Inflammation of the eyes

Under one Inflammation of the eyes is generally understood to be a functional disorder or disease of the eye that is not infrequently painful. Possible signs are: sore eyes, tearing, reddening of the eyes, sticking of the eyelids.

What is an eye infection?

Eye inflammation is an inflammatory reaction in the area of ​​the eyes of humans. Ocular inflammation is usually caused by the invasion of bacteria and often affects the conjunctiva. They can be recognized by the fact that the eye is watery, may hurt and the surrounding skin feels sensitive and itchy. Often the conjunctiva is reddened and the blood vessels are clearly visible.

Occasionally the patient is sensitive to light due to the inflammation of the eyes and the eye is stuck together with green-yellowish mucus. The most well-known eye infections in humans include e.g. Conjunctivitis, blepharitis, dacryoadenitis, and stye. However, eye infections can also occur in the context of other diseases.

causes

The inflammation of the eyes usually arises from the fact that bacteria lodge themselves. They particularly often affect the conjunctiva, from where they can spread. Occasionally it is enough for an eye infection to be exposed to a draft or to let the eye dry out. The eye inflammation can be caused by external mechanical irritation. Dust or dry air causes the conjunctiva of the eye to react accordingly.

Wearing soft contact lenses or glass eyes if you lose an eye is also a possibility of developing an eye infection. Denatured proteins are deposited on such visual aids or prostheses, which must be removed with a care solution - otherwise they can have a negative effect on the conjunctiva and the inflammation can spread to the whole eye. This ultimately promotes the establishment of bacteria.

Eye infections caused by caterpillar hairs or insect stings are particularly complicated. These do not have to be brought directly into the eye by the insect itself - caterpillar hairs in particular are often carried through the air. A mechanical stimulus arises, but the eye inflammation itself is triggered by the toxic reaction.

Staphylo-, strepto- and pneumococci are possible bacterial pathogens. Occasionally, gonococci are also the cause of eye infections. They nestle especially when the eye is weakened anyway. If left untreated, this can lead to recurring eye infections as soon as the eye is exposed to stress.

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Diseases with this symptom

• Stye
• Hailstone
• rheumatism
• Lyme disease
• Chorioretinitis

• Corneal inflammation
• Conjunctivitis
• Glaucoma (green star)
• Contact allergy (contact dermatitis)
• Wegener's disease

• hay fever
• Pet hair allergy
• rubella
• Neurodermatitis
• Iritis

Diagnosis & course

An eye infection is diagnosed when the eyes are painful, watery, or red (that is, when the blood vessels are clearly visible and the conjunctiva of the eye is red), when the eyelids are stuck together, and when the skin around the eyes itchy.One or more of the above signs may be present for a diagnosis.

With timely treatment, eye inflammation takes a harmless course in most cases and heals completely without causing permanent damage to the eyes or eyesight. Only when the cornea has been affected by the inflammation of the eye can there be a permanent reduction in visual acuity.

Complications

Since the term "eye inflammation" is kept very general, possible complications can only be reported in general. In general, it can be said that there are a number of types of eye infections, some of which differ greatly in their pathogenesis and symptoms and can lead to different complications. The medical layperson generally fears that any disease that affects the eye could affect vision.

First of all, it should be said that the complication of going blind due to simple inflammation of the eye, for example due to a simple bacterial infection of the conjunctiva (conjunctivitis = conjunctivitis), occurs only in rare exceptional cases. Nevertheless, it is important to treat inflammations of the eyes quickly and professionally in order to avoid complications. Possible complications that occur more frequently (but still not "often") are, for example, a superinfection and the spread of the infection to the cornea. In the case of a superinfection, the already infected tissue is colonized by other germs. Since the tissue is weakened by the pathogenic germs that already exist there, it is easier for other germs to colonize this tissue.

If the infection of the eye spreads to the cornea, a weakening or, in extreme cases, even loss of vision is to be feared, as the cornea can become cloudy.

When should you go to the doctor?

In case of eye infections, it is advisable to see a doctor as soon as possible. If the eyes are red, burning and itchy for several days, this is a case for the doctor. There is little point in experimenting with ointments and eye drops yourself. It often makes conjunctivitis worse.

If the cause of the eye inflammation is found, therapy can be started. If your eyes burn and the songs are sticky in the morning, a visit to the doctor is strongly recommended. Eye infections caused by infections are contagious, so hygiene must be particularly thorough. In the case of bacterial conjunctivitis, antibiotic eye drops or ointments are given. A doctor's visit is required.

If the inflammation is not treated, germs can spread to the cornea and damage it permanently. If the inflammation was caused by drafts, the doctor should look at the eye. He gives recommendations as to whether home remedies should help or whether drops should be prescribed. He prescribes antihistamines for allergic eye infections. These are also only available on prescription.

Inflammation of the eyes can be the result of glaucoma. If the cause is unclear, it should be mandatory to see a doctor. If the inflammation was caused by the influence of a foreign body, the ophthalmologist should be consulted. Surgery may even be necessary. The same goes for bleeding injuries to the eye. If necessary, the sick person must go to the emergency doctor immediately.

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Treatment & Therapy

If the eye inflammation is caused by a mechanical stimulus, the first thing to do is to remove it.

Caterpillar hairs have to be surgically removed - with contact lenses it is sufficient to wear glasses instead for a short time. Then eye drops or ointments with various active ingredients are used to restore the function of the eye after the eye infection.

However, if it is a bacterial eye infection, antibiotics must be used. To do this, it is first determined what type of bacteria it is.

Then a corresponding active ingredient is prescribed, which is to be applied in the form of eye drops or ointments. Pain medication may also be given as needed.

Outlook & forecast

Inflammation can take very different courses because the causes of inflammation are very diverse. When it comes to bacterial inflammation, it is very important to keep the eye clean and pure. Otherwise, such inflammation can worsen immensely, leading to pus formation. Without medical treatment, such an infection will spread and can even lead to life-threatening blood poisoning.

If the person concerned goes to medical treatment, remedial action can be found quickly. A bacterial infection can be counteracted with appropriate medication so that a quick recovery and recovery is guaranteed. Inflammation can be combated by taking antibiotics. After just two to three days, you should see a clear improvement.

Inflammation can also be caused by a foreign body. If the foreign body has damaged the retina or conjunctiva, permanent long-term damage can result if it is not treated. In addition, the person concerned must never remove the foreign body himself. The human eye is a very sensitive organ. Therefore, only a professional should perform such removal. Any damage that may have occurred can be removed through surgical interventions, whereby the degree of injury naturally plays an important role.

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prevention

Home remedies ↵ for eye
inflammation The most effective way of preventing eye inflammation is by not exposing the eyes to any particular stress. Caution is advised in drafts, even in dry air, smoke, dust and too little light. This weakens the eye and allows bacteria to enter easily and without major problems.

If you wear contact lenses, you should be particularly careful with eye infections. After wearing, the contact lenses must always be thoroughly cleaned in the care solution. This will remove any debris that could cause eye infections. Lenses should also never be worn longer than intended, as this can increase the risk of eye infections considerably.

Home remedies & medicinal herbs

• Eye baths with the addition of medicinal herbs have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Prepare an infusion with the herbs (chamomile (controversial), fennel, aloe vera) and take an eye bath in an eye bath tub several times a day. Other possibilities are the application of gauze cloths or eye steam baths (carried out under a cloth held over the head).

• Puffy eyelids and overstrained eyes can be removed with eye compresses. Soak two cotton balls with chamomile tea and place them on the closed songs for 10 minutes.

• Put chamomile tea compresses as hot as possible on a stye in the eye 3 times a day for 10 minutes. After a few days the inflammation will resolve and the pus will come out.

• Lukewarm compresses with chamomile tea help with inflamed eyes.

You can do that yourself

Self-help measures and self-treatment in the event of an eye infection should always be discussed with the ophthalmologist or pharmacist. Depending on the cause of the inflammation on or in the eye, those affected can positively influence the healing process with simple means.

With all diseases of the visual organ, it is important to comply with hygiene measures that protect the patient from additional contamination with germs on the one hand and family members and contact persons on the other from infection. This includes, above all, thorough hand washing. The separate use of towels, the disinfection of commonly used objects and possibly covering the inflamed area, for example with sterile gauze compresses, are also hygiene measures that should be considered.

Additional eye irritation from smoke, bright light or drafts should be avoided. The same applies to mechanical irritation, for example from contact lenses. In the case of allergic eye irritation, the allergenic factors should be avoided. Cosmetic products should not be used as long as there is an infection of the eye area. Pain-relieving and itching-relieving pads soaked in cold water are made of gauze.

If serious illnesses are ruled out by a doctor, pharmacy-only products are available for the supportive treatment of irritated eyes. Artificial tear fluid with hyaluronic acid or soothing additives such as panthenol as a cream or in drop form are particularly suitable for mild forms of inflammatory complaints in the eye.