Blindness is a major health problem the world over. It is estimated that there are approximately 50,000,000 blind persons in the world and another approximately 150,000,000 with diminished or impaired vision who are unable to function effectively. The factors causing visual disability, are discussed briefly in this chapter.

Eye Infections

Allergic Conjunctivitis

It could be seasonal keratoconjunctivitis seen usually in summer season. Patient has complaints of eye discomfort and redness. It is treated with combination of anti-allergies and low dose of steroids. Another form of allergy is due to use of medication, for which the use of drug should be stopped.

Bacterial Infection

Infection of eye membrane (conjunctivitis) and eyelids (blepharitis) occurs both in children and adults. It may occur in a newborn baby (neonate) too. It is usually caused due to poor hygiene. There may be discharge from the eye. The eyelids may adhere to one another and it may be difficult to open the eye. Sometimes a boil may appear on the eyelash with pus in it (stye). In this case eyelash should be removed by a specialist followed with proper medication. Fomentation of the eyes with boiled water and a pinch of boric acid powder also provides some relief. Infection of cornea may be a severe condition, which if left untreated

may cause complete blindness, hence it requires aggressive treatment.

Fungal Infection

Injuries due to wooden stick or a thorn or vegetable matter can cause fungal infection. This a corneal ulcer, which is difficult to treat and needs a specialist’s intervention.

Viral Infection

Trachoma is a contagious inflammation of eye caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, which is not a true virus but resembles a virus in its properties. It develops slowly. Initially, the patients feels irritation in the eye with redness. This may progress to the formation of small follicles and scarring of eye membrane. If cornea is involved, it may lead to blindness.

Epidemic kertoconjunctivitis is usually seen after rainy season and is caused by Adenovirus. It has no specific treatment. Herpes, a common viral infection, can also cause corneal ulceration.

Treatment of Eye Infections

The treatment of infection of the eye requires anti-microbial eye drops or ointments.

Conjunctivitis Treatment Information

Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pinkeye. Pink eye is an inflammation or infection of the transparent membrane (conjunctiva) that lines your eyelid and part of your eyeball. The three main types of conjunctivitis are infectious, allergic and chemical.Your body’s allergies to pollen, cosmetics, animals or fabrics often bring on allergic conjunctivitis. And, irritants like air pollution, noxious fumes and chlorine in swimming pools may produce the chemical form.Newborns can be infected by bacteria in the birth canal. This condition is called ophthalmia neonatorum, and it must be treated immediately to preserve eyesight. Common symptoms of conjunctivitis are red watery eyes, inflamed inner eyelids, blurred vision, a scratchy feeling in the eyes and, sometimes, a puslike or watery discharge. Irritant or toxic conjunctivitis is irritable or painful when the infected eye is pointed far down or far up. Discharge and itch are usually absent. This is the only group in which severe pain may occur.Conjunctivitis requires medical attention. The treatment depends on the cause. Antihistamine allergy eyedrops or pills to help control the symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis. Cool compresses can be soothing for allergic conjunctivitis. Warm compresses can soothe your eyes, if you have a viral or bacterial conjunctivitis. To prevent infections caused by the keratitis, teach children to wash their hands often with warm water and soap. They should not share eye drops, tissues, makeup for the eyes, washcloths, towels, pillowcases or with others. Do not reuse handkerchiefs (using a tissue is best). Wash your hands after applying ointment or eye drops to the eye or the eye of your child. Antibiotic eyedrops or ointments will alleviate most forms of bacterial conjunctivitis, while antibiotic tablets are used for certain infections that originate elsewhere in the body.Conjunctivitis Treatment and Prevention Tips 1. Replace eye cosmetics regularly.2. Wash your hands often with soap and warm water. 3. Wash any discharge from your eyes twice a day using a fresh cotton ball 4. Avoid sharing common articles such as unwashed towels, cups, and glasses. 5. Wash your hands after applying the eye drops or o because they lower the seizure threshold and ntment to your eye or your child’s eye. 6. Do not use eye drops in a non-infected eye that were used for an infected one. 7. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications and antihistamines may be prescribed.

Conjunctivitis Information and Treatment

Conjunctivitis also called is pinkeye. Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the clear membrane that covers the white part of the eye and the centralsurface of the eyelids. There are three types or forms of conjunctivitis - irritant, allergic, and infective. Irritant conjunctivitis occurs when an irritant, such as chlorine, or an eyelash, gets into your eyes. Allergic conjunctivitis occurs when your eye comes into contact with an ‘allergen’. An allergen is a particular substance that makes your body’s immune system react abnormally, causing irritation and inflammation in the affected body part.In cases of allergic conjunctivitis, itchiness and tearing are familiar symptoms. Infective conjunctivitis can be caused by a virus, by bacteria or, in rare cases, by a sexually transmitted infection, such as Chlamydia, or gonorrhoea). The most common symptoms include reddening and watering of the eyes. Infection (redness) of the conjunctiva on one or both eyes should be apparent, but may be quite mild. Newborns can be infected by bacteria in the birth canal. This condition is called ophthalmia neonatorum. Ear infections also commonly occur in children who have bacterial conjunctivitis.Conjunctivitis is esteemed highly familiar in the United States. Estimately, 15% of the population will have an allergic conjunctivitis event at several time. Conjunctivitis requires medical attention. The appropriate treatment relys on the cause of the problem. Conjunctivitis sometimes requires medical attention. In more severe cases, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications and antihistamines may be prescribed. Some patients with persistent allergic conjunctivitis may also require topical steroid drops. Allergic conjunctivitis is treated with anti-inflammatory eye drops. Gently bathing the eye and lashes with cooled boiled water may help. Cool or warm compresses and acetaminophen or ibuprofen may make a child with pinkeye feel more cozy. Prevention is better than cure so, you should reserve your hands away from your eyes, thoroughly wash your hands before using eye drops and do not dispense towels, washcloths, cosmetics or eye drops with others. A person who has conjunctivitis and wearing touch lenses may extend your risk of getting conjunctivitis so avoid it. Avoiding contact with infected people, disinfection of household surfaces, and good hygienic practices can asist prevent the spread of infectious pink eye.

Allergies is the most common and probably the most complex cause for red eye symptoms. In general allergies are poorly understood, for example we can not fully explain or cure many allergy induced disorders such as asthma, rosacea or chronic urticaria.

We can be allergic to almost anything, for example some researchers believe Rosacea is caused by an allergy to microscopic mite (Demodex folliculorum) that lives in the hair follicle. Knowing that eyes also provide a broad surface area for the collection of any airborne allergens it would not be surprising that some hidden allergy may be responsible for the adverse reaction, as people may experience allergic reactions limited solely to ocular tissues.

Perennial allergic conjunctivitis may last throughout the year and although itching is the key symptom for diagnosing ocular allergy disorders it is often absent in allergic conjunctivitis. Some types of allergies, for example hay fever, make the eyes itchy, while others may merely produce a chronic redness. It’s not only invisible microscopic particles that are all around us and abnormal immune system that may cause red eye symptoms, hidden food allergies may also create an allergic reaction of the eyes with usual symptoms such as itchy or red eyes.

The first line treatment is identifying allergens and avoiding them. The most popular medicines used in ocular allergy treatment are artificial tear drops (such as systane, theratears or refresh endura) and Patanol which is a combination of anti histamine and mast cell stabiliser. People who do not respond well to first line treatment may be prescribed with Alrex, which is a corticosteroid approved by FDA for the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis. Long term use of corticosteroids have serious side effects such as elevated eye pressure or a possible development of cataract, therefore some specialists use Restasis (cyclosporin) for long term anti inflammatory effect, especially when dry eye symptoms are observed. A new possible trend in allergic eye inflammation treatment may be anti - immunoglobulin E medicine (such as Xolair), which is currently only approved for asthma.

Conjunctivitis Information and Treatment
by Juliet Cohen

Conjunctivitis also called is pinkeye. Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the clear membrane that covers the white part of the eye and the centralsurface of the eyelids. There are three types or forms of conjunctivitis - irritant, allergic, and infective. Irritant conjunctivitis occurs when an irritant, such as chlorine, or an eyelash, gets into your eyes. Allergic conjunctivitis occurs when your eye comes into contact with an ‘allergen’. An allergen is a particular substance that makes your body’s immune system react abnormally, causing irritation and inflammation in the affected body part.

In cases of allergic conjunctivitis, itchiness and tearing are familiar symptoms. Infective conjunctivitis can be caused by a virus, by bacteria or, in rare cases, by a sexually transmitted infection, such as Chlamydia, or gonorrhoea). The most common symptoms include reddening and watering of the eyes. Infection (redness) of the conjunctiva on one or both eyes should be apparent, but may be quite mild. Newborns can be infected by bacteria in the birth canal. This condition is called ophthalmia neonatorum. Ear infections also commonly occur in children who have bacterial conjunctivitis.

Conjunctivitis is esteemed highly familiar in the United States. Estimately, 15% of the population will have an allergic conjunctivitis event at several time. Conjunctivitis requires medical attention. The appropriate treatment relys on the cause of the problem. Conjunctivitis sometimes requires medical attention. In more severe cases, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications and antihistamines may be prescribed. Some patients with persistent allergic conjunctivitis may also require topical steroid drops. Allergic conjunctivitis is treated with anti-inflammatory eye drops. Gently bathing the eye and lashes with cooled boiled water may help.

Cool or warm compresses and acetaminophen or ibuprofen may make a child with pinkeye feel more cozy. Prevention is better than cure so, you should reserve your hands away from your eyes, thoroughly wash your hands before using eye drops and do not dispense towels, washcloths, cosmetics or eye drops with others. A person who has conjunctivitis and wearing touch lenses may extend your risk of getting conjunctivitis so avoid it. Avoiding contact with infected people, disinfection of household surfaces, and good hygienic practices can asist prevent the spread of infectious pink eye.