Diseases of the Eye

Diseases of the Eye

THESE FALL INTO different categories and include affections of the eyelids, conjunctiva, cornea and retina particularly.

1. THE EYELIDS

a) BLEPHARITIS. This is the term used to describe simple inflammation of the eyelids and can take various forms, e.g.

ulcerative, seborrhoeal and pyogenic. In simple acute blepharitis the lids become swollen and oedematous giving the eye a

puffy look. The ulcerative form is accompanied by vesicles on the skin of the eyelids. These rupture and give rise to ulcers,

which shed a greyish discharge. In the seborrhoeal form the skin becomes red and thickened and there are usually skin

lesions elsewhere on the body. There may be dandruff-like flakes present on the skin. Pyogenic blepharitis is associated

with Staphylococcal infection giving rise to small abscesses here and there and dependent on systemic infection, e.g. from

Distemper or any condition leading to a conjunctivitis.

TREATMENT. The simple form showing oedema and puffiness should respond to APIS MEL. 30c followed by RHUS TOX. 6c

and IM. If it is thought to be due to some extraneous factor, e.g. allergy, the remedy URTICA URENS 6x should help.

Ulcerative blepharitis may need treatment with RANUNCULUS BULBOSUS 6c, ANTIMONIUM CRUD. 6c, ACID. NIT. 30c,

KALI BICH. 6c and the nosode VARIOLINUM 30c, depending on overall symptoms displayed. Reference should be made to a

standard Materia Medica to determine which, although ACID. NIT. usually gives good results being a remedy which exerts

a beneficial action on conditions affecting areas where skin and mucous membranes meet. The pyogenic form should be

controlled by the use of the nosode STAPHYLOCOCCUS 30c along with selected remedies such as MERC. CORR 6c, PUL-

SATILLA 6c and HEPAR SULPH. 30c although other less likely remedies may also be needed. In all cases the eyelids should

be bathed with a dilute solution of CALENDULA

b) ENTROPION and ECTROPION. The turning in or out of the eyelids is sometimes met with in certain breeds, e.g. Chow

and Boxer, and, while surgical interference is usually required for correction, the remedy BORAX 6c or 30c has given good

results in mild cases and should always be given a try before surgery is attempted. Treatment should be given over a pe-

riod of three months (see Preface for general rules on frequency etc.).

c) HORDEOLUM. This is the technical name given to the condition known as Stye, which is a roundish swelling usually

found at the inner edge of the eyelid. It is attended by pain and discomfort with lachrymation.

TREATMENT. One of the best remedies for this condition is STAPHISAGRIA 6c, although remedies such as CALC. FLUOR

30c and SILICEA 30c may be needed for more stubborn or long-standing cases. If attended by undue pain and sensitivity,

HEPAR SULPH. 30c is indicated.

d) CHALAZION. This is the term used to denote the presence of a chronic painless nodule or swelling situated along the

margin of the eyelid. The hain remedies to be considered in the absence of surgical removal are CALC. FLUOR. 30c, SIL-

ICEA 30c and THUJA 30c

e) DACRYOCYSTITIS. Inflammation of the lachrymal ducts may be associated with a chronic conjunctivitis resulting from

bacterial infection. The main clinical sign consists of a swelling at the inner canthus of the eye. Pressure over the area

may reveal the presence of pus. Treatment consists of giving one or other of the following remedies depending on severity

and stage of the condition, e.g. HEPAR SULPH 30c for those cases exhibiting extreme tenderness, SILICEA 30c for the more

long-standing case, ARGENT. NIT. 6c if there is an associated conjunctivitis, PULSATILLA 6c where there is an abundance

of creamy pus, LEDUM 6c and SYMPHYTUM 200c if there is a history of injury to the eye. The eye should be bathed with a

dilute (1/10) solution of HYPERCAL (Hypericum and Calendula).

2. THE CONJUNCTIVA

CONJUNCTIVITIS. This is the name given to inflammation of the inner surface of the eyelids and usually refers to the

palpebral area. It is of fairly common occurrence, and may be unilateral or bilateral. The latter is usually seen if the condi-

tion is allergic in origin. The main clinical signs are increased vascularity giving a deep red appearance. Oedema is usually

present and a clear mucous discharge may appear, becoming purulent if secondary bacterial infection takes place. Treat-

ment consists of bathing the eye with a 1/10 solution of CALENDULA/HYPERICUM to clear away any discharge. This will

also soothe the conjunctival surfaces. This should be followed again with a 1/10 solution of EUPHRASIA which has a tonic

effect on all eye structures. Internally there is a variety of useful remedies to consider, chief among which are ARGENT.

NIT. 6c, PULSATILLA 30c, LEDUM 6c, SYMPHYTUM 200c, RHUS TOX. 6c, ARNICA 30C, HEPAR SULPH. 30c, and MERC. SOL

6c.

FOOTNOTE Acute catarrhal conjunctivitis may accompany the early stages of Canine Distemper or Canine Hepatitis infec-

tion and treatment may have to be changed to take this into account. (See chapter on Virus Diseases.)

3. THE CORNEA

The main conditions to consider are simple erosion, inflammation (Keratitis) and ulceration. In simple erosion the cornea

loses its sheen and appears dull. Lachrymation is present along with a degree of conjunctivitis. Treatment should be

directed towards easing the discomfort by bathing with HYPERCAL or EUPHRASIA, diluting the mother tincture 1/10. Inter-

nally the remedies SYMPHYTUM 200c and LEDUM 6c should help. Corneal ulceration is not uncommon and is sometimes

referred to as Ulcerative Keratitis. Frequently these ulcers are the result of an external injury but sometimes they arise

independently of any obvious injury. The ulcers are usually centrally placed and can become secondarily infected with

pyogenic bacteria. Clinical signs are obvious and are accompanied by an aversion to light. The main remedies to consider

in treatment are ACID. NIT. 30c or 200c, LEDUM 6C, KALI BICH, 6c, MERC. CORR. 30c and SYMPHYTUM 200c, all of which

have been used with success according to selective symptoms. Externally the ulcers should be bathed with HYPERCAL 1/10

followed by EUPHRASIA 01/10.

Opacities of the comea show as a cloudy film across the eye and may respond well to the remedies CANNABIS SAT. 6c,

CALC. FLUOR 30c and SILICEA 30c. The early inflammatory stage of Keratitis may be treated with ARGENT. NIT. 6C, LEDUM

6c and PHOS. 30c. These remedies should be helpful in preventing the condition developing into a more chronic form lead-

ing to ulceration and opacity.

4. THE UVEA

The vascular layer of the eye which includes the iris, ciliary body and the choroid is referred to as the Uvea. Inflammation

of any of these structures is referred to as Uveitis and chief among these is that affecting the iris and ciliary body (Irido-

cyclitis), which can arise as a sequel to infection from wounds or from extension of a corneal ulcer. The condition may

be acute or chronic, the former showing as increased vascularity with exudation of the iris and ciliary body. The pupils

are constricted and there is aversion to light. Exudation of aqueous material which includes white cells gives a clouded

appearance to the eye. More chronic forms exhibit adhesions between the iris and the lens while disturbance of local cir-

culation can lead on to glaucoma. Treatment should be attempted by considering one or other of the following remedies:

ACONITUM 30c in the early stages if possible, LEDUM 6c, SYMPHYTUM 200c and PHOSPHORUS 30c.

S. THE LENS

The chief condition affecting the lens is cataract, which is frequently seen as dogs become old and is a condition which

may be congenital or acquired. Cataracts may assume different shapes, and can prove refractory to medical treatment.

Chief among remedies which have proved successful in early stages are CONIUM MAC, SILICEA, CALC. FLUOR, NAT

MUR and PHOSPHORUS. Differing potencies of these may be needed. Externally a useful application is CINERARIA di-

luted 1/10, a few drops being applied daily for a week or two in conjunction with an internal remedy. The specific form of

cataract associated with Diabetes may be responsive to treatment for that disease.

6. THE RETINA

The main conditions which need concern us are Progressive Retinal atrophy and Glaucoma, both of which are extremely

difficult to treat.

Retinal atrophy may be termed generalised or central and some breeds are susceptible to one kind and some to the

other. Clinical signs of the generalised form include reduced night vision and afterwards a reduction in day vision. The

pupils become dilated as the disease progresses and cataracts may develop. The central form is seen more in the younger

age group, and early signs in this case show the animal apparently unable to see objects close at hand, although evidently

able to see those at a distance. The main remedy to consider if treatment is attempted is PHOSPHORUS. Although it is im-

possible to correct any degeneration which has already taken place, some animals have shown a response to this remedy

in that further degeneration has been halted. Other remedies which could be applicable include HAMAMELIS and CRO-

TALUS HORR. but the author has no experience of their use in this connection.

Glaucoma represents a condition where damage to the retina and optic nerve is brought about by an increase in

intraocular pressure due to a build up of the vitreous humour. It is usually secondary to some other disease or affection

of the eye such as uveitis. Acute and chronic congestive forms have been noted, the former showing as reddening of the

conjunctiva with a watery discharge with the eye partly shut. Palpation of the eyeball is resented. The cornea becomes

severely clouded. The chronic state follows on from the acute in the absence of treatment and the whole eye is greatly en-

larged, the blood-vessels being markedly engorged. The cornea may become thickened and possibly ulcerated. Treatment

of glaucoma can frequently be unrewarding but the following remedies are worthy of consideration:

ACONITUM in the early stages, followed by BELLADONNA. APIS MEL will have a beneficial effect by helping to reduce

the oedema present, while remedies such as SPIGELIA and COLOCYNTHIS will help to relieve the pain which often accom-

panies the acute stage. PHOSPHORUS is another remedy which may give good results in the more chronic stage.