Many health conditions can affect you or a close relative. But knowing that most conditions are treatable, you just need to understand the condition, seek treatment and recover. Conjunctivochalasis is one of the conditions that affect a huge population. This eye condition is harmless but can make your life a little difficult over time.
However, when you know more about this condition, you will manage its symptoms and seek treatment at some point. The good thing is that many eye doctors can effectively treat this condition or even prescribe medication to manage some of its symptoms. Keep reading to learn more about this eye condition.
What is Conjunctivochalasis?
This is a condition that affects the skin around the eyeballs. It mainly affects the elderly and is characterized by the sagging of the conjunctiva, which will likely lead to wrinkles in eyeball or eyelid wrinkling. Please note that the conjunctiva is the membrane or tissues on the surface of the eyeball, and when it droops or sags, wrinkles are formed. The condition will likely affect an individual’s vision or cause other symptoms.
Is This Condition Painful and Dangerous?
No, conjunctivochalasis is not dangerous. But it can make your life a little difficult as it can cause blurry vision and eye irritation. But if the condition is not treated, it can lead to severe pain and corneal ulcers. It is important to note that those people living with conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes will have a difficult time when they get these conditions. The symptoms will be worse if the condition is not treated on time.
Risk Factors for Conjunctivochalasis
Age – The natural aging process is known to be the main risk factor for this eye disorder. So the disease will likely affect older adults. It happens as a result of the conjunctiva thinning out and stretching, causing wrinkles in eyeball.
Thyroid dysfunction – People whose thyroids produce too much hormone will likely get this condition at some point. Additionally, those who have underperforming thyroids are at risk of getting it.
Prolonged exposure to contact lenses – If you have been wearing the same contact lenses for an extended period without a break, you are at risk of developing this harmless eye condition. But the good thing is that you can avoid that by changing the lenses and removing them once in a while, especially when sleeping.
Other risk factors – Blepharitis is another condition that can cause conjunctivochalasis. Also, taking certain anti-malaria drugs, antiviral medication for HII/AIDS, and certain antibiotics can put you at risk of getting this eye disorder.
Symptoms of Conjunctivochalasis
Conjunctivochalasis can have many symptoms, but here are the common ones.
- Blurry vision: The sagging skin on the eyelid can affect your vision. You will likely experience blurred vision. But to confirm if the blurred vision is caused by this condition, you should be examined by a professional.
- Eye irritation – Although experts say the condition is harmless, it can lead to irritation or a burning sensation in the eyes.
- Dry or Watery eyes – Some patients report that they feel excessive dryness inside their eyes which is accompanied by an itchy feeling. Others have watery eyes while tearing is common in some patients.
Treatment Options
If you suspect that you have conjunctivochalasis, you should see an ophthalmologist immediately. The eye doctors will examine your eyes to determine the disease’s progression and recommend the best treatment option. Here are several treatment options available.
Use of specialized eye drops
The wrinkles in eyeball can be corrected by lubricating the eye. And an experienced eye doctor will prescribe the best eye drops for lubrication, and the condition will likely be corrected over time.
Use of topical antihistamines
If burning and irritation are the main symptoms you experience, a doctor can prescribe the right topical antihistamines to eliminate or reduce the symptoms. The medication will lubricate and soothe your eyes and can make you feel better after a few hours.
Surgery
If using lubricating eye drops, wearing an eyepatch while you sleep, and topical antihistamines have failed, surgery will be the last option. You just need to go to an experienced ophthalmologist who will examine you and perform the surgery. You will need some time to recover.
Why Go to a Licensed, Experienced Ophthalmologist for Treatment?
Whenever you have a health condition that needs medical attention, you should always go to a specialized doctor for assessment and treatment. The same should happen when you notice or suspect you have conjunctivochalasis. You should go to an ophthalmologist, who will examine your eyes and tell you what has been ailing you.
A licensed ophthalmologist has state-of-the-art medical tools and equipment to run some tests on your eyes. They will correctly diagnose the condition and do more tests to determine the most appropriate treatment option for you. They will offer you lubricating eye drops or prescribe topical antihistamines.
If lubrication and other traditional treatments don’t work, the doctor will perform conjunctivochalasis surgery. The procedure can be complicated, but with the right expertise and medical equipment, an ophthalmologist will do it safely and quickly. They will then guide you on how to take care of your eyes until you fully recover.
Is Conjunctivochalasis Treatment Covered by Health Insurance?
Yes, most health and medical insurance plans cover conjunctivochalasis treatment. But you must go to an experienced and certified ophthalmologist for treatment. The insurance will cover treatment, including surgery. However, in most cases, it will not cover examination fees or vision-correcting aids like glasses. However, you can have a vision insurance add-on in your health insurance policy that covers eye exams, eyeglass frames, corrective lenses, and other types of vision care.
So if you have conjunctivochalasis, you don’t have to shy away. You can get treatment and regain your normal vision. There are different treatment options, and an experienced ophthalmologist will suggest the best option based on your symptoms and disease progression. Don’t worry about treatment, as your health insurance will cover the entire bill or a percentage of it. Besides, the treatment won’t be that expensive.