Learn All About Eye Infections : Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

A famous French proverb says “The first love letters are written with the eyes”. Our eyes are priceless- not just in the sense mentioned in preceding line, but for our basic need to see the world.

Just like other body parts, our eyes are subjected to various infections and illnesses. Most of these infections can easily be relieved. Let us know the symptoms of various eye problems, what causes them and how to treat them.

Eye Allergies

Eye allergies occur as our body’s natural response to certain medications or substances. They are quite common, affecting 50 million people in the US alone.

Causes of Eye Allergies

The body’s immune system reacts when our body comes in contact with a foreign allergen. These allergens can be anything like pollen, ragweed, grass, mould, weeds, dust, and pet dander. As defence, it produces a chemical called histamine. Histamine attaches to the eye tissues and cause them to enlarge or dilate.  

Symptoms of Eye Allergies

• Common signs and symptoms are:
• Redness
• Excess tearing
• Eye Itching
• Sneezing
• Sinus activity

Treatment for Eye Allergies

Eye infections can be treated with numerous non-prescription drugs that include cold compresses or topical treatments. Your doctor will determine the best treatment option for you.

However, avoidance is the best policy here. No, don’t avoid the doctor but avoid allergens. Stay indoors or wear sunglasses when out, to prevent your eyes from coming in contact with allergy causing pathogens.

Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS)

As the name suggests, it refers to the strain afflicted on eyes when you use a computer for long periods of time.

Causes of CVS

Not just the number of hours you spend in from of digital technology, but a lot of other factors contribute in causing CVS. Lighting of the room, distance from the screen, glare on the screen, seating posture, and the angle of your head determine if CVS can affect you.

Symptoms of CVS

Everyone spending hours in front of computers experience at least one the following symptoms:

• Eyestrain
• Headaches
• Blurred vision
• Dry eyes
• Neck and shoulder pain

Treatment for CVS

A few simple practices can help you relieve the effects of CVS-

• Correct the lighting of the room- it should prevent you from glaring into the screen.
• Position your screen so that your head is comfortable while working.
• Taking breaks after prolonged staring in the screen is very important. Your eyes will benefit from it.

Dry Eye

Dry eye refers to the inability of your eye to produce normal tears. Most people visit an eye care professionals for this problem.

Causes of Dry Eye

A variety of factors can cause your eyes to dry. Age plays an important role and environment can also affect them. One common cause is when tears glands slow down tear production – a normal occurrence that happens with age, especially in women going through menopause.

Symptoms of Dry Eye

• Eye redness
• Eye irritation
• Eye stinging or burning
• Watery eyes
• Difficulty wearing contact lenses

Treatment for Dry Eye

Some natural ways can help you treat the problem. Like-

• Avoid dry environments such as overheated rooms, wind, or smoke. When outdoors, wear glasses to reduce drying effect of wind.
• Take artificial tears through natural tears supplements.
• Use prescription eye drops to stimulate tear production.

Conjunctivitis or Pink Eye

The inflammation of the transparent membrane (conjuntiva) lining the eyelids and eye is known as conjunctivitis. It is commonly called pink eye when certain type of bacteria cause this inflammation. Pink eye is generally a common condition which is usually minor but it can prove to be highly contagious when caused by an infection.

Causes of Conjunctivitis

Pink eye is usually caused by bacterial or viral infections. Some allergies, and environmental chemicals also become the causing agents. The problem can also be passed on from a mother to her child during childbirth.

Symptoms of Pink Eye

• Feeling of foreign objects in one or both eyes
• Itching or burning in one or both eyes
• Yellowish discharge from one or both eyes
• Excess tearing from one or both eyes
• Build-up or crusting overnight that makes it difficult to open your eyes
• Swollen eyelids

Treatment for Pink Eye

Conjunctivitis generally runs its course, but few steps can prevent the spread of the infection. You must wash your hands frequently, use a fresh tissue every time you wipe your eyes, dispose the used tissue immediately, must not share anything that may have come in contact with the eyes such as handkerchief, towel, sunglasses, make-up. Eye drops, and pillows.

Serious complications of eye infection include damage to the retina and the formation of scars and ulcers in the cornea that can obstruct vision.

You should see your doctor or eye care professional if you have eye pain, altered vision, severe redness of the eye, or continuous discharge from the eye and recurring eye problems.

Read more articles on Eye Disorders.