The occurrence of eye infections is an extremely common condition. It is triggered by the invasion of harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses in the different parts of the eye or areas surrounding. It includes the membrane lining of the inner eyelids, outer eye lining, and the cornea. Fortunately, it is not very difficult to spot an infected eye and this aids in immediately getting the required medical attention. An eye infection is almost all cases leads to swelling, itching, pain, and redness in the eye.
Eye infections can be categorized under eight categories. It is essential to determine the given type when seeking the cause and effective treatment methods. Here are the most common kinds of eye infections to know about:
- Conjunctivitis: Also known as pink eye, conjunctivitis is an infection that affects most people. It is triggered when the blood vessels in the conjunctiva get infected with a virus or bacteria. The conjunctiva is the thin membrane that surrounds the eyeballs, and this makes the eyes appear inflamed or pink. Conjunctivitis can be caused due to contact with virus or bacteria and can take a while before it begins to spread completely. It is also highly contagious, and patients must avoid social contact for a while.
- Blepharitis: An inflammation caused in the eyelids, Blepharitis is led by the clogging of the skin in the eyelids. One is at a greater risk of getting affected by this condition if there is eyebrow dandruff, eyes prone to allergies, abnormal functions of the eye gland, lice in the eyelashes and a weak immune system. With this condition, the eyes begin to swell, and the tears produced are more than usual.
- Keratitis: Keratitis is an eye infection that afflicts the cornea. The condition may either stem from an infection or an injury caused to the eye. It causes the cornea to swell and may or may not be infectious. There are several symptoms that are associated with this kind of eye infection and they include pain, discomfort, and redness in the eye. In some cases, patients may also experience loss or blurred vision.
- Sty: A sty is characterized by the development of small pimple-like bumps on the eyelid edges. Also known as a hordeolum, it is caused by the clogging of the glands with oil, dead skin and bacteria which are overgrown. When a person is said to have a sty, they suffer from symptoms such as crustiness in the eyelids, swelling and an increased production of tears.
- Endophthalmitis: When the inside of the eyes gets seriously harmed by the fungal and bacterial buildup, it is known as endophthalmitis. Individuals who undergo certain kinds of eye surgeries such as cataract are at an increased risk of developing the condition. It can also be caused when an object penetrates the eye. The symptoms that point towards endophthalmitis include eye pain, blurriness of vision, pus or discharge from the eye and light sensitivity. Treatment for this eye infection will solely depend on the cause and severity of the condition.
