EYE INFECTIONS
· What is eye infection?
Eyes can get infections from bacteria, fungi or viruses. Eye infections can occur in different parts of the eye and can affect just one eye or both. Two common eye infections are
Conjunctivitis - also known as pink eye. Conjunctivitis is often due to an infection. Children frequently get it, and it is very contagious.
Stye - a bump on the eyelid that happens when bacteria from your skin get into the hair follicle of an eyelash.
The different eye infections are
1. conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis (commonly called "Pink Eye" or "Red Eye" in North America, and "Madras eye" in India [1]) is an inflammation of the conjunctiva (the outermost layer of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids), most commonly due to an allergic reaction or an infection (usually viral, but sometimes bacterial).
Symptoms of conjunctivitis
Redness, irritation, watering of eyes is common symptoms of conjunctivitis.
Acute allergic conjunctivitis is typically itchy, sometimes distressingly so, and often involves some lid swelling. Chronic allergy often causes just itch or irritation.
Viral conjunctivitis is often associated with an infection of the upper respiratory tract, a common cold, and/or a sore throat. Its symptoms include watery discharge and variable itch. The infection usually begins with one eye, but may spread easily to the other.
Bacterial conjunctivitis due to the common pyogenic (pus-producing) bacteria causes marked grittiness/irritation and a stringy, opaque, grey or yellowish mucopurulent discharge that may cause the lids to stick together (matting), especially after sleeping. Another symptom that could be caused by Bacterial Conjunctivitis is severe crusting of the infected eye and the surrounding skin.
· What are the causes of conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitis is most often the result of viruses. Conjunctivitis can also be caused by bacterial infections, allergies, chemicals, irritation from contact lenses, or eye injury. Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are very contagious. If both eyes are affected, with the predominant symptom being itching and a clear discharge, it is likely that allergies are the cause. A thick, crusty discharge may be the sign of a bacterial infection.
Treatment
Conjunctivitis is generally not a serious problem. But it is important to consult doctor. Bacterial conjunctivitis is generally treated with antibiotic drops or ointment. Like a cold, viral conjunctivitis will usually go away on its own, even without treatment. But eye-drops are often prescribed to help control the symptoms. Conjunctivitis caused by viruses does not respond to antibiotics, but antihistamines and anti-inflammatory medications may help relieve symptoms. Antibiotic drops may be prescribed, nevertheless, to prevent a secondary bacterial infection.
Also like a cold, viral conjunctivitis is very contagious. Coughing or sneezing can spread the infection. Sharing makeup, towels, or anything else that touches the eye may spread the infection. Washing hands frequently and avoiding rubbing the eye can help decrease the risk of spreading the infection to others. Steroid eye-drops should not be used in bacterial or viral conjunctivitis.
Prevention:
Don't touch or rub the infected eye(s).
Wash your hands often with soap and warm water.
Wash any discharge from your eyes twice a day using a fresh cotton ball or paper towel. Afterwards, discard the cotton ball and wash your hands with soap and warm water.
Wash your bed linens, pillowcases, and towels in hot water and detergent.
Avoid wearing eye makeup.
Don't share eye makeup with anyone else.
Never wear another person's contact lens.
Wear glasses instead of contact lenses. Throw away disposable lenses or be sure to clean extended wear lenses and all eyewear cases.
Avoid sharing common articles such as unwashed towels, cups, and glasses.
Wash your hands after applying the eye drops or ointment to your eye or your child's eye.
Do not use eye drops in a non-infected eye that were used for an infected one.
2. STYLE:
A stye, medically known as a hordeolum, is a small lump that appears on, inside or under the eyelid or on the eyelashes. Styes typically result from a staphylococcal bacteria infection or from a clogging of the oil glands around the eyelashes or inside the eyelid.
Symptoms
Redness, tenderness and pain are usually the first symptoms of a stye (though eyelash styes are less painful and heal with less effort than eyelid styes). These are followed by:
swelling in a small area or the entire eyelid
the affected eye may water, feel irritated or be sensitive to light
discomfort when blinking
a small yellowish spot in the center of a sty, which occurs when pus collects and expands. Pain is usually relieved when the stye ruptures, draining the pus.
Causes
The real cause of stye is the toxic condition of the child's system brought about by wrong eating habits, especially consumption of foods such as white bread, refined cereals, boiled potatoes, pudding, pies and confectionery.
Treatment
Apply a washcloth on the affected eye for 10 minutes, four times per day, to release the fluids that have built up inside the stye. Do not squeeze the stye. Antibiotic ointment, or an antibiotic-steroid combination, can be used until symptoms have cleared. If the eyelash stye lasts for more than 3 days or the infection appears to be spreading, consult an eye doctor.
Prevention
Wash hands thoroughly before touching the skin around the eye. Careful attention to cleaning excess oils from the edges of the lids may help prevent styes in susceptible persons.
Avoid sharing eye makeup, especially if you're prone to recurring styes.
Stress and strain to eyes especially working for a long time on the computer.
Contact lenses should not be worn during infection or drainage of a style.
not touching the eye and surrounding areas.
3.EYE DISCHARGE:
Eye burning with discharge is burning, itching, or drainage from the eye of any substance other than tears.
Causes
Allergies, including seasonal allergies or hayfever
Bacterial infections
Chemical irritants (such as chlorine in a swimming pool or makeup)
Conjunctivitis or pink eye
Irritants in the air (cigarette smoke or smog)
Treatment and management:
Apply cool compresses to soothe itching.
If the eyelids have crusts, gently soften them with warm compresses. Gently washing the eyelids with baby shampoo on a cotton applicator can help remove crusts.
Artificial tears used 4-6 times a day can also relieve symptoms. Avoid over-the-counter eye drops other than artificial tears because they will eventually make symptoms worse.
Itching and burning due to allergy or chemicals can be very uncomfortable. Attempt to determine the cause of the allergy, such as pet, seasonal pollen, or irritating cosmetics.
Refrigerated artificial tears can be very soothing. Antihistamine drops, available from your health care provider, can be helpful.
Pink eye or viral conjunctivitis causes a red or bloodshot eye and excessive tearing. If you suspect pink eye, remember to wash your hands often, and avoid touching the unaffected eye. The infection will run its course in about 10 days.
Bacterial conjunctivitis is not common, but if you have eye discharge that is white, yellow, or greenish, contact your health care provider
4. BLEPHARITIS:
Blepharitis / is an ocular disease characterized by inflammation of the eyelid margins. Blepharitis may cause redness of the eyes, itching and irritation of the eyelids in one or both eyes. Its appearance is often confused with conjunctivitis and due to its recurring nature it is the most common cause of "recurrent conjunctivitis" in older people
Symptoms:
Eye irritation
crusty and reddened eyelids
swollen eyelids
itching and burning eyelids
a granular sensation when blinking
loss of eyelashes
Causes:
Blepharitis is usually caused by seborrheic dermatitis, a bacterial infection, or a combination of both. Allergies or eyelash infestation with lice may less commonly cause Blepharitis. Blepharitis is characterized by excess oil production in the glands near the eyelid, which creates a favorable environment for the excess growth of bacteria which are normally present on the skin. Eyelids appear red and irritated, with scales that cling to the base of the eyelashes. Blepharitis may be associated with repeated styes and chalazia.Risk factors are seborrheic dermatitis of the face or scalp, rosacea, and allergies.
Treatment
The primary treatment is careful daily cleansing of the lid margins to remove the skin oils that the bacteria feed on.
Baby shampoo or special cleansers may be recommended by your health care provider.
Antibiotic ointments may also be helpful in controlling bacteria on the lids.
Complications
styes or chalazia
injury to the eye tissue (corneal ulcer) from irritation
inflammation of the surface of the eye (conjunctivitis)
loss of eyelashes
scarring of the eyelids
· What is eye infection?
Eyes can get infections from bacteria, fungi or viruses. Eye infections can occur in different parts of the eye and can affect just one eye or both. Two common eye infections are
Conjunctivitis - also known as pink eye. Conjunctivitis is often due to an infection. Children frequently get it, and it is very contagious.
Stye - a bump on the eyelid that happens when bacteria from your skin get into the hair follicle of an eyelash.
The different eye infections are
1. conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis (commonly called "Pink Eye" or "Red Eye" in North America, and "Madras eye" in India [1]) is an inflammation of the conjunctiva (the outermost layer of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids), most commonly due to an allergic reaction or an infection (usually viral, but sometimes bacterial).
Symptoms of conjunctivitis
Redness, irritation, watering of eyes is common symptoms of conjunctivitis.
Acute allergic conjunctivitis is typically itchy, sometimes distressingly so, and often involves some lid swelling. Chronic allergy often causes just itch or irritation.
Viral conjunctivitis is often associated with an infection of the upper respiratory tract, a common cold, and/or a sore throat. Its symptoms include watery discharge and variable itch. The infection usually begins with one eye, but may spread easily to the other.
Bacterial conjunctivitis due to the common pyogenic (pus-producing) bacteria causes marked grittiness/irritation and a stringy, opaque, grey or yellowish mucopurulent discharge that may cause the lids to stick together (matting), especially after sleeping. Another symptom that could be caused by Bacterial Conjunctivitis is severe crusting of the infected eye and the surrounding skin.
· What are the causes of conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitis is most often the result of viruses. Conjunctivitis can also be caused by bacterial infections, allergies, chemicals, irritation from contact lenses, or eye injury. Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are very contagious. If both eyes are affected, with the predominant symptom being itching and a clear discharge, it is likely that allergies are the cause. A thick, crusty discharge may be the sign of a bacterial infection.
Treatment
Conjunctivitis is generally not a serious problem. But it is important to consult doctor. Bacterial conjunctivitis is generally treated with antibiotic drops or ointment. Like a cold, viral conjunctivitis will usually go away on its own, even without treatment. But eye-drops are often prescribed to help control the symptoms. Conjunctivitis caused by viruses does not respond to antibiotics, but antihistamines and anti-inflammatory medications may help relieve symptoms. Antibiotic drops may be prescribed, nevertheless, to prevent a secondary bacterial infection.
Also like a cold, viral conjunctivitis is very contagious. Coughing or sneezing can spread the infection. Sharing makeup, towels, or anything else that touches the eye may spread the infection. Washing hands frequently and avoiding rubbing the eye can help decrease the risk of spreading the infection to others. Steroid eye-drops should not be used in bacterial or viral conjunctivitis.
Prevention:
Don't touch or rub the infected eye(s).
Wash your hands often with soap and warm water.
Wash any discharge from your eyes twice a day using a fresh cotton ball or paper towel. Afterwards, discard the cotton ball and wash your hands with soap and warm water.
Wash your bed linens, pillowcases, and towels in hot water and detergent.
Avoid wearing eye makeup.
Don't share eye makeup with anyone else.
Never wear another person's contact lens.
Wear glasses instead of contact lenses. Throw away disposable lenses or be sure to clean extended wear lenses and all eyewear cases.
Avoid sharing common articles such as unwashed towels, cups, and glasses.
Wash your hands after applying the eye drops or ointment to your eye or your child's eye.
Do not use eye drops in a non-infected eye that were used for an infected one.
2. STYLE:
A stye, medically known as a hordeolum, is a small lump that appears on, inside or under the eyelid or on the eyelashes. Styes typically result from a staphylococcal bacteria infection or from a clogging of the oil glands around the eyelashes or inside the eyelid.
Symptoms
Redness, tenderness and pain are usually the first symptoms of a stye (though eyelash styes are less painful and heal with less effort than eyelid styes). These are followed by:
swelling in a small area or the entire eyelid
the affected eye may water, feel irritated or be sensitive to light
discomfort when blinking
a small yellowish spot in the center of a sty, which occurs when pus collects and expands. Pain is usually relieved when the stye ruptures, draining the pus.
Causes
The real cause of stye is the toxic condition of the child's system brought about by wrong eating habits, especially consumption of foods such as white bread, refined cereals, boiled potatoes, pudding, pies and confectionery.
Treatment
Apply a washcloth on the affected eye for 10 minutes, four times per day, to release the fluids that have built up inside the stye. Do not squeeze the stye. Antibiotic ointment, or an antibiotic-steroid combination, can be used until symptoms have cleared. If the eyelash stye lasts for more than 3 days or the infection appears to be spreading, consult an eye doctor.
Prevention
Wash hands thoroughly before touching the skin around the eye. Careful attention to cleaning excess oils from the edges of the lids may help prevent styes in susceptible persons.
Avoid sharing eye makeup, especially if you're prone to recurring styes.
Stress and strain to eyes especially working for a long time on the computer.
Contact lenses should not be worn during infection or drainage of a style.
not touching the eye and surrounding areas.
3.EYE DISCHARGE:
Eye burning with discharge is burning, itching, or drainage from the eye of any substance other than tears.
Causes
Allergies, including seasonal allergies or hayfever
Bacterial infections
Chemical irritants (such as chlorine in a swimming pool or makeup)
Conjunctivitis or pink eye
Irritants in the air (cigarette smoke or smog)
Treatment and management:
Apply cool compresses to soothe itching.
If the eyelids have crusts, gently soften them with warm compresses. Gently washing the eyelids with baby shampoo on a cotton applicator can help remove crusts.
Artificial tears used 4-6 times a day can also relieve symptoms. Avoid over-the-counter eye drops other than artificial tears because they will eventually make symptoms worse.
Itching and burning due to allergy or chemicals can be very uncomfortable. Attempt to determine the cause of the allergy, such as pet, seasonal pollen, or irritating cosmetics.
Refrigerated artificial tears can be very soothing. Antihistamine drops, available from your health care provider, can be helpful.
Pink eye or viral conjunctivitis causes a red or bloodshot eye and excessive tearing. If you suspect pink eye, remember to wash your hands often, and avoid touching the unaffected eye. The infection will run its course in about 10 days.
Bacterial conjunctivitis is not common, but if you have eye discharge that is white, yellow, or greenish, contact your health care provider
4. BLEPHARITIS:
Blepharitis / is an ocular disease characterized by inflammation of the eyelid margins. Blepharitis may cause redness of the eyes, itching and irritation of the eyelids in one or both eyes. Its appearance is often confused with conjunctivitis and due to its recurring nature it is the most common cause of "recurrent conjunctivitis" in older people
Symptoms:
Eye irritation
crusty and reddened eyelids
swollen eyelids
itching and burning eyelids
a granular sensation when blinking
loss of eyelashes
Causes:
Blepharitis is usually caused by seborrheic dermatitis, a bacterial infection, or a combination of both. Allergies or eyelash infestation with lice may less commonly cause Blepharitis. Blepharitis is characterized by excess oil production in the glands near the eyelid, which creates a favorable environment for the excess growth of bacteria which are normally present on the skin. Eyelids appear red and irritated, with scales that cling to the base of the eyelashes. Blepharitis may be associated with repeated styes and chalazia.Risk factors are seborrheic dermatitis of the face or scalp, rosacea, and allergies.
Treatment
The primary treatment is careful daily cleansing of the lid margins to remove the skin oils that the bacteria feed on.
Baby shampoo or special cleansers may be recommended by your health care provider.
Antibiotic ointments may also be helpful in controlling bacteria on the lids.
Complications
styes or chalazia
injury to the eye tissue (corneal ulcer) from irritation
inflammation of the surface of the eye (conjunctivitis)
loss of eyelashes
scarring of the eyelids
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