what disease is this?

[Deepak]

I came across a px who's being treated for photophthalmia.What disease is this?,i undertsnad phot os some thing to do with light.
more explaination will be very much appreciated.

[Jana Lewis]

n : inflammation of the eye and esp. of the cornea and conjunctiva caused by exposure to light of short wavelength (as ultraviolet light) .

[Oha]

Keratoconjunctivitis caused by ultraviolet energy, as in snow blindness, exposure to an ultraviolet lamp, arc welding, or the short circuit of a high-tension electric current.

[Optom]

Hello Deepak,

Photophthalmia is not actually an eye disease but a painful condition caused by unprotected exposure to ultraviolet radiation around 300nm.It causes extreme pain, conjunctival injection, lacrimations and blepharospasm 4-5 hours after exposure to UV rays. Apply cold compresses and bandage both eyes for 24 hours to allow corneal epithelium to regenerate. You can give astringent eye drops if you feel neccessary.

Rgd,
Shabbir

[Stopper]

I've never heard that term before but it sounds like what is often referred to as Solar Keratopathy. Causes have already been stated in other replies. It is quite painful. The pain is usually delayed by hours or until the next day. Like having a sun burn on your cornea. You don't notice it until later. Treat with cyclplegic, bandage contact lens and pain relief(motrin or narcotic if severe), cold compresses and some benedryl to help the patient sleep. Patient will also be very photophobic so have them stay in a dim room or just go to sleep. monitor daily

[chip anderson]

Also note: I had a lady friend/patient who went to Ship Island with a group of friends who got quite inebriated. She sunburned her corneas to the point where large patches of epithelium sloughed. She was never able to wear rigid contact lenses again despite many, many efforts on my part.

Chip

[chip anderson]

A simple test for iritus which used to be taught in med school but for some reason no longer is (still works just haven't met an ophthalmologist under 55 who has heard of this). Shine a pen light into the unaffected eye. If patient hollers and says the eye you did not shine the light in hurts, he's got iritus.

Chip

[Optom]

Photokeratitis is common term for this condition. However, eye physicians in England and other parts of the world use term photophthalmia.
Photokeratitis also goes by variety of other names like actinic keratitis, photo keratoconjunctivitis, photic ophthalmitis, and according to actual causes; snow blindness, welder's eye etc.

Regards,
Optom

[Deepak]

thanx all! i greatly apprecite replies.