|
Corneal infections can be bacterial ,
viral, fungal, parasitic.
How do these germs get into the cornea?
 | Contact lenses - which have not been disposed off at the recommended time,
worn for very long hours, especially while sleeping. Plain water, instead of
proper solutions , have been used to wash or store the lenses. All these predispose to
corneal infections. Acanthamoeba infections are most common. |
| Dust getting into the eye, with the wind, and dust particles getting
embedded into the cornea, bacterial or fungal infections may arise. |
| Accidental injury to the eye, wood particles entering into eyes of
carpenters, metal pieces in the eyes of factory workers, eye injury in motor
vehicular accidents, getting infected with the germs on the road, coconut shells
flying off into eyes, farmers getting injured with branches.....All these may
cause bacterial or fungal corneal ulcers. |
| Associated with infections in surrounding area as in Herpes
Zoster infection,
which is more likely in people with diabetes, AIDS, and other Immuno-Compromised
conditions. |
| Associated with Leprosy, in which
corneal sensations are decreased. |
BACK TO TOP
Symptoms of corneal infection
| Redness, |
| Pain in the eye, |
| Watering, |
| Photophobia- inability to open eye in normal light, |
| A white spot in the eye. |
What should one do?
Go to the ophthalmologist or the available eye care professional urgently.
Treatment should be started right away.
What will he do?
The ophthalmologist will examine your eye, with a torch light and with a
slit-lamp. He may take a 'scrape' of the infected area to identify the
infecting organisms under the microscope and see which drugs are effective
against them. The report may come in later, but the treatment is started
immediately. Follow-up is important.
BACK TO TOP
Management -
WARNING !- NEVER
use steroid drops, without
doctor's approval. They decrease the immunity of the eye to fight against germs
and can be dangerous. They may give temporary 'relief', but BEWARE!
Flow Chart 1
Flow Chart 2
|
