STYE: It is the infection at the root of the eyelash follicle. It appears as a painful, red swelling at the eyelid margin. It generally responds to antibiotic eye drops and oral dosage of antibiotic tablets. Hot fermentation on the eyelids is very helpful. It usually clears down in 2-3 days time.

CHALAZION (CYST): It is a painless round swelling above the lid margin caused by obstruction in the drainage of the meibomian gland secretion. It usually does not respond to antibiotic drops and requires Incision and Drainage surgery, which is a minor surgical procedure. There are approximately 30 meibomian glands in each lid and they secrete mucoid secretion through a very fine opening at the lid margin. This opening can be blocked by foreign particles like dust pollution etc. To prevent this, it is advisable to bathe the eyelids properly with hot water and to keep them clean.

PHLYCTEN: It is a round swelling at the limbus with vascularisation. Patient faces a lot of photophobia with pain and watering caused by foreign protein in blood many a time because of tuberculous bacilli. Treatment includes antibiotic eye drops combined with steroids and at times anti Koch's treatment.

VITAMIN A DEFICIENCY (KERATOMALACIA / XEROPHTHALMIA): This condition usually occurs in under nourished children mainly residing in slums whose diet is deficient of vitamins and proteins. Deficiency of vitamin A causes Bitot's spots on conjunctiva, which are seen as air bubbles a little away from the limbus on nasal and temporal sides. It can even cause dryness of cornea and ulceration, which can get infected causing serious ophthalmic problem, even at times leading to blindness. Treatment is give oral dose of vitamin A or injections of the same. Antibiotic and lubricating eye drops are given if necessary.

Last updated on 04-05-2002