Details on major eye infections

There are many eye infections that affect the eye and the main types of eye infection include bacterial eye infection and viral eye infection. The pathogens that affect the eye do not cause the characteristic symptoms associated with eye infection immediately and there is a period of latency. The infection to the eye may be caused due to the use of contact lenses that have not been cleaned properly or have expired, trauma, and decreased immunity via eye lids. These instances make it conducive for the growth and proliferation of bacteria, virus or fungi in the eye resulting in the corresponding eye infection symptoms.

People who use contact lenses are highly prone to dangerous eye infections caused due to the use of contacts. Proper hand washing technique should be followed before handling the contact lens. Contact lenses should be cleaned with fresh disinfecting fluid every time the lens is removed and before it is put back into the eyes. This would ensure that the lens is free of any kind of pathogen that could cause eye infection. Also the contact lens should be removed prior to swimming or bathing as they should never come into contact with water. Such precautions will help reduce the risk for dangerous eye infections due to the use of contact lenses.

One of the most dangerous eye infections caused as a result of contact lens use is Keratitis. This eye infection can be a bacterial eye infection, viral eye infection or a fungal eye infection. Fungal keratitis is more commonly found in warm climates. The symptoms of this eye infection include pain in the eye, blurred vision, increased sensitivity to light and a watery discharge. When any of these symptoms become evident, the patient should seek medical advice immediately as any delay could further reduce vision and in extreme cases cause loss of vision.

Conjunctivitis is another important eye infection is caused due to pathogenic invasion by certain bacteria and virus. The eye infection symptom is associated with red eyes that lend the name "pink eye" to this eye infection. Crust like formation is also seen on the eye lids after a person awakens from long hours of sleep. Bacterial conjunctivitis eye infection is associated with discharge from the eye that is thick and may be yellow, white or even green coloured. Viral conjunctivitis eye infection is caused by Adenovirus in humans and this result in a watery discharge from the eyes. This eye infection is extremely contagious and the infection spreads easily. Therefore, care should be taken in keeping the patient's items separate and preventing infection as a result of using same towels or similar products.

Anterior Blepharitis is a bacterial eye infection that is caused by Staphylococcus. Crusty appearance on the eye lids of one's eye is noticed when the person awakens and this can be removed by wiping moist cotton wool to provide relief. Other eye infection symptoms associated with this eye infection are pain and swelling in the eyes with watery discharge and red eyes. The treatment options for this form of bacterial eye infection include using antibiotic eye drops. Sometimes steroid eye drops are also used to reduce the swelling.

Herpes zoster opthalmicus is one of the most important viral eye infections that are caused by the organism Herpes Varicella zoster. This organism causes chicken pox and has also been found to cause this particular eye infection that resembles chicken pox. Blisters are caused near the eyes and in the forehead of the patient who suffers form this viral eye infection and the symptom of the Herpes virus eye infection includes pain the area of the face that will break out into blisters at a later stage of the infection. The blisters are generally seen on only one side of the face and the associated Herpes virus eye infection symptoms are redness of the eye with a discharge that is watery. The pain which is present during this viral eye infection can be reduced to a large extent by using a cold compress. As this eye infection spreads rapidly care should be taken to avoid complete contact with susceptible people like pregnant women and small children.

Trachoma is an infection that is not very common in the United States; however it is prevalent in certain countries where the infection is spread by flies. A scar is caused in the inner eye lid of the eye and this result in the eye lid turning into the eye. The eye lashes will affect the eye and may even lead to permanent vision loss. Poor hygiene is generally the cause for this eye infection and the causative agent for this infection is Chlamydia trachoma.

Endophthalmitis is an eye infection that is predominantly a bacterial eye infection which is caused due to a deep injury to the eye or as a complication of eye surgery. This eye infection should be treated immediately or could lead to complete vision loss. Strong antibiotics will generally be prescribed for this form of bacterial eye infection. In tropical regions endophthalmitis may also be caused due to mold infection.

Some of the other eye infections that are commonly seen include inflammation of the upper eye lid or the lower eye lid leading to a stye. Dacryostenosis causes inflammation of the tear gland due to infection while Dacryocystitis is associated with blockage of the tear gland.

Eye infections can be easily confused with eye allergies and therefore medical advice should be availed as soon as possible.

Allergy eye drops are also available to treat the symptoms of eye allergy as well as to keep contact lenses clean. Lenses that are disposable are also good options to prevent the build up of allergens in the eye resulting in a full blown eye allergy.

Can OTC drops cause dilation of pupils? This is a matter of concern for many people. OTC eye drops cause dilation of pupils especially in people who wear contacts. People with green, blue or grey eyes show more dilation than others. Those people who are sensitive to preservatives in the eye drops can opt for preservative free eye allergy drops that are available. These preservative free eye allergy drops contain mast cell stabilizers that prevent the production of histamine by the body. These eye drops are very useful for people who use hard contact lenses.

Allergy eye drops are the best forms of treatment of eye allergy if avoiding the allergen is not possible. The eye is exposed to the environment and as soon as a foreign body enters the eye, tears secreted by the tear gland help in dislodging the allergen. Tears contain antibodies and white blood cells and act as a defensive agent. When the tears fail to provide protection, the body secretes histamines in response to an allergen and the symptoms of eye allergy are exhibited. Allergy eye drops are used in such situations and they have proved to be extremely useful in treating eye allergy.