Eye infections: types, symptoms, treatment. In general and briefly about eye infections Infectious eye diseases signs causes prevention

Human eyes are complex paired organs that provide visual perception of the surrounding reality. Their normal functioning is influenced by many different factors, among which various eye infections play a huge role. They can cause a person a lot of inconvenience and suffering, cause temporary or long-term visual impairment, as well as change a person’s appearance, reduce their performance and threaten others with infection.

Eye infections are a group of diseases that are caused by a variety of microorganisms. These can be bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa. The most common are bacterial eye diseases, which are most often provoked by various cocci. The main causative agents of bacterial infections are staphylococci and gonococci. The most famous and common eye disease is conjunctivitis. To treat it, it is necessary to accurately determine the cause of inflammation of the conjunctiva, since it is not always provoked by infection. The reasons for the development of conjunctivitis may be the following:

Infection with a variety of microorganisms.
Mechanical damage (mote, eyelash, dust).
Injury.
Another illness not related to infection.
Surgical intervention.
Allergic reaction.
Secondary infection with existing irritation and inflammation of the conjunctiva.

With conjunctivitis, the patient experiences severe discomfort; in its acute form, severe pain, inability to open the eyes normally, painful reaction to light, lacrimation, discharge of purulent components, severe redness of the conjunctiva, swelling of the eyelids, itching. The main symptom is severe pain in the eyes, a feeling of sand or a foreign body.

Since conjunctivitis can have a different nature, it is very important to make a correct diagnosis. To treat this disease, drugs are used against the cause of the infection. Allergic conjunctivitis goes away after taking antihistamines and instilling anti-inflammatory drops, bacterial requires treatment with antibiotics, fungal - with specific antifungal agents. A disease caused by mechanical irritations is most often treated with Albucid, instilled 3 times a day until the symptoms completely disappear.

It must be remembered that you should not abuse this useful remedy either - in case of an overdose or if used for too long, it can cause dryness of the mucous membranes and eyelids, and increase discomfort.

The second most common infectious disease is blepharitis. It is an inflammation of the edges of the eyelids, in which they become very swollen, red, inflamed and painful. It appears in three forms:

Simple. With it, the edges of the eyelids are inflamed, red and slightly swollen. Symptoms do not disappear when washed with water, but may intensify over time, manifesting as purulent discharge.
Scaly. With this form, the edges of the eyelids are covered with small scales that linger between the eyelashes.
Ulcerative. This form of blepharitis develops from the previous two and is a serious disease. With it, the edges of the eyelids are covered with purulent crusts, under which there are ulcers. Eyelashes stick together and may fall out.

Viral eye diseases are included in a special group. The most common herpetic lesion occurs, which can be localized both on the cornea and on the eyelids. The onset of the disease is similar to conjunctivitis, but then small blistering rashes appear. The disease is long and difficult to treat and requires systemic treatment - local and general treatment.

Protozoa can cause various diseases, including amebic keratitis. Most often, it affects people who wear contact lenses, do not follow the rules of hygiene, use homemade rinsing liquids, or swim in open water without removing the lenses from their eyes. Amoebic infections cause serious problems with the cornea and have a detrimental effect on vision. These pathogens live in “raw” water and are not destroyed by homemade liquids for washing and storing lenses. To avoid this dangerous infection, you need to use only special branded lens fluids.

Causes of eye infections

In most cases, infectious eye diseases arise due to human oversight or due to his neglect of basic hygiene rules. Eye diseases can be transmitted in the following ways:

If you have a bad habit of touching or rubbing your eyes with dirty hands.
When using someone else's personal hygiene products - scarves, towels, sponges, cosmetics or cosmetics and accessories.
In direct contact with secretions of an infected patient.
In case of violation of hygiene rules in a beauty salon, with a makeup stylist, or in a medical facility. Sometimes the infection occurs after eye surgery.
As a complication when there is an infection in the body, for example, when infected with the herpes virus.
Failure to comply with the rules of wearing, care and hygiene when using contact lenses, no matter corrective or decorative.
If a woman neglects to thoroughly remove eye makeup and goes to bed with it on.

Most infectious eye diseases can be avoided if you listen to your doctor’s recommendations and follow basic hygiene standards, as well as treat emerging processes in a timely manner, otherwise they can become chronic.

Symptoms of an eye infection

In general, infectious eye diseases are manifested by the following symptoms:

Pain of varying degrees of intensity.
Redness of the eyes.
Sensation of sand or foreign body.
Bloating of the edges of the eyelids.
Severe swelling.
Itching, irritation.
Watery eyes, photophobia, inability to fully open the eyes due to inflammation.
The appearance of purulent discharge in the corners of the eyes or on the edges of the eyelids.
Changes in the condition of the cornea in some infections.
Visual disturbances, mainly the appearance of “cloudy” in the eyes and a fuzzy, blurry image.
When the eyesight is strained, the discomfort intensifies.

Any negative symptoms associated with eye diseases can lead to dangerous consequences, and therefore require a clear diagnosis.

To begin proper treatment, you need to visit a doctor.

Treatment of diseases

The main infectious eye disease is conjunctivitis of a bacterial or allergic nature. To treat, you need to find out the cause of the disease. If you have allergies, discomfort in the eyes usually goes away quickly after taking antihistamines prescribed by your doctor. Externally, compresses made from tea or chamomile decoction, soothing irritation, rinsing and baths with a weak solution of boric acid or potassium permanganate can help the matter.

Bacterial diseases are treated with antibiotics. For minor lesions, you can use Albucid; it contains an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory substances, and usually quickly relieves inflammation and discomfort. For serious problems, antibiotic eye ointment and corticosteroids are used to combat severe inflammation. These drugs are prescribed only by a doctor; you should not take risks on your own. Ointments can be applied to the eyelids or placed under them to treat the conjunctiva.

Only special eye ointments should be used, usually containing a low percentage of active ingredient of 0.5-1%. Skin preparations should not be used on the eyes.

In some cases of particularly persistent and severe diseases, external therapy can be combined with the use of oral antibiotics.

Viral eye damage requires the use of specific antiviral drugs in the form of drops, ointments and internal remedies. They are prescribed by a doctor, depending on what disease the patient is affected by.

If infections are left untreated or treated with ineffective drugs, they can become chronic. This condition has a bad effect on vision and overall eye health, and also requires great and lengthy efforts to completely cure.

To avoid future problems, you need to carefully follow your doctor's instructions. You cannot change the dosage of the drug yourself, especially when it comes to products for children. This applies even to such a common and familiar drug as Albucid. It comes in adult (30%) and children's dosages. It is dangerous to use “adult” medicine for children.

The duration of treatment should also not be arbitrarily handled. First of all, this concerns the use of antibiotics. Reducing the period of use can lead to the fact that the causative agent of the disease does not completely die, and the disease becomes sluggish and chronic. If you increase the duration of treatment uncontrollably, then unpleasant consequences of antibiotic treatment may occur. Against this background, dryness of the eyelids and mucous membranes may appear, redness and irritation may increase.

Any drug for the treatment of the organs of vision must be taken exactly according to the specified regimen. Only in this case can you count on proper treatment and a good result, a complete recovery.

Prevention of infections

To prevent eye disease from becoming a permanent problem, you need to take preventive measures. They mainly consist of following the rules of hygiene and eye care:

Wash the handkerchiefs you use for your eyes as often as possible and iron them with a hot iron, or even better, use disposable paper handkerchiefs for these purposes.
Never wipe both eyes with the same tissue or handkerchief.
Do not take or give to anyone, even close relatives and friends, your personal cosmetics (eye shadow, eye cream, mascara, etc.) and cosmetic accessories (brushes, sponges, applicators).
Have your own towel, don't use someone else's, and don't let anyone else do it.
Always remove eye makeup thoroughly before going to bed.
Follow all rules for using contact lenses.
Do not use expired cosmetics, drops or other eye medications.
Do not rub your eyes with your hands and generally try to touch them as little as possible, especially on the street or on public transport.
At the first signs of illness, seek medical help.

Particular attention to prevention should be given to people who have eye problems or visual impairments, who use glasses and contact lenses, or who have previously undergone eye surgery. They are especially susceptible to various infections, so for them, prevention and careful treatment of vision is the main way to preserve eye health for many years.

The simplest precautions and accuracy will allow you to avoid serious consequences and encounter unpleasant and dangerous eye infections as little as possible.

The organs of vision are protected from problems such as eye infections by the anatomical barrier of the eyelid. Moreover, with the help of the blink reflex, continuous hydration occurs. The infectious process can affect any part of the eye, including the eyelids, conjunctiva, and cornea.

Infectious eye diseases most often manifest themselves in the form of symptoms characteristic of conjunctivitis - inflammation of the outer mucous membrane of the eye.

Ophthalmic diseases can occur for a number of reasons: tear film pathologies, trauma, weakened immune system. Inflammation is characterized by the appearance of unpleasant sensations, among which are decreased visual acuity, increased sensitivity to light, eye pain, redness, the appearance of discharge and crusts.

The effectiveness of treatment in children and adults directly depends on timely diagnosis, which should be carried out by a qualified specialist. What eye infections exist, what are they called, what signs are they characterized by, and is it possible to get rid of them? We'll talk about this and much more later in the article.

Infectious eye diseases in humans

There are a number of infectious diseases that are very common:

conjunctivitis;
trachoma;
blepharitis;
dacryocystitis;
endophthalmitis;
keratitis;
staphylococcal corneal ulcer and many others.

Serious ophthalmological disorders of an infectious nature require immediate medical attention. Mild infections can be treated at home, but if the condition worsens after two to three days, consult a doctor. Pharmacy eye wash solutions will help relieve the symptoms of eye infections. Decoctions of medicinal herbs in the form of compresses are also very useful.

If you experience the following symptoms, consult your doctor immediately:

the eyes become red and swollen, and there is a thick discharge. Most likely, this is a sign of a bacterial process that requires the use of antibiotics;
pain in the eyes, which is accompanied by photophobia and blurred vision;
pupils have different sizes;
presence of a foreign body;
Symptoms of an eye infection do not go away after four days of treatment at home.

Early diagnosis by an ophthalmologist will help speed up the recovery process

The pathological process can be caused by viruses, bacteria and fungi. The disease manifests itself in the form of such complaints from people:

redness of the white of the eye;
lacrimation;
white or yellow discharge;
dry crusts in the eyelid area and on the corners of the eyes after sleep;
the skin of the eyelids peels and swells;
A small red lump appears on the edge of the eyelids.

Chlamydia infection

Chlamydia is neither a bacteria nor a virus. They are called opportunistic microflora, which means that in a healthy body microbes can exist and not cause any disturbances, but under the influence of certain factors, activation and proliferation of chlamydia can occur.

Their peculiarity is that they can wait a long time. Chlamydia is found in the epithelium of various organs, awaiting favorable conditions for its activation. This could be stress, hypothermia or weakened immunity.

Important! A third of all recorded conjunctivitis is caused by chlamydial infection.

Chlamydia can stay in the body for a long time, waiting for the right moment to activate.

Chlamydia of the visual organs can occur in various organs, namely:

keratitis - damage to the cornea;
paratrachoma - inflammation of the eye membrane;
meibolitis - inflammation of the meibomian glands;
episcleritis - pathology in the tissues that connect the conjunctiva and sclera;
uveitis – damage to blood vessels and more.

Most often, the spread of infection occurs when a pathogenic microbe is transferred from the genitals. The patient can transmit chlamydia to his sexual partner. In most cases, the disease is transmitted through unprotected sexual contact. The source of infection can be heavy hands or personal items. You can catch chlamydia in public places, such as a bathhouse, sauna, or swimming pool.

Important! Often, chlamydia in the eyes is a clear sign of a urogenital infection, which occurs with mild clinical symptoms.

Chlamydia infection is a common cause of inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye.

At risk are men and women who are promiscuous, patients with acute or chronic conjunctivitis, as well as children of mothers suffering from chlamydia. Also at risk are doctors who, due to the nature of their work, have to come into contact with patients.

The incubation period lasts from five to fourteen days. In most cases, the infectious process is unilateral. Characteristic signs of chlamydia are the following symptoms:

infiltration of the mucous membrane of the eye;
swelling of the eyelids;
itching and pain in the eyes;
eyelids stick together in the morning;
photophobia;
inflammation of the auditory tube;
enlargement of regional lymph nodes;
drooping eyelid;
mucous or purulent discharge.

The pathological process can be eliminated using local and systemic antibacterial therapy. Experts often prescribe antibiotic eye drops: Lomefloxacin, Ciprofloxacin, Ofloxacin and Norfloxacin.

Important! Lack of timely treatment threatens the development of blindness.

Viral eye infection

The organs of vision are quite often attacked by viruses. A viral infection can cause:

adenovirus;
herpes simplex virus;
cytomegalovirus;
measles, mononucleosis, rubella, chickenpox virus.

Adenovirus

A distinctive feature of adenoviral infection is the appearance of watery secretion from the eye and nasal cavity. Among the most common symptoms of illnesses are the following:

mucous discharge;
redness of the eyes;
lacrimation;
photophobia;
itching, burning;
swelling of the eyelid;
feeling of sand.

Children and middle-aged adults most often suffer from adenoviral eye infections.

ARVI symptoms also appear: runny nose, sore throat, cough, fever. Most often, infection occurs when a child comes in from the street and starts rubbing his eyes with dirty hands. Transmission of infection can occur through airborne droplets and household contact.

Many people consider adenovirus infection to be a harmless process that does not lead to serious complications. But in reality this is not entirely true. An untreated disease can lead to chronicity of the process, as well as the development of bacterial conjunctivitis.

Treating adenovirus infection is not so simple, this is due to the ability of the pathogen to mutate. To combat the disease, doctors often prescribe Oftalmoferon.

Herpes

Herpes can manifest itself in different ways, the most dangerous option being herpetic eye lesions. The pathological process can lead to damage to the cornea and even to the development of blindness.

The herpes virus can enter the body through the mucous membrane of the mouth, respiratory system, or sexually. Infection can also occur through sharing utensils or towels.

Ophthalmoherpes can easily be confused with an allergy, so do not self-diagnose, this can be fraught with vision loss

The body is protected by the immune system, so it can provide decent resistance for a long time. If for some reason the immune system weakens, ophthalmoherpes appears. Its appearance can be triggered by banal hypothermia, stressful situations, injuries, and pregnancy.

Manifestations of herpes in the eyes can easily be confused with an allergy or bacterial infection, which is why you should not self-diagnose. Ophthalmoherpes manifests itself as follows:

redness of the mucous membrane of the eye and eyelid;
pain syndrome;
deterioration of vision, in particular twilight vision;
profuse lacrimation;
photosensitivity.

The condition can be aggravated by pain, nausea, fever and enlarged regional lymph nodes. To make a diagnosis, a scraping of cells from the affected area of the skin and mucous membrane is taken from the patient. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay will detect antibodies to herpes infection.

Ophthalmoherpes should be treated with the following medications:

antiviral: Acyclovir, Oftan-IDU, Valacyclovir;
immunotherapy drugs: Interlock, Reaferon, Poludan, Amiksin;
herpes vaccine. It is administered strictly during the period without exacerbation: Vitagerpevac and Gerpovac;
mydriatics to relieve spasms: Atropine, Irifrin;
antiseptics;
antibiotics;
vitamins.

Herpes can be transmitted by sharing utensils

HIV

The immunodeficiency virus affects the front and back of the eye. Patients experience changes in conjunctival microcirculation, tumors and infections. Neoplasms associated with HIV infection are represented by lymphomas. With uveitis, bilateral damage is observed, although the disease is characterized by a unilateral course.

Common viral diseases

Let's talk in more detail about two common pathological processes:

Uveitis. In twenty percent of cases the disease leads to complete blindness. The conjunctiva becomes red, lacrimation, photophobia, pain, and blurred vision are observed. In uveitis, the blood vessels of the eye are most affected. Treatment includes the use of anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agents.
Keratitis. Most often, the disease is diagnosed in infants and the elderly. With the superficial type, only the corneal epithelium is affected, and with the deep type, the entire stroma is affected. The eye becomes swollen, red, vesicular discharge and cloudiness appear. Treatment includes the use of immunomodulatory, antibacterial and antiviral agents.

A viral infection of the eye may cause symptoms characteristic of ARVI.

Fungal infection

Experts call fungal diseases mycoses. Currently, there are more than fifty species of fungi that can cause ophthalmomycosis. The pathogen can penetrate damaged areas, for example, with eye injuries. Also, the fungus can affect the eye, moving from other areas, for example. For mycoses in the facial skin area.

Ophthalmomycosis occurs more often in childhood and is much more severe than in adults. Regardless of the form and type of fungus, the disease has the same clinical manifestations:

burning and itching;
redness;
purulent discharge;
formation of a film on the mucous membrane;
lacrimation;
painful sensations;
blurred vision;
decreased vision;
the formation of ulcers and wounds on the eyelids.

The photo shows a characteristic manifestation of ophthalmomycosis

For systemic use, fungicidal, antimycotic and antibacterial agents are prescribed. Locally, the eyelids are lubricated with antimycotic solutions and ointments.

Bacterial diseases

Bacterial eye infections are characterized by pronounced clinical symptoms, which prompt the patient to consult a doctor. To make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe an effective antibacterial agent, patients must submit a bacteriological smear. Culture can show which pathogen is present in the body and which antibiotic it is sensitive to.

Conjunctivitis

Bacteria can cause several types of conjunctivitis:

Fulminant. The condition requires emergency medical attention. It can lead to corneal perforation and vision loss. The basis of treatment is systemic antibacterial agents.
Spicy. The process is benign in nature and with adequate treatment tactics goes away in one to two weeks. Still, there is a risk of the acute process becoming chronic.
Chronic. The most common causative agent of the chronic form is Staphylococcus aureus.

Medicine against infection must be prescribed by a qualified specialist

Keratitis

Bacterial infection of the cornea causes clouding, redness, pain and ulceration. The pathological process occurs as a sluggish ulcer. The cause of keratitis is most often pneumococcal infection.

To eliminate the disease, doctors prescribe antibiotic eye drops. If left untreated, bacterial keratitis can lead to the formation of a dense cataract on the cornea.

Blepharitis

Bacteria provoke the development of chronic inflammation of the eyelids. The main causative agent of blepharitis is Staphylococcus aureus.

The disease is difficult to treat. Doctors usually prescribe antibiotic eye drops. Treatment continues for a month after the disappearance of clinical symptoms.

Dacryocystitis

Dacryocystitis is an inflammation of the lacrimal sac. The disease can occur in acute and chronic form. Treatment includes the use of systemic antibiotics based on cefuroxime. In some cases, surgery is indicated.

So, eye infections can be caused by viruses, bacteria and fungi. Depending on the specific pathogen, treatment tactics are selected. Some infectious processes are fraught with the development of serious complications, including blindness. That is why it is extremely important to consult a doctor in a timely manner for a diagnostic examination. Some diseases can be quite similar in their manifestations, so self-medication can seriously harm you.

Eye infections are far from a rare occurrence. They may have different natures and causes, but regardless of this, they require mandatory treatment. Otherwise, a person can not only damage his vision, but also provoke the development of blindness.

No one is immune from eye infections. It can occur even in young children or, conversely, in older people. There is also no dependence on gender; men and women get sick with the same degree of frequency.

Of course, it does not arise on its own and is always facilitated by some reason. There are many options:

Weakened immune system;
Taking immunosuppressive medications. Such medications are prescribed in special cases, for example, in the treatment of autoimmune diseases;
Direct contact with an infected person;
Allergic reaction;
Prolonged eye strain;
Tension caused by constant wearing of contact lenses;
The air is too dry;
Poor hygiene;
Getting a foreign object into the eye;
Mechanical eye injury;
Surgical intervention.

But treatment will depend not on the cause, but on the type of causative agent of the disease.

Types of eye infections depending on the pathogen

There are four main types of infectious pathogens. These are: viruses, bacteria, fungi and representatives of opportunistic microflora.

Viruses

Viruses surround people everywhere, and it can be very difficult to resist them. The result of their entry into the body is a wide variety of pathological conditions, including eye infections. Treatment usually does not require the use of antibiotics.

A viral eye infection can be caused by pathogens such as:

Cytomegalovirus;
Herpes simplex virus, including chickenpox;
Adenovirus;
Measles virus;
Rubella virus;
Mononucleosis virus;
AIDS virus.

And even the familiar ARVI can provoke the development of an infectious process in the eye.

Examples of the course of the disease:

Adenoviral eye infection. The pathogens in this case belong to the group of acute respiratory infections. In this regard, the symptoms of conjunctivitis are very similar to the common cold. There may be fever, runny nose, sore throat, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes. All this is added by inflammation of the eyes in the form of redness, swelling, itching, and photophobia. Adenoviral eye infection is usually characterized by a clear discharge;
Herpetic eye infection. Its danger lies in the fact that the symptoms that appear are very similar to an allergic reaction. The eyes begin to become very red, watery, have difficulty withstanding bright light, and also experience pain. Since the pathogen can affect the cornea itself, during the illness the patient may notice a decrease in visual acuity, the appearance of blurriness, and doubling of objects. Unfortunately, in advanced cases and without treatment, vision can deteriorate significantly. The most unfavorable option is the development of blindness.

Infection with an adenoviral disease, as well as herpes or other viral diseases, most often occurs through contact with a sick person. In this case, it is not necessary to carry out tactile movements; it is enough to just pick up an object that was previously in his hands, and then rub his eyes. And, of course, the weaker the immune system, the higher the likelihood of infection.

Bacteria

Bacterial infections are usually more complicated than viral infections. You should not treat them yourself. They require a special approach. The causative agents can be bacteria from the genus Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Pneumococcus, Gonococcus, as well as Haemophilus influenzae.

In this case, the following diseases can be diagnosed:

Conjunctivitis. People encounter this diagnosis most often. As stated earlier, conjunctivitis can also be viral in nature. If the causative agent is, after all, a bacterium, there is no need to waste time; it is necessary to begin treatment, since there is a fulminant type of this disease, in which accelerated perforation of the cornea occurs and, as a result, the development of blindness is possible;
Keratitis. It is an acute inflammation of the cornea. The patient, in addition to general symptoms, may experience severe pain in the eye area. The seriousness of its course lies in the possible abscess and even tissue necrosis;
Blepharitis. It differs from other types of diseases in that the inflammation is localized mainly in the area of the ciliary edge of the eyelids. In this regard, the patient may notice not only tearing, itching, photophobia of the eyes, but also loss of eyelashes and disruption of their proper growth.

It is difficult to assess the potential danger of bacterial eye infections. In each individual case, this will be influenced not only by the type of bacteria, but also by the state of the patient’s immune system, to what extent it is able to resist the development of the pathogenic microorganism.

Fungi

When visible symptoms of the disease appear, few people think that it could be a fungal eye infection. But in vain, fungi are found in humans no less often than viruses or bacteria.

The symptoms in this case are the same as with other types of infection. The patient complains of itching and burning in the eyes, severe tearing, blurriness, discharge, often purulent. Ophthalmomycosis is more severe in young patients than in adults.

Representatives of opportunistic microflora

The human body is home to a huge variety of microorganisms. These are not simple bacteria; they belong to the group that makes up the opportunistic flora. This suggests that under normal conditions they do not pose a danger to humans, and moreover, they are necessary for their normal functioning. But sometimes the human immune system fails, and they begin to multiply pathologically and have adverse effects. This infection includes chlamydia.

Chlamydia are single-celled organisms that come out of the shadows when the body experiences some kind of stress. This could be hypothermia, ongoing illness, severe stress or depression, and even pregnancy. Since chlamydia prefers the microflora of the genital organs, the resulting irritation of the eye may indicate the presence of a urogenital infection, which the patient may not even suspect.

A peculiarity of this type of infection is that chlamydial microorganisms can infect various parts of the eye, namely:

Ophthalmic membrane;
Cornea;
Connective tissue located between the conjunctiva and sclera;
Meibomian glands;
Blood vessels.

The incubation period lasts up to two weeks. The patient should limit contact with people, since chlamydial eye infection is quite easily transmitted from person to person or through shared objects. The disease poses the greatest danger to infants. Unfortunately, if not treated promptly, the result can be complete blindness.

Clinical manifestations

The large number of eye infections causes the possibility of various symptoms to appear. How exactly the disease will progress depends on the type of infection, the degree of its severity, as well as on the individual characteristics of the patient’s body.

The most common symptoms of eye infections are:

Redness of the whites;
Increased tear production;
Various discomforts. As a rule, this is itching, tingling or pain;
Swelling of nearby skin. Visually it is most pronounced on the upper eyelids;
Discharge from the eyes. The color, depending on their nature and consistency, can be transparent, white, yellow or more green. The last two options may indicate the presence of bacteria;
Crusts. It is because of their appearance that the eyelids often stick together, and the eye can be difficult, and sometimes even impossible to open without special procedures.

And even if we assume that the patient does not have the opportunity to immediately see a doctor, and he tries to relieve inflammation on his own for a couple of days, then there are symptoms for which it is strongly recommended not to waste time and visit a medical facility. These include:

Severe swelling and redness;
Continuous tearing;
Sensation of a foreign object in the eye;
Severe pain in the eyes;
Photophobia. It is expressed in the pathological sensitivity of the pupils to bright light;
Deterioration of vision. Blur appears. In some cases, even partial loss may be observed.

Eye diseases in children manifest themselves in a similar way.

Diagnostics

The vast majority of people wake up at least once in their lives and see their red, infectious eyes in the mirror. And, unfortunately, many of them begin self-medicating with tea or herbal decoctions. In fact, the best thing a person can do in this case is to see a doctor for a diagnosis, especially if the symptoms do not go away within a few days.

A specialist who can tell you what to do if an infection gets into your eye is an ophthalmologist. During the initial examination, the doctor checks visual acuity and also uses equipment to examine the eyeball, fundus and cornea. If necessary, the patient may be prescribed additional diagnostic methods, such as an eye smear. On its basis, histological, cultural, molecular analyzes and PCR can be carried out. An eye smear is also necessary to determine the sensitivity of microorganisms to antibiotics.

The prescribed treatment directly depends on the source of the pathogen. So the patient may be shown:

For viral infections. Eye drops "Tobrex", "Ophthalmoferon", "Anandin". Antiviral tablets and ointments “Acyclovir”, “Acyclostad”, Zovirax”, “Panavir”;
For bacterial infections, including those caused by opportunistic microflora. In this case, ophthalmic eye drops for infections from the group of antibiotics are required. These can be “Tobrex”, “Fucitalmic”, “Tsipromed”. Of the ointments, as a rule, “Tetracycline” or “Erythromycin” are prescribed. Preoral antibiotics may be added if necessary;
For fungal infections. Drops with an antimycotic effect are selected. Among them are “Fluconazole”, “Acromycin”, “Amphoteicin”. Among the ointments, you can choose Miconazole or Nystatin.

In addition to taking medications, the patient must treat the eyes with constant antiseptic treatment, for example, with Chlorhexidine solution. It is important to remember that hands must be thoroughly washed, and cotton pads must always be new. Both eyes need to be treated, even if only one is infected. Otherwise, pathogens can transfer to a healthy organ.

In some cases, symptomatic eye and vision treatment may be required. To do this, the doctor prescribes certain medications in each individual case. But a general recommendation for all patients would be to take vitamin complexes. They will help strengthen the immune system and speed up the healing process.

Prevention

You can minimize the risk of eye infections by following simple rules. They include:

Maintain personal hygiene. Do not touch your eyes with unwashed hands, or use someone else’s eye shadow or mascara;
Wearing sunglasses in bright sunshine;
Wearing safety glasses during certain types of work;
Compliance with all rules for the use of contact persons;
Avoiding severe eye strain. If you experience fatigue and pain in the eyes, you need to drip a couple of drops of a drug that relieves tension.

And, of course, it is important, when the first signs of infection appear, to consult a doctor for treatment.

Date: 12/13/2015

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Viral eye infections often cause vision loss. 10-30% of people lose their vision from improper treatment. You can avoid unpleasant consequences thanks to proper and timely treatment.

Many inflammatory eye diseases are caused by infections. Almost 50% of patients are people with the syndrome. And approximately 80% of patients suffer from eye infections, which can be of different nature, but always manifest themselves with similar symptoms.

Causes and symptoms of eye infections

Bacteria often enter the eyes from the external environment. Burns, allergies, and injuries can cause eye infections. Another reason may be continuous eye strain. Nowadays, many people work at computers every day and do not allow their eyes to rest.

Another eye infection can occur due to environmental exposure, continuous wearing of lenses, and dry indoor air.

The most common symptoms of eye infections are:

pain;
function failures;
Red eyes;
lacrimation;
foreign body sensation.

If you do not see a doctor in a timely manner and do not begin treatment, you may lose your vision. There have been situations when the most common infection became the cause of a pronounced inflammatory process. The effectiveness of treatment depends on the medicine that is prescribed for treatment.

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Eye infections in adults

From medical statistics it is known that the most common infectious disease is conjunctivitis. It is characterized by damage to the outer membrane covering the inner eyelid and part of the front apple of the eye. This membrane is called the conjunctiva, and the name of the disease comes from it.

The first signs of such a viral infection are pain in the eye, a sensation of a foreign body under the eyelids. Sometimes there is swelling of the eyelids and copious mucus secretion. Small, barely noticeable, but easily removable films appear on the conjunctiva.

The disease can be chronic.

In such a situation, it will develop slowly, and moments of exacerbation are often replaced by an improvement in the patient’s well-being. Therefore, many are in no hurry to go to the doctor for help and turn only if fatigue and photophobia interfere with life or work.

Bacterial conjunctivitis occurs unexpectedly and is caused by staphylococci and gonococci. Eye infections can occur in children. In adults, this disease may be associated with dry eye syndrome. Many people like to touch their eyes with unwashed hands. This allows bacterial conjunctivitis to develop.

There is one significant feature in the treatment of this disease. It may have various root causes (pathogenic agents). For this reason, the patterns of drug use will be different in each individual case. Only a doctor can choose them correctly, based on test results.
If you have conjunctivitis, you should not self-medicate. Without knowing the cause of inflammation, incorrect use of drugs can cause great complications when it is already necessary to save the eye itself.

Herpes eye infection needs to be highlighted. Often this virus is localized on the cornea, but it can also damage the eyelids. At first they itch, then blistering rashes form on them. Herpes usually appears after a cold or severe hypothermia. The largest number of cases of eye herpes occurs during the cold season. However, it can also happen in the summer due to overheating in the sun. Most often it appears due to a decrease in the body's resistance, hypovitaminosis, but it can also occur due to other diseases. In this case, you must first treat the virus.

Another common disease is blepharitis. This is a focus of inflammation, which is localized on the edge of the upper or lower eyelid. This disease can develop due to prolonged exposure to the eyes of a caustic substance, smoke, volatile liquid, or due to chronic infection in the body.

This disease has 3 forms: simple, scaly and ulcerative.

Simple blepharitis is characterized by redness of the edges of the eyelids, which does not spread to other tissues and is accompanied by slight swelling. Unpleasant sensations begin to appear in the eyes. Even if you wash your eyes with water, they do not disappear. The movements of the eyelids gradually begin to accelerate, and there may be purulent discharge from the corners of the eyes.

Scaly blepharitis is characterized by severe redness of the edges of the eyelids and swelling. If grayish or pale yellow scales that look like dandruff form on the eyelids, then this is a sign of scaly blepharitis. Usually there is severe itching in the eyes and pain when blinking.

Ulcerative blepharitis is the most severe form of eye infection. It begins with the usual symptoms described above. Then the condition begins to deteriorate sharply. If there is dried pus at the roots of the eyelashes, then this is a sign of ulcerative blepharitis. Because of the crusts, eyelashes begin to stick together. It is quite difficult to remove them, since it is very painful to touch the inflamed skin. After removing the crusts, small ulcers remain on the eyelids. If treatment was started late, they will heal very slowly, and eyelash growth will only be partially restored. Over time, complications may occur. The direction of eyelash growth may be disrupted and they may fall out.

Treatment of blepharitis in adults is a long process. You cannot treat eye infections on your own. This should be done by a doctor. The patient must carefully observe the rules of personal hygiene, eat properly, excluding spicy and fatty foods, and reduce daily eye strain. It is imperative to treat chronic infections.

Most often only the upper or lower, but can affect both eyelids. The cause of blepharitis is prolonged exposure to caustic substances, smoke, volatile liquids, as well as infection after minor injuries.

There are three forms of blepharitis:

Simple blepharitis- characterized by the edges of the eyelids, does not spread to the surrounding tissues, and is accompanied by some swelling. The patient notes discomfort in the eyes, a feeling of being caught by a speck or, and after rinsing with water, these symptoms do not disappear. The patient begins to blink frequently, and there may be purulent or foamy fluid from the eyes, accumulating in the inner corners.
Squamous blepharitis- characterized by significant swelling of the eyelid margins. A typical sign of this form is the appearance of pale yellow or grayish scales along the edges of eyelash growth, which resemble dandruff. After mechanical removal of these scales, the skin bleeds somewhat and becomes thinner. The patient is worried about a strong sensation of a foreign body in the eye, pain when blinking. In severe cases, the pain is so intense that the patient is forced to spend most of the day in a darkened room.
blepharitis- the most severe form of pathology, which begins with the changes described above, and then the condition worsens significantly. A typical sign is the accumulation of dried pus at the edge of eyelash growth, the formation of crusts that stick together the eyelashes. Since touching the skin is very painful, it is extremely difficult to remove these crusts. After their removal, small ulcers form. In the absence of timely treatment, ulcers heal very slowly, and eyelash growth is not completely restored. Complications such as impaired eyelash growth (eyelashes may curl inward), the development of conjunctivitis, and further spread of infection are possible.

Inflammation of the optic nerve

Optic neuritis is a pathology in which the focus of inflammation is localized in the intraorbital zone of the optic nerve. The most common cause is the downward spread of infection during meningitis, chronic otitis, and sinusitis. Less commonly, optic neuritis is of a primary infectious nature; it can also develop as a result of chemical poisoning or a general allergic reaction.

The severity of the patient's condition with inflammation of the optic nerve depends on the cause of the pathology. Thus, in case of poisoning with fast-acting toxins, damage to the optic nerve develops rapidly, within several hours.

The consequences of optic neuritis are irreversible in most cases. Symptoms of trouble develop over several days or weeks if the pathology is infectious in nature. The first symptoms of optic neuritis are decreased visual acuity for no apparent reason, impaired color perception, and distortion of the boundaries of the visual field. During examination, an ophthalmologist detects typical changes in the visible part of the optic nerve head: swelling, hyperemia, swelling of the ophthalmic arteries, an increase in the length of the veins.

In mild cases of optic neuritis, complete recovery is possible with timely initiation of adequate therapy. After antibiotic therapy and immunostimulation, the optic nerve is restored and acquires normal shape upon examination. In severe cases, atrophic degeneration of the optic nerve occurs, as a result of which visual acuity decreases irreversibly.

Purulent eye infections

Purulent inflammatory processes in the eyes are caused by pathogenic microorganisms, most often when staphylococci and streptococci enter the eyeball. The cause may be trauma to the eyeball (penetrating).

There are three forms of purulent eye diseases:

: develops one to two days after injury to the eyeball. It is characterized by severe pain, in which touching the eyeball is often impossible due to the intensity of the pain. the eyes acquire a grayish or yellowish color due to the accumulation of pus in it, as if immersed in a haze.
Endophthalmitis: this is a more severe form of eye damage, in which, if left untreated, the infectious-inflammatory process spreads to the retina of the eye, and pain is disturbing even at rest with the eyes closed. Characterized by a rapid decrease in visual acuity up to complete absence, only light perception is preserved. An ophthalmological examination reveals typical signs: greenish or yellowish color, dilation of conjunctival vessels.
Panophthalmitis: this form is a rare complication of endophthalmitis, which develops only in the absence of antibiotic therapy with broad-spectrum drugs, as a result of which the infectious process spreads to all tissues of the eye. Despite the rarity of this pathology, you need to know its symptoms in order to promptly consult a doctor for emergency help. Purulent melting with panophthalmitis affects all tissues of the eye. Characterized by very severe pain in the eyeball, swelling of the eyelids, swelling and redness of the conjunctiva, visualization through accumulations of pus, yellow or greenish color of the eyeball. Touching the eye is impossible due to intense pain. Swelling and redness of the surrounding skin is typical. Possible eye abscess. In such severe cases, surgical treatment is advisable. Even with successful conservative treatment, visual acuity deteriorates significantly.

Dacryocystitis

Dacryocystitis is an inflammation of the sac, which has an infectious etiology. The cause of this disease is the development of pathogenic microorganisms in the cavity of the lacrimal sac. Predisposes to the development of dacryocystitis by congenital obstruction or narrowing of the lacrimal canal, stagnation of fluid inside. In some cases, newborns are diagnosed with false obstruction of the lacrimal canal - the presence of a membrane between the nasolacrimal canal and the lacrimal sac, which is easily removed to prevent the development of dacryocystitis.

Dacryocystitis can occur in acute and chronic forms. Acute dacryocystitis develops quickly. The first symptoms are liquid purulent discharge, copious amounts. After some time, the area above the outer corner of the eye swells, the swelling resembles a bean (swelling of the lacrimal gland occurs). When you gently press on the lacrimal gland, pus or mucus is released from it. In case of progression, hydrocele of the lacrimal gland is formed.

Keratitis is an infectious or post-traumatic inflammation of the cornea of the eye. The exogenous and endogenous nature of this pathology, as well as specific forms, are distinguished.

Exogenous keratitis is a pathology that develops after injuries to the eyeball, chemical burns, infection of the cornea with bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The endogenous form is a consequence of the progression of creeping corneal ulcers and other eye diseases of a bacterial, fungal, viral nature (for example, eye herpes).

Progressive keratitis- a form of the disease that, in the absence of treatment, leads to infiltration of corneal tissue, then to the formation of ulcers, and finally regenerates. When viewed, the infiltrated zone appears as a fuzzy grayish or yellowish spot with blurry edges. The affected area can be pinpointed or large, when the entire cornea is involved in the pathological process. Due to the formation of an infiltrate, the patient is concerned about decreased visual acuity, spasms of the eye muscles and profuse lacrimation (these symptoms are combined into corneal syndrome). The further development of keratitis is determined by internal and external factors and timely treatment. Without treatment, the pathology rarely regresses.

If left untreated, keratitis progresses. The infiltrate disintegrates, and in its place focal necrosis forms, followed by rejection of the cornea. After some time, an ulcer with a rough structure and swollen edges forms on the affected cornea. Without treatment, it spreads across the cornea, penetrating deep into the eyeball. Healing of such a defect is possible only by eliminating the cause of the disease, using antibacterial therapy, normalizing metabolism, and treating the consequences of injury.

During the healing process of a corneal ulcer, the swelling of its edges disappears, the transparency of the cornea is restored, and the regeneration process is normalized. After healing, a scar of connective tissue remains on the cornea. With a small area of the defect, visual acuity does not decrease, but with extensive keratitis, complete blindness is possible.

Creeping corneal ulcer- the most severe form of infectious keratitis. The causative agent is diplococcus, which enters the corneal tissue during mechanical damage, less often - from the cavity of the conjunctiva, lacrimal sac, and other foci of infection. The disease is characterized by a rapid increase in pathological changes. A day after the diplococcus enters, a gray infiltrate is already visible on the cornea, which after a few days turns into an ulcer. Pus accumulates between the cornea and iris, which is typical for this form of keratitis and has important diagnostic significance. One edge of the ulcer is smoothed, the other is raised.
Marginal keratitis- another form of pathology that develops with inflammation of the cornea. The cause is usually conjunctivitis. Due to the contact of the marginal zone of the cornea with the inflamed conjunctiva, a focus of inflammation is formed at the periphery of the cornea. This form is characterized by a long course with slow healing of the defect.
Keratomycosis is an inflammation of the cornea of the eye of a fungal nature. The most common pathogen is a fungus of the genus Candida. Its active reproduction occurs only when there is a significant disruption of the natural microflora (this occurs with prolonged use of antibiotics, hormonal drugs, and metabolic disorders). The first symptom of keratomycosis is the appearance of a whitish spot on the cornea, bordered by a yellow stripe. As the disease progresses, the corneal tissue becomes necrotic. After the defect has healed, rough scar tissue remains. Keratomycosis is characterized by the fact that perforation of the cornea never occurs, but vision is significantly impaired.
Tuberculous keratitis is a specific inflammation of the cornea, which usually develops during the generalization of tuberculosis infection. At the beginning of the pathological process, light gray nodules - conflicts - form on the cornea. This is accompanied by spasm of the eye muscles and profuse lacrimation. In the absence of timely treatment, the nodules grow and blood vessels grow into the cornea. After appropriate therapy, the nodes resolve without leaving a trace; in severe cases, the cornea perforates. Tuberculous keratitis is characterized by repeated formation of nodules, since tuberculosis is a chronic infection.
- damage to the cornea by the herpes virus. The disease usually develops after a sharp suppression of the immune system, with vitamin deficiencies, after stress, long-term use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, and hormone therapy. Less commonly, the cause is eye injury or a hereditary predisposition. With the primary lesion, severe conjunctivitis develops, keratitis is accompanied by the formation of an infiltrate that quickly undergoes decay. An ulcer forms at the site of the infiltrate; if left untreated, the transparency of the cornea is completely lost. Secondary herpetic keratitis is characterized by the formation of small infiltrates and vesicles localized in the superficial layer of the cornea. Over time, the corneal epithelium begins to peel off, leaving numerous erosions on the surface, which are limited by a cloudy border. Without treatment, rough ulcers form. Visual acuity decreases irreversibly, and rough scars form.

Keratoconjunctivitis

Keratoconjunctivitis is an eye lesion of adenoviral etiology, characterized by involvement of the conjunctiva and cornea in the pathological process. It is characterized by rapid progression and is transmitted through personal belongings and by contact. It takes about a week from the moment of infection until the first symptoms appear. Characterized by severe headache, accompanied by chills, loss of appetite, weakness, and apathy. Later, pain in the eyes, hyperemia of the sclera, and a sensation of a foreign body appear. Typically there is profuse lacrimation, mucus discharge from the lacrimal canal, swelling of the eyelids, hyperemia of the conjunctiva, and the formation of bubbles with clear liquid on it. These symptoms gradually regress after 5-7 days. Without treatment, severe photophobia and cloudy, slightly transparent spots on the cornea remain. With adequate treatment, complete recovery is possible without impairment of visual acuity.

Viral conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva of a viral nature. There are several forms of this pathology:

Herpetic conjunctivitis- most often occurs in young children with an immature immune system. Inflammation may spread beyond the conjunctiva. The disease can occur in catarrhal, follicular, vesicular-ulcerative form. With catarrhal lesions, profuse lacrimation, mucous discharge, sensation of a foreign body in the eye, and conjunctival hyperemia are typical. The follicular form is characterized by the appearance of lymphoid follicles on the entire surface of the conjunctiva. The most severe form is vesicular-ulcerative, in which small blisters filled with clear liquid form on the conjunctiva. As they open, painful ulcers form on the conjunctiva. Characterized by severe photophobia.
Adenoviral conjunctivitis- inflammation of the conjunctiva caused by adenovirus. Typical symptoms of common adenovirus infection: hyperthermia, chills, catarrhal symptoms. The conjunctiva is hyperemic and there is mucous discharge. With follicular adenoviral conjunctivitis, whitish blisters form on the mucous membrane, which do not cause discomfort.
Membranous conjunctivitis- is rare, characterized by the formation of a grayish film on the conjunctiva, which can be easily removed with gauze or cotton wool. The disease is completely cured.
Gonococcal conjunctivitis- a special type of conjunctivitis called “gonoblenorrhea”. This is a pronounced inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye, developing with the penetration of gonococcus. It develops exclusively through contact (during sexual intercourse, careless adherence to hygiene rules, during childbirth from mother to child). In newborns, the first symptoms develop on days 3-4 of life; pronounced swelling of the eyelids is characteristic, the eyelids acquire a purple tint. Their roughened edges injure the cornea and damage the epithelium. In severe cases, panophthalmitis can occur, which can lead to loss of the eye. Scars remain on damaged areas of the cornea. At older ages, severe damage to the cornea develops with slow regeneration and significant deterioration of vision.

Retrobulbar neuritis

Retrobulbar neuritis is an inflammatory eye disease in which the pathological process is localized in the optic nerve (its extraocular part). This pathology usually develops as a result of meningitis (including tuberculosis), meningoencephalitis, and multiple sclerosis.

There are two forms of retrobulbar neuritis:

acute - severe pain in the eye is typical, the source is located behind the eyeball; visual acuity decreases, color perception is impaired; pathological pallor of the optic nerve head is determined;
chronic - characterized by slow progression of the pathological process; vision gradually decreases to a minimum; without treatment, the process spreads to the blood vessels surrounding the tissue nerve.

Periostitis of the eye orbit

Periostitis of the ocular orbit is a severe pathology, which is an inflammation of the tissues of the bones of the orbit. Periostitis develops when pathogenic microorganisms (mycobacteria, streptococcus, staphylococcus, spirochetes) enter the bone tissue. The disease can develop as a consequence of untreated sinusitis.

The acute course of the pathology is characteristic. After infection, hyperthermia, chills, and intense headache in the frontal and temporal regions develop during the first days. The primary signs of periostitis include swelling of the tissues around the eye, hyperemia of the skin, and swelling of the eyelids. In the absence of intensive therapy, an abscess forms in the soft tissues surrounding the eyeball - limited purulent inflammation. It matures, then opens through the skin to the outside (this is a favorable outcome) or into the postorbital space - in this case, new foci of inflammation are formed, and the patient’s condition worsens significantly.

Phlegmon

Phlegmonous inflammation is a purulent inflammation that is not delimited from surrounding tissues. It is most often localized in the lacrimal sac or orbit.

Orbital phlegmon is formed when staphylococci and streptococci penetrate the eyeball. The fiber of the eye orbit is affected. The pathology can form as a complication of purulent sinusitis, boils, or barley. Phlegmon of the orbit develops quickly. A few hours after infection, severe hyperthermia, chills, headache, and muscle pain develop. The eyelids are red and swollen, eyelid movements are significantly difficult. Vision deteriorates to the point of complete blindness. Optic neuritis and thrombosis are possible. If left untreated, the infectious process spreads to surrounding tissues and the brain.

Cellulitis of the lacrimal sac is a complication of dacryocystitis. Characterized by purulent melting of the tissues of the lacrimal sac, the process spreading to the tissues of the orbit. The first symptoms are severe swelling in the area of the lacrimal sac, the inability to open the affected eye due to engorgement of the eyelids. Hyperthermia, weakness, and migraine-like headache are also characteristic.

Barley

Barley is an inflammatory disease in which the pathological process is localized in the ciliary hair follicle or sebaceous gland. This is a fairly common disease, the cause of which is the entry of bacteria (streptococci and staphylococci) into the duct of the sebaceous gland due to immune disorders and general weakening of the body. The first symptom is redness of the eyelid in the area of inflammation, then swelling and infiltration form. Hyperemia spreads to the surrounding tissues, swelling of the conjunctiva increases. After 2-3 days, the infiltrate swells even more, a cavity filled with pus is formed in it, and part of the eyelid acquires a yellowish tint. After a few days, the cavity breaks out beyond the eyelid, after the pus is released, the swelling and pain decrease. In the case of multiple foci, general symptoms are possible: intoxication, hyperthermia, sharp pain in the eye.

Choroiditis (posterior uveitis)

Choroiditis is an inflammation of the eye (). The cause of the development of the disease is the entry of pathogenic microorganisms into this area during general infections. Typically there is a primary absence of any signs. Inflammation is usually detected during an ophthalmological examination, which is performed for another reason. During the examination, typical signs are revealed: specific changes in the structure of the retina. When the lesion is localized in the central zone of the choroid, complaints of distortion of the contour of objects, flickering before the eyes, and the appearance of light flashes are typical. In the absence of timely treatment, retinal edema with microscopic hemorrhages is possible.