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Achalasia
Achalasia is motility disorder of esophagus. Achalasia is a rare disorder affecting about 1.6 per 100,000 individuals. Both men and women are equally affected. The disease usually occurs between the ages of 25 and 60 years. The primary cause of Achalasia is unknown. Secondary cause of Achalasia can be due to Chagas disease caused by protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma Cruzi which occurs predominantly in Central and South America.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is a common infection of the eyes. Conjunctivitis means inflammation of the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is the mucous membrane that lines the inside surface of the lids and covers the surface of the globe up to the limbus (the junction of the sclera and the cornea).
Causes:
- Bacterial
- Viral
- Allergic
Bacterial conjunctivitis is more common in children. It is commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Steptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis. Bacterial conjunctivitis is spread by direct contact with the patient and his or her secretions or with contaminated objects and surfaces. Patients typically complain of redness and discharge of the affected eye.
Viral conjunctivitis is usually caused by adenovirus. The conjunctivitis may be part of a early onset of viral infection followed by adenopathy, fever, pharyngitis, and upper respiratory tract infection, or the eye infection may be the only manifestation of the disease. It is high contagious and spread by direct contact with the patient and his or her secretions or with contaminated objects and surfaces. Patients typically complain of watery discharge, burning, sandy or gritty feeling in one eye. Viral conjunctivitis is a self-limited process. The symptoms frequently get worse for the first three to five days, with gradual resolution over one to three weeks.
Allergic conjunctivitis is caused by airborne allergens contacting the eye. It typically presents as both eye redness, watery discharge and itching.
Eye check
Eye is one of the most important sensory organ in our body. In this article, I will explain in details about eye examination.
Eye exam is best to be done through optometrist, given they have the expertise and equipments to do so. The cost of eye exam depends on individual optometrist. If you are Australian citizens or permanent residents, eye examinations provided by optometrist will be subsidised by Medicare. Optometric benefits can be qualified without having private health insurance. Some optometrists bulk billed for eye examination so it is crucial for you to shop around.