Ophthalmia Explained

Ophthalmia (also called ophthalmitis) is inflammation of the eye. It results in congestion of the eyeball, often eye-watering, redness and swelling, itching and burning, and a general feeling of irritation under the eyelids. Ophthalmia can have different causes, such as infection from bacteria, viruses, fungi, or may result from a physical trauma to the eye, chemical irritation, and allergies. A bacterial infection can result in a mucus and pus secretion.[1] Severe cases of ophthalmia can cause blindness if not treated, especially in newborns, who contract it from the environment in the womb.[2] Treatments vary according to the nature of the cause, with minor irritations going away on their own.

Types

Types include sympathetic ophthalmia (inflammation of both eyes following trauma to one eye), gonococcal ophthalmia, trachoma or "Egyptian" ophthalmia, ophthalmia neonatorum (a conjunctivitis[3] of the newborn due to either of the two previous pathogens), photophthalmia and actinic conjunctivitis (inflammation resulting from prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays), and others.

Noted historical cases

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ophthalmia. 2021-10-07. RETINA - Przychodnia i Szpital Okulistyczny. pl.
  2. Matejcek. Adela. Goldman. Ran D.. November 2013. Treatment and prevention of ophthalmia neonatorum. Canadian Family Physician. 59. 11. 1187–1190. 0008-350X. 3828094. 24235191.
  3. Tan. Aik-Kah. 2019-01-09. Ophthalmia Neonatorum. New England Journal of Medicine. 380. 2. e2. en. 10.1056/NEJMicm1808613. 30625059. 58654865.
  4. Mackenzie, C. (2010). Marathon & salamis. (p. 146). Yardley, PA: Westholme Publishing.
  5. Letters to Atticus VIII.I3.
  6. Bailey, Ellen. "Eratosthenes of Cyrene." Eratosthenes Of Cyrene (January 2006): 1–3.
  7. Polybius, Histories, Book 3 chapter 79
  8. J. W. McGarvey and P. Y. Pendleton, Thessalonians, Corinthians, Galatians, and Romans (Cincinnati, OH: Standard Publishing, n.d.) 236.
  9. Morning Advertiser, 9 June 1856
  10. News: 2014-11-22 . Edward Rushton: Who was this blind revolutionary? . en-GB . BBC News . 2023-03-03.