Endophthalmitis: A Vision-Threatening Infection
Endophthalmitis is a serious eye infection that inflames and infects the inner parts of the eye, especially the vitreous humor, a clear jelly-like substance. This infection is typically caused by bacteria or fungi entering the eye and can rapidly lead to vision loss.
Causes of Endophthalmitis
Eye surgery: The most common cause of endophthalmitis is post-operative infection following eye surgeries such as cataract surgery or retinal surgery.
Trauma: Eye injuries, such as corneal lacerations or penetrating eye injuries, can introduce bacteria or fungi into the eye, leading to endophthalmitis.
Spread of infection from other parts of the body: In some cases, infections from other parts of the body, like the sinuses or teeth, can spread to the eye.
Symptoms of Endophthalmitis
Symptoms of endophthalmitis usually appear rapidly and include:
Severe eye pain: The pain is often severe and constant and may be accompanied by light sensitivity.
Redness of the eye: The white part of the eye and the conjunctiva (the thin clear layer covering the white of the eye) become red and inflamed.
Blurred vision: Vision decreases rapidly and may be lost completely.
Changes in pupil appearance: The pupil may become enlarged or small and may not react to light.
Pus-like discharge: A pus-like discharge may come from the eye.
Complications of Endophthalmitis
If endophthalmitis is not diagnosed and treated promptly, it can lead to serious complications such as:
Complete vision loss: In severe cases, endophthalmitis can cause complete blindness.
Cataracts: The infection can cause cataracts to form.
Retinal detachment: The infection can cause the retina to detach from the back of the eye.
Diagnosing Endophthalmitis
Endophthalmitis is diagnosed based on symptoms, a comprehensive eye examination, and diagnostic tests such as:
Examining a sample of fluid from the eye: To identify the type of microorganism causing the infection.
Eye imaging: To assess the severity of the infection and examine any damage to the eye.
Treating Endophthalmitis
Treatment for endophthalmitis typically involves:
Antibiotics or antifungal medications: To kill the microorganism causing the infection.
Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove infected parts of the eye and drain pus.
Supportive care: Such as pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications.
Preventing Endophthalmitis
To prevent endophthalmitis, it is important to:
Sterilize medical equipment: All equipment used during eye surgery must be thoroughly sterilized.
Maintain good hygiene: After eye surgery, it is important to maintain good personal hygiene and avoid touching the eye.
Treat eye infections promptly: Any eye infection should be diagnosed and treated promptly.
Endophthalmitis is a medical emergency. If you experience any symptoms of endophthalmitis, seek immediate medical attention from an ophthalmologist. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent serious complications and vision loss.
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