Pterygium and Pinguecula: Causes and Characteristics

Pterygium

• A risk factor for pterygium development is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, dust, wind, heat, dryness, and smoke.
• Treatment for pterygium is surgical removal.
• Pterygium is a common conjunctival lesion consisting of a triangular fold of vascularized degenerative conjunctiva that grows horizontally over the limbus onto the cornea.

Pinguecula

• Pinguecula is a common, non-cancerous growth of the conjunctiva.
• It appears as a yellow-white deposit on the conjunctiva adjacent to the limbus.
• Risk factors for pinguecula include exposure to UV light, and it is most prevalent in tropical climates.
• Welding is a major job-related risk factor.
• Artificial tears are occasionally used to alleviate discomfort.
• Surgical excision is sometimes done to treat pinguecula.

Orbital Cellulitis

• Orbital cellulitis is an infection of the orbital tissues posterior to the orbital septum.
• Causes of orbital cellulitis include extension of infection from adjacent sinuses or teeth, or from a wound.
• Pathogens responsible for orbital cellulitis include Streptococcus pneumoniae.
• Other risk factors include old age, certain drugs, metabolic disorders, and intraocular inflammation.
• Treatment for orbital cellulitis involves surgery.

Scleritis

• Scleritis is a deep inflammation of the scleral tissues, characterized by a purple appearance.
• It is extremely painful and vision-threatening as it may result in perforation of the globe and loss of the eye.
• Scleritis may be associated with rheumatic disorders.
• Treatment for scleritis includes prednisone 1 mg/kg/day initially, and cyclophosphamide or azathioprine if there is no response or if associated with rheumatic disorders.

Uveitis

• Uveitis is an inflammation of the uveal tract (iris, ciliary body, and choroid).
• Symptoms of uveitis include diminished or hazy vision, black floating spots, severe pain, redness, and photophobia.
• Treatment for uveitis involves periocular and systemic corticosteroids.

Blepharitis

• Blepharitis is inflammation of the lid margins with redness, thickening, and often the formation of scales and crusts or shallow marginal ulcers.
• It is caused by Staphylococcal infection of the lash follicles and the meibomian glands.
• Symptoms of blepharitis include a foreign body sensation in the eye, itching, burning, and redness of the eye lid margins, lid oedema, and loss of lashes.
• Treatment for blepharitis includes chloramphenicol ointment for ulcerative blepharitis, and daily scrubbing of the lid margin with a dilute solution of shampoo for seborrheic blepharitis.

Stye (External Hordeolum)

• A stye is an acute localized pyogenic infection of one or more of the meibomian glands leading to inflammation of the sebaceous gland of an eyelash.
• The causative organism is usually Staphylococci.
• Symptoms of a stye include pain, redness, and tenderness of the eyelid margin, followed by a small, round, tender area of induration with a small yellow spot in the center.
• Treatment for a stye involves hot compresses and incision with a sharp fine-tipped blade to express the contents.

Chalazion

• Chalazion is a chronic granulomatous enlargement of a meibomian gland from occlusion of its duct, often following inflammation of the gland.
• It is a chronic condition that may occur following inflammation of the gland.