Trachoma eye infection is the leading cause of the world's infectious-blindness, caused by the bacteria chlamydia trachomatis. It is spreading by direct contact with eye, nose, or throat secretions from affected individuals.

Trachoma Causes

Trachoma is causing by infection with the bacteria chlamydia trachomatis.

The condition occurs mostly in a rural setup in developing countries and certain populations marked by poverty, crowded living conditions, or poor hygiene are at higher risk for this illness. Trachoma is rare in the United States,
Trachoma is spreading by direct contact with infected eye, nose, or throat secretions or by contact with contaminated objects, such as towels or clothes. Certain flies can also carry the bacteria.

Trachoma Symptoms

Symptoms begin after 5 to 12 days of being exposed to the bacteria. The condition begins slowly as inflammation of the tissue lining the eyelids, which if untreated may lead to scar.

Common symptoms may include:

• Cloudy cornea
• Eye discharges
• Swelling of lymph nodes just in front of the ears
• Swollen eyelids
• Turned in eyelashes

Trachoma Exams and Tests

This test is useful for the examination for scarring on the inside of the upper eyelid, eye redness in the white part and new blood vessel growth into the cornea.

Laboratory tests to identify the bacteria and diagnose trachoma.

Trachoma Treatment

Antibiotics such as erythromycin and doxycycline prevent long-term complications, if used early. In some cases, eyelid surgery may need to prevent long term scarring; otherwise, it can lead to blindness.

Trachoma Complications

Severely irritated eyelids may turn in the eyelashes and rub against the cornea. This can cause eye ulcers, additional scars, vision loss, and even blindness.

Trachoma Prevention

Improved sanitation and not sharing items such as towels, eye makeup, etc. are important measures for preventing the spread of trachoma.

Keratitis or corneal ulcer is an eye condition with the inflammation of the cornea (eyes front part), marked by pain, and may involve impaired eyesight.

What is keratitis?

Inflammation of the cornea (Corneal ulcer) may be acute or chronic, superficial or deep. Superficial keratitis is common and may happen at any age. Untreated or recurrent keratitis may lead to blindness.

Keratitis Causes

Keratitis is mostly causing by eye infection; some of the common causes of these infections are:

• Bacterial infections cause corneal ulcers and are common among contact lens’s users.
• Viral infections cause corneal ulcers, such as viruses include the herpes simplex virus (virus that causes cold sores) or the varicella virus (virus that causes chickenpox and shingles).
• A fungal infection causes corneal ulcers and may develop with improper contact lens care or the overuse of eye drops that contain steroids.
• Tiny tears to the corneal surface may cause corneal ulcers. These tears can come from injuries damaging the corneal surface and help bacteria to invade easily causing the corneal ulcer.
• Disorders that cause dry eyes; has no or limited germ fighting protection tears causing ulcers?
• Chemical solution splashes can injure the cornea and lead to corneal ulceration.
• Contact lens users are at an increased risk of corneal ulcers.

Keratitis symptoms

Some of the most common symptoms of keratitis are:

• Red eye
• Eye pain
• Feel something in the eye
• Tearing
• Pus or thick discharge from the eye
• Blurry vision
• Increased pain when seeing at bright lights
• Swollen eyelids
• A white or gray spot on the cornea that is visible with the naked eye.

Herpes simplex keratitis

A major cause of adult eye disease, herpes simplex keratitis may lead to:

• Chronic cornea inflammation
• Tiny blood vessel developments in the eye
• Scarring
• Vision loss
• Glaucoma

Keratitis diagnosis

• Slit lamp examination helps to diagnose the depth of the keratitis eye infection.
• Swab the eye or take samples from the eye using a fluorescein strip to confirm the diagnosis of herpes simplex infection.
• Testing visual sharpness and clearness (visual acuity)
• Testing how well the pupil responds to light.
• Patient’s history is requiring knowing about any recent infection of the upper respiratory tract accompanied by cold sores.

Keratitis home remedies

• A sterile, cotton-tipped applicator may be useful to remove infected tissue and allow the eye to heal more rapidly.
• Can wear an eye patch is to protect it from bright light and foreign particles.
• Minor infections are treating with antibacterial or antifungal eye drops.
• If the keratitis cause by dry eye, artificial tears for lubrication are effective.
• Vitamin supplementation such as vitamin A can useful in case of the cause of deficiency.

Keratitis antibiotic treatment

An acute case of keratitis due to the herpes simplex virus is commonly treating with trifluridine eye drops or vidarabine ointment. A broad-spectrum antibiotic may prevent secondary bacterial infection.

Chronic dendritic keratitis may effectively treat with vidarabine, long term topical therapy may be necessary. Corticosteroid therapy is contraindicating in dendritic keratitis or other viral or fungal disease of the cornea. Fungal keratitis may treat with natamycin.

Keratitis due to exposure requires application of moisturizing ointment to the exposed cornea and protects it with an eye patch. Severe corneal scarring may treat by keratoplasty (cornea transplantation).

Keratitis prevention

• Many forms of keratitis can prevent by good hygiene.
• Protecting the cornea from injury is the first step, since keratitis also results from a corneal injury.
• If having a cold sore or genital herpes, avoid touching the eyes.
• Have well-balanced diet, including vitamin A rich foods such as carrots, squash, mangoes, sweet potatoes, and spinach.

Prevention tips for contact lens users

• Contact lens’s users should always use sterile lens cleanser and disinfection solution.
• Do not over use contact lenses at night and make the eyes red or irritated.
• Never sleep with the contact lenses in the eyes.
• Always store the lenses in disinfecting solutions overnight.
• Regularly clean your contact lens case.

Eye sty (or stye) is a tender, painful red-colored bump located at the eyelash base or inside the eyelid.

Eye stye develops due to infection of the meibomian glands (oil glands of the eyelids) and clogs it. The cause of infection may be due to an infected hair follicle in the eyelash. Staphylococcus aureus bacteria found on the skin are responsible for 95% of cases of eye styes. A sty can also develop as a complication of eyelid inflammation (blepharitis).

Two forms of Sty

• External hordeolum refers to a sty that develops at the base of an eyelash that is the hair follicle of the eyelid.
• Internal hordeolum refers to a sty that develops due to inflamed meibomian gland under the eyelid.

Eye sty may be confused with a chalazion - a cyst or a specific type of scarring due to inflammation of the meibomian glands of the eyelid; chalazion is usually painless.

Symptoms of a sty

• Eye redness,
• Tenderness,
• Pain in the affected area,
• Eye irritation or scratchy

Later sty symptoms can include swelling, discomfort during blinking, eye watering, and light sensitivity. A common symptom of a sty is a small, yellowish spot in the bump that develops as pus expands in the area.

Risk factors for sty

People with diabetes, chronic blepharitis (eyelid inflammation), seborrhea, and chronic debilitating illnesses are having more chances to have styes than the general population. Stress seems to trigger the development of a sty; those who have high blood lipid levels are more susceptible to oil gland blockages, including those in the eyelid and thus more likely to develop a sty.

Eye sty treatment

Warm compress or warm washcloth to the affected area four to six times a day, can speed up the sty rupture and relief its symptoms. Sty should not press / squeeze to facilitate drainage, since this can spread or worsen the infection. If a sty persists for long time, doctor lances to drain the infection under local anesthesia in their office. Antibiotic and/or steroid ointments are sometime prescribing to treat a sty. Persistent and multiple styes are treating with oral antibiotics. OTC pain medications may use for pain. Stop contact lenses and eye makeup until a total cure.

Sty complications

Sty rarely causes complications such as chalazion, a form of scarring of the eyelid glands and formation of cysts. Chalazia can be large enough to deform the eye cornea and affects the vision, and they may cause a cosmetic problem.

Sty prevention

There is no known method to prevent sty, but being hygienic can help to prevent all forms of infection, including the sty. Other things that can help prevent sty include:

• Never sharing cosmetics or eye makeup tools with others,
• Keep eye tools clean and hygienic,
• Keep all cosmetics clean,
• Never touch the eye and its surrounding areas.

Blepharitis is an irritation of the eyelids caused by mostly infection by microorganism or allergy and some time due to irritation.

Seborrheic dermatitis, or bacterial infection, or a combination of both may cause blepharitis. Allergies or eyelash infestation with lice may rarely cause blepharitis. Blepharitis induces excess oil production by the glands near the eyelid, which supports the growth of bacteria, which are normally present on the skin. Eyelids become red and irritated, with scales that adhere to the eyelash base. It may relate to repeated styes and chalazia.

Blepharitis (eyelid inflammation) causes

• Inflammatory/allergic blepharitis caused by the increased shedding of skin cells near the eyelids.
• Allergic blepharitis may cause by chemical irritants, medication side effects (ocular or systemic) and caused by the exposure to animals (dog or cat).
• Ulcerative or infectious blepharitis often caused by the infectious, yellowish or greenish discharge.

Blepharitis (eyelid inflammation) Symptoms

• Eye itching,
• Irritation,
• Burning,
• A different unknown sensation in the eye
• Feel eye dryness is common.
• Eyelids may be red, ulcerative and may bleed.
• Vision is usually normal, but a poor tear film may cause blurs vision.
• Redness, warmth, and swelling may note in advanced cases.
• Flaking and eyelid gluing of the lashes are common.
• Infectious blepharitis may have been yellow/green discharge, which causes gluing of the eyelids, especially in the morning.
• Seborrheic blepharitis has dry flaky patches of skin, and dandruff is common on the scalp and eyebrows.
• Increase in tear secretion.
• Chronic blepharitis may have a marked negative effect upon vision and therefore, needs eyeglass prescription.

Blepharitis Care at Home

Good eyelid care is sufficient and the best treatment for blepharitis. Stop using eye makeup or contact lenses until eyelid inflammation is total clear. Eye lenses should place in a hygienic case with disinfectant solution.

• Warm moist compresses should apply on the eyelids for four times a day to clean it and to reduce discomfort. To maintain the warm condition for longer time, can use a hot-water bottle over the compress.
• Clean towel should be useful during cleansing.
• Avoid rubbing the eyes, even though have been itching and another discomfort.
• Gluing of eyelids is normal during wake-up and needs carefully cleansing of the eyelids with a cloth, moisten in a diluted detergent such as baby shampoo, or baby body wash.
• If needed artificial tears may be used, which make the eyes feel comfortable?
• Wash the hands often to avoid recontamination of the eye, also it helps others not be infected.

Most of the time there is minimal or no discharge, and the blepharitis is not contagious.

Blepharitis Medical Treatment

A topical antibiotic can be useful if having an infectious form of blepharitis. Occasional blurred vision may occur after infusion of eye drops or ointments. However, this will clear up quickly.

Sometime antibiotic drops or ointments with cortisone are used. If cortisone containing eye drops or ointments is used, should not use it for prolonged periods. They may lead to glaucoma in susceptible individuals. Cortisone containing eye medications should never use without the advice of an ophthalmologist.

Many for the treatment of blepharitis and dry eye nowadays use omega-3 fatty acid pills.

Pink (Red eye) conjunctivitis caused by microbial infection is contagious and needs antibiotic treatment. It is always best to prevent pink eye.

Is Pink Eye Contagious?

Bacterial and viral pink eye is contagious but allergic pink eye is not. It can be hard to tell which type is present but allergic pink eye are usually gone away after a shorter amount of time. Alternatively, remove the irritating agent and the eye’s rinse-out. The infectious types of pink eye are the ones to be wary of because spreading can occur very easily. People can contract pink eye just by touching or using another article that has to infect by a person who has the eye infection. For a simple illustration, a person who has pink eye that has rubbed his eyes and used that hand to open a door or used an object near the eye like eye makeup or eye drops could end up infecting someone else who touches the aforementioned door or uses the same object in their eyes. This is why it is encouraged that people, more often kids, diagnosed with pink eye, should stay home until the infection cures to avoid giving the infection to other people. Some incidents of pink eye in one are spreading to the other in the same manner. Other means of passing the infection include sharing daily items like pillowcases, towels, bathroom washcloths, and many others. To answer the question, two versions of pink eye are very contagious.

Pink Eye Treatment and Medication

Pink eye medication can be a mix of prescribed and over the counter medicines. For bacterial infections, a doctor must prescribe pink eye antibiotic to attack the bacteria. This medication can deliver in varieties like eye drops or ointments that are applied to the eyes for a few days. Pink eye caused by allergies can solve with allergy eye drops like Patanol. Patanol is one solution that has to prove effective in preventing pink eye caused by allergies with just two drops a day. It is safe according to the manufacturer for kids over the age of three. Another medication with antihistamines is recommending by a physician, which can include anything from liquid to pill state. Another Pink eye medication is Similasan Allergy Eye Relief eye drops. These OTC medications may not be as impressive but provide some relief. Similasan also has a pink eye relief eye drops for viral conjunctivitis. Other eye drop companies manufacture similar eye drops that alleviate Viral Pink eye. These over the counter medications are all that is required for most cases of viral pink eye as the virus just needs to run its course and pink eye medication are useful just for soothing symptoms. For relieving discharge, warm compresses are great for removing the sticky residue as well as the crusty, dried portions around the eyes. For persistent problems, it is best to consult your eye-care professional.

• Viral Conjunctivitis Treatment Normally this type of conjunctivitis does not require medication except in small children.
• Special pink eye drops can allay inflammation.
• Children should see a specialist for pink eye treatment.
• Bacterial Conjunctivitis Treatment Antibiotics are need for this instance of pink eye and are useful to fight off the bacteria.
• Antibiotic salves are also options, and a warm washcloth can use to dissolve the discharge.
• Allergic Conjunctivitis Treatment - Anti-inflammatory medications, Antihistamine medication, and anti-allergy eye drops can help relieve symptoms.

Pink Eye Preventive

Preventing the contamination of pink eye is the best method for both those infected and those nearby infected people. Washing your hands frequently will support the removal of many possible allergic agents or bacteria from getting into the eyes. Not sharing towels, washcloths, napkins, and other wiping items will minimize pink eye outbreaks. Households exposed to pink eye, particularly with kids, should disinfect commonly touched areas like doorknobs, television remotes, computer keyboards, and others. Contact lens wearers should discontinue use and even possibly replace the lenses if infected when wearing them. Ask a doctor if unsure about infected lenses. Another good countermeasure is to avoid sharing eye touching items, chiefly with someone who diagnosed with pink eye. These items include eye drops, mascara, goggles, sunglasses, and tons of other products. Prevention is the best way of preventing the development and spread of conjunctivitis and for parents, this means explaining and showing kids how to be careful.

Pink (Red eye) conjunctivitis develops due to inflammation of conjunctiva membrane, covering the eye whites and inner eyelid parts.

What is "pink eye"?

Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, are redness and inflammation of the membranes (conjunctiva) covering the whites of the eyes and the membranes on the inner part of the eyelids. This membrane reacts to a vast range of bacteria, viruses, fungal, allergic agents, irritants, toxic agents, and any underlying diseases within the body. Microbial forms of conjunctivitis are common in childhood, also can occur in any age. Pink eye can be classified infectious or noninfectious (allergic or toxic reaction). Pink eye does not cause any vision change. Some of the most common infectious pink eyes are as follows.

Viral pink eye

The leading cause of a red or pink eye is virus infection. Adenoviruses are the most common virus responsible for the eye infection.

Viral pink eye symptoms are:

• Watery discharge that is not green or yellow.
• Cold like symptoms such as sinus congestion and runny nose.
• Eyelids may be swollen.
• Sometimes seeing at bright lights is painful.

Viral pink eye is highly contagious, may not require an antibiotic. Occasionally, pink eye can be associated with infection of the cornea (front clear portion of the eye), so it must detect and treat in time.

Bacterial pink eye

Staphylococci, Streptococci and other bacteria commonly cause pink eye. Bacterial pink eye symptoms are:

• eye pain,
• swelling,
• redness,
• Discharges are usually yellow or greenish in color.

Eye discharges commonly accumulates during sleeping. Affected individuals may awaken with their eyes are stuck and difficult to open the eye. It requires a warm washcloth applied to the eyes to remove the discharge. Bacterial pink eye is taken care by repeated warm washcloths applied to the eyes and treated with antibiotic eye drop or ointment prescribed by the doctor.

It is not good and even harmful to use medication prescribed for someone else, or from an old infection, as these may have effect by other infections. A safe, effective, and potentially less frightening method is by putting the recommended drops in the inner corner of the eye. When the child (or aged patient) relaxes and opens the eyes, the medicine will gently flow into the infected eye membranes without the need to force open the eyes.
When have bacterial pink eye symptoms, then it is advisable to consult the doctor immediately? The bacterial infection needs an antibiotic treatment to fight against the infection and to kill the bacteria. If experiencing runny nose, cough, earache, etc., these symptoms too, may cause by the same bacteria. In addition, it needs an oral antibiotic to treat infection along with the antibiotic eye drop or ointment.

Chlamydia pink eye

Pink eye caused by the bacteria Chlamydia, an uncommon form of bacterial pink eye in the U.S., but very common in Africa and Middle Eastern countries. Pink eye is common among adolescents and adults, because it can sexually transmit. Chlamydia pink eye is usually treating with antibiotics such as erythromycin (E-Mycin, Eryc, Ery-Tab, PCE, Pediazole, and Ilosone) or oral tetracycline (Sumycin), except children of less than 8 years old, because of possible teeth discoloration.

Most common eye infection types are pink (red) conjunctivitis, stye, blepharitis, keratitis, corneal ulcer, and trachoma.

Eye infection types

• Pink (Red) eye or conjunctivitis,
• Stye,
• Blepharitis,
• Keratitis,
• Corneal ulcer,
• Trachoma

Pink Conjunctivitis (Red eye) – redness develops due to inflammation of conjunctiva membrane, covering the eye whites and inner eyelid parts. Pink eye caused by microbial infection such as bacteria, viral or fungal.

Stye (otherwise Sty) - is an infection or inflammation of the eyelid involving hair follicles of the eyelashes (external hordeolum) or meibomian glands (internal hordeolum). Styes are commonly causing by a Staphylococcus aureus bacterial infection, or by the blocking of an oil gland at the base of the eyelash. Stye is usually painful, localized swelling or swelling of the entire lid.

Blepharitis – is usually causing by seborrheic dermatitis, a bacterial infection, or both. Blepharitis makes the glands near the eyelid to produce excess oil production, which presents a favorable environment for the excess bacterial growth, which is present on the skin. Eyelids are red and irritated, with scales that adhere to the base of the eyelashes.

Keratitis - is an eye condition in which the cornea (front part of the eye) is inflamed. It is often has been moderate to intense pain and may involve impaired eyesight.

Corneal ulcer - is an open sore on the cornea (front part of the eye) or a clear structure overlying the iris? Corneal ulcers are causing by infections such as bacteria, viral or fungal.

Trachoma - is an eye infection and the leading cause of the world's infectious blindness. It is the cause by Chlamydia trachomatis and spread by direct contact with eye, nose, and throat secretions from affected individuals.

An eye infection spreads through contact with the eye drainage, which contains the virus or bacteria that caused the infection.

First step in Eye infection treatments

Touching an infected eye carries drainage with virus or bacteria on the hand. If touching the other eye or other object when having drainage (with virus or bacteria), can be spread to the other eye or spread to another person who contacts and carries the drainage attached with the object. Here are some ways to prevent the spread of eye infections, which is the first step for the treatment of eye infection:

• Wash hands before and after touching the eyes or face (even after putting medicine in the affected eye).
• You should not use or share eye makeup until the infection cures fully. If used makeup product may carry the microbes and re-infect the eyes. In addition, it is advisable to discord the old eye makeup and start using new once after infection cures fully.
• Stop wearing contact lenses until the infection cures fully. Perfect cleaning of contact lenses is necessary before start using it again, and it is advisable to replace the contact lens case.
• Should use cleaner towels, linens, pillows, or handkerchiefs and not to share with others during infection. Perfect washing after infection is advice to prevent re-infection.
• Protect the eye from wind, chemicals (during work), heat, or cold to safeguard against eye irritation.
• Avoid exposing the eyes to any form of contaminated such as dirty water, dusty wind, etc.

Eye infection symptoms of; pink conjunctivitis, stye, blepharitis, keratitis, corneal ulcer, or trachoma caused by bacterial, viral or fungal.

Eye Infection Symptoms

• Chronic eye redness - red eye
• Persistent itching of the eye
• Eye burning
• Eye irritation – sandy, gritty sensation (worst when wake-up)
• Discharges of liquid, which is usually yellow or greenish in color. The discharge commonly accumulates after sleeping. Affected children may awaken most unhappy that their "eyes are stuck shut," requiring a warm washcloth applied to the eyes to remove the discharge.
• Watery eye (more tears than usual)
• Sensitive to light
• Flaking of the eye lids
• Eye discomfort
• Blurred vision
• Eye pain
• Swollen eyelids

For detail symptom for particular eye infection go to types of eye infection for detailed eye infection symptoms.