Pterygium and Pinguecula: Causes and Characteristics

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Questions and Answers

What is the main risk factor for pterygium development?

Heat

Dryness

Exposure to ultraviolet light (correct)

Exposure to dust

What is the typical location of a pinguecula?

On the iris

On the sclera

Adjacent to the limbus (correct)

On the cornea

What is the primary cause of orbital cellulitis?

Trauma to the eye

Dry eyes

Welding sparks

Extension of infection from adjacent sinuses (correct)

What is the typical treatment for pterygium?

Surgical removal Signup and view all the answers

What is the correlation between pinguecula and UV exposure?

Direct correlation Signup and view all the answers

What is the common job-related risk for pinguecula development?

Welding Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic feature of scleritis?

It may result in perforation of the globe and loss of the eye Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of treating uveitis?

To reduce pain and inflammation Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic shape of a pterygium?

Insect wing Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a cause of uveitis?

Corticosteroid use Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical color of scleritis?

Purple Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a symptom of uveitis?

Black floating spots Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of blepharitis?

Staphylococcal infection of the lash follicles and meibomian glands Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical treatment for ulcerative blepharitis?

Chloramphenicol ointment Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic symptom of a stye?

Pain, redness, and tenderness of the eyelid margin Signup and view all the answers

What is the treatment for a stye once the central yellow spot appears?

Incision and drainage of the contents Signup and view all the answers

What is the causative organism of a stye?

Staphylococci Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of chalazion?

Chronic granulomatous enlargement of the meibomian gland Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of chalazion?

Occlusion of the meibomian gland duct Signup and view all the answers

What is the key difference between a stye and a chalazion?

A stye is acute, while a chalazion is chronic Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

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.

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Description

This quiz covers the risk factors and symptoms of pterygium and pinguecula, two common eye conditions. Learn about the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of these conditions.