Common eye infections: viral, bacterial, fungal

• October 23, 2018
• Ophthalmology
• Efanova Irina

One of the most important organs for humans is the eyes. With their help, it is possible to see the world around us, distinguish colors and shapes of objects. However, they are also the least protected organ. Ophthalmologists are fighting this disease; according to statistics, viral lesions are the most common of all eye diseases. Recognizing them and starting treatment on time is necessary for a speedy recovery without complex consequences.

Why are they dangerous?

All viral diseases that affect the eyes are treated by ophthalmologists and infectious disease specialists. The main danger of such infection is rapid spread among a group of people (in kindergartens, at work, in family and other places). The disease is transmitted by airborne droplets (coughing, sneezing) or through contact with a contaminated object. The man scratched the infected area and touched the second man, who scratched his eyes and acquired a viral eye disease.

It is important that such a disease can worsen vision or help to lose it altogether. Of all the people who seek help from an ophthalmologist, 18-20% lose the ability to see completely or partially due to incorrect treatment or complete absence.

Adenovirus

Adenoviral infection is transmitted by airborne droplets or enters the mucous membrane of the organs of vision when the eyes come into contact with dirty hands. Treatment is a rather labor-intensive process, since the virus has the ability to mutate. Patients are prescribed interferon drugs. Viral infection does not develop resistance to these drugs, and when applied topically, no side effects are observed. Oftalmoferon is the most modern medicine prescribed for adenovirus infection.

Conjunctivitis

Adenovirus is more contagious than other viruses. Even when dried at room temperature, it can remain infectious for two weeks. Prolonged exposure to high temperature or antiseptic solution is detrimental to infection.

Adenovirus is transmitted by airborne droplets or direct contact. Discharge from the respiratory tract and tears are the most unsafe in this regard. The infection can persist on towels, soap, door handles, glasses, and also on the hands.

Symptoms of adenoviral conjunctivitis can last for four weeks. The symptoms of the disease are similar to ARVI. Patients develop rhinitis, pharyngitis, and body temperature rises. On the part of the eyes, there is swelling of the eyelids, as well as uniform redness of the eyeball. There is also a large amount of mucous transparent discharge.

Treatment includes the use of drugs with antiviral effects, interferon inducers or recombinant interferons. To speed up recovery, you cannot do without immunostimulants.

Keratoconjunctivitis

The inflammatory process involves the conjunctiva and cornea of ​​the eye. Infection can occur when infected saliva comes into contact with a cough, sneeze, or even normal conversation. The disease may appear as a complication of a respiratory infection.

Keratoconjunctivitis is manifested by the following symptoms:

• blurred vision;
• foreign body sensation;
• blurred vision;
• burning, itching, pain;
• lacrimation;
• photophobia;
• hyperemia of the eyeball - redness;
• the swelling is so severe that the patient cannot close his eyes.

Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis is life-threatening

Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis most often affects the adult population, and the infection is transmitted by airborne droplets and contact. This form is characterized by sudden redness of the eye, swelling of the conjunctiva, and swelling of the lymph nodes. Patients complain of photophobia, itching, lacrimation, and a feeling of sand. The upper eyelid may also swell and droop.

Ophthalmological symptoms are preceded by general manifestations: malaise, headache, insomnia. The acute form often occurs against a background of weakened immunity and is life-threatening, as symptoms can spread to internal organs.

Reasons for appearance

In modern society, there are many irritating factors that cause eye disease. Constant exposure to monitors and screens does not give the eyes rest, as a result of which they get tired and their own immunity decreases. Of all the various problems associated with the human visual system, almost 80% of calls are for viral eye diseases. This prognosis is disappointing, since the consequences of infection are serious, especially if the wrong treatment is prescribed, or if it was not treated at all.

There are many reasons why the disease appears quite often. The main ones are:

• non-compliance with hygiene rules;
• constant rubbing of the eyes with dirty hands;
• improper use of contact lenses;
• injuries and burns;
• complications after eye surgery;
• allergic reactions;
• foreign body in the eye;
• weakened immunity.

There are cases when viral eye diseases in children and adults occur secondaryly, due to an untreated primary disease, for example, a cold. In a weakened body, the virus wanders wherever it wants. Since the favorite breeding spots are places with high humidity, the eyes are considered an excellent habitat for them.

Types of viral diseases

Over 150 varieties of microorganisms are known that can negatively affect the body of a healthy person. People live with many viruses throughout their lives, some get very sick from them, while others are their carriers. Many of them can cause viral eye disease in humans.

Diseases are divided into groups depending on the location of the problem:

1. If the virus affects the conjunctiva of the eye (the thin film that wraps the front of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelid), then viral conjunctivitis occurs.
2. Damage to the cornea (the outer part of the eye, the most convex and transparent) is accompanied by the appearance of viral keratitis.
3. An infectious disease of the eyelid leads to the appearance of barley and blepharitis.
4. Inflammation of the choroid leads to the formation of uveitis.

Symptoms of an eye infection

Almost all pathologies of an infectious nature are manifested by the following symptoms:

• Redness of the eyes;
• Swelling;
• Correction of the shape of the cornea is observed in some types of pathologies;
• Accumulation of pus in the corners of the eyes;
• Inability to fully open the eyelids because they are so inflamed;
• Problems with visual acuity, objects acquire blurry outlines;
• Unbearable itching and irritation;
• Painful sensations of varying intensity;
• Feeling of a foreign object in the eyes;
• Increased lacrimation, intolerance to bright light;
• If the organ of vision is stressed, the unpleasant symptoms intensify.

Any manifestation of pathology should serve as a signal to visit a doctor. Because eye diseases can be accompanied by serious complications and require detailed diagnostics to select the optimal therapeutic course. Return to contents

Viral conjunctivitis

The most common viral eye disease is conjunctivitis. Of the total number of people visiting the hospital, 45% of visits are with symptoms of conjunctivitis. The infection is epidemic in nature. The disease appears due to various viruses (allergens or bacteria) and is a concomitant disease.

Of the possible types of conjunctivitis, adenovirus is the most common; infection occurs through airborne droplets and through direct contact with an infected person. That is why the disease is widespread and can quickly grow in small groups of people. Children's groups are considered a risk group. There are several stages in which the disease occurs:

• Catarrhal, characterized by slight redness. The development of the disease is easy, and the course of treatment is no more than 5–7 days. In this form, complications generally do not arise.
• Membranous, characterized by the appearance of a cloudy translucent film on the eye. You can remove it at home using a clean swab. However, it is not always possible to do this yourself. In many cases, the disease occurs with an increase in temperature, and it lasts from 4 to 10 days.
• Follicular, characterized by the formation of bubbles of different sizes on the surface of the eye.

Conjunctivitis manifests itself with the appearance of symptoms of viral colds: fever, headache. After a few days, the infection spreads to one eye, and after 1-2 days to the other, and a viral eye disease appears with symptoms: redness of the eyes, swelling of the eyelids, increased amount of fluid secreted, itching and discomfort when looking at the light.

Why do your eyes hurt when you have a cold?

Eye pain due to colds is usually caused by sinusitis. At the same time, the conjunctiva turns red, the nasal sinuses swell, and profuse lacrimation begins. There is a cutting pain in the eyes. The first signs of ARVI or a cold are fever and weakness. Sinusitis can also cause a severe headache in the frontal region; it becomes painful even just to raise your eyes up. In such a situation, you should clear your nose of mucus in a timely manner so that it does not clog the tear ducts and germs do not enter the nasal sinuses, otherwise this may aggravate the course of the disease. It is best to use disposable paper tissues. Drops that relieve swelling and constrict blood vessels help well. When the swelling subsides, the pain in the eyes should go away.

Viral uveitis

Inflammation of the vascular tissue in the eye often occurs; it can occur in different parts of the eye, and the common name for the disease is viral uveitis. In terms of the number of visits to an ophthalmologist, uveitis accounts for about 30% of all visits. Serious consequences associated with partial loss of vision and further blindness occur in 15%. Such a high risk of bad consequences is associated with late seeking help from a doctor. Therefore, when the first symptoms appear, you should contact an ophthalmologist for help.

The disease can occur for various reasons: physical impact (injury), viral diseases, or other diseases. Scientists have not studied the exact nature of its appearance. The most common development of uveitis is due to the herpes virus, as well as herpes zoster or cytomegalovirus. Symptoms of uveitis viral eye infection cause:

• discomfort in the eyes;
• redness of the surface;
• blurred vision, spots;
• fear of bright light;
• copious discharge of clear fluid from the eyes.

Due to slow blood circulation in the vessels of the eye, microorganisms accumulate. When a person’s immunity weakens, they begin to lead an active lifestyle, which results in illness.

Coronavirus is transmitted through the eyes: is it possible to lose vision?

Photo: REUTERS

The World Health Organization has declared the international situation with the Wuhan coronavirus 2019-nCoV an emergency. The Chinese information resource People's Daily added fuel to the fire when it cited the words of Li Xingwan, a representative of the State Health Committee of the People's Republic of China, that the virus can be transmitted through the eyes if you carelessly rub them with your hands after contact with the virus. Igor Aznauryan , ophthalmic surgeon, doctor of medical sciences, professor, founder of a network of metropolitan children's eye clinics, explains whether there is a danger to vision.

Briefly about the 2019-nCoV virus

The incubation period of the virus is 14 days, and the disease is mainly transmitted through the respiratory route. The virus is detected using PCR (polymerase chain reaction), but it is very difficult to cultivate in the laboratory, which significantly complicates the process of studying it. So far, six types of this virus have been identified, but it mutates all the time, and therefore it is not yet possible to offer adequate treatment, although doctors are actively working on it.

Now, as preventive and therapeutic measures, experts advise not to overwork, drink plenty of water, avoid smoky spaces, and use humidifiers. Since there are currently no drugs against this virus, the most that can be done is to take ibuprofen to relieve symptoms.

Eyes are the route of transmission of coronavirus: true or false?

- It's true, because... If there is a sufficient amount of coronavirus on your hands, then through contact with the mucous membrane of the eyes you can introduce it into the body,” explains Professor Aznauryan. - Naturally, all other routes of transmission through physiological fluids are also possible (and not just through the tear fluid that is secreted in the eyes). How does infection occur through the eyes? The most common way of contact is to simply rub your eyes, accidentally touch the mucous membrane, press on your eyelids, touch your eyelashes, etc.

Photo: REUTERS

Who is most in danger?

Now that the coronavirus has reached Russia, many are beginning to wonder: does this threaten me?

The virus is dangerous for almost everyone, experts say, this is especially true for residents of megacities: the greater the number of people with whom a person comes into contact, even fleetingly (for example, in transport), the higher the likelihood that he will catch the virus. Moreover, children are at risk - they not only actively communicate with peers and adults, but they may also forget to wash their hands after going out or going to school. The virus also poses a particular danger to people who move around the city a lot (couriers, delivery workers, etc.), or come into contact with not very clean things at work (cashiers, salespeople, etc.), or communicate with a large number of people (consultants, waiters, the same sellers).

The risk zone includes, of course, ophthalmologists, due to constant close contact with the eyes - for example, when performing an ophthalmoscopy, a doctor can become infected due to the presence of the virus on his hands, with which he then accidentally touched his eyes.

When to see a doctor: first symptoms

At best, the 2019-nCoV coronavirus causes fever, a rare dry cough and complications in the gastrointestinal tract; at worst, acute respiratory syndrome and pneumonia develop, followed by death.

Effects on the eyes

“Theoretically, damage to the retina may occur, but these experiments were carried out only with intraocular injection of the virus and in the presence of all local manifestations of the inflammatory process,” says Igor Aznauryan. — Now virus researchers say that if the coronavirus enters the body through the eyes, it may manifest itself as symptoms of conjunctivitis, but may not affect the eyes in any way. That is, at the moment there is only information that the eyes are only an “entry gate” for infection. And it does not affect vision.

How to protect yourself?

The Ministry of Health has already developed a leaflet on protection against coronavirus. And they are the same as with regular flu or any other infection: wash your hands more often after going outside or public places (including workplaces), do not touch the mucous membrane (not only the eyes, but any other - mouth, nose), do not appear in public places where people gather (concerts, museums, theaters, public transport, workplaces, etc.). Protective measures, in addition to the usual masks, include protective glasses to protect the eyes from the penetration of the virus.

By the way, the flu also has complications associated with the eyes - they primarily affect the cornea. Pinpoint opacities of varying depths appear in its stroma. The more acute and complex the disease process, the more these opacities appear. The flu also provokes the development of red eyes, watery eyes and photophobia. Treatment involves taking antiviral drugs. Therefore, do not panic if your eyes suddenly turn red and you start coughing. It's probably not the Wuhan virus, but the regular flu.

Viral keratitis

Damage to the cornea of ​​the eye and the appearance of inflammatory processes due to exposure to viruses - keratitis. Older people are considered most susceptible to developing this disease, but a viral eye infection can occur in children at a very young age. People with a violation of the integrity of the cornea of ​​the eye, and when its permeability is increased, have the greatest risk of keratitis.

The causative agents of the disease include:

• herpes simplex;
• herpes zoster;
• adenovirus;
• measles;
• piggy.

A list of factors that provoke the development of keratitis is added to the main pathogens: frequent stressful situations, a weak immune system, severe hypothermia.

Once the disease appears, the treatment process takes a long time, and its recurrence is possible. Viral keratitis manifests itself in 2 possible stages:

1. Superficial course of the disease, when the epithelium or upper layer of stroma suffers.
2. The deep stage, when it occurs, the entire stroma of the eye suffers.

Whatever type appears in a person, it is accompanied by the formation of a number of symptoms by which the presence of an inflammatory process is determined:

• redness in the eye;
• noticeable swelling of the eyelids;
• decreased clear vision;
• the appearance of bubble formations on the eye;
• cloudiness of the cornea;
• pain;
• increased lacrimation.

Diagnostic methods

When the first symptoms appear, you should immediately consult an eye doctor. Symptoms of a viral eye disease (treatment and diagnosis are carried out with the help of a doctor, self-medication can only cause harm) need to be examined to identify the type of disease.

Diagnosis begins with collecting anamnesis. The doctor fills out all the necessary information about the patient and finds out whether he had contact with people with similar symptoms, or whether there were other signs of an infectious disease (runny nose, irritation in the throat or fever).

Afterwards the doctor begins to examine the patient:

• visual examination of the condition of the eyes and eyelids;
• examination of the cornea using a slit lamp;
• The condition of the fundus is checked using an ophthalmoscope;
• vision test according to the Sivtsev table.

The next stage of diagnosing the disease is collecting materials for analysis. The doctor prescribes blood tests, urine tests, a swab of the throat and nose, and a swab of eye discharge. Tests will help you find out the full picture and determine the nature of the viral eye disease, and treatment will be selected in accordance with the identified disease.

Treatment of diseases

The most common infectious pathology is conjunctivitis of bacterial and allergic origin. Before starting therapy, it is important to find out the cause of the disease. If you have allergies, antihistamines will help you get rid of unpleasant symptoms in a short time.

A lotion made from chamomile decoction or tea bags also works well against external manifestations of the disease. They relieve inflammation and soothe irritated skin. For rinsing, it is recommended to use baths prepared from a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

Antibiotics are selected for the treatment of bacterial pathologies. If the degree of damage to the visual apparatus is minimal, then you can use Albucid. It contains anti-inflammatory components that help get rid of irritation and abscess in a short time. If the disease has become severe, the doctor will prescribe an eye ointment containing antibiotics and corticosteroids. Under no circumstances should you select such medications on your own!

The ointment can be applied externally to the entire eyelid or applied overnight. Use special eye products; they contain a low concentration of the active substance (0.5-1%). It is forbidden to use ointment intended for the skin on the organ of vision.

In particularly severe situations, in addition to external medications, oral antibiotics may be prescribed.

Viral pathologies require a special approach to therapy. To combat them, eye drops, ointments and internal remedies are used. Any medication is selected only by a doctor, based on the nature of the origin of the disease.

If infectious diseases are left unattended and untreated, sooner or later they will become chronic. This condition negatively affects visual acuity and eye health, and it takes a lot of time and patience to eliminate them.

To avoid additional problems, carefully follow all the doctor’s recommendations. Do not change the dosage of the drug without permission, especially in children! This applies even to such a common and safe product as Albucid. In pharmacies it can be purchased in dosages for adults (30%) and children. The use of medication intended for an adult for a child is fraught with dangerous consequences.

The course of therapy cannot be ignored. This especially applies to taking antibiotics. If you arbitrarily shorten the duration of treatment, then there is a high risk that the pest will not die, but the disease will become chronic. An uncontrolled increase in the therapeutic course can also lead to unpleasant consequences. Dry eye syndrome, increased redness and irritation may occur.

Return to contents

Traditional methods of treatment

Traditional medicine has a place in the treatment of viral diseases. There are many ways to treat eye diseases, but it is worth noting that all of them can only help at an early stage of development. Trying to cure a disease in an advanced state without drugs, there is a risk that they will only cause harm.

Often used remedies among people are washing the eyes using various infusions:

Using tea leaves for rinsing. Dip a gauze swab into the prepared solution of tightly brewed tea leaves; use it to wipe your eyes. A new tampon for each eye.

The infusion is prepared from chamomile or dill. The finished solution is carefully filtered before use. You can use a dry mixture for steaming or chamomile in tea bags.

An infusion of oak bark has a positive effect on recovery. It takes about 2 hours to prepare, you will need 2 tbsp. l. oak bark, which are filled with 0.5 liters of water. Cook the resulting liquid over low heat until fully cooked. The solution is filtered and ready for use.

It is recommended to add carrots and blueberries to your daily menu; they have a great effect on vision and help strengthen capillaries. If you use dried berries, they are pre-soaked in cool water; it is recommended to eat them in the morning on an empty stomach.

Prevention

The main rule for the prevention of viral eye diseases is personal hygiene.

By following simple rules, the risk of infection is reduced:

• Use only clean and well-ironed eye scarves.
• Do not rub your eyes with dirty hands.
• Do not use other people's personal hygiene products, even if they are relatives.
• When preparing for bed, men wash their faces.
• Remove all cosmetics from your face in preparation for bed.
• Properly store and handle lenses. Put them on carefully, being careful not to damage your eyes.
• Be examined by an ophthalmologist and therapist several times a year.
• You must follow safety precautions to avoid injury.
• Protect your eyes when working with dangerous tools.
• Cure any disease, even the mildest, to the end.

People who wear glasses or contacts, have had eye surgery, or have vision problems should be most vigilant about personal hygiene rules. This group of people is most at risk of developing a viral eye disease.

Reviews

Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis is common in kindergartens. Children spend a lot of time walking outside, lead an active lifestyle and do not think about the rules of personal hygiene while playing. It is necessary to closely monitor the appearance of the first symptoms to prevent the spread of the disease.

After an eye injury, viral eye diseases often occur in humans. An interesting fact is that the injury is constantly treated and kept clean, but the virus still somehow gets in. It became clear that the virus penetrates not only directly, but also conjunctivitis can be caused by a common cold.