Beware Rubbing your eyes can cause eye infection

Eye infection is an eye condition that is red and swollen and caused by microbiological agents such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi.

Conjunctivitis (pink or red eye) is the most frequent eye infection. This is inflammation of the conjunctiva and the inner surface of the eyelids, usually resulting from a viral or bacterial infection. Conjunctivitis can also occur due to allergic conditions.

• Viral conjunctivitis (related to the body's immune system): healing can be faster.

• Bacterial Conjunctivitis

  • Caused by bacteria, the inflammatory process is more aggressive because it can damage the cornea, which can threaten the occurrence of blindness.

  • Gonorrhea (GO) conjunctivitis caused by STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) often occurs in the eyes of newborns who are born spontaneously through intravaginal GO conjunctivitis also often infects the eyes of adults who often have sexual intercourse and are unhealthy or frequently change partners.

• Allergic Conjunctivitis

  • Keratitis is an eye infection that is serious to the cornea because it can result in blindness. Currently, keratitis (inflammation of the cornea) is often caused by poor use and care of contact lenses, which can increase the risk of corneal infection. Trauma to the eye due to dirty objects such as plants, stones, soil, and others can cause serious infections in the eye. eye.

  • Styes on the edges of the eyelids are also another form of infection that often occurs as a result of infection of the hair follicles in the eyelashes. They generally look like pimples or small boils. If the infection is more severe or widespread, then this condition is called blepharitis, or infection of the eyelids.

Symptoms of Eye Infection

Sufferers may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Red eye
• Discharge in the eyes (eyes watery, mucoid, may be included with blood and pus)
• Eyes uncomfortable
• The eyes feel like there is a foreign body.
• Eyes swelling or swelling in the area of the eye
• Eyes are difficult to open.
• Continuous itching
• Blurry vision

Is an infection in the eye dangerous?

• If left untreated, an infection in the eye can spread quickly and cause blindness if the damage from the infection is severe.
• If a serious infection in the eye spreads to the brain's nervous system, it can cause meningitis (an inflammatory brain infection), which can be life-threatening.

• If the infection threatens to occur, such as perforation in the eye, leakage of the contents of the eyeball, or rupture of the contents of the eyeball, then an eye specialist will perform a patch of the leaking layer (if still possible) up to surgery to remove the contents of the eyeball if the infection is so severe that it can be life-threatening.

How is the treatment? Can it be completely cured? Or repeat

• Sufferers and patients should immediately consult with an eye specialist to determine the cause of their eye infection so they can get advice and the best treatment. Treatment generally includes drug drops, eye ointment antibiotics, and oral antibiotics adjusted to the severity of the infection in the eye.
• If the infection is mild, it can be completely cured.
• If the infection is severe, if it heals, it can leave scar tissue, which can interfere with sharp vision up to blindness.

• Can repeat if she suffers an infection again.

How to Prevent Infections in the Eyes

• Wash hands before and after handling eyes or faces.

• Avoid using eye makeup on other people and pay attention to the expiration date of eye makeup (replace at least once every 6 months).

• Take good care of your contact lenses, and don't share contact lens equipment, containers, or washing liquid with other people.

• If you have an eye infection, avoid using eye make-up or wearing contact lenses until the infection is cured.

• Avoid sharing towels, sheets, pillows, or handkerchiefs.

• Prevent eye exposure to contaminated water.

• Use swimming goggles when swimming as eye protection.

If Hermina friends experience and feel the symptoms above with an intensity that is enough to interfere with their activities, immediately check your eye health at Hermina Pasteur Hospital.