Agents of Tissue Damage

Reduced oxygen delivery to cells, impairing function.

Reduced blood flow to tissues, leading to less oxygen and nutrients.

Occlusion of the central retinal artery stops blood flow, damaging retinal structures and leading to vision loss.

Blunt trauma damages the zonules, causing lens subluxation and reduced vision.

Thermal burn damages corneal proteins, causing opacity and vision loss.

UV rays form free radicals in the lens, damaging lens proteins and causing cataract formation.

Ionizing radiation can damage lens proteins and cause cataracts.

Proton beam therapy targets ocular melanomas with high-energy particles, damaging cancer cells and causing their death.

When the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own cells as foreign, causing damage and inflammation.

When the immune system fails to fight infections properly, leaving the body vulnerable to pathogens and tissue damage.

A disorder where the immune system attacks the lacrimal glands, leading to dry eyes.

A type of cell death that occurs due to injury or trauma, leading to cell swelling and breakdown.

A programmed cell death where enzymes break down cellular structures, triggered by DNA damage or other signals.

Cell injury that is not severe enough to cause cell death, but may still disrupt function.

A type of sublethal cell injury where loss of fluid/ionic balance causes cells to swell, affecting tissue function.

A type of sublethal cell injury involving a decrease in cell size or number due to injury or lack of use.

The process of scar tissue formation where collagen fibers differ from healthy tissue, disrupting normal structure and function.

The response to corneal injuries involving epithelial cell migration, immune cell activation, and fibroblast activity.

The process of collagen deposition in the cornea, disrupting tissue transparency and causing vision impairment.

The overgrowth of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells after retinal detachment, causing fibrotic tissue and gliosis.

The replacement of damaged nervous tissue in the retina by glial cells, contributing to vision loss.

A temporary loss of vision caused by a blockage in an artery supplying the eye, often resolving on its own.

Damage to the optic nerve, the pathway from the eye to the brain, caused by reduced blood flow leading to permanent vision loss.

An immune reaction in one eye triggered by trauma or surgery, causing inflammation in the other, healthy eye.

Inflammation of the uvea, the middle vascular layer of the eye, often caused by exposure to lens proteins, leading to pain, blurred vision, and potential vision loss.

Bacterial infections that cause rapid inflammation, pus formation, and irritation, often with symptoms like redness and discharge.

A common type of pyogenic infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae.

Chronic bacterial infections that develop slowly and persist, often leading to long-term complications.

A chronic bacterial infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, characterized by slow-developing symptoms like follicular conjunctivitis and photophobia.

A viral infection caused by Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), with types HSV-1 and HSV-2, affecting the cornea and causing ulcers, inflammation, and potential vision loss.

A viral infection caused by Herpes Zoster Virus (HZV), also known as Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV), which is responsible for chickenpox and shingles.

A fungal infection of the cornea, often caused by organisms like Fusarium, Aspergillus, and Candida, leading to corneal infiltrates or ulcers, and potential scarring.

A serious fungal infection of the eye, often caused by Candida species, leading to inflammation inside the eye and potential vision loss.

Inflammatory eye condition triggered by allergens like pollen, dust mites, or pet dander. The immune system mistakenly identifies these as foreign invaders, triggering a cascade of reactions.

Mast cells, residing in the conjunctiva, release histamine and other chemicals in response to allergens. These chemicals initiate an inflammatory process.

Histamine causes blood vessels in the conjunctiva to widen and become leakier. This results in increased blood flow and fluid leakage into the surrounding tissues.

The immune system produces autoantibodies that mistakenly target receptors on thyroid cells and orbital tissues. These antibodies cause inflammation and changes in the eye.

Inflammation in the conjunctiva causes blood vessels to dilate, resulting in redness and a bloodshot appearance.

Increased permeability of blood vessels leads to fluid accumulation in the conjunctival tissues, causing swelling around the eyes.

Histamine release causes itching, a common symptom of Allergic Conjunctivitis.

Inflammation stimulates goblet cells in the conjunctiva to secrete excess mucus, resulting in stringy or mucous discharge.