INFECTIONS OF THE EYES

Eye infections are classified as:

● Conjunctivitis- inflammation or infection involving the conjunctiva.

● Keratitis- inflammation or infection involving the cornea;
● Keratoconjunctivitis- inflammation or infection involving both the conjunctiva
and the cornea.
- Ocular infections can be brought on by viruses or bacteria.

Bacterial Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye Conjunctivitis)

Mode of transmission Symptoms Treatment

Contact with eye and • eye irritation, Can be treated with

respiratory discharges, prescribed anti-biotics,
contaminated fingers or • reddening of the usually given topically as
fomites like clothing, facial coniunctiva eye drops or ointment.
tissues, eye makeup, eye
• swelling of the eyelids Example:
medications, and
ophthalmic instruments. Fluoroquinolones,
• watery to mucopurulent
Tobramycin, Genta-micin,
discharge Bacitracin ointment etc,

• sensitivity to light
(photophobia).

Keratitis

Mode of transmission Symptoms Treatment

It can be transmitted • Red eye. Bacterial keratitis can be

through contact with treated with antibiotics.
infectious substances, • Eye pain. Though not all forms of it
infection spreading to the can react the same way,
eye, or contact with an • Sensitivity to light. example is Acanthamoeba
open sore from herpes keratitis can sometimes be
• Watery eyes.
before touc-hing the eye antibiotic-resistant.
area. • Blurred vision Antivirals may also be
prescribed
• Decrease in vision.

Keratoconjunctivitis

Mode of transmission Symptoms Treatment

Modes of transmission are • Itchy eyes, Treatment may vary

mainly through hand to eye depending on the type but
contact, ocular secretions, • Watery eyes eye drops,
respiratory droplets, and
• Swollen eyelids lubricating ointment, topical
contact
(blepharitis). or oral products that
contain antihistamines,
• Sensitivity to light.
cold compresses over your
• Discharge from eyes. eyes may ease symptoms.

• Blurry vision that may

come and go.

Etiologic Agents of Bacterial Infections

Haemophilus influenzae biogroup aegyptius

(Koch-Weeks bacillus)
 ● Gram-negative coccobacillus.
● Mechanical transmission through gnats is its suspected mode of transmission.
● Its virulence is due to pili which functions for attachment.
● It is associated with epidemics of acute purulent conjunctivitis which commonly
occurs during summer months.
● causes conjunctivitis

Streptococcus pneumoniae

● Gram-positive diplococci and encapsulated.

● One side of the bacteria is pointed or lancet shaped.
● The reservoir for pneumococci is the nasopharynx of asymptomatic humans.
● The virulence can be attributed to adhesins on its surface, capsule, toxin
pneumolysin, and IgA protease.
● Direct contact with respiratory droplets is the primary method by which people
transmit S. pneumoniae to other people.
● Causes conjunctivitis and keratitis.

Staphylococcus aureus

● Gram-positive cocci
● Usually arranged individually, in pairs, short chains, or in grape-like clusters.
● It is found in the skin and nasopharynx of humans.
● It produces enzymes and toxins responsible for its invasiveness and
pathogenicity.
● It can be transmitted by coughing or sneezing, which releases contaminated
droplets, direct contact with an infected person, or contaminated items.
● Treatment for it can be beta-lactam antibiotics like penicillin, with oxacillin being
the only penicillin-derived antibiotic that remains active against the S. aureus.
● Causes conjunctivitis and keratitis.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

● Gram-negative bacilli, arranged in pairs, and are encapsulated.

● Can be spread to people in healthcare settings when they are exposed to water
or soil that is contaminated with these germs.
 ● It is resistant to most antibiotics hence culture, sensitivity, and preventive
measures must be done.
● Causes keratitis

Chlamydia trachomatis

● They are classified as obligate intracellular parasites because it does not

produce its own AT and is dependent on its host.
● It can cause conjunctivitis, inclusion conjunctivitis, and trachoma (chronic
keratoconjunctivitis).
● Conjunctivitis caused by it is usually acquired through swimming in
non-chlorinated or poorly-chlorinated pool waters. While in adults, it can be a
result of transfer of the organisms from genitals to the eye.
● Inclusion conjunctivitis is an infection in newborns that can be acquired upon
passage through the infected birth canal.
● While in adults, it is usually associated with genital infections.
● Trachoma is a chronic keratoconjunctivitis caused by serotypes A, B, Ba, and C.
It is a leading cause of preventable blindness.
● Trachoma can be transmitted through eye-to-eye droplet, fomites, eye-seeking
flies, and feces and respiratory droplets.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonococcus)

● It is a common cause of sexually transmitted diseases.

● It can cause a neonatal infection known as ophthalmia neonatorum, which is
acquired upon passage through an infected birth canal.
● In adults, it is transmitted by finger-to-eye contact with infectious genital
secretions.
● If untreated the infection may cause corneal ulceration, perforation, and
blindness.
● It can be prevented by 1% tetracycline eye ointments etc.

Etiologic Agents of Viral Infections

Adenoviruses

● Double stranded DNA viruses

 ● They are latent in the adenoids and tonsillar tissues and have affinity to mucous
epithelium of the conjunctiva.
● It is resistant to mild chlorination.
● Causes mild infection, "swimming pool" conjunctivitis, obtained from poorly
chlorinated pool waters.
● Causes severe infection, epidemic keratoconjunctivitis, which may present as
acute conjunctivitis and keratitis.

Enterovirus 70 and Coxsackie A24 virus

● Causes acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis, a highly contagious eye infection.

● The infection can be characterized by conjunctival congestion, vascular
dilatation, and onset of edema.
● There is no available treatment.

Herpes simplex virus

● Herpes simplex virus type 1 causes severe keratoconjunctivitis.

● Recurrences are common, which may present as dendritic keratitis and corneal
ulcers which can lead to blindness.
● It is the second leading cause of blindness in the United States.
● It can be treated with antivirals like aciclovir, taken as eye ointment, eye drops
or sometimes tablets and antiviral medicine with steroid eye drops to reduce
swelling.

Measles virus

● Conjunctivitis is only one of the classical manifestations of Rubeola (measles)

observed in children.
● Measles infections can harm the front or back of the eye, possibly causing
vision loss or blindness.
● Measles-diagnosed children should receive two 24-hour doses of vitamin A
supplements to restore low levels, prevent eye damage, and prevent blindness.

WHAT IS EAR INFECTION?

 ● refers to the inflammation or infection of the ear, commonly affecting the middle
ear (otitis media) or the outer ear (otitis externa).
● These infections can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi.

TYPES OF EAR INFECTION

OTITIS MEDIA (MIDDLE EAR INFECTION)

● Caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and non typeable

Haemophilus influenzae
● Reservoir of these bacteria is the ADENOID PAD of the Nasopharynx (NP)
● Might experience Ear pain, Fluid drainage from the earn, hearing loss, and fever
● Treatment for this: Antibiotics for bacterial infections, pain relievers, and in some
cases, surgical intervention for chronic or severe cases.

OTITIS EXTERNA (OUTER EAR INFECTION)

● Caused by bacteria, called Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus

aureus
● Water exposure, excessive ear canal moisture, and breaks in the skin lining the
ear canal can create conditions favorable for bacterial growth and infection.
● Symptoms for this are ear pain, itching, redness and swelling of the ear canal,
discharge of clear or pus-like fluid.
● Treatment for this: Antibiotic ear drops, pain reliever, and keeping the ear dry.

SEROUS OTITIS MEDIA (SECRETORY OTITIS MEDIA)

● Occurs when acute otitis media has not completely resolved or allergies cause
blockage of the eustachian tube.
● Active infection symptoms such as redness, pain, and pus, are rare but typical
symptoms involve ear fullness, swallowing sounds, and hearing loss.
● It can be treated with decongestants for older children and adults and sometimes
drainage tubes in the ear.
ACUTE MASTOIDITIS

- Infection of the mastoid bone, a part of temporal bone located behind the ear
● Caused by bacterial infection, named streptococcus pneumoniae and
staphylococcus aureus.
● SYMPTOMS are the following: headache, fever, redness of the ear or behind the
ear, swelling, ear pain
● Prescribed TREATMENT for this are: Antibiotics (injection and taken by mouth),
Steroids
● But if prescribed medicine didn't work, they'll recommend surgery to remove the
infected bone.

VESTIBULAR NEURITIS

- Is the inflammation of the inner ear which also affects the vestibular nerve.
Involves nerve damage which results in dizziness, vertigo, and balance issues.
● Caused from a viral infection, includes herpes, (cold sores), influenza, or
autoimmune disease.
● SYMPTOMS: Severe dizziness, Loss of hearing (not in every case), Vertigo,
Nausea, Vision and balance issues
● TREATMENTS: Antivirals and drugs, Physical Treatment

HERPES ZOSTER OF THE EAR

- Also known as Ramsay Hunt syndrome. It's a complication of shingles.

● Caused by a viral infection, the varicella-zoster virus. That name might ring a bell
because it's the same virus that causes the common chickenpox virus.
● SYMPTOMS: Tinnitus, Fluid blister in the ear canal, Facial Weakness or
Paralysis, Rash, Ear pain
● TREATMENT: Antivirals, corticosteroids, pain reliever, possible medication to
relieve vertigo, anti-seizure medicine