Cornea damage may occur due to the entry of foreign particles into the eye and gets penetrated in the corneal tissue. It can also be due to contact lens getting contaminated with bacteria and fungi that pass in the cornea. This results in cornea infection. These infections can produce corneal discharge, reduce visual clarity and may also erode cornea.
Causes of Cornea Infection
Cornea infections can be viral, bacterial, parasitic or fungal. These germs enter in the cornea through many ways. Following are some of the ways:
- Contact lenses — Lenses that are used for a long time even after the expired time recommended, can cause problem. Instead of using proper solutions, lenses should be washed or stored in plane water. All these result in infections of cornea. The most common infections are Acanthamoeba.
- Dust — Fungal or bacterial infections may arise due to the entry of dust in the eyes and accumulation of dust particles in the cornea.
- Accidental injury to the eye, metal pieces entering into the eyes of factory workers, wood particles in the eyes of carpenters, injury to the eye due to motor vehicular accidents, infection with microorganism’s on the road or coconut shells falling on the eye can cause fungal or bacterial corneal ulcers.
- Associated with other infections in surrounding area — It is mostly seen in people with AIDS, diabetes and other immuno-related conditions.
- Also associated with Leprosy. It results in decreased corneal sensations.
Symptoms of cornea infection
- Eye itching, burning and discharge
- Eye redness
- Watery eyes
- Impaired vision
- Eye pain
- Sensitivity to light
- White patch on the cornea
Treatment
- Treating corneal infections and ulcers depends on the cause.
- You should go for treatment as soon as possible in order to prevent more damage to the cornea.
- Usually treatment starts with antibiotics. It is very effective against bacteria.
- After identifying the cause, most specific antibiotic, anti fungal or antiviral eye drops are prescribed.
- In certain conditions, corticosteroid eye drops can be used to reduce the inflammation.
- Corneal transplantation helps to treat severe ulcers.
