Eye infection: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnose, Treatment and Prevention

 

Redness, discomfort, itching, and impaired vision are some of the unappealing symptoms that eye infections can produce. Different eye infections call for various therapies.

 What is an Eye Infection?

Eye infections affect people of all ages frequently. They can be aggravating, unpleasant, and sometimes harmful to the health of your eyes if they are not treated. 

A bacterial, viral, or fungal infection of the eye causes an eye infection, which is an eye illness. The most typical eye infection is conjunctivitis, sometimes known as pink eye.

Pink eye is typically caused by viruses, although it can also be brought on by bacteria. Viral infections cannot be treated with antibiotics. Only bacterial illnesses are treated by antibiotics.

One eye or both eyes may become infected. Not all infections are dangerous. The loss of vision might also result from other medical emergencies. Almost any portion of your eye can become infected.

Your conjunctiva, cornea, eyelid, or the outside elements of your eye can all be infected.

Which Eye Illnesses are Typical?

Blepharitis

Cellulitis

When your tear ducts are obstructed and unable to drain correctly, you may get dacryocystitis, an infection of your tear sac

Red eye

Endophthalmitis

Stye

Uveitis

Symptoms: 

An infected eye could appear or feel different from a healthy one. Early indications of an eye infection include the following:

• Eye color

• Itchiness or irritation

• Eye discomfort

• Eye swelling or redness

• Sensitivity to light

• Pain

• Eyesight issue or discharge

• Teary or watering eyes

Later indications of an eye infection include:

• Discharge from your eyes (yellow, gooey pus)

• Eyelashes that are discharged and stay together

• Light sensitivity (photophobia)

• Vision hazy

• Fever

Causes:

Bacteria, fungi (plural of fungus), parasites, viruses, and worms can all cause eye diseases. There are numerous methods for these tiny organisms to get into your eyes, including eye injuries.

Sleeping with your contacts in is one of the most typical methods to develop an eye infection. If your lenses aren't properly cleaned, you can have an eye infection.

What Kind of Germs Typically Result in Eye Infections?

Gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria can both infect the eyes. Gram-negative bacteria can be found in bacterial cultures but cannot be seen by healthcare professionals using a Gram stain test. A Gram stain test reveals gram-positive bacteria. The following are a few of the most prevalent bacterial causes of eye infections:

• Bacillus

• Enterobacteriaceae

• Flu caused by Hemophilus

• The Moraxella spp

• The Gonorrhoeae bacteria

• P. aeruginosa, also known as pseudomonas

• S. aureus (Staphylococcus aureus)

• S. pneumoniae (Streptococcus pneumoniae)

Which Viruses Typically Result in Eye Infections?

• Varicella-zoster

•  Herpes simplex type 1

• Adenovirus

What Kinds of Fungus can Infect the Eyes?

About 66% of endophthalmitis cases that arise after corneal transplant surgery are brought on by Candida species of fungi. Following cataract surgery, a fungal infection is also a possibility.

If you suffer an eye injury caused by an outdoor object, like a stick or a plant, that is contaminated with Fusarium, you could develop an eye infection. Additionally, a fungal bloodstream infection might produce an eye infection.

How is an Infection of the Eyes Diagnosed?

Though it's preferable to speak with a doctor, you might be able to identify whether you have an eye infection. They'll ask you about your symptoms, record your medical history, and perform an extensive eye exam. Additionally, they could swab any discharge from your eye and send it to a lab for analysis.

 Treatment:

What's causing your eye infection will determine how to treat it. It might contain anti-infective drugs in different dosages, such as tablets, ointments, or eye drops. Antibacterial drugs typically take 24 to 48 hours to start working.

The following natural therapies may help you feel better while you wait for viral or allergy diseases to go away on their own:

compresses that are wet, warm, or chilly can help your eyes feel better.

• Using fake tears as lubricating eye drops.

• Using painkillers available over-the-counter (OTC).

• Avoiding the allergens that first triggered the reaction.

Prevention:

Even though you might not be able to stop every eye infection, you can lower your risk by taking certain precautions. These may consist of:

• Make sure you adhere to the instructions for using, cleaning, and wearing your contact lenses.

• Putting on safety glasses when you work or play sports

• Keep away from allergens that irritate your eyes and use allergy medication to prevent it.
• Avoiding anyone who might be ill.

• Avoiding sharing things that might touch your eyes, such as towels or makeup.

• Wash your hands often.

• After waking up, place a warm washcloth over your eyelids for 1–2 minutes. Keep your eye tools clean.