By Dr. Kimberly Cruise

An eye infection is just one of the common reasons individuals seek medical eye care in Cedar Rapids.  Eye infections can have serious, long-lasting or permanent consequences to the eye and to the visual system.  Seek the care of a medical eye professional immediately if you suspect you may have an eye infection.  The optometrists at Iowa EyeCare are experts in treating all types of eye infections.  Eye infections can attack many different parts or locations on or within the eye:

• Conjunctiva (the clear tissue lining the surface of the white ocular surface)
• Cornea (the clear window in front of the iris and pupil)
• Inside the Eye
• Retina (the light-sensitive inside-surface of the eye)
• Optic Nerve (the cord that takes vision from the eye to the brain)

Viral Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

The most common type of eye infection is viral conjunctivitis, more commonly known as “pink eye”.  Usually the culprit is an adenovirus, the same type of virus that causes the common cold.  The adenovirus is often transmitted through respiratory droplets. These highly contagious eye infections cause redness, watering, light sensitivity, and blurred vision.  The eye doctors at Iowa EyeCare use prescription medications to reduce these symptoms.  Recovery usually occurs within one week.

Iowa EyeCare has locations in Robins, Marion and Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  To learn more about eye infections and other eye conditions visit the Iowa EyeCare Website.

Ancient Egyptian eye makeup may have been more therapeutic than cosmetic.

In the days of the ancient Egyptian empire, the Nile River delta was a place where eye infections were likely commonplace, as sanitation and hygiene practices were not established. 

The periodical, Analytical Chemistry, recently published an article regarding the lead-based compounds found in the tombs of ancient Egyptians.  Their conclusion is that “lead-based compounds were used during antiquity as both pigments and medicines in the formulation of makeup materials.”

 ”According to ancient Egyptian manuscripts,” says Analytical Chemistry, ”these were essential remedies for treating eye illness and skin ailments. This conclusion seems amazing because today we focus only on the well-recognized toxicity of lead salts.”  Analytical Chemistry goes on to say that, “one may argue that these lead compounds were deliberately manufactured and used in ancient Egyptian formulations to prevent and treat eye illnesses by promoting the action of immune cells.”

In modern times, ocular infections still cause problems for millions of people each year.  If you think you might have an infection, walk like an Egyptian to Iowa EyeCare.  Iowa EyeCare has a doctor on-call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, call 319-377-2222.

Contact Iowa EyeCare in Cedar Rapids, Marion, or Robins, Iowa.