Eye Inflammation - Causes, How To Wash And Treat Eye Inflammation?

2023 Author: Philip Bishop | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 07:54

Eye inflammation - how to wash and treat?

Content:

• What is eye inflammation?
• Causes of eye inflammation
• Inflammation of the upper and lower eyelids
• Inflammation of the cornea of the eye
• Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye
• Inflammation of the eyes in a child
• How to treat eye inflammation?

What is eye inflammation?

Inflammation of the eyes is a protective as well as an adaptive reaction of the organ of vision to the action of a pathogenic stimulus of any origin. It occurs at any age and regardless of a person's gender.

Inflammation of the eyes is a complex adaptive reaction of a compensatory nature in response to factors of both the external and internal environment. It can be localized both in the eye itself and in the periocular region. The severity of inflammation depends on the cause that caused it. The reaction of the eye to a stimulus is expressed in a whole complex of symptoms, of which the most common are: redness, pain, swelling, lacrimation, visual impairment, etc.

The eye is a complex organ responsible for a person's perception of up to 90% of information. Inflammation can be affected by such parts of it as: lower and upper eyelids, cornea, mucous membrane, orbit, conjunctiva. Any, even insignificant, inflammation of the visual apparatus cannot be ignored, clarification of the reasons that caused it and appropriate treatment.

Causes of eye inflammation

The causes of inflammation can be many, so they can be divided into four main groups:

• Reasons that are infectious.
• Causes of traumatic origin.
• Exposure to aggressive substances.
• Causes of allergic origin.

If we consider diseases that cause eye inflammation, then the following can be distinguished among them:

• Blepharitis is characterized by inflammation of the eyelids, is bacterial in nature, and can sometimes be caused by fungi, mites, allergens and other inflammatory eye diseases. Pathology is accompanied by the appearance of crusts on the edges of the eyelids, rapid fatigability of the organ of vision, uneven growth of eyelashes, their loss and severe itching. The disease is widespread, 30% of the entire human population meets with it at least once in a lifetime, develops bilaterally, often recurs.
• Conjunctivitis is one of the most common causes of inflammation. It has various origins, the disease can be caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses and allergens. In each case, the symptoms and severity of inflammation will differ. All conjunctivitis, except allergic ones, are contagious and require an appointment with an ophthalmologist and the appointment of appropriate treatment.

• Keratitis is an inflammatory process in the cornea of the visual apparatus. It is a serious condition caused by viruses, bacteria or fungi entering the eye. In addition to the standard set of symptoms in the form of eye inflammation, redness and visual impairment, keratitis is often characterized by clouding of the cornea and increased sensitivity. Keratitis is dangerous for its complications.
• Iritis, endophthalmitis, uevitis, iridocyclitis, choroiditis - these inflammations affect the choroid. If iritis and iridocyclitis affect the anterior part of the choroid, then choroiditis causes inflammation of its posterior part. v
• A corneal ulcer is a destructive process that causes inflammation of the eyeball, it is accompanied by pain, decreased vision, and corneal opacity. The ulcer can be both infectious and non-infectious.
• Barley is a common cause of eyelid inflammation and redness in the eyes. It appears against the background of the infection of either the hair follicle or the sebaceous gland of the eyelash. Barley is always accompanied by the appearance of an abscess.

• Meibomitis is an ophthalmic disease that leads to the development of inflammation. It is characterized by the appearance of inner barley, is located in the cartilaginous plates of the inner and outer eyelids, caused by pathogenic flora.
• Impetigo is a skin disease caused by bacteria of the cocci group and sometimes affects the conjunctiva.
• Erysipelas is a disease affecting the mucous membranes, including the eye, caused by the development of group A streptococcus.
• An abscess of the eyelids is their inflammation caused by the penetration of bacteria into their tissues. An abscess is a dangerous process accompanied by the accumulation of pus, swelling, fever, inflammation and redness of the eye, etc.
• Phlegmon is a process of inflammation and suppuration of the orbital tissue, characterized by rapid development, acute course, high fever, headache and other symptoms.

• A furuncle is an edematous purulent nodule with a rod inside, most often localized in the eyelid region. Causes eye inflammation, often accompanied by an increase in body temperature and headaches.
• Molluscum contagiosum caused by a corresponding virus and affects the skin of the eyelids as well as the conjunctiva, stimulating eye inflammation.
• Dacryocystitis is an inflammation localized in the lacrimal sac, characterized by constant lacrimation, swelling, soreness, redness and narrowing of the palpebral fissure.
• Canaliculitis - inflammation of the eyelids, lacrimal sac and conjunctiva as a result of the penetration of bacteria, viruses, fungi. Symptoms: swelling, enlargement of the lacrimal openings, discharge of a different nature, depending on the type of pathogen.
• Dacryoadenitis is a disease that is caused by multiple endogenous infections, for example, gonorrhea, mumps, scarlet fever, pneumonia, etc. It is characterized by swelling and redness of the eyelids against a background of headache, weakness and fever.

• Exophthalmos is the standing of the eyeball. With a pronounced form of the disease, conjunctival edema, redness of the eyelids, and displacement of the apples themselves are observed.
• Tenonite is an acute orbital disease, most often affecting one eye.
• Thrombophlebitis of the orbit is an acute process of inflammation, localized in the veins of the orbit and often arising after an infectious disease.

All these diseases lead to eye inflammation to a greater or lesser extent, are localized in different parts of the organ of vision and are caused by various pathogens.

In the event of microtraumas of the ocular surface (trauma during eyelash extension, corneal trauma when putting on a contact lens, damaged lens, accumulation of protein deposits on the lens), which are accompanied only by the feeling that something has got into the eye, you should not neglect the treatment, since the lack of treatment microtrauma can lead to irritation and redness, which in turn can contribute to the development of complications (keratitis, keratoconjunctivitis, corneal ulcers), since damaged tissues are the gateway for infection.

For the restoration of eye tissues, drugs with dexpanthenol, a substance with a regenerating effect, have proven themselves well. In particular, the eye gel "Korneregel" has a healing effect due to the maximum concentration of dexpanthenol 5%, and the carbomer included in its composition, due to the viscous texture, prolongs the contact of dexpanthenol with the ocular surface.

Inflammation of the upper and lower eyelids

Inflammation of the upper and lower eyelids is caused by various pathological agents and includes a large group of eye diseases.

Among them are such as:

• Blepharitis
• Demodecosis
• Barley
• Meibomeite
• Impetigo
• Erysipelas
• Phlegmon
• Furuncle
• Abscess
• Molluscum contagiosum.

In order to prescribe treatment, it is necessary to determine the cause that caused the inflammation of the eyelids. Only an ophthalmologist can do this. Common symptoms characteristic of inflammation of the eyelids, both lower and upper, are: swelling, hyperemia, discharge, photophobia, itching, burning, narrowing of the palpebral fissure, lacrimation. Depending on the type of pathogen and the nature of the disease, symptoms such as headache, skin rashes, fever, nasal discharge, etc. may join. Since the symptoms of many diseases of the milestones are quite similar, sometimes a single examination by a doctor is not enough, a scraping may be required, study of secretions, blood test. Only after that, treatment is prescribed.

If the cause of the inflammation is an allergy, then the patient is prescribed antihistamines, and if possible, it is necessary to minimize contact with the allergen. This can be dust, cosmetics, drugs, and other chemicals.

In other cases, drops are prescribed to fight viruses, fungi or bacteria that lead to inflammation. The basis of the treatment of any disease of the century is the observance of its hygiene. To do this, it is important to regularly wipe the edge of the eyelid with antiseptic solutions or rinse with boiled water. This procedure will help relieve inflammation, reduce swelling, and purify from purulent and other secretions.

In order to reduce the traumatic effect on the eyelids, during their treatment, it is important to stop wearing contact lenses and using eye cosmetics.

If the treatment was started on time and was carried out according to all the rules, then after two weeks the inflammation of the eyelids most often disappears. Otherwise, this condition threatens with serious complications, which cannot always be completely eliminated.

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Inflammation of the cornea of the eye

Inflammation of the cornea of the eye is keratitis. The disease affects the anterior part of the organ of vision and significantly affects its acuity. There are several reasons for the occurrence of keratitis, it is not only infection with fungi, viruses and bacteria, but also mechanical injury, as well as thermal and chemical burns.

• Fungal keratitis. Bacteria are more likely to enter the cornea of the eye as a result of eye injury, for example, due to improper wearing and use of lenses. Fungi - parasites cause fungal inflammation of the cornea. It is this type of keratitis that is considered the most dangerous, since it significantly affects visual acuity. In some cases, fungal keratitis can cause lesions.
• Viral keratitis is most commonly caused by the herpes virus. This type of keratitis is dangerous with a decrease in vision with prolonged neglect of the disease.
• Herpetic keratitis can be both superficial and deep. If a person with a superficial form of the disease does not experience any special problems in terms of treatment and recovery, then deep keratitis can provoke the development of an ulcer or a thorn. This is due to the fact that it captures the deep layers of the cornea of the eye.
• Oknocercous keratitis. The result of a strong allergic reaction can be ochnocercous keratitis, which is dangerous because it can lead to complete loss of vision.

Unlike conjunctivitis, any keratitis leaves marks on the cornea. If, with a superficial form of the disease, they are practically invisible, then with a deep one, serious scars form, leading to varying degrees of vision loss.

Treatment of inflammation of the cornea of the eye

As for the treatment of keratitis, it depends entirely on the cause that caused it. Antiviral, antimicrobial and anti-fungal drugs may be prescribed, supplemented by diet.

In no case should the treatment be finished after the first signs of the disease disappear. This is a long and systematic process that takes months. Only in this way will it be possible to avoid the formation of scars and scars on the cornea, which lead to visual impairment. The decision to end therapy can only be made by an ophthalmologist.

Creeping corneal ulcer. Separately, it is worth highlighting such a disease as a creeping corneal ulcer. This is a severe disease of the lining of the cornea caused by pneumococci, streptococci and other pathogens. The disease develops sharply, a person suffers from severe photophobia, severe lacrimation, in the place where the infection penetrates, an infiltrate appears, which, after its decay, forms an ulcer. Treatment should be carried out under strict medical supervision with the identification of the agent that caused the pathological process in a hospital setting.

Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye

Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye is the most common ophthalmic problem. Doctors with inflammation of the mucous membrane of the organ of vision diagnose conjunctivitis. The reasons for the development of the disease can be very diverse: this is a metabolic disorder, and the penetration of allergens, viruses, bacteria, fungi into the conjunctiva, and malnutrition, and eye injuries, and inflammatory diseases of nearby organs, and vitamin deficiencies.

The disease can occur in both acute and chronic forms. Acute illness is caused by pathological agents - viruses, bacteria, fungi. Chronic inflammation of the mucous membrane develops against the background of a decrease in the body's immune forces, or with improper treatment of an acute infection.

What is characteristic of conjunctivitis of any origin is the similarity of symptoms. A person feels itching, burning, tingling and pain in the eyes, photophobia appears, and tearing increases. All these signs intensify in the evening. Discharge from the eyes will differ, they can be catarrhal or purulent, depending on the type of pathogen. Some conjunctivitis is characterized by the appearance of grayish films that are easily removed.

Treatment of inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye depends on the cause of its occurrence. First of all, it is necessary to eliminate the factor that provokes the development of the disease. In all cases, a long-term local antiseptic treatment is prescribed, if necessary, antibacterial drops, hormonal eye remedies, and specialized ointments are used. Treatment of inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye is a process that is extended over time and its mildest forms take place after only two weeks.

Inflammation of the eyes in a child

Inflammation of the eyes in children has some characteristics. Infants most often suffer from dacryocystitis. This pathology is characterized by complete obstruction of the lacrimal canal, or its significant narrowing.

There may be several reasons - this is the presence of an overlapping membrane, which does not completely dissolve by the time the baby is born or a stagnant gelatin plug.

Symptoms characteristic of dacryocystitis are increased lacrimation, which occurs when the child is at rest. Then the eye begins to turn red, and the process is most often one-sided. Stagnation of tears provokes the development of an infectious process and after an average of 10 days, the baby has purulent discharge from the eyes, which appears when the lacrimal sac is pressed.

Most often, this pathology disappears in children by six months and does not require surgical intervention. The doctor recommends a massage using a special technology, rinsing the eye with antiseptic solutions. If these measures do not help, the child is prescribed special drops with an antibacterial effect.

Older children often suffer from conjunctivitis through infection from other people. Babies who begin to attend kindergarten are especially susceptible to this disease.

Often, the eyes of small patients are exposed to various inflammatory processes as a result of external stimuli entering them. It can be bath, pool, light, dust inflammation.

Treatment is based on finding out the cause of the inflammation and eliminating the irritating factor. In no case should you rinse your eyes with saliva or breast milk, because in this way you can introduce an infection and aggravate the pathological process. Also, babies under one year old are contraindicated in antibacterial ointments based on antibiotics. It is better to use antiseptic solutions at a certain concentration. In any case, the treatment must be prescribed by a doctor. Self-medication is fraught with the fact that you can spoil the child's vision due to the immaturity of his visual apparatus. In addition to pharmacy products, after consulting a doctor, you can use herbal infusions, such as chamomile, to wash your eyes. It is always important to treat both eyes, regardless of whether the infection affects one or two organs of vision.

In case of eye burns, it is important to deliver the child to the ophthalmology department as soon as possible. Before that, you can drip adrenaline, apply a cotton pad and cover your eyes with a dark bandage on top.

A disease such as congenital glaucoma can be detected immediately after the birth of a child, or during the first year of life, which is due to an increase in intracranial pressure.

Tumors of the eye in children are found, but quite rare, however, and in childhood, they can be both benign and malignant.

Eye injuries most often occur in children at school age and can lead to serious consequences. Therefore, it is important to explain to children how to preserve their eyesight and stipulate the rules of safe behavior.

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How to treat eye inflammation?

Eye inflammation is treated depending on which area was affected and what caused the onset of the pathological process.

Therefore, we can consider the basic principles of treatment for the area of eye inflammation:

1. Therapy aimed at eliminating inflammation of the eyelids depends on the pathological factor that caused it. Processes such as abscess, barley, boil, phlegmon require oral antibiotics. It can be ampicillin, oxacillin and other drugs. Sulfamylanide drugs are also prescribed - biseptol or bactrim. The locally inflamed area is treated with various antiseptic solutions. Sometimes it is required to surgically open the abscesses. The pronounced effect comes from the imposition of eye ointments that have an antibacterial effect. For the treatment of blepharitis, local treatment with mercury ointment is carried out, and then tetracycline, furacilin, gentamicin and others. Shown are drops of sodium sulfacyl, "Sofradeks and others. For the treatment of molluscum contagiosum, scraping of the nodule is necessary, and then treatment with brilliant green. Impetigo is also treated topically, after surface treatment with salicylic alcohol, it must be lubricated with brilliant green or iodine. Shows the instillation of sodium sulfacil and the imposition of ointments - erythromycin or tetracyclic.
2. Corneal treatment depends on the pathogen causing the inflammation. For this, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal drugs are used in combination with eye treatment with antiseptic solutions, penicillin, furacillin, sodium sulfacil, etc. After the organ of vision is cleansed and disinfected, ointments are laid inside the eyelid - gentamicin, erythromycin and others. If local therapy was not effective enough and keratitis does not go away, then intravenous or intramuscular antibiotics are indicated. As for herpetic keratitis and creeping corneal ulcers, these conditions require treatment in a hospital setting.
3. Treatment for conjunctivitis, like other eye diseases, depends on what caused it. Antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral agents are also prescribed. If conjunctivitis becomes chronic, then long-term treatment with local preparations is indicated - solutions of antiseptics and antibacterial agents. In some cases, the use of hormonal drugs such as prednidozole or hydrocoritzone is recommended. In case of a complication of the disease with blepharitis, it is imperative to apply ointments with an antibacterial effect, for example, gentamicionic, tetracycline and others.

Most inflammatory eye diseases can be successfully prevented by following simple guidelines. Sometimes it is enough to stop wiping your eyes with a handkerchief and rub your eyes regularly. If a person is prone to frequent irritation of the conjunctiva and allergic reactions, then you need to rinse your eyes as often as possible with plain boiled water, saline or chamomile decoction.

Do not forget about glasses with dark glasses that can protect the organs of vision from burns.

You should not use eye drops on your own in order to prevent diseases. Such self-medication can lead to undesirable consequences in the form of vision loss and side effects.

It is advisable to visit an ophthalmologist once a year for a preventive examination of the organ of vision.

How to wash your eyes with inflammation?

For washing the eyes, both folk and pharmacy remedies are used, which have an antiseptic and antibacterial effect. One of the most effective solutions for rinsing the eyes is furacilin solution. You can cook it yourself, just dilute 2 tablets with 200 ml of boiled water and let them completely dissolve. With the help of such a solution, you can cope with conjunctivitis, scleritis, dacrocystitis, blepharitis in complex therapy. The remedy is also indicated when any foreign body gets into the eye, as well as when its mucous membrane is mechanically damaged.

Often it is recommended to use an infusion of chamomile for washing the eyes. It can also be used in the form of lotions, as it has an anti-inflammatory effect and helps to quickly and safely remove small foreign objects from the eyes.

Strongly brewed tea is an equally effective eye wash. It helps relieve inflammation and has an antiseptic effect.

When rinsing your eyes, it is important to remember these two rules: one tampon is used for one eye, the other for the other. Moreover, each of them must be sterile. The direction of movement is from the temple to the bridge of the nose, this will avoid the spread of infection to the inner layers of the eye, in particular to the cornea.

Eye drops and gels for inflammation

Eye drops have a local effect, affect the mucous membrane of the organ of vision, the cornea and surrounding tissues. They differ in composition and effect, so their use is possible only after consulting a doctor. To eliminate infectious inflammation, drugs such as sodium sulfacil, levomethicin, sulfapyridazine are most often prescribed. The term of their use and dosage is determined by the ophthalmologist.

To eliminate inflammation of the cornea of the eye, sodium sulfacil, dexamethasone, norsulfazole are used.

It is not always possible for children to use drops prescribed for adults. Therefore, to combat eye inflammation in a child, agents such as Atropine, Florax, Levomecitin, Albucid, syntomycin, Torbeks are used.

In order to remove redness from the eyes and moisturize the mucous membrane, the following drops are used: Vizin, Oftolik, Oksikal, Inoxa and others.

If eye inflammation is caused by an allergy, then in order to reduce the effect of the allergen, special antihistamine drops are used, these can be Ocumentin, Vizin, Naphtizin, Dexamethasone. It is important to note that the last drug, in addition to eliminating allergy symptoms, is able to relieve the organ of vision from non-suppurative inflammation that has developed as a result of injury or other mechanical irritation. Dexamethasone is often prescribed for people who have had eye surgery. However, it should be used with caution in women who are carrying a child, since the product contains hormones.

For very young children, at the age of 1 month, you can use such products as: Kromoglin and Hi-krom. Older children who have reached 4 years of age are prescribed Opantol, Allergodil, Lekrolin and others.

As prophylactic agents that improve vision and moisturize the mucous membranes of the eyes, Visomax, Oculist, Zorro and others are used. They nourish the cornea, relieve irritation and tension.

According to their action, eye drops can be divided into several large groups:

• Antibiotics - aminoglycosides, cephalosparins, glycopeptides, etc.
• Anibacterial synthetic drops - fluoroquinolones, sulfonamides.
• Antiseptic drops.
• Antiviral agents.
• Anti-fungal drops.
• Aniparasitic drops.

Ophthalmoferon can be attributed to combined drops that combine antiviral and immunomodulatory effects. Also, Aktipol and Oftan-Idu drops have antiviral effect.

Treatment of eye inflammation with folk remedies

To eliminate eye inflammation, you can use folk remedies. These include, first of all, chamomile. Eyes are washed with her infusion. For the same purpose, you can use tea leaves. To do this, cotton pads are moistened in it and applied to the organs of vision.

As a compress, you can use a decoction of yarrow, tea rose, bay leaf. Aloe leaves are popular. To do this, grind them, pour a glass of boiling water and let it brew, then you can rinse your eyes with this tool to relieve inflammation.

Folk remedies can be used as auxiliary methods of combating the disease. However, they cannot replace a full-fledged therapeutic course prescribed by a doctor.

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The author of the article: Degtyareva Marina Vitalievna, ophthalmologist, ophthalmologist