Eye injuries are abnormal tissues in the eye, most often developing due to eye trauma or as a symptom of a health problem. Common symptoms of eye injuries include dry or red eyes, pain, and blurred vision that does not improve with updated corrective lenses. Eye lesions are usually not visible without dilating the eye by a professional optometrist or ophthalmologist, but the lesions can gradually grow larger, becoming more noticeable, irritating, and blinding. Some eye lesions possess cancerous qualities, but most are benign in nature.
A common type of eye injury is called pinguecula , and can appear in anyone, especially those who experience excessive exposure to the sun. This type of lesion develops in the form of small bumps that have a noticeable yellow tint. They are benign and grow on the white part of the eye. Wearing sunglasses with ultraviolet (UV) protection can decrease your chances of developing a pinguecula . These lesions are not usually corrected by surgery unless they are severely irritating or interfere with blinking.
One or more injuries may also be the result of serious trauma to the eye, such as penetration by a sharp object. However, an injury can also be the result of even minor trauma, such as being hit by a fast-moving ball during sports or having a car airbag deploy close to the face. In all scenarios, it is advisable to see a doctor to assess the damage and determine what should be done, if anything.
Lesions may also appear as a symptom of a serious illness or health condition. For example, melanoma of the iris is a cancer of the eye that develops from an existing mole or freckle. Eye freckles and moles are very common and are almost always benign in nature, but can become cancerous over time. If not caught early, cancerous lesions can affect vision when they develop externally or cut off the blood supply to the eyes if they form within a vein. Other diseases and health problems that can cause eye damage include diabetes, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and parasites.
The exact cause of an eye injury may not be immediately apparent due to its many and varied potential causes. Injuries are best detected early by visiting an optometrist or ophthalmologist for the best outcome. Regular visits to an ophthalmologist can help ensure that an eye injury is detected, monitored and, if necessary, treated before it causes irreversible damage.