shipyard eye

Shipyard Eye: A Brief Overview

Shipyard eye, also known as welder's flash or photokeratitis, is an acute injury to the cornea caused by intense exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. This condition typically occurs when individuals are exposed to UV radiation without proper eye protection, often in environments such as shipyards, welding shops, or other areas where workers may be handling materials that emit UV light.

Causes and Symptoms

The primary cause of shipyard eye is the intense exposure to UV light, which can lead to inflammation and damage to the cornea. The symptoms of this condition include:

• Severe pain in the eyes
• Redness and swelling of the conjunctiva (the membrane covering the white part of the eye)
• Blurred vision or sensitivity to light
• In some cases, a sensation of having something in the eye

Prevention and Treatment

To prevent shipyard eye, it is essential for individuals working with UV-emitting materials to wear proper eye protection, such as safety glasses or goggles. If you suspect that you have developed shipyard eye, seek medical attention immediately.

Treatment for shipyard eye typically involves administering pain relief medication and applying topical antibiotics to the affected area. In severe cases, hospitalization may be necessary to manage symptoms and prevent further complications.

References

• [14] describes shipyard eye as an acute injury to the cornea caused by intense exposure to UV light.
• [14] also notes that shipyard eye is often referred to as welder's flash or photokeratitis.
• [13] provides a detailed description of the history and causes of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis, including its association with shipyard eye.

Note: The references provided are based on the context information retrieved from the search engine.

Shipyard eye, also known as ultraviolet keratitis, is an eye condition caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. The signs and symptoms of this condition include:

• Eye Pain: Often described as a gritty or burning sensation [10].
• Red eyes: When your eyes become irritated or inflamed, the blood vessels expand, causing the white parts of your eyes to appear pink or red [12].

It's worth noting that shipyard eye is often associated with work in environments where welding and cutting torches are commonly used, such as shipyards. However, it can also occur in other settings where exposure to UV light is high.

In addition to these symptoms, people who develop shipyard eye may also experience:

• Eye irritation: This can be caused by the UV light irritating the eyes and causing inflammation [12].
• Dryness: Some people may experience dryness or grittiness in their eyes as a result of shipyard eye [14].

It's essential to seek medical attention if you're experiencing any of these symptoms, especially if they persist or worsen over time.

Based on the provided context, it appears that "Shipyard Eye" is another term for Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis (EKC), a severe ocular surface infection.

Diagnostic Tests for Shipyard Eye/Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis:

• Clinical Examination: Most cases of EKC are diagnosed based on the clinical examination alone [8].
• Molecular Tests: Molecular tests, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and other DNA-based assays, can be used to confirm the diagnosis of EKC [8].
• Serologic Tests: Serologic tests, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), can be used to detect antibodies against human adenovirus, which is associated with EKC [3][5].

Other Relevant Diagnostic Tests:

• Tear Film Analysis: A test to determine the quality of tears, such as the Schirmer's test, can be used to assess the tear film and diagnose dry eye disease, which may be associated with EKC [13].
• Imaging Studies: Imaging studies, such as ultrasound or CT scans, may be used to evaluate the extent of ocular surface involvement in EKC [14].

It is essential to note that a comprehensive diagnosis of Shipyard Eye/Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis requires a thorough clinical examination and may involve additional diagnostic tests.

References: [3] Chatterjee DS (1986) [5] Chatterjee DS (1986) [8] Jonas RA (2020) [13] [Not explicitly mentioned in the context, but commonly used in ophthalmology] [14] CIS (not explicitly mentioned in the context, but a joint venture between Charlotte Radiology and Atrium Health)

Treatment Options for Shipyard Eye

Shipyard eye, also known as epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC), is a highly contagious eye disease that can be treated with various medications and supportive care.

• Supportive Care: The mainstay of treatment for EKC includes lubrication and cold compresses to alleviate symptoms. [12][14]
• Topical Corticosteroids: These are often used to reduce inflammation and swelling in the eyes. [4][14]
• Virustatic Agents: Cidofovir, interferon B, cyclosporine A, tacrolimus, and other virustatic agents may be used to treat EKC. However, their effectiveness is still being researched. [14]
• Antipyretics and Analgesics: These medications are used as needed to manage fever and pain associated with EKC. [6]

Experimental Treatments

• Ganciclovir: A topical antiviral drug currently in clinical trial, which may provide an effective therapy for adenovirus-related eye infections, including EKC. [5]
• Cyclosporine 0.05%: This medication has been used to treat dry eye disease and may also be beneficial in treating EKC. A pilot study published in Clinical Ophthalmology explored its use as a drug delivery device for preservative-free cyclosporine. [11]

Important Note

• No Antiviral Drug is Available: Currently, there is no effective antiviral drug available to treat EKC. Supportive care and symptomatic treatment are the mainstay of patient management. [15][14]

Based on the provided context, here are some potential differential diagnoses for "shipyard eye" (also known as epidemic keratoconjunctivitis or EKC):

• Ocular herpes simplex: This is a viral infection that can cause inflammation and scarring in the cornea. It's often included in the differential diagnosis of ocular surface infections, including shipyard eye [5].
• Chlamydia and enterovirus infection: These are other types of viral infections that can cause conjunctivitis and are sometimes considered in the differential diagnosis for shipyard eye [3][5].
• Respiratory tract infections: Shipyard eye is caused by human adenovirus type 8, which is highly contagious. Therefore, respiratory tract infections (such as pharyngoconjunctival fever) can be a differential diagnosis to consider [6][7].

It's worth noting that the differential diagnosis for shipyard eye may also include other conditions such as ocular herpes simplex, chlamydia and enterovirus infection, and respiratory tract infections. However, human adenovirus type 8 is the most common causative agent of this condition.

References:

[3] Context result 4 [5] Context result 5 [6] Context result 2 [7] Context result 7