Inflammations of the eye > Eye inflammation and infections

Eye inflammations are a very broad subject and it is not possible to describe them in detail in one article. Therefore in this article we will describe them very briefly and gradually we will add more detailed articles about particular inflammatory eye disorders. Eye inflammations can affect almost every part of the eye and its surroundings. They can be simply divided into inflammations of anterior and posterior eye segment - intraocular inflammations and inflammations in the surrounding of the eye.

Inflammation of the conjunctiva (Conjunctivitis)

Conjunctivitis is one of the most common eye diseases and it is very probable that almost all of us went through with it. The causes of conjunctivitis can be infectious, non-infectious, allergic or connected with other diseases. The sources include bacteria, viruses or parasites. Eyes are usually affected through dirty fingers, pool water or use of a collective towel.

Main symptoms include severe redness, pain, itching and watery or mucous secretion. There is often also a feeling of having a foreign body in the eye. In conjunctivitis usually both eyes tend to be affected at the same time but one eye can be inflamed earlier than the other one. In some cases only one eye can be affected - for example Chlamydia or viral infections.

Conjunctivitis is usually not very dangerous and you can treat it on your own at home. The most commonly used eye drops are Ophtalmoseptonex or the affected eye can be washed with a boric acid solution. Each eye is treated on its own. When conjunctivitis does not ease off after couple of days it is necessary to visit your ophthalmologist.

Inflammation of the cornea (Keratitis)

Inflammations of the cornea tend to be more dangerous than conjunctivitis. They can decrease the visual sharpness and in the worst case scenario they can lead to loss of the sight. Bacterial and even more often viral inflammations are the most common cause of inflammation of the cornea. The symptoms include pain in the eye of various kind, feeling of a foreign body in the eye, loss of the corneal luster, red eyes, swollen eyes, photophobia and visual disorders.

In this case visiting your ophthalmologist should not be postponed. Irritation can be reduced by washing the eye with lukewarm salt water. Pain can be relieved by cold compresses and in early phases of healing your ophthalmologist will probably recommend you to use gauze to cover your eyes which will prevent them from moving and help to speed up the healing process.

The treatment of inflammation of the cornea consists in applying eye drops which are prescribed according to the initial cause. In extreme cases surgical procedure may be necessary during which necrotic corneal tissue is removed. During the treatment of inflammation it is advisable not to expose yourself to sharp light, wear dark eyeglasses, minimize working on a computer or watching the TV.

Intraocular inflammations

Inflammations of the iris, ciliary body and posterior eye segment are usually connected with slightly or significantly worse vision. Iridocyclitis (inflammation of the iris and ciliary body) is caused by bacterial, viral or mould infection through perforating eye injuries or blood. Chronic rheumatic disease can be another cause. Similar causes, even parasitic infection, can bring about chorioretinitis (inflammation of the choroid and retina). If initial infectious cause is exceptionally distinctive or immunity of organism is reduced, then the infectious process can affect whole middle and internal eye layer. In this case we talk about endophthalmitis. When the infectious process affects all eye structures including the external casing then we talk about panophthalmitis. Both diseases are exceptionally serious; they decrease the visual sharpness or may even lead to loss of the sight and are very painful.

Inflammations in the eye surroundings

Stye (hordeolum) is one of the most common inflammations. It is a purulent inflammatory process of the sebaceous gland at the base of the cilium on the outside border of the eyelashes. Inflammatory process of the sebaceous gland on the inside border of the eyelashes (chalazion) can occur as acute or chronic inflammation which is colloquially referred to as “cold stye”.

Acute or chronic inflammation of the lacrimal glands is a more serious disease. Inflammation of the lacrimal punctum is exceptionally unpleasant and it usually originates in newborns when the lacrimal canals are impermeable. Congenital impermeability of the lacrimal canals is an anomaly which affects 6-8 percent of newborns. An obstacle to permeability is usually localized in lower section of the deferent lacrimal canal, lacrimal duct.

On the outside, impermeability is manifested through moister eye or excessive amount of tears which flow over the edge of the eyelid. This usually leads to formation of infectious component which causes outbreak of microbes in the environment of the lacrimal sack which is suitable for their pullulation and which then brings about purulent secretion which retrospectively affects the conjunctiva and leads to its inflammation. It is usually necessary to mechanically open up the lacrimal canal with the help of a probe. The use of probe is the most suitable in the period between 2nd and 3rd month. Later it is also possible but it is more complicated for a doctor and also for a child.

Couple of important principles in order to prevent the formation of eye inflammations

• wash your hands frequently
• do not touch your eyes
• do not look directly at the sun
• do not use collective towels at home