Electroophthalmia is an inflammatory pathology of the eyes, which occurs due to the massive influence of ultraviolet radiation. The disease entails the occurrence of pain and increased tearing.
With timely treatment, the patient can fully recover. But in the absence of appropriate therapy, the patient runs the risk of blindness. That is why it is so important to know the causes, symptoms and first aid rules for electrophthalmia.
Why appears
In fact, any object or phenomenon that emits ultraviolet light can cause electrical ophthalmia. Inflammation arises during long-term visual contact of a person with such an object without the use of special protective devices. For example, often people complain about 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 reason.
The following phenomena and objects can be a source of harmful ultraviolet radiation:
- solar eclipse;
- work using a welding machine;
- snowy areas,highly reflective;
- solarium;
- bright solar flares;
- prolonged eye contact with the sun on the beach;
- use of lamps for room quartzization.
All the conditions described cause conditions in which the cornea, which acts as a kind of natural filter, begins to gradually die. This process develops rapidly and provokes the appearance of acute inflammation. And too bright light can lead to complete destruction of the upper layer of the cornea. The rapid development of the clinical picture can cause blindness.
Symptomatics
The first manifestations of inflammation are usually noticed by victims 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:
- pain in the eyes - it is individual, it can range from slight irritation of the mucous membrane to cutting sensations;
- discomfort, sensation of the presence of a foreign body or sand;
- the onset of photophobia;
- excessive lacrimation - in some cases it is mild;
- blepharospasm - involuntary contraction of the muscles around the eyes, due to which the patient cannot fully open them.
If the damage is mild, only redness occursconjunctiva, fornix and apple, as well as swelling of the eyelids. A severe form of the pathology is characterized by clouding of the cornea and the appearance of superficial vesicles.
Classification
Electroophthalmia is a defect, the manifestations of which largely depend on the degree of damage to the eyes. In total, doctors distinguish four forms of the disease:
- mild - the transparency of the cornea decreases, redness of the conjunctiva appears, the patient feels burning and itching;
- medium - a film appears on the conjunctiva, the cornea is covered with erosions, the patient complains of severe pain and photophobia;
- severe - reduced visual acuity and transparency of the cornea, swelling of the eyelids and pulling pain syndrome, 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.
Diagnosis
Examination of the patient is necessary to determine the relationship between the symptoms that have appeared and the effect of ultraviolet radiation. In addition, in such situations, differential diagnosis is required to exclude the possibility of the presence of diseases that are similar in their manifestations.
In case of suspected electrophthalmia, the diagnosis is confirmed by the presence of the following signs:
- conjunctival hyperemia;
- vascular injection;
- eyelid photodermatitis;
- changes in the fundus.
Usually, the disease is determined after the doctor takes the necessary history, interviews the patient and carefully examines him.
Treatment
If my eyes hurt after welding, what should I do? Of course, immediately consult a doctor. However, first of all, the victim should be given first aid. If there was no first-aid kit nearby with a minimum set of medicines, you can get by with cold lotions with tea leaves or plain water. In this way, the severity of the light burn can be significantly reduced. But do not get involved in self-medication without the advice of a doctor. After all, improperly rendered assistance can only aggravate the situation and worsen the well-being of the victim.
Further therapy for eye damage by ultraviolet radiation involves the use of the following categories of medicines:
- local anesthetics to eliminate pronounced pain - "Alkain", "Lidocaine", "Dikain", "Tetracain";
- ophthalmic antibacterial drops or ointments to prevent secondary infection - "Gentamicin" or "Tetracycline";
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for the relief of corneal clouding, reducing pain and signs of inflammation - Indocollir, Meloxicam, Diclofenac, Prenacid;
- vasoconstrictor drops to rid the patient of corneal edema and conjunctival redness -"Prokulin", "Vizin", "Vizoptin";
- drugs to accelerate the regeneration of the cornea - "Actovegin" or "Solcoseryl".
Electroophthalmia is a rather dangerous disease, so you definitely shouldn't self-medicate. Incorrectly chosen medicines can cause a serious bacterial infection and, as a result, visual impairment.
What is impossible in case of pathology
In case of sharp blinding by light and the development of the disease, experts strictly forbid doing this:
- rubbing your eyes strongly - the feeling of the presence of a foreign object or sand in them is provoked by trauma to the cornea, so all kinds of mechanical influences can only aggravate the situation;
- bury your eyes with self-chosen drugs - many medicines contain all sorts of preservatives and other chemicals that can damage the cornea, so arming with any drugs should only be prescribed by an ophthalmologist;
- washing your eyes with running water - such an event certainly will not bring the desired relief, and a variety of bacteria in the liquid often entail only additional damage to the cornea;
- recourse 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 outside influences.
Bas a first aid, if you do not go to see a doctor immediately, you can gently rinse your eyes with bottled water. It can slightly slow down the inflammatory process.
If there are vasoconstrictor drops in the first-aid kit at hand, like "Vizin" or "Prokulin", you can use them. One of the drugs should be instilled into each eye, one drop.
Probable Complications
Provided timely access to an ophthalmologist and a properly 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, thorns and ulcers on the damaged cornea, as well as a chronic form of inflammation. So do not neglect the doctor's instructions and engage in self-treatment.
Prevention
To prevent the development of electrophthalmia, it is enough just to follow simple rules. For example, if you are doing welding work or if the light hits your eyes on the street, you should definitely protect yourself and stock up on the appropriate tools. 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 cannot harm your eyes and cause serious pathologies.
Additionally, ophthalmologists advise shielding workplaces. Even the most ordinary glass does not transmit ultraviolet rays. Sothat in order to prevent occupational injury to the eyes during welding, it is imperative to follow the safety regulations.
Conclusion
Electroophthalmia is an inflammation of the eye that occurs due to damage to the cornea by direct exposure to ultraviolet rays.
Pathology can appear during welding, as a result of exposure to 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 feeling of sand in the eyes, sharp pain and swelling of the eyelids. It is easy to identify pathology - just interview and carefully examine the victim.
Before you treat electrophthalmia, you should consult an ophthalmologist to minimize the risk of all sorts of complications.
