5 most common eye infections

by Abdullah Arif · June 16, 2024

As soon as our eyes start to itch, burn or turn red, it is not pleasant. Eye infections, including conjunctivitis, styes and eyelids, are more common than you think and have a variety of causes. BETTER VISION explains: What are the most common eye infections? How does the infection occur? What causes infections, what treatments are available, and what is the best way to prevent infections?

Eye infections can be cured quickly if the right treatment is used. Considering that our eyes and face are among the most sensitive places, even the smallest symptoms of an eye infection – for example itching or burning – can make life very unpleasant. The good news is that most common eye infections are very easy to prevent. And we’ll tell you how.

Conjunctivitis

Barley grain

Eyelid infection

Inflammation of the cornea

Uveitis

Eye infection

Conjunctivitis

Symptoms of conjunctivitis

Symptoms of conjunctivitis include red eyes, burning eyes, itching, swollen conjunctivae, a feeling of pressure in the eyes, sensitivity to light, and/or eyelids that are sticky with secretions.

Causes of conjunctivitis:

Inflammation of the conjunctiva is caused by bacteria (chlamydia, haemophilus influenzae, pneumococcus, gonococcus, staphylococcus), viruses (herpes, adenovirus, measles, rubella and chicken pox), parasites (fly larvae, worms), allergies (rhinoconjunctivitis, hay fever) and external stimuli. Noninfectious causes include caustics, injury, foreign bodies in the eyes, smoke, UV light, dust, or drafts. Conjunctivitis can also cause disease affecting the tear ducts. Conjunctivitis is one of the most common eye infections.

Treatment of conjunctivitis:

Treatment varies depending on the cause of the conjunctivitis. A distinction is made between bacterial, viral and allergic conjunctivitis. It is not recommended to wear contact lenses until the infection clears.

Bacterial conjunctivitis:
Less severe cases of bacterial conjunctivitis usually do not require treatment and will go away on their own. The healing process can be accelerated with prescription antibiotic eye drops or gels. Serious cases of conjunctivitis are treated with antibiotics.
Viral conjunctivitis:
Viral conjunctivitis usually cannot be cured without proper medication. Symptoms can be alleviated with cold compresses and artificial tears. If the infection is caused by herpes, aciclovir may be prescribed.
Allergic conjunctivitis:
In the case of allergic conjunctivitis, it is first necessary to determine the allergen. Only then is it possible to start treatment using so-called mast cell stabilizers and antihistamines, which help the patient’s immune system fight allergens. Decongestant eye drops containing cortisone or artificial tears can be prescribed to alleviate symptoms. Cold compresses can also help.

Prevention of conjunctivitis:

There is practically no way to prevent viral and bacterial conjunctivitis. If conjunctivitis is activated by external stimuli (smoke, wind, UV radiation), the best advice is to avoid them. Try to wear eye-protecting sports glasses or sunglasses.

Barley grain

Symptoms of barley grain:

People with barley grain complain of pain and pressure in the affected area. Barley grain can affect both the upper and lower eyelids, regardless of which gland is infected. We distinguish between internal and external barley grain: the internal barley grain (Hordeolum internum) is located on the inside of the lid. Although often invisible, it causes redness and swelling of the eyelid. The outer barley grain (Hordeolum externum), on the other hand, can be clearly seen.

Causes of barley grain:

Barley grain is an inflammation accompanied by suppuration of the glands of the eyelid. It is caused by a bacterial infection (usually staphylococcus and, in rarer cases, type A streptococcus). A limited purulent inflammation (abscess) has the shape of a small grain, therefore barley grain and in Latin hordeum, which translates as “barley”. This infectious disease can have a number of causes, e.g. insufficient hygiene. Barley grain can also be brought on by various risk factors. For example, diabetes or a weakened immune system. In both cases, the glands of the eyelid do not work as they should, allowing the bacteria to multiply faster.

Barley grain treatment:

Patients should remember not to try to squeeze out the barley grain. Thanks to the pus, the infection would spread. Barley grain usually disappears on its own and does not require any special treatment. The healing process can be aided by heat lamp irradiation, antiseptic eye gels, and antibiotic eye drops. If the barley grain does not shrink after a few days, you will need to see an eye doctor.

Prevention of barley grain:

Barley grain is an infection of bacterial origin. Therefore, good hygiene and eye care can reduce the risk of infection. In other words, wash your hands regularly, especially before touching your eyes. Another risk factor is weakened immunity. In general, barley grain can be prevented by a healthy lifestyle, such as a balanced diet and regular exercise.

Eyelid infection (blepharitis)

Symptoms of an eyelid infection:

Eyelid infection is usually recognized by reddened, hardened, itchy and/or burning eyelids. Other possible symptoms of blepharitis include feeling like you have a foreign body in your eye, shiny edges of the eyelids, scales at the roots of the eyelashes, and eyelashes that fall out or stick together.

Causes of eyelid infections:

An eyelid infection causes the oil glands inside the eyelids to become blocked. This can cause irritation, infection or excess oil production. The above-mentioned sebaceous glands located under the eyelashes release lubricant, which is spread over the eyes with each blink and allows the eyelids to slide smoothly over the eye. If too much of this lubricant is produced, these glands will stick together. Ophthalmologists call it non-infectious inflammation of the eyelids, or seborrhea. An eyelid infection is usually caused by several factors. The process in which an eyelid infection and seborrhea occurs at the same time as a staph infection and dry eyes (Sicca syndrome) is called by doctors “triple S syndrome”. Blepharitis can also be caused by dust, smoke and drafts.

Treatment of eyelid infection:

The infection is diagnosed by examining the inside of the eyelid, the cornea, or by performing a smear from the edge of the eyelid. The eye doctor will then normally prescribe an antibiotic gel or tablets. If the tear film is damaged, the prescription of a tear substitute (e.g. eye drops) is recommended. Patients can speed up the healing process with better care when cleaning their eyelids. Apply warm, moist compresses to your eyes daily for 10 minutes to help dissolve the secretions that build up in the glands. Then use a cotton swab to wipe the liquefied mass in the direction of the eyelashes.

Prevention of eyelid infection:

You can keep an eyelid infection at bay by avoiding the external stimuli that cause it. These stimuli include dust and smoke as well as other airborne contaminants. Acute blepharitis can also be prevented by avoiding drafts. If you suffer from a chronic eyelid infection, you can combat the symptoms by cleaning your eyelids daily.

Inflammation of the cornea (keratitis)

Symptoms of corneal inflammation:

Symptoms of corneal inflammation vary depending on the cause and location of origin. Since the conjunctiva is also often inflamed (conjunctivitis), people with keratitis often suffer from red eyes, excessive tearing, from which a watery or pus-like substance is secreted. In a normal cornea, the infection usually sticks to the surface of the cornea. In the case of a superficial infection, only the outer layer (epithelium) of the cornea is slightly fogged. However, if the underlying corneal layer (stroma) becomes inflamed, e.g. as a result of an injury, this leads to significant clouding in the form of a white spot. If the innermost layer (the endothelium) becomes inflamed, the cornea can swell. Keratitis often causes intense pain and severely impairs vision.

Causes of corneal inflammation:

The main cause is a bacterial infection, e.g. improper contact lens care. Typical bacteria include pneumococcus, staphylococcus and streptococcus. Diseases such as diabetes or a weakened immune system increase the risk of bacterial corneal inflammation. Inflammation can also be caused by viruses. The most common viruses include adenovirus, herpes simplex and chicken pox (varicella zoster). Very rarely corneal inflammations are also caused by fungi (candida albicans). Pathogens often find their way into the eyes through foreign bodies or contaminated water, such as swimming pool water or contact lens care products.
Noninfectious triggers include mechanical irritants (injury, contact lenses, eyelids, and other foreign bodies), alcohol addiction, too many hours of computer work, and poor-quality tear film. If the tear ducts do not produce enough tears or the tear film is not of sufficient quality, it can cause chronically dry eyes and roughening of the corneal surface. This condition can be further aggravated by eyelid deformities that cause the tear film to spread incorrectly over the surface of the eye.

Treatment of corneal inflammation:

There are several methods of treatment and they depend on the cause of corneal inflammation.

Bacterial inflammation:
Bacterial inflammation of the cornea can be effectively treated with antibiotic eye drops. The drops will limit the spread of the pathogen and provide quick relief.
Viral inflammation:
Viral inflammation is usually treated with eye cream and tablets. Many eye doctors choose acyclovir, which is used to treat chicken pox and herpes.
Chronic dry eyes:
Patients are usually given special eye drops to stabilize the tear film and keep the eyes moist.

Prevention of corneal inflammation:

The most common causes of bacterial keratitis include poor hygiene when inserting, removing or storing contact lenses. Therefore, contact lens wearers can prevent bacterial keratitis by taking proper care of their contact lenses. Proper contact lens care includes:

Wearing contact lenses only for the period recommended by the manufacturer
Follow the instructions on the cleaning solutions
Regular replacement of the contact lens container
Washing hands thoroughly with soap before touching contact lenses
Re-cleaning contact lenses if they have been in the cleaning solution for more than a week
Never use the cleaning solution more than once

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Inflammation of the iris, uveitis

Symptoms of inflammation of the iris:

Symptoms of iritis include red eyes, excessive tearing, glare, blurred vision, and pain with pressure on the eyes. Patients often complain of seeing fluff, flakes or streaks.

Causes of inflammation of the iris:

Iritis is a collective name for a whole range of diseases affecting the inner eye and causing inflammation of parts of the uvea. There are so many causes of iris inflammation that it would be impossible to describe them all in detail here. Ophthalmologists distinguish between anterior (anterior), intermediate (intermediate) and posterior (posterior) inflammation of the uvea.

Treatment of iritis:

Depending on the type of iritis, there are a wide variety of treatment options. Treatment for iritis targets the inflammation in the eye, reducing symptoms. This is where eye drops used to dilate the pupils (e.g. atropine, scopolamine and tropicamide) containing anti-inflammatory substances come into play. If the iris is caused by an infection, antibiotics or antivirals can help.

Prevention of iritis:

There is currently no way to prevent inflammation of the iris.

Eye infection, infection

Symptoms of eye infections:

Symptoms of infection are determined based on their cause. Because there are so many causes of an eye infection, there are no standard symptoms. However, with many eye infections, patients suffer from inflammation of the conjunctiva, a burning sensation in the eyes of varying intensity, and watery, slimy or purulent discharge from the eyes. Bacterial infections often cause red eyes, while viral infections cause pink eyes.

Causes of eye infections:

Eye infections are caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites or fungi. Eye infections can also cause allergies. The most common eye infections are caused by viruses, which usually appear on the inside of the eyelid or on the surface of the eye. The most common causes of eye infections are histoplasmosis and herpes, as well as sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia and gonorrhea.

Treatment of eye infections:

The infection is treated according to what caused it. Depending on the severity, eye infections can be treated with antibiotics or eye drops. This treatment option is considered if the symptoms do not disappear within three days. Bacterial and many viral eye infections usually clear up without treatment. Patients suffering from acute symptoms are usually relieved by cooling the eyes. Over-the-counter products can reduce symptoms. If the patient is experiencing an allergic eye infection, the allergy can be treated with antihistamines, which will significantly reduce allergic reactions such as itching or sneezing.

Prevention of eye infections:

Eye infections are usually caused by dirty hands coming into contact with the eyes. The most effective prevention in this case is proper hygiene. If you come into contact with an infected person or potentially infected objects, wash your hands regularly and do not touch your face or rub your eyes.