Eye Infections and Injury
CORNEAL ULCER
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What is Corneal Ulcer (Keratitis)?
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The cornea covers the iris and the round pupil. A corneal ulcer is an open sore on the cornea which often results from an eye infection. Severe dry eye or other eye disorders can cause it.
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Types of Corneal Ulcer causes:
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Bacterial infections
This type of infection is common in contact lens wearers, especially those that wear it for a longer period.
Viral infections
The virus that causes cold sores (the herpes simplex virus) may cause recurring attacks. Stress, an impaired immune system or exposure to sunlight can trigger the attacks. The varicella virus (chicken pox and shingles) can cause corneal ulcers as well.
Fungal infections
This type of infection may arise from improper use of contact lenses or steroid eye drops, which can ultimately cause corneal ulcers. A corneal injury that results in plant material getting into the eye can lead to fungal keratitis.
Parasitic (Acanthamoeba) infections
Acanthamoeba are microscopic, single-celled amoeba who are the most common in fresh water and soil. When it enters the eye, it can cause a bad infection especially for contact lens users.
Cornea burns or abrasions
Scratches, scrapes and cuts can become infected by bacteria and lead to corneal ulcers. Injuries may occur from fingernail scratches, paper cuts, makeup brushes and tree branches. Burns from corrosive chemicals can cause corneal ulcers as well.
Dry eye syndrome and any eyelid disorders that prevent proper eyelid function may dry out the cornea and cause an ulcer to develop.
Blunt Trauma to Eye
When the eye is hit with a bunt force to causes the eye to suddenly compresses and release, this can cause blood to appear underneath the area that was hit.
Symptoms:
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Pain
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Decreased vision
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Affected eye will not move as well
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Unusual pupil size or shape
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Something in the eye
Treatments:
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Keep a protective covering over the eye such as an eye patch to prevent worsening
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Application of a cold compress to reduce swelling
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For more information go to: https://www.aao.org/topic-detail/trauma--europe
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If you are experiencing any symptoms or want to see what treatments are right for you please contact us to make an appointment.
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What are the symptoms?
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• severe pain and soreness of the eye
• the feeling of having something in your eye
• tearing
• pus or other discharge
• swelling of the eyelids
• a white spot on your cornea that you may or may not be able to see when looking in the mirror
What are the treatment options?
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Corneal ulcers can badly and permanently damage your vision and even cause blindness if not treated.
Surgical treatment
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This may be recommended if medication cannot treat your corneal ulcer. When infection is resolved and the ulcer is healed after treatment with medication, sometimes a significant scar remains. A corneal transplant replaces your damaged cornea with a healthy donor cornea to restore and improve vision.
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For more information, visit: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/corneal-ulcer
If you are experiencing any symptoms or want to see what treatments are right for you please contact us to make an appointment.
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Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
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What is Conjunctivitis?
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Conjunctivitis (pink eye) occurs when the conjunctiva is irritated by an infection or allergies. Infectious conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva usually caused by viruses or bacteria. Both viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are very contagious, easily passing from one person to another. Good hygiene helps prevent the infection from spreading to the other eye or to someone else’s eye. There are a few types of conjunctivitis.
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Viral Conjunctivitis
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This is the most common type of pink eye which is often caused by the same virus that causes the runny norse and sore throat of a common cold. Viral Conjunctivitis is very contagious and often spreads through schools and other crowded areas. It causes burning, red eyes with a watery discharge.
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Bacterial Conjunctivitis
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This is also very contagious where an infection from bacteria causes this form of pink eye. You may experience sore, red eyes with a lot of sticky pus.
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Allergic Conjunctivitis
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An allergic reaction to pollen or animals can cause conjunctivitis. Irritation from cigarette smoke, car fumes, pool chlorine or other toxic substances can occur as well.
Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (hay fever conjunctivitis) and year-round conjunctivitis are the most common types of allergic reaction in the eyes. Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis is often caused by mold spores or tree, weed, or grass pollens; This conjunctivitis occurs in Spring and early Summer. Weed pollens are responsible for symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis in the summer and early fall.
The main symptom of allergic pink eye is itchy eyes. Other symptoms include red, burning and tearing eyes and puffy eyelids. This type of conjunctivitis is not contagious.
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Fungal/Amoebal Conjunctivitis
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Fungal Conjunctivitis is extremely rare, but it can be very serious. Contact lenses stored in tap water or dirty lens solution can accumulate amoeba that live on the lens and transfer to the eyes. It can also be from amoeba that live in lakes, ponds and other bodies of water or carried by vectors (face flies and other insects). Symptoms may include sensitivity to light and feeling of something in the eye.
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What are the symptoms?
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• the feeling that something is in your eye, or a gritty sensation in your eye
• red eyes
• painful eyes (this is usually with the bacterial form)
• watery eyes
• puffy eyelids
• blurry or hazy vision
• being extra sensitive to light
• lots of mucus, pus, or thick yellow discharge from your eye. There can be so much that your eyelashes stick together (usually with bacterial conjunctivitis).
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What are the treatments options?
Treating conjunctivitis usually depends on what type you have. If it is caused by a viral infection, there are no specific treatments. Your immune system fights the virus. Placing a cool, wet washcloth on your eyes may help you to feel more comfortable.
If your pink eye is caused by a bacterial infection, your ophthalmologist may prescribe antibiotic eye drops depending on the severity of your symptoms. If your pink eye is due to allergies, eye drops may be prescribed to help with the itchiness and puffiness. If you are experiencing a fungal conjunctivitis, topical fortified anti-fungal drops or oral anti-fungal may be prescribed depending on the severity.
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For more information, visit: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/pink-eye-conjunctivitis
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If you are experiencing any symptoms or want to see what treatments are right for you please contact us to make an appointment.
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Herpes Eye Infection
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What are the herpes eye infections?
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There are two main viruses that cause infection to the eye: Herpes Zoster and Simplex.
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What is Herpes Zoster (Shingles)?
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Shingles is a painful red rash with blisters that break open and then scab over. It is caused by the herpes zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chicken pox. The virus remains in your body’s nerve cells after you recover and remain dormant. No symptoms will arise, but the virus may become active again and cause new problems.
The virus becomes active again often as you get older (around age 50). This can be due to aging or the weakening of your immune system by many factors. Herpes Zoster may infect the nerves of the eye, causing other symptoms. You are at risk for more severe problems such as glaucoma, cataracts, double vision and scarring of the cornea.
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What are the symptoms for Herpes Zoster?
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• a rash on both your upper and lower eyelids
• redness, burning, and oozing on the inside of your eyelids and white part of your eye
• dry eye
• risk of bacterial eye infections
• blurry vision and being extra sensitive to bright light
• pain, swelling, and redness inside your eye (called iritis)
• swelling of the optic nerve behind your eye (called optic neuritis)
• a breakdown of the surface of the cornea
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What are the treatment options for Herpes Zoster?
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Treatment will mainly revolve around relieving the rash, swelling and pain of shingles. If shingles caused any other co-morbidities (glaucoma, cataracts, double vision or eye scarring), your ophthalmologist will discuss surgery or other types of medicine if they are recommended.
Antiviral:
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This is an oral medication that should be taken immediately after you notice symptoms. Antivirals can shorten the length and severity of a shingles rash. Other types of medication help reduce redness, relieve pain and treat the virus.
Cool compresses:
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Placing a moist, cool compress over your closed eyes provide relief
Eye drops:
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Eye drops may be given to fight infection or moisten your eyes.
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For more information, visit: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/herpes-zoster-shingles
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If you are experiencing any symptoms or want to see what treatments are right for you please contact us to make an appointment.
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What is Herpes Keratitis?
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Herpes keratitis is a viral infection of the eye caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).
There are two types of the virus:
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1. Type I is the most common and mostly infects the face. It causes the familiar “cold sore” or “fever blister.”
2. Type II is the sexually transmitted form of herpes, infecting the genitals
Both types of herpes can spread to the eye and cause infection. However, Type I is the most frequent cause of eye infections. Infection can be transferred to the eye by touching an active cold sore or blister and then your eye.
Type I herpes is very contagious and commonly transmitted by skin contact with a carrier. After the original infection, the virus lies dormant in the nerve cells of the skin or eye. Reactivation can be triggered by many factors such as stress, fever, menstruation, certain medications and trauma to the body. Once herpes simplex is present in the eye, it infects the eyelids, conjunctiva and cornea. A less common infection area would be the inside of the eye.
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What are the symptoms of Herpes Keratitis?
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pain
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redness
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rash
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blurred vision
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tearing
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discharge
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sensitivity to light
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What are the treatment options for Herpes Keratitis
Treatment of herpes keratitis depends on its severity. If the infection is superficial (involving only the cornea’s outer layer), it will usually heal without scarring. Mild infection is typically treated with topical and sometimes oral antiviral medication. However, if it involve the deeper layers of cornea (which happens after time), it may lead to scarring of the cornea, loss of vision and sometimes even blindness. Your ophthalmologist may gently scrape away the diseased cells of the cornea. In cases of severe scarring and vision loss, a corneal transplant may be required. It is important to consult an ophthalmologist before any treatment because medication or eyedrops may actually make the infection worse.
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For more information, visit: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/herpes-keratitis
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If you are experiencing any symptoms or want to see what treatments are right for you please contact us to make an appointment.
