Electrophthalmia is an inflammatory pathology of the eyes that occurs due to the massive influence of ultraviolet radiation. The disease entails the occurrence of pain and increased lacrimation.
With timely treatment, the patient can fully recover. But in the absence of appropriate therapy, the patient risks blindness. That is why it is so important to know the causes, symptoms and rules of first aid for electrophthalmia.
Why does it appear
In fact, any object or phenomenon that emits ultraviolet light can cause the occurrence of electrical ophthalmia. Inflammation arises with prolonged visual contact of a person with such an object without the use of special protective devices. For example, often people complain of the appearance of specific symptoms due to the fact that the sun was shining brightly. Although if a person wears sunglasses, it is unlikely that his eyes will be damaged for this very reason.
The source of harmful ultraviolet radiation can be such phenomena and objects:
- solar eclipse;
- work using a welding machine;
- snowy areas with high reflectivity;
- solarium;
- bright sun flashes;
- prolonged eye contact with the sun on the beach;
- the use of lamps for quartz room.
All the described conditions cause conditions in which the cornea, which plays the role of a kind of natural filter, begins to die gradually. Such a process is rapidly developing and provokes the appearance of acute inflammation. And too bright light can lead to the complete destruction of the upper layer of the cornea. The rapid development of the clinical picture can cause blindness.
Symptomatology
The first manifestations of inflammation, the victims notice, as a rule, 5-6 hours after contact with a source of ultraviolet radiation. Electrophthalmia is a disease that is characterized by a gradual increase in symptoms. Usually it provokes the appearance of a number of specific signs. These include:
- eye pain - it is individual, can range from minor irritation of the mucous membrane to cutting sensations;
- the occurrence of discomfort, a feeling of the presence of an extraneous body or sand;
- the initiation of photophobia;
- profuse lacrimation - in some cases it is mild;
- blepharospasm is an involuntary contraction of the muscles around the eyes, because of which the patient cannot fully open them.
With a mild degree of damage, only redness of the conjunctiva, eye arches and apple occurs, as well as swelling of the eyelids. A severe form of pathology is characterized by clouding of the cornea and the appearance of superficial vesicles.
Classification
Electrophthalmia is a defect, the manifestations of which largely depend on the degree of eye damage. In total, doctors distinguish four forms of the disease:
- mild - the transparency of the cornea decreases, the redness of the conjunctiva appears, the patient feels a burning sensation and itching;
- medium - a film appears on the conjunctiva, the cornea is covered with erosion, the patient complains of severe pain and photophobia;
- severe - visual acuity and transparency of the cornea decreases, swelling of the eyelids and pulling pain syndrome appear, constant discomfort is felt;
- extremely severe - the tissues of the eye gradually die off, the conjunctiva is rejected, too intense pain makes it impossible to open the eyes.
The last stage of the defect without appropriate medical intervention often leads to partial or complete blindness.
Diagnostics
Examination of the patient is necessary to determine the relationship between the symptoms that appear and the effect of ultraviolet radiation. In addition, in such situations, differential diagnosis is required to exclude the possibility of the presence of diseases similar in their manifestations.
With suspected electrophthalmia, the diagnosis is confirmed by the presence of such signs:
- conjunctival hyperemia;
- vascular injection;
- photodermatitis of the eyelids;
- fundus changes.
Usually, the disease is determined after the doctor has collected the necessary medical history, interviewed the patient and carefully examined him.
Treatment
If after welding my eyes hurt, what should I do? Of course, immediately consult a doctor. However, first of all, the victim should be given first aid. If there are no first-aid kits with a minimal set of medicines nearby, you can get by with cold lotions with tea leaves or plain water. So you can significantly reduce the severity of light burns. But do not get involved in self-medication without the advice of a doctor. After all, incorrectly provided assistance can only aggravate the situation and worsen the well-being of the victim.
Further therapy for eye damage with ultraviolet implies the use of such categories of medicines:
- local anesthetics to eliminate pronounced pain sensations - Alkain, Lidocaine, Dikain, Tetrakain;
- ophthalmic antibacterial drops or ointments to prevent the attachment of a secondary infection - "Gentamicin" or "Tetracycline";
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for stopping corneal opacity, reducing pain and signs of the inflammatory process - Indocollyr, Meloxicam, Diclofenac, Prenacid;
- vasoconstrictor drops to relieve the patient from swelling of the cornea and redness of the conjunctiva - "Prokulin", "Vizin", "Visoptin";
- drugs to accelerate the regeneration of the cornea - Actovegin or Solcoseryl.
Electrophthalmia is a rather dangerous disease, so self-medication is definitely not worth it. Incorrectly selected medications can cause the addition of a serious bacterial infection and, as a result, impaired vision.
What is impossible with pathology
With a sharp blinding of light and the development of the disease, experts strictly forbid doing so:
- rubbing your eyes a lot - the sensation of the presence of a foreign object or sand in them is provoked by injury to the cornea, so all kinds of mechanical influences can only aggravate the situation;
- to dig in the eyes with their own chosen drugs - many medicines contain all kinds of preservatives and other chemicals that can damage the cornea, so arm yourself with any drugs should only be prescribed by the ophthalmologist;
- wash your eyes with running water - such an event certainly will not bring the desired relief, and a variety of bacteria that are in the liquid often entail only an additional lesion of the cornea;
- resort to the advice of alternative medicine in the acute phase of the pathology - this attitude can lead to injury to the cornea, which is incredibly susceptible to any external influences.
As a first aid, if it does not immediately go to the doctor, you can gently rinse your eyes with bottled water. It can slightly slow down the inflammatory process.
If your medicine cabinet has vasoconstrictor drops on hand, like Vizin or Prokulin, you can use them. One of the drugs needs to be instilled in each eye one drop.
Probable complications
Provided timely contact to an ophthalmologist and a correctly selected treatment regimen, electrophthalmia does not provoke the appearance of negative consequences. But in the absence of appropriate therapy, pathology can lead to the development of scars, eyesore and ulcers on the damaged cornea, as well as a chronic form of inflammation. So do not neglect the instructions of the doctor and engage in self-treatment.
Prevention
To prevent the development of electrophthalmia, it is enough to follow simple rules. For example, if you are doing welding work or if the light hits the street, you should be sure to protect yourself and stock up on appropriate equipment. It is imperative to use helmets and sunglasses designed for such activities, which are characterized by a high ability to absorb ultraviolet radiation. So even the brightest light will not be able to harm your eyes and cause the development of serious pathologies.
In addition, ophthalmologists advise screening jobs. Even the most ordinary glass does not transmit ultraviolet rays. So in order to prevent professional eye damage during welding, you must follow the safety rules.
Conclusion
Electrophthalmia is an inflammation of the eyes that occurs due to damage to the cornea by the direct influence of ultraviolet rays.
Pathology can appear during welding, as a result of the influence of too bright sunlight and when visiting a solarium. Of course, all these factors are considered dangerous only in the absence of appropriate protection and neglect of safety regulations.
The most common symptoms of electrophthalmia include a sensation of sand in the eyes, sharp pain and swelling of the eyelids. It is easy to identify the pathology - it is enough to interview and carefully examine the victim.
Before you start treating electrophthalmia, you should consult an ophthalmologist to minimize the risk of any complications.