We return to eyes. As promised last four articles, published today a post-short, where I talk about most common diseases of the visual system. Over the past twenty months we've taken a good look at the most common in my field, and I think it's a good idea to list and link to the article in which he developed the explanation. I will do so in areas of age, as in ophthalmology (as in most of medicine, for that matter) the most important factor that discriminates the frequency of disease is certainly age.
The two peaks of age
If we saw a graph the proportion of people who go to the ophthalmologist for the years we would see that the elderly and children are most going to the query. Graphically, we would see a profile of a camel, with "two humps" that indicate the areas of maximum impact: the child and the elderly patient. In fact, the second hump is higher, and it is normal for the population that needs most attention is the old eye.
Childhood
The child or pediatric ophthalmology is a fascinating field, and its demand has increased considerably in recent times. Most often we can find in a child is:
- A graduation defect (myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism): The child is graded quite differently than adults. In addition, an adult may have more "wide sleeve" as bad graduated glasses or goggles not be enough, rarely involves serious problems for the view. The child must be more careful in indicating the goggles, because compromise on visual quality for the rest of life.
- A strabismus: the most common age of onset is in childhood strabismus. In this issue I have not spoken, and that I like very much. But it is quite complex to explain and yet I'm very encouraged to include in the list of outstanding items.
One shortcoming of graduation (especially a diopter difference between an eye and another) or strabismus can lead to what I always have to watch the pediatric ophthalmologist: the lazy eye. The lazy eye, we have to resolve during infancy because later there is no cure, and we must be vigilant because these problems often cause no symptoms.
In addition to what is described, which covers most of the reasons for child ophthalmologists, there are other less common causes. There are a number of congenital diseases (ie, to be born with them) such as congenital cataracts, congenital toxoplasmosis coloboma (where the pupil is not round but elongated, like missing a part of the iris) and so on.
A more common congenital problem but little serious the tear duct obstruction. The tear duct is a "tube" that connects the eye to the nose, and is where the tears drain. It sometimes happens that the baby is born with the plugged duct, which still has not been opened. That eye (or both eyes, if it occurs in both) he cries all the time (not being able to drain the tear, it builds up until it falls down his cheek) and gummy occur (infection due to "jam"). Not every baby's tears is due to this, to do some simple test to check. And sometimes resolves spontaneously without having to dilate the duct.
And also as congenital anomaly, we would have color blindness and other defects of color vision (especially in men). Although born with it, until the child is not a little older do not usually detect it. Also I did not hurry to make the color test, because there is no curative treatment.
And no congenital diseases could highlight conjunctivitis and blepharitis (the latter can be cumbersome when complicated with styes), which rarely are of gravity for the vision.
Speaking and rare diseases, children may have uveitis, usually in connection with extraocular diseases such as juvenile chronic arthritis.
Adolescence
In adolescence, the most important anomaly is again the shortcomings of graduation. With puberty may occur as nearsightedness, or demonstrate some defects that had previously gone unnoticed, such as farsightedness or astigmatism. It is relatively rare for a strabismus appears at this age it is more common than one that is off and it was previously. In total, both defects graduation as strabismus often change during adolescence. At this time visual development is complete, therefore not going to develop a lazy eye, but we can not heal if you already have.
Apart from the issue of glasses, a teenager rarely happens by the ophthalmologists. If the case by some stroke of the eye (the typical balonazo, or rub the eye with a pencil), but usually not serious review. And also conjunctivitis, blepharitis or a sty. There may also be rare diseases (such as uveitis we said before.)
Young adult
Often spend little to our query. Between 18 and 25 can still change the ranking, especially myopia. But often handled in the optical (especially if you wear contact lenses).
And moreover, the most frequent reasons for consultation are:
- Foreign bodies in the eye: "Motes" to jump to the eye. Accidents usually are generally mild.
- Eye injuries. During the work, traffic accidents or other causes. Sometimes they are very serious.
- As always, conjunctivitis.
- Diabetic patients will do annual reviews of the fundus. If well controlled there is usually no problems.
- Retinal detachment: They occur in myopic patient, or by a sharp blow.
- In some cases, depends on the visual and environmental effort, you may receive eyestrain and dry eye (usually mild), often associated with blepharitis.
There may be some rare disease in the retina begins to show now, and uveitis may occur. And tooth that are relatively rare, inflammation of the optic nerve (retrobulbar neuritis in particular) are typical of the adult, particularly associated with neurological disease called multiple sclerosis.
But I say that most young adults do not pass through the eye.
The average age
Between 40 and 45 begin to appear the first signs of eye strain, and between 45-50 years almost everyone needs glasses to see up close (except for some short-sighted to simply remove their glasses to read.) And is that 100% of the population is old enough eyestrain.
It is true that now they can also manifest defects before graduation had passed desaparcibidos (mainly farsightedness, astigmatism and mild), and in the end you have to wear glasses for far and near.
Apart from the issues of glasses:
- We are already seeing more cases of dry eye.
- Glaucoma usually begins after this age, so there is more measured eye strain, especially when there is family history.
- Revisions fundus of diabetic patients, and retinal detachments in a similar way we see the previous paragraph.
- Although myopic appears sooner, during the Middle Ages we see much the typical "floaters"
- There are some problems in the retina (apart from the release) that occur in myopic patients, of whom speak in the future. May occur in young adults, but we see more in middle age and beyond. The optic nerve inflammation also seen at this age.
- And we began to see problems "irrigation" in patients with risk factors (hypertension, cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, etc). Both the retina and optic nerve can be affected ("stroke" or thrombosis)
Seniors
This is the stage where more is going to the ophthalmologist. Of course, there are cataracts, and although in the end everybody ends up having them, the speed with which they develop is very variable. It is increasingly common (and troubling) asocidada macular degeneration with age, which is the leading cause of blindness unrecoverable in this age group.
There are other common problems:
- Glaucoma appear many new cases of glaucoma, and others who are diagnosed between 40 and 60 years but to be treated on a daily basis and require periodic reviews
- Vascular Diseases: Everyone knows that the "irrigation" does not work well in the elderly. In the eye there are several structures that may be affected in the form of small "stroke" and what characteristics do not usually have an effective treatment to restore sight.
or thrombosis or infarcts in the retina. If we have the bad luck that is affected the central part of the retina as the eye can be left with poor vision.
or the optic nerve: in younger patients if we inflammation (optic neuritis), here we see the optic nerve infarctions [the technical name is AION, which stands for "anterior ischemic optic neuropathy"]
o There are other nerves to the eye area, who are the "move" the muscles of the eyes. By having a small vascular problem at this level, there is an acute strabismus (eyes are not parallel). In these strabismus, unlike those of children, it happens that the patient sees double.
- Also diagnose many "floaters" at this age. Interestingly, many patients associated with cataract and cataract surgery and the flies do not go away (in fact, the better view is often noted more), may be frustrated with the surgery performed.
- Retinal Detachment: We also see this problem in older people, with the added difficulty that it is sometimes difficult to do well after surgery (that to be several weeks with head down is much more uncomfortable in the elderly).
Finally, remember that only review the most common, and not even a detailed review of the most common, but simply what we see in consultation.
The brothers jealousy
Travelling with children
First Aid Accidents
People and food hygiene
First aid: Airway patency
First aid kit
Paracetamol Poisoning
Ibuprofen Poisoning Cause Symptoms Treatment
Aspirin Poisoning Cause Symptoms Treatment
Iron Poisoning Cause Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment
Caustic Poison Cause Symptoms Treatment
Methanol and ethylene glycol poisoning
Hydrocarbon Poisoning Cause Symptoms Treatment
The two peaks of age
If we saw a graph the proportion of people who go to the ophthalmologist for the years we would see that the elderly and children are most going to the query. Graphically, we would see a profile of a camel, with "two humps" that indicate the areas of maximum impact: the child and the elderly patient. In fact, the second hump is higher, and it is normal for the population that needs most attention is the old eye.
Childhood
The child or pediatric ophthalmology is a fascinating field, and its demand has increased considerably in recent times. Most often we can find in a child is:
- A graduation defect (myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism): The child is graded quite differently than adults. In addition, an adult may have more "wide sleeve" as bad graduated glasses or goggles not be enough, rarely involves serious problems for the view. The child must be more careful in indicating the goggles, because compromise on visual quality for the rest of life.
- A strabismus: the most common age of onset is in childhood strabismus. In this issue I have not spoken, and that I like very much. But it is quite complex to explain and yet I'm very encouraged to include in the list of outstanding items.
One shortcoming of graduation (especially a diopter difference between an eye and another) or strabismus can lead to what I always have to watch the pediatric ophthalmologist: the lazy eye. The lazy eye, we have to resolve during infancy because later there is no cure, and we must be vigilant because these problems often cause no symptoms.
In addition to what is described, which covers most of the reasons for child ophthalmologists, there are other less common causes. There are a number of congenital diseases (ie, to be born with them) such as congenital cataracts, congenital toxoplasmosis coloboma (where the pupil is not round but elongated, like missing a part of the iris) and so on.
A more common congenital problem but little serious the tear duct obstruction. The tear duct is a "tube" that connects the eye to the nose, and is where the tears drain. It sometimes happens that the baby is born with the plugged duct, which still has not been opened. That eye (or both eyes, if it occurs in both) he cries all the time (not being able to drain the tear, it builds up until it falls down his cheek) and gummy occur (infection due to "jam"). Not every baby's tears is due to this, to do some simple test to check. And sometimes resolves spontaneously without having to dilate the duct.
And also as congenital anomaly, we would have color blindness and other defects of color vision (especially in men). Although born with it, until the child is not a little older do not usually detect it. Also I did not hurry to make the color test, because there is no curative treatment.
And no congenital diseases could highlight conjunctivitis and blepharitis (the latter can be cumbersome when complicated with styes), which rarely are of gravity for the vision.
Speaking and rare diseases, children may have uveitis, usually in connection with extraocular diseases such as juvenile chronic arthritis.
Adolescence
In adolescence, the most important anomaly is again the shortcomings of graduation. With puberty may occur as nearsightedness, or demonstrate some defects that had previously gone unnoticed, such as farsightedness or astigmatism. It is relatively rare for a strabismus appears at this age it is more common than one that is off and it was previously. In total, both defects graduation as strabismus often change during adolescence. At this time visual development is complete, therefore not going to develop a lazy eye, but we can not heal if you already have.
Apart from the issue of glasses, a teenager rarely happens by the ophthalmologists. If the case by some stroke of the eye (the typical balonazo, or rub the eye with a pencil), but usually not serious review. And also conjunctivitis, blepharitis or a sty. There may also be rare diseases (such as uveitis we said before.)
Young adult
Often spend little to our query. Between 18 and 25 can still change the ranking, especially myopia. But often handled in the optical (especially if you wear contact lenses).
And moreover, the most frequent reasons for consultation are:
- Foreign bodies in the eye: "Motes" to jump to the eye. Accidents usually are generally mild.
- Eye injuries. During the work, traffic accidents or other causes. Sometimes they are very serious.
- As always, conjunctivitis.
- Diabetic patients will do annual reviews of the fundus. If well controlled there is usually no problems.
- Retinal detachment: They occur in myopic patient, or by a sharp blow.
- In some cases, depends on the visual and environmental effort, you may receive eyestrain and dry eye (usually mild), often associated with blepharitis.
There may be some rare disease in the retina begins to show now, and uveitis may occur. And tooth that are relatively rare, inflammation of the optic nerve (retrobulbar neuritis in particular) are typical of the adult, particularly associated with neurological disease called multiple sclerosis.
But I say that most young adults do not pass through the eye.
The average age
Between 40 and 45 begin to appear the first signs of eye strain, and between 45-50 years almost everyone needs glasses to see up close (except for some short-sighted to simply remove their glasses to read.) And is that 100% of the population is old enough eyestrain.
It is true that now they can also manifest defects before graduation had passed desaparcibidos (mainly farsightedness, astigmatism and mild), and in the end you have to wear glasses for far and near.
Apart from the issues of glasses:
- We are already seeing more cases of dry eye.
- Glaucoma usually begins after this age, so there is more measured eye strain, especially when there is family history.
- Revisions fundus of diabetic patients, and retinal detachments in a similar way we see the previous paragraph.
- Although myopic appears sooner, during the Middle Ages we see much the typical "floaters"
- There are some problems in the retina (apart from the release) that occur in myopic patients, of whom speak in the future. May occur in young adults, but we see more in middle age and beyond. The optic nerve inflammation also seen at this age.
- And we began to see problems "irrigation" in patients with risk factors (hypertension, cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, etc). Both the retina and optic nerve can be affected ("stroke" or thrombosis)
Seniors
This is the stage where more is going to the ophthalmologist. Of course, there are cataracts, and although in the end everybody ends up having them, the speed with which they develop is very variable. It is increasingly common (and troubling) asocidada macular degeneration with age, which is the leading cause of blindness unrecoverable in this age group.
There are other common problems:
- Glaucoma appear many new cases of glaucoma, and others who are diagnosed between 40 and 60 years but to be treated on a daily basis and require periodic reviews
- Vascular Diseases: Everyone knows that the "irrigation" does not work well in the elderly. In the eye there are several structures that may be affected in the form of small "stroke" and what characteristics do not usually have an effective treatment to restore sight.
or thrombosis or infarcts in the retina. If we have the bad luck that is affected the central part of the retina as the eye can be left with poor vision.
or the optic nerve: in younger patients if we inflammation (optic neuritis), here we see the optic nerve infarctions [the technical name is AION, which stands for "anterior ischemic optic neuropathy"]
o There are other nerves to the eye area, who are the "move" the muscles of the eyes. By having a small vascular problem at this level, there is an acute strabismus (eyes are not parallel). In these strabismus, unlike those of children, it happens that the patient sees double.
- Also diagnose many "floaters" at this age. Interestingly, many patients associated with cataract and cataract surgery and the flies do not go away (in fact, the better view is often noted more), may be frustrated with the surgery performed.
- Retinal Detachment: We also see this problem in older people, with the added difficulty that it is sometimes difficult to do well after surgery (that to be several weeks with head down is much more uncomfortable in the elderly).
Finally, remember that only review the most common, and not even a detailed review of the most common, but simply what we see in consultation.
The brothers jealousy
Travelling with children
First Aid Accidents
People and food hygiene
First aid: Airway patency
First aid kit
Paracetamol Poisoning
Ibuprofen Poisoning Cause Symptoms Treatment
Aspirin Poisoning Cause Symptoms Treatment
Iron Poisoning Cause Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment
Caustic Poison Cause Symptoms Treatment
Methanol and ethylene glycol poisoning
Hydrocarbon Poisoning Cause Symptoms Treatment
