Inflammation of the eyes

Eye infections are relatively common because the eye is constantly exposed to environmental stimuli such as germs, dust or bright light. The eye becomes inflamed when it can no longer adequately ward off such influences. Inflammation of the eye can be recognized by the fact that the eye is painful, burning, watery, itching, reddened or swollen. The eyelids can stick together due to the inflammation of the eyes and make it difficult to see.

This is how the eye protects itself from eye infections

The human eye normally has good protective mechanisms with which it defies harmful influences. As soon as foreign objects, for example dirt particles or dust, get close to the eyes, the eyelids close. In addition, the tear fluid ensures that the eye quickly washes out particles and foreign bodies, such as a mosquito or soot particles, that have entered. However, these protective mechanisms are not always sufficient to keep the eye healthy.

The conjunctiva and cornea are particularly at risk

Eye infections can have various causes. In many cases, infections with bacteria and viruses are behind it. Different parts of the eye can also be inflamed. For example, ophthalmologists differentiate between conjunctivitis , corneal inflammation , eyelid inflammation , dermis inflammation or eye flu . Inflammation of the conjunctiva, cornea and eyelid margins are the most common. They have the greatest contact with the environment and are most exposed to harmful factors. The eye inflammation can affect superficial layers or spread to deeper structures in the eye.

Inflammation of the eyes in children

Eye infections are particularly common in children, especially conjunctivitis. Children keep touching their faces with dirty hands, rubbing bacteria and other germs in their eyes. The bacterial inflammation in the eye causes the eye to suddenly swell and redden. The conjunctivitis in the eye is also a frequent companion of the common cold (flu-like infection) that often affects children. In this case, cold viruses are the culprit.

Overview of the most common eye infections

Conjunctivitis (conjunctivitis)

Conjunctivitis is the most common inflammatory disease of the eyes. Depending on the cause, ophthalmologists differentiate between infectious (bacteria, viruses) and non-infectious conjunctivitis in the eye (e.g. dust, drafts, allergies).

VIDEO: RED EYES - CONJUNCTIVITIS AND OTHER CAUSES

Siegfried Priglinger , Medical Director of the Eye Clinic at the Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich, explains in the video how conjunctivitis can occur, the causes of red eyes on the surface or inside of the eye and when you should see a doctor if you have red eyes .

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Inflammation of the cornea (keratitis)

Corneal inflammation is dangerous because it can affect vision. The causes can be infections with bacteria, viruses or fungi. Dry eyes, irritation and injuries from foreign bodies in the eye are also to blame for corneal inflammation.

Inflammation of the eyelid margin (blepharitis)

Blepharitis has inflamed eyelids. Red eyes are an alarm signal for eyelid inflammation. This inflammation on the eyelid is often caused by infection and impaired sebum production by the glands on the inside of the eyelids. If the inflammation of the glands in the eye blocks the so-called meibomian glands, a hailstone forms. The eye inflammation on the lower or upper eyelid becomes visible as a rough lump. A hailstone is not contagious. If, on the other hand, the glands on the edge of the eyelid are inflamed, a stye is formed . Bacteria are a common cause, which means that the stye is contagious.

Eye flu (epidemic keratoconjunctivitis)

In eye flu, a virus causes eye inflammation. The causes are so-called adenoviruses. The eye flu is extremely contagious. The viruses attack the conjunctiva, but also the cornea. Often the eye flu develops in the context of other infectious diseases, for example a cold or gastrointestinal disease. The eye flu particularly affects children and young adults.

Inflammation of the dermis (scleritis)

There are many other underlying diseases behind an inflammation of the dermis in the eye, for example the autoimmune disease rheumatism . The eye is very painful and bluish-red spots form in the white part of the eye. The inflammation of the dermis in the eye can cause permanent visual damage.

Eye inflammation - the symptoms are numerous

The symptoms of eye inflammation depend on the underlying cause, which area of ​​the eye is affected, and whether the inflammation affects deeper structures in the eye. Often, infections with viruses or bacteria are behind an eye infection.

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is the most common inflammatory disease of the eyes. Typical symptoms of conjunctivitis are:

• severely reddened eyes
• Burning or itching in the eyes
• the eyes water
• sticky and swollen eyelids from watery, slimy or purulent secretions, especially in the morning after waking up
• Sensation of a foreign body and scratching of the eye (like grains of sand), feeling of pressure

Conjunctivitis can be extremely contagious!
Always see your ophthalmologist if you experience these symptoms in your eye.

Corneal inflammation: bacteria, viruses and contact lenses as a danger

There are a variety of causes and risks factors for corneal inflammation. The most common are:

• Bacteria that enter the eye are the main causes of corneal inflammation. This form is also called bacterial keratitis. Examples of pathogens are streptococci, staphylococci or pneumococci.
• Viruses also attack the cornea. Often it is herpes viruses (herpes simplex viruses, varicella zoster viruses) or adenoviruses. The corneal inflammation can even cause permanent damage to the eye.
• More rarely, fungi are the cause of corneal inflammation. Examples are the yeast Candida albicans or Aspergillus. However, according to ophthalmologists, fungal infections of the cornea have increased significantly in recent years. Experts blame this, for example, on the excessive use of antibiotics.
• Contact lenses that you wear for too long, don't clean enough, or that don't fit properly damage the cornea. If bacteria penetrate this layer, corneal inflammation develops.
• Dry eyes are also a risk factor for corneal inflammation. The cornea is not sufficiently moistened with tear fluid and kept moist.
• If the eyelid does not close properly, for example after a stroke , the cornea dries out and can become inflamed.
• Foreign bodies in the eye irritate and injure the cornea.
• UV light damages the cornea if it is exposed to too high a dose, for example under the artificial sun (solarium) or at high altitudes in the mountains.
• Other underlying diseases, for example rheumatic diseases.
   

Inflammation of the eyelids: the cause is often impaired sebum production

The eyelid margin inflammation has many different causes. Sometimes several factors are at work at the same time. The most common reasons behind the eyelid inflammation are:

• The fat production of the sebum glands on the eyelid margin is disturbed. Inflammation of the eyelid is particularly common when the glands produce too much fat (seborrhea). It collects on the edge of the eyelid, sticks the eyelashes and finally blocks the sebum glands. If, for example, the so-called meibomian glands on the inner edge of the eyelids clog, a hailstone is created.
• Infections with bacteria, especially staphylococci (infectious blepharitis): If the glands on the edge of the eyelid are infected with staphylococci and become inflamed, a stye usually develops. Staphylococci are normal residents of the skin and also settle on the eyelid. If they penetrate the sebum glands, the sebum changes its composition - it becomes more and more viscous. Over time, it clogs the sebum glands and the sebum builds up.
• Other bacteria, viruses, fungi, mites or pubic lice are less likely to cause eyelid inflammation.
   

There are several factors thats influence the production of sebum by the glands and increase the risk of eyelid inflammation. This includes:

• normal aging processes
• Skin diseases such as neurodermatitis , rosacea or acne
• Hormones
• Medication
• Cosmetics and care products
• Environmental factors: dust, dry air, heating, air conditioning, wind, smoke, screen work, nutrition)
• Diseases such as rheumatism, thyroid disease, eye diseases or diabetes Diabetes mellitus
   

Eye flu: highly contagious adenoviruses as the cause

The cause of eye flu (epidemic keratoconjunctivitis) is adenoviruses. They are the leading cause of virus-related eye diseases. The adenoviruses attack the conjunctiva, but also the cornea. Adenoviruses are probably responsible for around 20 to 90 percent of all forms of conjunctivitis worldwide.

Adenoviruses are extremely resistant, survive for a very long time in the environment and trigger a wide variety of diseases. Usually they infect the eyes, respiratory tract, and gastrointestinal tract. The eye flu is mainly due to an infection with the adenovirus types 8, 19 and 37.

Eye flu can catch people of all ages, but children and young adults are particularly likely to get it. In Germany, ophthalmologists have registered a significant increase in the number of eye flu in recent years. There have been a number of outbreaks and even small epidemics, especially in community facilities such as schools, kindergartens or retirement homes.

Most often, people become infected with the adenoviruses through contaminated hands or objects to which the pathogens adhere (smear infection). When shaking hands, someone passes them on. Anyone who rubs their eyes with not washed hands will quickly catch the eye flu. Other sources of infection are door handles, tables, handrails, telephones, PC keyboards, but also towels, washcloths and pillows.

Dermatitis: Causes are other diseases

The cause of dermatitis often lies in other diseases. The following diseases can be associated with dermatitis:

• rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis
• chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
• gout
• Infectious diseases such as shingles , borreliosis or tuberculosis

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