Ocular lesion
What are Ocular Lesions?
An ocular lesion is any abnormality or damage found on the eye or ocular structures. The lesions can affect different areas, including the eyelid, cornea, conjunctiva, sclera, iris, lens, vitreous, choroid, macula, and retina.
There can be a variety of causes of ocular lesions, such as trauma, infection, inflammation, and degeneration. In some cases, the cause may be unknown. Eye lesions may be noncancerous or cancerous (malignant).
Types of Ocular Lesions
There are several types of ocular lesions that can affect the eye. These include:
- Corneal ulcer: an open sore on the outside layer of the eye, often caused by viral or bacterial infections
- Fuchs’ dystrophy: a corneal disease down to abnormal metabolism in the endothelial cells
- Iritis: inflammation of the iris, which is the pigmented tissue behind the cornea
- Chalazion: commonly known as a stye, this is a lump in the eyelid which can become inflamed
- Pinguecula: yellow-type fat deposits on the conjunctiva (the white of the eye)
- Retinal hole: gaps in the tissue at the rear of the eye, which may cause the eye to become sensitive to light and may lead to further vision problems
- Conjunctival nevi: usually benign, these are pigmented birthmarks on the eyelid or conjunctiva
- Pterygium: a type of non-cancerous growth which could affect the conjunctiva
Diagnosis and Treatment of Ocular Lesions
Diagnosis of ocular lesions generally requires a comprehensive eye examination. During the exam, the eye care professional will check the patient’s eyes for any signs of abnormalities, damage, or disease. Medical imaging, such as X-rays or ultrasound scan, may also be used.
Treatment of ocular lesions depends on the cause and the type of lesion. In some cases, it may be treated with antibiotics or topical medications. Surgery may also be required in some cases. In any case, it is important to follow the doctor's instructions with regard to treatment and to attend follow-up examinations.