments containing fats, softening the skin and antimicrobials. After removing the crusts Albucidum prescribed drops, blur the edges of the eyelids and brilliant green fish oil.

Ulcerative blepharitis after removing crusts ulcer can burn alcohol solution of iodine or lapis. When festering eyelashes eyelash hair follicles are removed with tweezers and then treated with the above method.

General treatment is to appoint a course of antibiotic therapy (after sowing separated ulcers for special protection for the identification of the pathogen and its sensitivity to antibiotics) and tools that enhance the body's defenses (immune system) - a diet rich in vitamins and proteins, vitamins and minerals, if necessary , after consultation of the immunologist - means stimulating certain parts of immunity.

Treatment of strabismus

The best results are obtained by treatment of strabismus in infants. If untreated, the child can develop amblyopia, which is gradually compounded and often leads to a significant decrease in visual acuity in one eye.

The main tools for the treatment of strabismus Treatment of strabismus - ways of correcting violations   are glasses exercises for eyes, botulinum toxin injections, and corrective surgery.

Spectacles

Points usually means first choice. Some types of strabismus, such as accommodative strabismus, can be corrected with the help of special glasses (currently for this increasingly use prismatic glasses strabismus). In the glasses his eyes are starting to look in one direction, which means that the child's vision can develop normally. Unfortunately, the points usually help correct only mild forms of strabismus.

Conventional eyeglasses and contact lenses Contact lenses - whether they can completely replace the glasses?   in strabismus can be used in cases where the child has developed farsightedness Hyperopia - than it is fraught?   or nearsightedness. Usually, they do not help to correct strabismus How to fix strabismus - the possibilities of modern medicine And they are only pre-operatively, and occasionally some time after the surgery.

Exercises

Sometimes it is possible to correct strabismus using exercises that coordinate eye movements. Example exercises for strabismus correction:

• Exercise is carried out in the mirror. The patient stands with his back to the mirror, legs spread shoulder-width apart. He closes his eyes a healthy hand and looking straight ahead with the other eye. Then he turns to the right body - if you open the right eye or the left - if you open the left eye until he sees his reflection in the mirror of his eyes. Legs during exercise should be in place. Exercise is necessary to perform slowly repeat 4-6 times, and then another 4-6 times to repeat it for the other, healthy eye. The exercise should be 2-4 minutes at a time, from two to ten times a day.

Perform only the exercises from strabismus, which advised by your doctor, because the different types of strabismus may be useful in various exercises.

Injections of botulinum toxin

To treat some types of strabismus may be useful injection of botulinum toxin, which is widely known as one of its trade names - Botox. It is introduced into one of the muscles responsible for movement of the eye; botulinum toxin temporarily weakens it, and both eyes can look in one direction. The effect of botulinum toxin usually persists for three months; After this period, many patients strabismus corrected, but some of them require further treatment.

Injections of botulinum toxin can cause side effects such as ptosis (drooping of the upper eyelid), double visible objects, minor bleeding after the injection.

Transaction

By resorting to surgery in cases where other treatments proved to be ineffective. During the operation, strabismus is corrected by changing the length or location of the muscles responsible for eye movement. After successful operation the eyes look perfectly normal, but many patients require prophylaxis squint to his eyes after a while did not return to its former position. Preventive measures also help improve the coordination of eye movements.

The operation is performed under general anesthesia and usually lasts less than one hour. During surgery, the eye is kept open by means of a special dilator and the surgeon separated part of the muscle which is connected with the eye, to reduce or increase its tension - depending on the type of strabismus. After correction is made, the muscle was sutured soluble yarns.

In most cases, the patient can go home on the day of operation.

Possible risks associated with surgery to correct strabismus:

• Strong red eyes, continued for a long time;
• The need for a second operation, which is most likely to occur if the patient has had a very strong squint. Reoperation may be necessary in case strabismus returns after a while;
• Double vision, which usually takes place about a week after surgery;
• Damage to the internal structures of the eye - this complication is extremely rare;
• Eye infections - also a very rare complication, the probability of which can be further reduced by using eye drops containing antibiotics.

Strabismus in adults treated surgically no less successful than children. As the results of research, one in five adults may require a second surgery to correct strabismus. This is a high figure, but for children it is even higher; Additional surgery is often required especially those who are first operated on in early childhood. According to statistics, six out of ten children, which makes correction of squint at the age of one year in the future will need another operation.

On a full recovery after surgery may take several weeks. Within a few days, many patients feel the pain in his eyes - as a rule, it can be removed with the help of non-prescription painkillers, such as paracetamol. If these drugs do not help, consult a doctor.

Blindfolds, patients are usually only a few hours after the operation, and it is removed prior to discharge from the hospital.

• In many patients, some time after the operation there is no appetite; you should not force yourself to eat, but be sure to drink plenty of water - it is necessary for tissue repair.
• The stitches will dissolve in about six weeks. Because of them, from time to time may appear itching or a sensation of sand in the eyes, but, despite this, do not rub your eyes.
• If strabismus correction makes the child, for two weeks after surgery need to ensure that the child is not stained face.
• In the early days it is not recommended to wash your hair or do it very carefully so that the shampoo did not get into the eyes.

Typically, the patient can go back to kindergarten, to school or to work a week after the operation. Busy most sports, you can go back in two weeks, but contact sports and swimming is recommended to avoid, at least for a month.