CHAPTER VII 



DISEASES OF THE CONJUNCTIVA 



Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the con- 

 junctiva. It may occur as a simple congestion of the 

 membrane or be accompanied by edema of the tissue, 

 with or without secretion, varying in character. It may 

 be acute, subacute, or chronic in its nature, and occur 

 with inflammation of other portions of the eye. 



Acute Catarrhal Conjunctivitis. — In mild cases the 

 conjunctiva of the lids only is affected, while in more 

 profound cases the whole conjunctiva is involved, and 

 presents a bright red appearance, with enlarged vessels 

 radiating on the globe. The swelHng of the tissue is 

 often intense toward the tarsal fold and the inner angle. 

 In some cases small hemorrhagic spots occur which may 

 be isolated. These may remain so, though they not 

 infrequently coalesce, forming large patches. There 

 is an increased lacrimal secretion at first, which later 

 changes to a mucopurulent character. In consequence 

 of this the inner canthus is constantly moist. The secre- 

 tion may flow over the lids and create an irritation of the 

 skin and the formation of crusts. In the morning the 

 lids are usually stuck together and the lashes are matted 



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