Inflammations_of_the

OCULAR (EYE) INFLAMMATIONS

(Note: The following compilation has been edited by a person with NO medical training. Last updated 21 April 2006)

There are many inflammatory conditions that can occur in the eye. This document does not attempt to address all, but only the more common ones.

ORBITAL CELLULITIS

There are two types of responses that might show outside of the eyeball:

Preseptal cellulitis - infection and swelling of the lids and external eye structures anterior (in front of) the orbital septum (note: this is not inside the eye itself). This needs treated with oral antibiotics, yet is not as serious as orbital cellulitis

Orbital cellulitis. Infection and swelling around the entire orbital structures, extraocular muscles, etc. This will constrict eye movement and is an emergency. After all, we are really close to the brain here! These people need prompt care, strong oral antibiotics, possibly intravenous antibiotics, and sometimes drainage shunts.

INFLAMMATION IN THE EYE

The eye tissues are in layers. Inflammation is usually named by the layer in which it occurs.

The episclera is the outer-most clear layer around the eyeball . When inflamed, the condition is called episcleritis.

The sclera is the next white layer inside the episclera. When the sclera is inflamed, it is called scleritis.

This poses a danger to the eye as a hole in the sclera can form if the inflammation isn’t treated properly.

It is possible that physicians may not always discriminate correctly between scleritis (serious) and episcleritis (not usually serious).

The iris is the colored portion around the lens. Inflammation there is usually iritis.

The uvea is the layer inside the sclera containing the blood vessels, etc. Uveitis refers to inflammation of the uvea.

The retina is the layer inside the rear of the eye where light is sensed. Inflammation of the retina is retinitis.

Pars planitis is inflammation of the inner most layer of the eye. It is the area between the anterior retina (the rear inner layer of the eye) and the posterior of the lens. This is the area where surgical instruments are inserted into the eye for vitrectomies, etc. to avoid injury to the lens or retina.

All these inflammatrions are best treated with aggressive steroid therapy. In case of systemic vasculitis, a strong immunosuppressive may be required.