Eye
Infections And Inflammatory Eye ConditionsEye infections are common. They
can occur in the outer part of the eye (conjunctivitis, herpetic cornea infection
etc.), in the eye lids, the lacrimal glands and ducts or within the eyeball itself
(more serious). Here is a list of the more common eye infections. In it you also
find links to more detailed explanations about these eye infections.
| Various
eye infections | | Name: | Description: |
| allergic
conjunctivitis | pollen
allergies or toxic reactions can cause red and swollen eyes, can get infected
subsequently ; allergy shots
| | bacterial
conjunctivitis | bacteria
cause a pussy (yellow or greenish) eye discharge | | bacterial
sinus thrombosis | deep
eye infections and sinus infections can go through the skull into the large veins
around the brain | chalazion | chronic
inflammation and swelling of the meibomian
gland in the eye lid; can be treated with local corticosteroid injections;
might need lancing after 6 weeks; antibiotic when superinfected |
| chlamydial
/ gonococcal conjunctivitis | in
newborns these bacteria come from a contaminated birth canal; in adults they are
sexually transmitted | | corneal
ulcer | various
bacteria and viruses can cause it, photophobia, tearing eyes, pain |
| herpes
simplex keratitis | herpes
simplex type I can affect the lips and the eyes, see the link for more info |
| herplex
zoster ophthalmicus | herpes
zoster eye infections can affect various structures of the eye (see links) |
| interstitial
keratitis | often
associated with uveitis, rare in the US, common in Africa. Syphilis, tuberculosis,
leprosy and trachoma can all cause this serious condition |
| mycotic
keratitis | infection
of cornea with molds or yeasts (common in the southern US) |
| orbital
cellulitis | a
life threatening infection of the deep structures of the eye |
| stye
(also called hordeolum) | there
are two forms, a superficial and deep form. Anatomically the superficial form
affects the glands
of Zeis or Moll, which are close to the root of the eye lashes. |
| viral
conjunctivitis | a
virus can cause pink eye, other viruses cause more severe infections |
| Top
of table |
Allergy
shots for allergic conjunctivitis: Allergies can also cause
chronic inflammatory conjunctivitis and chronic irritation of the eye lids. Such
patients need to be seen by an allergist to get a handle on the chronic situation,
particularly when the allergies are year-round. In these cases desensitization
against the allergens is advisable. This is done by way of allergy shots using
the diluted serum of a concoction made up from the allergens against which the
patient is allergic. This works amazingly well. I have seen children and adults
with runny eyes that were halfway shut closed most of the year convert into individuals
with normal looking eyes. No longer were they plagued by chronic tearing and itching.
Milder cases can be carried through their allergic season with the non-tiring
antihistamines. Ask your physician for further guidance in your case.
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