Ophthalmology

Inflammation of the eye

What is an inflammation of the eye?

An inflammation of the eye can affect any part of the eye and therefore a distinction is made between different clinical pictures. Depending on the type of illness, there are a number of symptoms. Often, however, an inflammatory process in the eye is characterized by redness and itching or burning. In addition, the tissue around the eye swells.

The most common inflammation of the eye is conjunctivitis.

Are you afraid of conjunctivitis? For more information on this clinical picture, also read: Conjunctivitis

Accompanying symptoms with inflammation of the eye

The accompanying symptoms of eye inflammation are numerous and vary depending on the cause and location of the disease. The main symptoms are red and puffy eyes. The flow of tears is increased and the eyes may water permanently. Due to the inflammation, the eyes often secrete a watery or slimy secretion and as a result, the sick suffer from sticky eyelids, especially in the morning after waking up. The eyes burn or itch, you have a feeling of pressure in the eyes and you may feel more or less severe pain. Often, the inflammation in the eye also creates a foreign body sensation, as if one had something in the eye (like grains of sand).

Read more on the topic: Pus in the eye

Other signs of an eye infection can include swollen eyelids, sticky eyelashes and sensitivity to light. In the case of eyelid inflammation, it is also possible that the eyelashes fall out. A whitish clouding of the cornea and decreased vision are clear warning signals. In such cases, an ophthalmologist should be consulted immediately.

Watery eyes due to inflammation of the eye

Watery eyes are very common in inflammatory diseases of the eye and can be a symptom of conjunctivitis, corneal inflammation or eyelid inflammation, for example. But even with strong irritation from chemicals or smoke or with allergic processes (e.g. pollen allergy or animal hair allergy) the eye reacts with increased tear production. In some cases, watery eyes can also be an indication that the tears cannot drain properly. This is the case with misalignments of the songs or a narrowing of the draining tear ducts.

How do you recognize a narrowing of the efferent tear ducts? Learn more at: Clogged tear duct - symptoms and therapy

Reddened eyes

Eye infections are almost always accompanied by reddened eyes. As a result of the inflammatory process, the eye tissue is supplied with more blood, the vessels become wider and more permeable, causing the eye to turn red and swell. The reddening of the eyes then very often occurs with other symptoms such as pain, burning or watery eyes.

In addition to eye infections, there are also harmless causes of reddened eyes: for example, lack of sleep, dry air, solar radiation, air conditioning or long periods of sitting in front of the computer screen or television lead to eye irritation. The eye is overworked and the whites of the eyes are reddened.

How to get rid of reddened eyes: Reddened eyes - what helps?

Duration of inflammation in the eye

The duration of an eye infection depends on the type and course of the disease. Some inflammations, such as conjunctivitis, heal spontaneously within a few days, while others last longer and can even become chronic (e.g. uveitis).

The duration can be between a few days and several weeks, with chronic inflammation of the eye from a duration of illness of more than three weeks.

Causes of inflammation in the eye

The causes of eye infections are very diverse.

In most cases, an infection with bacteria, viruses or fungi is behind it. The most common bacterial pathogens include staphylococci, streptococci and pneumococci. Viruses, especially adenoviruses, cause highly contagious conjunctivitis in the eye.

The eye usually has a number of protective mechanisms that protect the visual apparatus. The blink reflex prevents foreign bodies or small dirt particles from entering the eye. The tear fluid also plays an important role in the defense against germs. Especially people with dry eyes have a reduced protective barrier, which means that pathogens can easily penetrate and trigger inflammation.

In addition to infectious causes, environmental influences also play an important role in the development of inflammatory processes in the eye. Above all, strong UV radiation (sunlight), dust or exhaust fumes irritate the eyes and overload them.

Chemical substances or allergic reactions, for example against pollen or animal hair, can also cause eye infections.

How to prevent infection and thus inflammation of the eye can be found in the following article: Infection of the eye

Which diseases cause inflammation in the eye?

In addition to other symptoms, some diseases also lead to inflammation in the eye.

These include above all rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Another condition associated with inflammation of the eyes is scleroderma. This is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly sees connective tissue as foreign and attacks it. The result is hardening and inflammation. The eyelids become stiff, can no longer be completely closed and dry out. Pathogens can penetrate more easily through dry eyes and lead to eye infections.

The accompanying inflammation in the eye usually manifests itself through dry and itchy eyes; this clinical picture is known as Sjogren's syndrome.

Dry eyes are harmless in most cases, but can also be an indication of diabetes mellitus. In diabetes, the body's sugar balance is disturbed and the blood sugar level rises, which means that sugar molecules can deposit on the blood vessels. This has serious consequences, especially in the fine vessels of the eye: the blood flow to the eye is disturbed, the eyes become inflamed and dry out.

Other diseases that are associated with inflammation of the eye are various viral and bacterial infections, such as influenza, mumps, measles or staphylococci.

You can read about the individual clinical pictures that have been explained here:

rheumatism
Scleroderma
Sjogren's syndrome
Diabetes mellitus
Infectious diseases

Inflammation of the eye - clinical pictures

Inflammation of the eye caused by a stye

A stye (hordeolum) is the result of a bacterial inflammation of the sebum and sweat glands on the eyelid. An eyelid inflammation is also called Blepharitis designated. A distinction is made between an inner stye (hordeolum internum), which forms on the inside of the eyelid, and an outer stye (hordeolum externum), which forms on the outer edge of the eyelid.

The cause of the development of a stye is almost always a purulent infection with bacteria that occur naturally on the skin and mucous membranes (mouth and throat) of humans (often Staphylococcus aureus).These normally harmless bacteria can get into the eye through the hands and lead to an inflammatory accumulation of pus (abscess) in the form of a stye.

A stye can be seen as a reddened small lump either inside or outside on the edge of the eyelid. The skin around the stye is swollen, tender, and painful.

The ophthalmologist makes the diagnosis of a stye by means of a visual diagnosis: an outer stye can be identified as such at first glance, whereas an inner hordeolum is only visible when the eyelid is folded outwards. A stye must not be squeezed out under any circumstances, as there is a risk that the bacteria will be squeezed into the bloodstream and the infection will spread.

In most cases, the stye heals spontaneously within a few days. This process can be accelerated by applying heat (for example by means of red light irradiation). If the course of the disease is complicated, it may be necessary for the doctor to prescribe antibiotic eye drops or oral antibiotics. A large stye may also be opened by the ophthalmologist so that the pus can drain away.

You can find further details on the disease "barley grain" at: Stye - what to do?

Conjunctivitis of the eye

The most common inflammatory disease of the eye is conjunctivitis (Conjunctivitis). In most cases, it is an infection with viruses or bacteria, whereas non-infectious conjunctivitis (due to toxic influences, other systemic diseases or allergies) is far less common.

Especially people who suffer from dry eyes or who wear contact lenses are particularly susceptible to conjunctivitis, as the irritation of the conjunctiva can promote a bacterial or viral infection. Viral conjunctivitis, in particular, caused by adenoviruses or herpes viruses, is extremely contagious.

You can also read at this point: Is conjunctivitis contagious?

The typical symptoms of conjunctivitis are red eyes, itching, a burning sensation in the eye and pressure, and a swollen conjunctiva. The infection causes the eyes to secrete more secretion and the eyes easily stick together. A foreign body sensation in the eye and photophobia are also characteristics of conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis can occur on one or both sides. The inflammation often spreads to the cornea; this clinical picture is known as keratoconjunctivitis.

Conjunctivitis does not have to be treated in every case and often heals spontaneously. Depending on the cause and course, treatment with antibiotics or antivirals (e.g. acyclovir) may be necessary in severe cases. Contact lens wearers should definitely avoid contact lenses and switch to glasses for the duration of the illness.

To make sure that you do not also have corneal inflammation, find out about this clinical picture: Inflammation of the cornea

Corneal inflammation of the eye

The cornea (Cornea) is the transparent foremost part of the eyeball and is made up of several superimposed layers of cells. Due to its curvature, the cornea mainly serves to refract the incident light, so that we can see clearly. If you have corneal inflammation (Keratitis) one or more layers of the cornea become inflamed, causing the cornea to become slightly cloudy at this point or even a small white spot can form.

There are many causes of corneal inflammation, but in most cases it is an infection with bacteria or viruses. Contact lens wearers in particular have an increased risk of developing corneal inflammation, as the contact lenses can be contaminated with germs. Contact lenses also provide the cornea with less oxygen, which makes it easier for infections to spread. Regular changes and thorough cleaning prior to insertion reduce the risk of illness.

Pain, reddened and watery eyes are signs of corneal inflammation. In addition, those affected feel a pronounced feeling of foreign bodies in the eye and are shy of light. In many cases, the infection spreads to surrounding structures and there is also inflammation of the conjunctiva (Keratoconcunctivitis), causing the eyes to water more often and to secrete a slimy secretion.

The treatment of keratitis depends on the cause: bacterial inflammation is treated with antibiotics, whereas antiviral drugs are used for viruses. Since corneal inflammation can be severe and, in the worst case, can cause permanent visual damage, it is important that you consult a doctor in good time and initiate treatment.

The most important information about the disease can be found at: Corneal inflammation

Inflammation of the iris on the eye

Inflammation of the iris is also called Uveitis designated. The inner eye skin, the vascular skin (Uvea), affected. The uvea consists of the iris (iris), the ciliary body muscle and the choroid (Choroid). With uveitis, any part of the uvea can be inflamed and accordingly a distinction is made between anterior, middle and posterior uveitis.

Common causes of uveitis are infection by viruses, bacteria or fungi. Autoimmune processes or an accompanying underlying disease can also lead to inflammation of the iris. In some cases, however, no trigger can be identified (idiopathic course of the disease).

Anti-inflammatory ointments (cortisone ointments) and eye drops are suitable for treatment. Treated uveitis heals after a few weeks and has a good prognosis. In severe cases, however, the inflammation can become chronic, which significantly increases the risk of complications (such as glaucoma or cataracts).

For the most relevant information about iris inflammation, check out the following articles:

Inflammation of the iris
Uveitis

Treatment of inflammation in the eye

The appropriate therapy for eye inflammation depends on the type and severity of the disease. The ophthalmologist makes the diagnosis and then decides whether and, if so, which treatment is necessary. In general, inflammation of the eye is treated locally with eye drops and ointments containing cortisone (i.e. anti-inflammatory). Systemic treatment is rarely appropriate.

If the inflammation is caused by a bacterial infection, eye drops or ointments containing antibiotics can be prescribed. For more severe courses, oral medication in the form of tablets may also be necessary. Viral infections, for example conjunctivitis, are usually only treated symptomatically. This means that the symptoms are relieved by eye drops and pain relieving medication, but the actual cause of the disease (the viruses) is not treated. In some cases (e.g. keratitis) the doctor may also prescribe antiviral medication such as acyclovir.

The antibacterial eye drops also include the drug dexa-gentamicin. This is available both as an eye drop and as an eye ointment. Read more about this under: Dexa-gentamicin eye drops

Contact lens wearers should temporarily not wear lenses during the illness, as this can prolong the duration of the illness.

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