The week of September 26 – 30 is designated as Inflammatory Eye Awareness Week. First declared in 2021 by the national non-profit group, Prevent Blindness, the purpose of this special week is to educate the public about inflammatory eye disease (IED) and how early detection could reduce vision loss. Here are a few things about IED that Tayani Institute would like you to know.
Common Causes of Eye Inflammation
Eye inflammation is very common and can be caused by various reasons. Some of these reasons are more serious than others and could lead to vision loss if left untreated. Some of the most common causes of eye inflammation include:
- Eye irritation
- Infection
- Injury or trauma to the eyes or eyelids
- Allergies
- Autoimmune Disorders
Different Types of Eye Inflammation
There are multiple types of eye inflammation that could occur, including:
- Conjunctivitis, which is an inflammation of the eye’s conjunctiva and is the most common eye infection.
- Keratitis or a corneal ulcer that causes inflammation to the cornea and could be caused by an injury or bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic infection.
- Uveitis, which is an inflammation of the eye’s uvea layer.
- Thyroid Eye Disease (TED), which is also commonly known as Graves Eye Disease is an autoimmune disease triggered by an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism).
Preventing Vision Loss from IED
Eye inflammation can occur at any age. In most cases it is treatable, and the length of treatment depends on its cause and severity. You can reduce your risk of vision loss by having an annual eye exam, which could alert your eye professional to the presence of IED. Never hesitate to schedule an exam if you experience any pain in your eye(s), vision difficulties, or signs of infection in between your annual eye exam.
Contact our team at the Tayani Institute to schedule your eye exam.