Ophthalmologists

A pterygium is a non-cancerous growth of the clear, thin tissue (conjunctiva) that lays over the white part of the eye (sclera). One or both eyes may be involved.

The cause is unknown, but it is more common in people with excess outdoor exposure to sunlight and wind, such as those who work outdoors.

Risk factors are exposure to sunny, dusty, sandy, or windblown areas. Farmers, fishermen, and people living near the equator are often affected. Pterygium is rare in children.

The main symptom of a pterygium is a painless area of raised white tissue, with blood vessels on the inner or outer edge of the cornea. Sometimes it may become inflamed and cause burning, irritation, or a feeling like there's something foreign in the eye.

A physical examination of the eyes and eyelids confirms the diagnosis. Special tests are usually not needed.

No treatment is needed unless the pterygium begins to block vision or causes symptoms that are hard to control. Then it should be removed with surgery. Wear protective glasses and a hat with a brim to prevent the condition from returning.

Most pterygia cause no problems and do not need treatment. If a pterygium affects the cornea, results are usually good after it is removed.

A pterygium can return after it is removed.

People with pterygium should be seen by an ophthalmologist each year, so that the condition can be treated before it affects vision.

Call for an appointment with your ophthalmologist if you have had a pterygium in the past and your symptoms return.

Protecting the eyes from ultraviolet light may help prevent this condition.

Farjo QA, Sugar A. Pterygium and conjunctival degenerations. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 3rd ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier; 2008:chap 4.9.

Review Date: 11/08/2010

Daniel E. Bustos, MD, MS, Private Practice specializing in Comprehensive Ophthalmology in Eugene, OR. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

The Draize Eye Irritancy Test Note: Information from this article gathered from: http://www.peta.org/mc/factsheet_display.asp?ID=91 The Draize eye irritancy test has been used since 1944. Liquid, flake, granule, and powdered substances are placed into the eyes of rabbits, and then the eyes' progressive deterioration is recorded. The Draize test is responsible for the suffering and death of thousands of rabbits each year in the United States but does not prevent or help cure human injury. How it is Administered During the test, 100 milligrams of a concentrated solution are dripped into the eyes of six to nine conscious albino rabbits, who may be immobilized in stocks from which only their heads protrude. Their eyes often are held open with clips at the lid, and rabbits can break their necks or backs struggling to escape. The damage to the rabbits' eyes is recorded at specific intervals over an average period of 72 hours, with the test sometimes lasting 7-18 days. Reactions to the irritants can include swelling of the eyelid, inflammation of the iris, ulceration, hemorrhaging (bleeding), and blindness. Pain-relieving drugs usually are not administered because experimenters claim their use would interfere with test results. If anesthesia is given, the relief is only temporary. Not Required by Law The federal Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act does not require cosmetics manufacturers to test their products for safety, and does not require animal tests. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends, however, that companies substantiate the safety of their products, or else attach a warning label to potentially hazardous products. Many companies therefore continue to perform the Draize test mainly because they are in the habit of using the test, and because their legal departments and insurance companies suggest they do the tests to cover themselves when they are sued. The fact that animal tests have been conducted does not mean the product has then been altered to make it less harmful if misused, so the term "safety testing" is a misnomer. What Professionals Say Noted toxicologists and health professionals agree that the Draize test is crude and imprecise because it is strictly observational. No treatment is ever administered nor are any antidotes ever sought. The opinion of most health professionals is reflected by ophthalmologist Stephen Kaufman, M.D., of New York University Medical Center: "I have no use for Draize test data because the rabbit eye differs from the human eye ... I know of no case in which an ophthalmologist used Draize data to assist in the care of a patient."(1) Much criticism of the test comes from within the product industry itself. An industry-funded study conducted in 1971 by Weil and Scala of the Mellon Institute of Pittsburgh and the Medical Research Division of Esso showed that the Draize test is not reliable. Conducted in 25 laboratories, the study revealed extreme variations in the way the laboratories evaluated the rabbits' reactions, and concluded, "the procedure should not be recommended as the standard for any new regulations." In February 1986, the industry-funded Johns Hopkins Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing stated, "The Draize test does not adequately reflect the degree of irritancy in humans." There Are AlternativesAnimal tests protect companies, not consumers. Knowing that a rabbit goes blind 72 hours after being dosed with dandruff shampoo doesn't help us. We already know not to pour caustic substances into our eyes and leave them there; the pain tells us that. We also already know how dangerous various ingredients are, and we can run computer assays of mixtures of these ingredients to predict irritation levels. Human volunteers are already used by some companies to test for skin irritation; these tests provide much more accurate information than animal-based tests. To treat accidental poisoning victims, physicians can use data collected by hospitals from previous poisoning cases--data that are readily applicable to treating human injury. In response to pressure from many animal protection groups, the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association (CTFA) has contributed $5 million since 1981 toward research into alternatives to Draize testing--a figure that pales in comparison to the annual advertising budget of even one of CTFA's member companies. There is no reason to wait for their research results--many alternative techniques already are available to reduce and replace animal testing. They include the use of cell cultures, human and animal corneas from eye banks, corneal tissue cultures, frozen corneas supplied by hospitals, and the Eytex test.

For more information on alternatives to animal tests, select here

What You Can Do Consumers can help prevent the suffering of millions of animals by purchasing "cruelty-free" products that are not tested on animals. Many of these products also do not contain animal ingredients. Cruelty-free products can be made entirely from plant extracts, herbs, flowers, and the many other ingredients proven to be safe.

Web version: Companies that DO NOT test on animals To become a compassionate consumer, please ask for our free list of companies that test on animals. It will take active and prolonged pressure from consumers to bring about changes in companies' testing practices. Write and tell companies why you no longer purchase their products. Get our list of cruelty-free companies and use it as your shopping guide.

Web version: Companies that DO test on animals

But most of all, share what you know with your family, friends, and neighbors and encourage them to "go cruelty-free," too. For more on animal testing (vivisection) in general, select hereFor more on product testing in general, select here For a complete list of companies that DO test on animals, select here

For a complete list of companies that DO NOT test on animals, select here

For a fact sheet on charities and animal testing, select here

For a complete list of charities that DO test on animals, select here

For a complete list of charities that DO NOT test on animals, select here

For information on alternatives to animal testing, select here References # Boston Globe, June 13, 1987.

Answer #1: About 6 years ago (I started a family and stopped working), I was ophthalmic technician and worked in the field for 10 years and when I quit work, I was making about $44K in Southern California.

Answer #2: That is correct. If you want to know the exact answer or closer than the first answer, here it is. My aunt is an Ophthalmic Technician and her average salary is about $38,900. Of course that ranges. If you want to be an Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician, it's actually about $53K.

Answer #3: I'm an Ophthalmic Technician in New York City. When I was hired, I had just 2 years of experience & nocertification. My starting salary was a little over 50k a year.

Electroretinography is a test to measure the electrical response of the eye's light-sensitive cells, called rods and cones.

ERG

While you are comfortably seated in a chair, the health care provider places numbing drops into your eyes, so you do not feel pain during the test. Your eyes are then propped open and an electrical sensor (electrode) is placed on each eye.

The electrode measures the electrical activity of the retina in response to light. A light flashes, and the electrical response travels from the electrode to a TV-like screen, where it can be viewed and recorded. The normal response pattern has waves called A and B.

The doctor will take the readings in normal room light and then again in the dark, after allowing 20 minutes for your eyes to adjust.

No special preparation is necessary for this test.

The probes that rest on your eye may feel like an eyelash. The test takes about one hour to perform.

This test is done to detect disorders of the retina. It is also useful in determining if retinal surgery is recommended.

Normal test results will show a normal A and B pattern in response to each flash.

The following conditions may cause abnormal results:

• Arteriosclerosis
• Congenital night blindness
• Congenital retinoschisis
• Giant cell arteritis
• Iron poisoning
• Mucopolysaccharidosis
• Retinal detachment
• Rod-cone dystrophy (retinitis pigmentosa)
• Vitamin A deficiency

The cornea may get a superficial scratch from the electrode. Otherwise, there are no risks associated with this procedure.

You should not rub your eyes for an hour after the test, as this could injure the cornea. Your doctor will discuss with you the results of the test and what it means for you.