Question

Leslie Burke works for a family practice provider and has noticed that within the past few months, several clients have been diagnosed with either uveitis or blepharitis. She is confused about the differences and similarities of these two eye infections. Leslie decides to prepare a written document comparing and contrasting them so that the next time a client comes, she can explain the differences between these two eye infections and be more helpful to clients. Draft a 3 paragraph essay explaining the similarities or differences between the two.

Answer 1

Eye disorders become major issue to diagnose as the symptoms and signs be similar but can be differentiated with the layers or the tissues which is being affected.

Uveitis is swelling of the middle layer of eye called the uvea. Blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelids. The causes of the uveitis is often unknown and it occurs even in a healthy human. It's also associated with other autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, crohn's disease. This uveitis may also be caused due to certain infections like AIDS, syphilis, tuberculosis, herpes. Whereas the causes of Blepharitis are eyelid infection, dry eyes, fungal eyelid infection, dryeyes. Blepharitis is usually caused with an overgrowth of bacteria that survives in the margin of the eyelids and at the lashes base. These multiply and form a crust film which becomes toxic and makes the eyelid inflammation.

The symptoms of uveitis include severe redness in the eye, pain, dark floating spots in vision, blurred vision where as blepharitis exhibits symptoms of burning or stinging eyes, crusty debris at the base of eyelashes, itchy eyelids, watery eyes.

The uveitis treatment depends on the cause and the type. Usually best treated with eyedrops, dark glasses. If uveitis in posterior includes the steroids by mouth, eye injection and antibiotics where as blepharitis is treated with eyelid scrubs, some procedures like electro mechanical margin debridement, thermal pulsation treatment and same as uveitis treatment of eyedrops or ointment.

The complications of uveitis include cataracts, retina filled with fluid, glaucoma, loss of vision and blepharitis complications include dry eye syndrome, conjunctivitis, fall of eyelashes, injury to cornea.

The uveitis can be prevented by seeking early treatment for autoimmune diseases and blepharitis can be prevented by good eye hygiene.