Chlamydia Of The Eyes - Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

2023 Author: Riley Dean | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 09:15

Because of what chlamydia can affect the eyes

Content

1 General information about eye chlamydia
2 Types of disease
3 Reasons for the development of eye chlamydia
4 Signs of pathology
5 Diagnostics
6 Treatment of chlamydia in the eyes

6.1 Traditional methods of treatment
7 Forecast and prevention

Chlamydia of the eyes is one of the most dangerous diseases in which there is a risk of losing sight. The inflammation spreads very quickly throughout the entire organ of vision, therefore, when the first signs appear, it is necessary to consult a doctor. More than 1 billion people are infected with this bacterium. If untreated, the infection can touch any other organs and systems. About 30% of all cases of conjunctivitis are caused by paratochoma chlamydia.

General information about eye chlamydia

Chlamydial eyes

Chlamydiae are microorganisms in which the properties of viruses and bacteria are combined. They can parasitize for a long time in epithelial cells, being in a "sleeping" state.

Cylindrical epithelial cells are found on many mucous membranes, including the eyes. With a weakened immunity or with severe stress, microorganisms awaken and grow rapidly.

Often eye damage is a concomitant complication of an infection already present in the body. With damage to the organs of vision, manifestations from the genitourinary system may be completely absent. Infection can occur in an adult, regardless of gender. Occasionally, newborns and older children are infected.

Types of disease

Chlamydia in the eyes can cause the development of one or several pathologies at once:

Uveitis. In case of illness, the lesion affects the mucous membrane.
Trachoma. It is chronic. Chlamydia can be found in both the cornea and the conjunctiva. The disease is dangerous, if not treated, there is a high probability of blindness.
Paratrachoma. It differs from the previous version in that only the conjunctiva is involved in the inflammatory process. The rest of the deep layers are unaffected.
Meibomite. Infection occurs from sick animals. The disease affects the meibomian glands.

Sometimes doctors diagnose complex eye damage in conjunction with other organs. Depending on the localization of the infection, eyelids and connective tissues may be involved in the pathological process.

Chlamydia of the eye can be congenital and acquired. In the first case, infection occurs in the prenatal period, in the second - when passing through the birth canal. There is a high probability of the spread of pathology, which can cause pneumonia, rhinitis, otitis media and damage to the respiratory system.

The reasons for the development of eye chlamydia

The transmission of infection occurs through contact and household, when a person does not follow the basic rules of personal hygiene. Chlamydia can get on hands from urogenital secretions, infected people in public places. Especially in toilets, swimming pools, saunas. Infection can also occur through contact with infected animals and birds.

The specificity of chlamydial conjunctivitis is that it is possible to get infected in the absence of sexual intercourse. But the greatest risk is in people who have promiscuous sex. Sometimes eye damage becomes a prerequisite for checking the entire body for a hidden infection.

The risk group is:

Adults and children, if one of the family members is affected by chlamydia;
Medical staff who have contact with infected patients;
People who spend a lot of time in public places.

Signs of pathology

With chlamydia of the eye, symptoms depend on which part of the organ is affected. The incubation period lasts 5-14 days. In most cases, only one organ of vision is affected. In a chronic course, the symptoms are mild, but patients often complain of frequent conjunctivitis and blepharitis.

In the acute form, infiltration foci are formed on the mucous membrane and transitional folds. Severe swelling of the eyelids appears. Soreness is cutting in nature, combined with unbearable itching.

When chlamydia is affected, mucous or purulent discharge appears from the eyes. As the disease progresses, enlarged lymph nodes can be noted, which are located behind the ears.

With chlamydia in the eyes, the symptoms are not always immediately acute. At first, the patient may feel the usual discomfort in one eye, but after a few days, the discomfort appears in the other eye. Gradually, the mucous membrane acquires a red tint. unpleasant sensations appear in bright light and normal blinking.

With advanced stages, signs of an inflammatory reaction in the auditory tube may join. With the transition from the acute phase to the chronic, moderate edema of the eyelids and thickening of the conjunctival tissue are observed. Mucous discharge does not differ in large volumes, but it appears quite often.

Diagnostics

Chlamydia on the eyes is difficult to identify, since there are few specific signs. The infection is similar to other bacterial lesions. Therefore, it is advisable to carry out scraping for bacteriological research. Chlamydia trachomatis is also detected by cytological examination. With him, cells are stained according to Romanovsky. This makes it possible to establish the presence of intracellular inclusions.

Biomicroscopy of the eye

Biomicroscopy of the eye with a slit lamp is performed. The method reveals puffiness, the appearance of infiltrates and vasularization of the limbus. A fluorescein instillation test can be used, which reveals a violation of the integrity of the corneal epithelium. First, a special solution is introduced. The surface of the eye is examined using a blue slit lamp. The number of unpainted areas is counted.

The most labor-intensive and expensive is the cultural method. Results can be obtained not immediately, but after 48-52 hours. This method is effective if the scraping contains a minimum amount of pathogenic microorganisms.

Diagnostic tactics provides for a complete ophthalmological examination and consultation with a venereologist, urologist, gynecologist and some others.

Chlamydia treatment in the eyes

Often tetracycline antibiotics are prescribed for adults. They are not recommended for children, since they can lead to the development of other pathologies that disrupt the quality of life. Additionally, macrolides, fluoroquinolones can be used. Complex treatment is selected individually for each patient.

Doctors note that the use of local funds without systemic ones will not bring the desired result. Chlamydiae quickly adapt to light antibacterial drugs. Therefore, serious treatment is immediately prescribed.

Systemic medications are used for up to three weeks. Treatment for chlamydia of the eye includes the use of drugs based on doxycycline. If the disease is acute, then a two-week course is sufficient. In chronic pathologies, the effect lasts up to a month.

Chlamydia eye drops are used in addition to systemic treatments. They are introduced into the conjunctival sac. Ointments and gels are applied by application up to 6 times a day. After 2 weeks, the dosage is reduced.

Popular methods are:

Tetracycline, Erythromycin ointment;
Ciprofloxacin, Ofloxacin in the form of drops.

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Tetracycline ointment

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Erythromycin ointment

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Ciprofloxacin

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Ofloxacin

The use of systemic and topical antibiotics can cause allergic reactions. To reduce the risk of their occurrence, drugs are prescribed that relieve inflammation (hormones), which improve tissue trophism. If there are prerequisites for the reproduction of the fungus, then it is additionally advisable to use drugs based on nystatin.

Acute symptoms disappear in the second week after treatment. Doctors prescribe eye drops for chlamydia of the eyes in conjunction with antihistamines. They can not only reduce the risk of allergic reactions, but also reduce swelling.

You can speed up the healing process if:

Gently remove the mucus crusts after waking up in the morning;
As purulent discharge accumulates, remove it with sterile napkins;
Conduct a thorough eye toilet regularly.

Dry eye symptoms may occur during treatment. To eliminate the symptom, tear replacement therapy is used. To do this, 4 times a day for 6 months you need to drip Oftolik, Natural Tear, Systain Ultra.

Image: Oftolik

Image: Natural tear

Image: Systane Ultra

Traditional methods of treatment

Good results can be achieved if wormwood is consumed. For treatment, dry grass is taken, which is crushed into powder. You need to eat a pinch every 2 hours for 3 days. There are no breaks even at night. After that, for 4 days, the powder is drunk 5 times a day. The duration cannot be more than a week.

Echinacea can be taken to boost immunity. One large spoon is poured into 0.5 liters. boiling water. The broth is infused in a thermos for 12 hours. Drink should be 150 ml three times a day up to 30 minutes before meals.

Image: Wormwood

Image: Echinacea

You can make an infusion of plantain seeds. Two teaspoons are poured into a glass of boiling water. The mixture is infused for 30 minutes, filtered. The resulting broth can gently handle the eyelids.

Forecast and prevention

Healthy eyes

The criteria for the treatment to be effective are:

Signs of regression of symptoms;
Negative laboratory tests.

The latter are repeated every 2-4 weeks three times. The consequences of chlamydia of the eyes can be different. With rational therapy, complete recovery occurs. If the treatment is chosen incorrectly, then a recurrent course and blindness are possible.

Disease prevention includes the timely detection of urogenital chlamydia, the use of individual hygiene items. Eyes should be protected with special glasses when visiting the pool.