Conjunctival disorders

The conjunctiva is a mucous membrane that surrounds the eyeball. It extends from the junction between the sclera and the cornea, called the corneo-scleral limbus (bulbar conjunctiva), reflecting at the base of the upper and lower eyelids (cul-de-sac) and covering the inner part of these (tarsal conjunctiva). Its function is to protect the eyeball from external agents, although it also intervenes in the formation of tear components and in the immune defense of the eye.

Conjunctivitis

It is the most frequent pathology and has characteristics common to all its origins, such as: the red eye, predominantly in the cul-de-sac and tarsal conjunctiva, and increased secretions, different for each type of conjunctivitis.

Bacterial Conjunctivitis

Produced by the colonization of bacteria, coming from contaminated hands, droplets of saliva or secretions, edges of the eyelids, obstructions of the tear duct, etc. It is characterized by being generally bilateral onset and the discharge is mucopurulent that usually dries up on waking (legaña). Treatment is usually effective with antibiotics in eye drops and ointments that control the condition in 5-7 days. In difficult-to-resolve or recurrent conjunctivitis, consider a tear duct disorder or infectious eyelid pathology (blepharoconjunctivitis).

Viral Conjunctivitis

Produced by viruses generally originating from viral infections of the upper respiratory tract of one's own or of people in the family environment (children, spouse, etc.). The symptoms are very cumbersome with unilateral onset, frequently becoming bilateral after 3 to 7 days. It is sometimes accompanied by significant edema of the eyelid and characteristically by swelling of a ganglion in front of the corresponding ear. The discharge in this case is watery (tear) but can later become superinfected. Treatment is symptomatic because its evolution cannot be avoided, which can last from a week to a month depending on the aggressiveness of the virus.

Allergic Conjunctivitis:

It generally occurs in people with other types of allergies (rhinitis, asthma, dermatitis, etc.) and is associated with volatile allergens (pollen, dust mites, etc.). Its onset is usually abrupt and bilateral with a main symptom that is intense itching, especially in the inner end (towards the nose) of the conjunctiva, itching, which increases when rubbing. The discharge is watery or mucous depending on the intensity. Treatment consists of the administration of antihistamine and / or corticosteroid eye drops.

Irritant / toxic conjunctivitis

The conjunctiva is sensitive to a multitude of external agents and can become inflamed by exposure to them. Conjunctival inflammations related to exposure are very typical, for example: to chlorine in swimming pools, to air conditioning, to working with a computer, to eye drops with preservatives, accompanying dry eye, etc. Treatment in these cases consists of avoiding toxic agents associated with the administration of lubricating eye drops (artificial tears).

Degenerations

They are usually due to prolonged exposure to solar radiation and, perhaps the most characteristic is the so-called pinguecula, which is a yellowish-white protrusion in the vicinity of the corneascleral limbus. It is not clinically important and does not usually require surgical treatment, but it can cause cornial lubrication disorders, inflammation or be the precursor lesion of the most common benign conjunctival tumor, which is the pterygium.

Tumors

The most common benign tumor is Pterygium ("palm tree", "nail"), which is usually associated with exposure to sunlight typical of equatorial or tropical areas and professional exposures (peasants, bricklayers, etc.). It is usually derived from the pinguecula and has a triangular shape with the apex slowly advancing towards the center of the cornea. Treatment is surgical and must be performed before it approaches the pupillary area.