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Corneal Ulceration & Rheumatic Diseases

Two conditions that can affect people of all ages are corneal ulceration and rheumatic diseases. A corneal ulceration is an open sore or ulcer directly on the eye, on the cornea. The cornea is the clear membrane that covers the colored section of the eye, known as the iris. Rheumatic diseases are debilitating illnesses which may cause inflammation, pain and swelling of the joints. People that suffer from these diseases can suffer from chronic pain and may find it difficult to perform everyday activities of daily living.

  1. Corneal Ulceration

    • A corneal ulceration is most often caused by infection. These may include bacterial, fungal and viral infections. People who wear contact lenses are at an increased risk of developing corneal ulcerations as well as those who have disorders such as Bell's palsy. The symptoms associated with a corneal ulceration may include swollen eyelid, pain in the eye, red eye, tearing, pus draining from the eye, blurry vision and pain when looking directly at bright light. In some cases, a white spot may visible on the cornea. Treatment for a corneal ulceration may include removing contact lenses, antibiotic eyedrops to fight the infection causing the ulceration and oral medications for pain. Prescription eyedrops may also help to reduce the pain associated with this condition. People who develop severe corneal ulcerations that may perforate the cornea, may need to undergo surgery known as a corneal transplant. It is important to consult a doctor for any eye injury or eye condition. According to Emedicinehealth.com, even minor eye injuries can result in the loss of vision in the affected eye.

    Osteoarthritis

    • One of the most common rheumatic diseases is osteoarthritis. According to WebMd.com, this condition affects approximately 27 million Americans. Osteoarthritis causes the joints in the body to wear down over a period of time, and this can lead to inflammation of the joints, damage to the joints and pain. Osteoarthritis most often affects the hips, knees, neck, fingers and back. The symptoms associated with osteoarthritis may include joint pain, stiffness, warm joints, swelling in the affected joints, muscle weakness, increased pain while walking, difficulty bending over and problems performing daily tasks such as brushing the hair or getting dressed. The treatments for rheumatic diseases such as osteoarthritis may include anti-inflammatory medications, exercise, reducing stress and rest.

    Lupus

    • Lupus is a rheumatic disease that affects millions of people worldwide. The cause of lupus is unknown and it may cause symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, joint stiffness, sensitivity to sunlight, a rash across the cheeks, hair loss, anemia, blood clots, seizures, strokes, chest pain and discoloration of fingers and toes upon exposure to the cold. In order to diagnose lupus, your doctor may perform a blood test known as an antinuclear antibody test or ANA. A positive ANA test is an indication that the patient is suffering from lupus, states WebMd.com.

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