16/05/2023 / Health and Fitness
This article will tell you about common eye infections and ways to treat them.
Are your eyes itchy? Or are you experiencing some discomfort in your eyes? If yes, you are likely to suffer from an eye infection. Though your doctor would make the final call, this article can give you some clues about your condition. Eye infections are common medical problems, and people of all ages frequently suffer from eye infections. They may be annoying, unpleasant, and even dangerous to your eyes if they are not treated properly on time. Any condition affecting the eyes that are caused by a microbe, such as a virus, bacterium, or fungus, is an eye infection. Three regions of the eye that commonly experience infections are:
Eyelid
Cornea (the eye’s clear outer surface)
Conjunctiva (the moist layer on the inside of your eyelids and the outer surface of your eye, excluding the cornea)
The good news is that eye infections are easy to identify, allowing people to receive treatment immediately. From identifying the cause and taking appropriate action, here is all the information you need to know about the most common eye infections.
Most eye infections are caused due to inflammation of the three major regions of the eye mentioned above, namely - the Eyelid, Cornea, and Conjunctiva. A brief explanation of these three types of infections is given below.
Blepharitis
Style
Chelation
Internal hordeolum
Inflammation of the cornea is known as keratitis. Common types of keratitis include:
Infective keratitis
Bacterial keratitis
Viral keratitis
Fungal keratitis
Chlamydial keratitis
Protozoal keratitis
Spirochaetal keratitis
2. Allergic keratitis
3. Traumatic keratitis may be due to mechanical trauma, chemical trauma, thermal burns, or radiation.
4. Idiopathic keratitis
Inflammation of the conjunctiva is known as conjunctivitis.
Infective conjunctivitis
Bacterial conjunctivitis
Chlamydial conjunctivitis
Viral conjunctivitis
Allergic Conjunctivitis
Toxic conjunctivitis
Many factors can cause eye infections or may predispose you to the agents responsible for the infection. These predisposing factors are:
Age - Age plays a vital role in eye infections. Eye infections are more common in children and young adults. They may even be seen in older age
Chronic conditions - Chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension predispose you to eye infections.
Immunodeficient conditions - Patients suffering from diseases like AIDS, cystic fibrosis, etc., are more predisposed to eye infections.
Habitual rubbing of the eyes or fingering of the lids and nose.
Poor hygienic conditions - using other's used towels and handkerchiefs
Insects
The hot, dry climate
Poor sanitation - like not washing your hands properly before touching your eyes
Chemical irritants
Dust
Use of Contact lenses
Conjunctiva may get infected from three sources, viz, exogenous, local surrounding structures, and endogenous, by following modes:
Exogenous infections may spread:
Directly through close contact, as airborne infections or as waterborne infections
Vector transmission (e.g., flies)
Material transfer, such as infected fingers of shared towels, handkerchiefs
Local spread may occur from neighboring structures such as infected lacrimal sacs, lids, etc.
Endogenous infections may generally occur occasionally via blood
Although there are many other eye infection symptoms, the following are some of the most typical:
Red or pink eyes
Swollen eyes
Light sensitivity
Pain in eyes or eyelids
Discharge from eyes
Watery or teary eyes
Itching
Dry eyes
Blurred vision
Fever
The sensation of a foreign body in the eyes
Also referred to as pink eye, conjunctivitis develops when a virus or bacteria infects the blood vessels in the conjunctiva. Pink eye is incredibly contagious in its microbiological form (there is also a noncontagious allergic form).
Your eyes have a reddish or pinkish color.
When you first wake up, your eyes will produce a watery discharge that is thickest if you experience itchiness or the sensation that something is constantly in your eyes.
Production of more tears than usual, usually in one eye.
On the outside corners of your eyelid, stye appear as a little lump or pimple. An infection of the oil glands brings it on in that area of the eye by bacteria.
pain or tenderness
itchiness or irritation
swelling
more lacrimation
crustiness around eyelids
A viral, bacterial, or fungal infection of the cornea is known as keratitis. It might also happen as a result of eye damage. Wearers of contact lenses are particularly prone to developing keratitis.
redness and swelling in your eyes, pain
eye pain
discomfort in the affected eye
more tears than usual or an abnormal discharge
opening and closing your eyes causes you pain or discomfort
loss of some vision or blurry vision
light sensitivity
irritation - the sensation of a foreign object in the eye
Eyelid irritation brought on by bacteria is known as blepharitis. Like stye, the condition is brought on by blocked oil glands at the base of the eyelashes.
Eye or eyelid redness, itchiness, swelling
Burning sensation in your eyes
Irritation in the eye
Light sensitivity
More lacrimation
A layer of crust on your eye corners or eyelashes
An infection of the uvea, the pigmented layer of the eye that includes the choroid and iris, is known as uveitis. Viral infections, ocular traumas, and immune system deficits are some of the causes.
Eye redness
Pain
Something floating in your visual field
Light sensitivity
Blurry vision
There are various precautions you can take to prevent getting an infectious eye infection:
Without first cleaning your hands, avoid touching your eyes.
Clean bedsheets and towels should be available to any family members with an eye infection. However, ensure they are kept private and not shared with anybody else.
Don't make too much personal contact with somebody who has an eye infection if you're around them.
Use disinfectant cleansers and sprays in public areas.
Always wash your hands before handling your contact lenses if you wear them.
Be aware that the likelihood of developing an eye infection increases noticeably when wearing contact lenses.
Additionally, allergic responses to cosmetics or makeup can raise the risk of developing new infections.
Diagnosis of eye infection depends mainly on visual evidence. If you think you are suffering from an eye infection, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible. You should maintain eye hygiene and avoid touching your eyes too much if you have the symptoms mentioned above. Bacterial infections are usually treated using antibiotics, steroids, and eye drops. These drugs can be administered orally or topically. While many common viral eye infections heal on their own, severe viral eye infections may require the use of antiviral eye drops. In some viral infections, steroid eye drops must be used sparingly to reduce inflammation. You can also try cold compression if needed. It would be best if you avoided self-medication. Consult your doctor today for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Ophthalmology book by AK Khurana
Anyone can get it because it's similar to the common cold, but kids are especially susceptible because they interact with many people at school.
Anything between 4 to 15 days, depending on the intensity of the viral/bacterial infection and how promptly you start the medical treatment.
No, you can get it again.
No. Consult your doctor for appropriate treatment for your infection.
Consult your doctor and follow the advice. Maintain proper hygiene and avoid self-medication.
Don't try any homemade remedy for eye infections. Instead, please consult a doctor for treatment. Your eyes are an essential part of your body, and even a tiny mistake can harm your eyes.
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