What is an Eye Infection? What are the symptoms?

Eye infection is a common health problem frequently encountered in society. Infections caused by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses or fungi are manifested by symptoms such as redness, watering, itching, pain, swelling, tenderness and blurred vision. These infections may be caused by lack of hygiene, use of lenses, sleeping with the lenses used, or foreign objects coming into contact with the eye. Infections that are not treated early may cause more serious health problems such as vision loss in the future. Treatment of the disease varies depending on the type of microorganism that causes the disease. Therefore, it is important to consult a specialist ophthalmologist when any signs of infection appear. After a detailed examination, the specialist doctor prepares a treatment plan suitable for the person. To protect against infectious diseases, it is important to pay attention to hygiene, use contact lenses carefully, and avoid touching the face with dirty hands. “What causes eye infection, how is it treated?”, “What are the ways to prevent it?” Answers to questions like these and detailed information about eye infections are included in the following parts of the article.

What is an Eye Infection?

One of the most common eye diseases worldwide is infectious diseases. Some of the microbes, also known as microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi can cause infections in the body after they enter the body. Depending on the way microorganisms enter the body, the organs they affect also vary. Eye infections are infectious diseases that occur after some microbes come into contact with the eyes. Infections that can occur in one or both eyes can affect almost any part of the visual organ. While some infections clear up on their own within a few days, more serious health problems such as vision loss may occur after some infections (1).

Eye Infection Treatment

In the treatment of eye infections, the specialist doctor prepares a personalized treatment plan after determining the microorganism causing the infection. While the use of antiviral drugs can be effective in viral infections caused by viruses, antihistamines (antiallergic drugs) can be used in infections caused by allergens. In addition, tear drops can help keep the eye moist. For this reason, the use of tear drops is one of the frequently used treatment methods in people with infection (1).

Eye infection is one of the common health problems around the world. It is possible to prevent infection-related complications with early diagnosis and treatment. If you notice symptoms such as stinging, redness, watering, or itching, do not forget to make an appointment with a specialist doctor and have the necessary check-ups.

Eye Infection Diagnosis

Eye infection can be easily diagnosed by a physical examination performed by a specialist in the field of eye infection. In some cases, the specialist physician may also benefit from laboratory tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine the type of infection (1).

Preventing Eye Infection

Although it is not possible to completely prevent infectious diseases, it is possible to minimize the risk of infection by taking some precautions. Some of the suggestions that will help protect against eye infection can be listed as follows (3):

• Do not touch the face with dirty hands,
• Wash hands and face regularly,
• Eating a healthy and balanced diet,
• Making sure that items such as towels are clean,
• Washing pillowcases and sheets at least once a week,
• Making sure contact lenses are suitable for the patient. ,
• Using a quality lens solution,
• Avoiding close contact with an infected person.

Eye Infection Risk Factors

There are various factors that increase the risk of eye infections. Some of these are as follows (4):

• Not paying attention to factors such as cleanliness and duration of use while using contact lenses,
• Using common items such as towels and pillowcases with another person,
• Touching the face with dirty hands,
• Exposure to allergens,
• Being careful not to be in the same environment with someone who is sick, as some infections are transmitted through droplets.
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  In addition to those listed above, factors such as immune system weakness and advanced age may also increase the risk of infection.

  Complications Due to Eye Infection

  Some infectious diseases can heal spontaneously within a few days. However, depending on the type and severity of the infection, there is a risk that infections that are not treated early may spread to the sinuses, brain, and cause vision loss in the future (1, 3). The main complications due to infections are as follows:

  • Redness, itching, swelling in and around the infected eye,
  • Watering,
  • Pain,
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  • Blurred vision,
  • Vision loss.

  Types of Eye Infections

  The main known types of eye infections, which can occur in different varieties depending on the microbe that causes the infection, are as follows (3):

  • Conjunctivitis: Conjunctivitis, also called pink eye, is one of the first things that come to mind when it comes to eye infection. As a result of infection of the outer layer called conjunctiva, the eyes become red and inflamed. The main causes of this situation include bacteria or viruses. In addition, allergies or exposure to chemicals can also cause conjunctivitis. When using antibiotic drops or medications for bacterial conjunctivitis, viral conjunctivitis symptoms usually go away on their own within 7-10 days. Antihistamines can be used in allergic conjunctivitis.
  • Keratitis: Keratitis is a health problem in which the transparent layer covering the front part of the organ of vision, the cornea, becomes inflamed. Keratitis may occur due to microorganisms or as a result of injury and trauma. Treatment of keratitis, whose symptoms include redness, swelling, pain, excessive tear production, blurred vision, sensitivity to light and stinging sensation, varies depending on the factor causing the disease.
  • Endophthalmitis (intraocular infection): < /strong>Endophthalmitis is a health problem characterized by severe inflammation of the inside of the eye due to bacterial or fungal infections. Candida fungal infections are the most common cause of endophthalmitis. Symptoms may include pain, vision loss, blurred vision, redness, swelling, discharge and sensitivity to bright light.
  • Eye boil: Eye boil is due to inflammation of the oil glands located on the outer edge of the eyelids. It is an emerging disease.
  • Uveitis: Uveitis affects the uvea, the middle layer of the eye, due to weak immune system, viral infections, injuries. It is a condition of inflammation due to reasons such as.
  • Periorbital cellulitis (eyelid cellulitis): Periorbital cellulitis is generally a health problem in which the tissues around the eyes become infected for various reasons.

  What are the symptoms of eye infection?

  The main symptoms of eye infection, which can manifest itself with symptoms such as redness, burning and itching, are as follows (1):

  • Redness in the white part of our eyes,
  • Itching,
  • Itching, li>
  • Pain,
  • Watering,
  • Swelling,
  • Sensitivity to light,
  • Blurred vision,
  • Inflamed discharge,
  • Stickling of eyelashes due to discharge.

  In addition to those listed above, some infections may present with more serious symptoms such as vision loss. Therefore, it is important for those who notice any problems such as rash or itching to consult a specialist physician.

  What Causes Eye Infection?

  Infections are health problems caused by microbes such as bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses. Sleeping with lenses or not cleaning the lenses sufficiently or using a dirty pillowcase can also increase the risk of infection.

  Microorganisms that cause infection include bacteria such as Bacillus, Enterobacteriaceae, Haemophilus influenza. In addition to these, viruses such as Herpes simplex type 1, Varicella zoster and Adenovirus and Candida fungi can also be considered among the main causes of infections. In addition, injuries and contaminated foreign objects entering the eye from outside may also cause infection (1). In addition, eyelid inflammation, also called blepharitis, may occur due to blockage of the oil glands in the skin of the eyelids and the base of the eyelashes for various reasons (2).

  Source

  • https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/ diseases/25000-eye-infection#symptoms-and-causes
  • https: //www.healthline.com/health/infected-eye#blepharitis
  • https://www.healthline.com/health/infected-eye#eye-herpes
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1705999/
  
  Tarih: 29/06/2023