
Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Eye pain natural history
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Progression of eye pain depends largely on the cause of the pain. Every cause has its own prognosis. The role of physician is to identify the cause and do the needful.
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Natural History
The most common causes are infection and inflammation of eye layers or surrounding structures. Infectious causes may be acute to sub acute in presentation. Viral infections may be self limiting and can cause super imposed bacterial infections. Bacterial infections need topical antibiotic therapy. Untreated infections may scar the tissue and cause ulceration.
Bacteria infection of cornea is most alarming cause of eye pain. It can cause total destruction of cornea in 2-3 days. Fungal infections are indolent and its prevalence varied from region to region.
Complications
- Eye lid thickening
- Corneal abrasion
- Corneal ulceration
- Corneal perforation
- Inflammation of uveal tract
- Visual loss
Prognosis
Prognosis largely depends on the type of infectious organism involved and its virulence. Immunocompetency of the individual also determines the recovery of the person.
References
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
