What it means to have an ichthyotic sclera is not just a matter of having a thickened or thinned out eyelid, but rather it refers to the thickness of the conjunctival membrane (the outermost layer of your eye).
An ichthyosis is when there are redness and swelling in the area around your eyes. The term “ich” comes from the Greek word “iachos”, which means red.
When you have an ichthyosis, your eyes may appear bloodshot due to the increased amount of melanin in your skin cells.
The most common cause of an ichthyosis is age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a disease where the lens inside your eye gradually becomes cloudy and blurry over time. AMD usually affects both eyes at the same time, but sometimes one eye will develop first.
Other causes include diabetes mellitus, glaucoma, and other diseases such as retinal detachment or diabetic retinopathy.
Other causes of an ichthyosis are medications like antihistamines and allergy medicines. Sometimes an eye infection or a chemical in the air like chlorine can also cause redness and swelling around your eyes.
You should make an appointment with your ophthalmologist or primary physician if you have any of the following symptoms: itching, swelling, redness, bleeding, blurry vision, or a decrease in vision in either or both eyes. Some people do not experience pain with ichthyosis, but pain is one of the first symptoms that should be checked out by a doctor.
If you have an ichthyosis in one eye only, it is important that you visit your eye doctor at least once a year. The blurry vision caused by AMD will usually develop slowly over time and you may not notice any symptoms until the disease has significantly progressed (and surgery may be necessary).
It is important to find out if you are at risk for developing AMD.
It is also important to have your eye pressure checked if you have had any problems with glaucoma in the past. High eye pressure is a common cause of ichthyosis and people who have had glaucoma in the past are more likely to have problems with it again.
If you have high eye pressure, it is very important to get your eyes checked on a regular basis.
Other diseases like cataracts or retinoblastoma can also cause ichthyosis, so if you experience any redness, swelling, or blurry vision, it is best to have your eyes checked out by a professional.
An ichthyotic sclera can be treated with medication. If you are experiencing redness, swelling, itching, or vision problems, you should see an eye doctor as soon as possible for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
An ichthyotic sclera is a medical condition that can be treated by an experienced professional. We hope this article helps you better understand this condition.
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