Eye infections

An eye infection (pinkeye) causes redness of the sclera (white part of the eyeball) plus a yellow discharge. Eye infections occur when harmful microorganisms like bacteria, fungi and viruses invade any part of the eyeball or surrounding area. This includes the clear front surface of the eye (cornea) and the thin, moist membrane lining the outer eye and inner eyelids (conjunctiva). Often the eyelids are stuck together with dried pus when the child awakens in the morning.

Symptoms

You may notice problems like:

• Pain or discomfort

• Itchy eyes

• Feeling that something's on or in your eye

• Eye hurts when it's bright (light sensitivity)

• Burning in your eyes

• Small, painful lump under your eyelid or at the base of your eyelashes

• Eyelid is tender when you touch it

• Eyes won't stop tearing up

• Irritation in your eyes

There are many different types of eye infections, and your eye doctor needs to determine the particular type of eye infection you have in order to prescribe the proper treatment. If you wear contact lenses, you should wear only your eyeglasses until you have visited your eye doctor for diagnosis and treatment. Your doctor may take a sample from the affected area of your eye for a culture to assess the exact type of infection you have, if any. This may help determine the most effective treatment, such as an antibiotic that selectively targets the type of bacteria causing the infection. Anytime you suspect an eye infection, you should always visit your eye doctor for an eye exam. Trying to self-diagnose your condition can delay effective treatment and potentially harm your sight.

Causes and Types of Eye infections

Infectious conjunctivitis is the most common cause of pinkeye around the world. Causes of infectious conjunctivitis are numerous and can usually be classified as viral, bacterial, or fungal.

Some of the examples of viral, bacterial and fungal eye infections are-

• Pink eye or conjunctivitis: Pink eye is also known as "Conjunctivitis". It is a common and highly contagious eye infection that often is spread among children in day care centers, classrooms and similar environments. Teachers and day care workers also are at increased risk of pink eye when they work in close quarters with young children. Common infectious conjunctivitis types often have viral or bacterial origins. Infants also can acquire conjunctival eye infections during birth when a mother has a sexually transmitted disease.

• Bacterial keratitis: This is an infection of the cornea by common bacteria found on the skin and in the mouth and nose. Normally, these bacteria can't penetrate the outer layer of the eye, and cause only conjunctivitis. However, eye injury, lack of oxygen due to contact lenses, or a weak immune system can all facilitate entry into the cornea, the clear layer in the front of the eye. Fungi can cause fungal keratitis under similar circumstances.

• Fungal keratitis: The fungal eye infection was associated with Fusarium fungi, commonly found in organic matter. This and other fungi can invade the eye in other ways, such as through a penetrating injury caused by a tree branch. This type of eye infection made worldwide news in 2006 when a contact lens solution now withdrawn from the market was linked to an outbreak among contact lens wearers.

• Acanthamoeba keratitis: Contact lens wearers are at increased risk of encountering parasites that can invade the eye and cause a serious sight-threatening infection called Acanthamoeba keratitis. This is why contact lens wearers should observe certain safety tips, such as avoiding swimming while wearing contacts. If you do wear contact lenses when swimming or relaxing in a hot tub, make sure you remove and disinfect your lenses immediately afterward.

• Endophthalmitis: When an eye infection penetrates the eye's interior, as with bacterial endophthalmitis, blindness could result without immediate treatment, often with potent antibiotics. This type of infection can occur with a penetrating eye injury or as a rare complication of eye surgery such as cataract surgery.

• Trachoma: Trachoma typically infects the inner eyelid, which begins to scar. Scarring then causes an "in-turning" of the eyelid, and eyelashes begin to brush against and destroy tissue on the cornea, with resulting permanent blindness. While uncommon in the United States, an eye infection known as trachoma, related to Chlamydia trachomatis, it is so widespread in certain under developed regions that it is a leading cause of blindness. Flies can spread the infection in unsanitary environments, and reinfection is a common problem. Good hygiene and availability of treatments such as oral antibiotics are essential to controlling trachoma.

• Other viral eye infections (viral keratitis): Besides common pink eye, other viral eye infections include ocular herpes, which occurs with exposure to the Herpes simplex virus.

Eye Infection Treatments

Most of the common bacterial eye infections clear up, particularly with prompt treatment such as prescription antibiotic eye drops or ointments and compresses. Many common viral eye infections resolve on their own. In cases of severe viral eye infections, an antiviral eye drop may be prescribed. Some viral eye infections require careful administration of steroid eye drops to reduce related inflammation. Depending on the underlying cause of your eye infection, your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics or antiviral medications that are taken orally. If your symptoms worsen or change, contact your eye doctor immediately.

Viral conjunctivitis: It usually improves in a few days without treatment. Broad-spectrum antibiotics will deal with most cases of bacterial conjunctivitis or keratitis, while particular antibiotics are used to treat gonorrhea and chlamydia. All of these diseases can be cured.

Fungal keratitis: Most fungal and parasitic infections are also treatable by various medications. The exception is histoplasma, which can't even be detected in the retina, though we know it's there. The only current treatment is laser cauterization of the affected area, which dramatically slows the destruction of the macula (the centre of the retina). This operation often has to be repeated several times. There's still no way to repair the damage already done, though new surgical techniques are under study. There’s not much you can do to avoid a disease like histoplasmosis, unless you avoid endemic areas (areas where the fungus is found, such as river valleys). You'll notice, however, that a great many eye infections are actually complications of sexually transmitted or genital diseases such as syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, crab lice, herpes simplex, thrush, and hepatitis B.

Hand-washing is extremely important in preventing the spread of organisms that can cause infection. Sharing of towels, pillow cases, wash clothes, and makeup should always be avoided to prevent spread of an eye infection.

Finally, avoid excessive sun exposure, as this can weaken the protective layer of the eye.

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