Symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis and methods of treating pathology

Which doctor should I contact?

If bacterial conjunctivitis occurs, you should consult an ophthalmologist . If it is not possible to get to a specialist, then you can contact a therapist or general practitioner. Self-medication can cause a number of complications.

Diagnostics

Initially, the doctor collects anamnesis and conducts an external examination of the patient. To carry out a more accurate diagnosis, a number of procedures are prescribed :

• a smear from the conjunctiva and its further examination under a microscope;
• eye examination using ;
• carrying out;
• ;
• general blood analysis.

How and with what is the disease treated?

Treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis in adults consists not only of eliminating symptoms, but also of addressing the cause of the disease. Therapy can be prescribed even before receiving the results of microscopy and bacterial examination.

Scheme

The treatment regimen for bacterial conjunctivitis involves the use of eye drops and ointments that contain an antibiotic. This treatment gives a positive effect quite quickly. However, to avoid relapses, you need to complete the full therapeutic course.

To eliminate sticky discharge, it is recommended to use an antiseptic solution or herbal infusions.

Therapy of acute and chronic forms

During treatment of acute bacterial conjunctivitis, do not apply an eye patch. Otherwise, it will prevent the contents from leaving the cavity, and the risk of infection entering the body also increases.

Treatment of the acute form of the disease lasts for 10-12 days.

After eliminating the symptoms of the pathology, repeated bacteriological control is carried out. The disease should be treated as early as possible; if the eyes become red within two days, you should consult a specialist.

To eliminate the chronic form of bacterial conjunctivitis, external drugs are used , which are selected by the doctor depending on the causes of the development of the pathology. To quickly eliminate redness, the drug Albucid is prescribed. It has an antimicrobial effect, but may cause a burning sensation.

Medications

To get rid of the disease, a number of effective drugs are used, consisting of drops, ointments, solutions and tablets. Let's take a closer look at them.

Drops

Levomycetin drops are prescribed for the treatment of conjunctivitis . This medicine affects a large number of bacteria. Sometimes, when using this drug, a burning sensation or increased watery eyes may occur. It is recommended to instill 1 drop 3-4 times a day.

Ointments

All ointments for external use are recommended to be used immediately before bedtime. In most cases, they have a disinfecting effect.

Table. The most effective ointments for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis.

Name	Indications	Contraindications
Erythromycin	An antibiotic that belongs to the group of macrolides. It has a bacteriostatic effect. The drug can be used to treat the mucous membrane in newborns.	History of jaundice, severe liver dysfunction, hypersensitivity to macrolides.
Tetracycline ointment	The advantage of the ointment is its low absorption. Used for various bacterial and purulent infections	Not recommended for use in children under 8 years of age.
Tobrex	The drug contains an antibiotic with a wide spectrum of effects. Used to treat infectious and inflammatory lesions of the eye	Not prescribed for the treatment of newborns.
Colbiocin	Colbiocin ointment contains Tetracycline, Sodium Colistimethate and Chloramphenicol. The medicine is effective in the fight against chlamydia, amoebas, rickettsia and spirochetes.	It is not used during pregnancy, and it is also not suitable for treating children under 8 years of age.
Eubetal	One of the most effective ointments for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis. It has antiallergic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. Contains:  tetracycline; chloramphenicol; betamethasone;  colistin.	Presence of a history of corneal disease, as well as high intracranial pressure. Some patients may experience hypersensitivity to the components of this drug.

Solutions

To treat bacterial conjunctivitis, it is recommended to wash the eyes with a solution of furatsilin or potassium permanganate. To carry out this procedure, wipe the eyelid soaked in the solution with a cotton pad. You need to blink until the solution gets under it, then just wash the shell.

You can prepare a solution of Furacilin according to the following scheme:

Have you washed your eyes with Furacilin solution?

1. 2 Furacilin tablets are crushed into powder. It is important that no third-party components get into it.
2. Take a glass of water for 2 tablets. It should have a temperature of up to 40-50 degrees.

3. The powder is mixed with water and stirred until completely dissolved. The finished medicine is filtered through sterile gauze.
4. The solution should be at room temperature. It must be used immediately; this medicine is not stored.

To wash the eyes, you can only use a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Otherwise, you may injure your eye. Take 2-3 crystals of potassium permanganate per 200 ml of warm water. The solution must be mixed well and filtered, and only then used.

If the manganese grains are poorly dissolved, you can get a burn to the mucous membrane.

In some cases, the use of a 1% solution of silver nitrate is prescribed. A few drops of the solution are instilled directly into the eye. After this procedure, there is no need to rinse the eye with saline solution.

Pills

Drug treatment is prescribed when the causative agents of bacterial conjunctivitis are or. With this form of the disease, the formation of follicles on the eye is observed, as well as the germination of blood vessels directly into the cornea.

Effective antibacterial tablets for the treatment of conjunctivitis:

Do you think the tablets are effective for bacterial conjunctivitis?

• Tetracycline . The composition contains components that allow you to quickly fight gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria;
• Tsiprolet . This is an effective remedy that copes with almost any type of bacteria. It begins to have a therapeutic effect only after absorption into the bloodstream;
• Amoxicillin . The drug was created specifically for the treatment of bacterial diseases. It should be taken only according to the regimen prescribed by the doctor;
• Clarithromycin . Belongs to the macrolide group of drugs. The medicine is quickly absorbed by the body and effectively affects the cause of the development of the bacterial type of conjunctivitis. Due to accumulation in the body, Clarithromycin has a long-term effect on the pathogen. However, this feature of the drug can cause vomiting, stomatitis and nausea;
• Ofloxacin . Allows you to eliminate about 99% of bacteria that provoke the inflammatory process of the mucous membrane. During the first week of taking the drug, you can completely get rid of the symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis.

Folk remedies

Folk remedies can be used to treat bacterial conjunctivitis. Before using them, you should consult your doctor, because such treatment will be effective only at the initial stage of the disease . They should be supplemented with traditional medicine. Let’s take a closer look at how and how to quickly cure the disease at home.

Self-medication is dangerous due to the transition of the disease to a chronic form and the development of a number of complications.

To treat bacterial conjunctivitis, lotions and compresses are made to relieve inflammation.

Table. Folk remedies for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis.

Title/photo	How to prepare and use
Lotions (from eyebright herb)	To prepare the lotion you will need 500 ml of water and 50 g of eyebright herb. The algorithm for preparing the medicine is as follows: Dry herbs are added to boiled water. The container with the medicine is closed with a lid and left for 3 hours. The resulting solution is filtered through gauze. Cotton pads should be soaked in the medicinal composition and applied to the eyes. The compress is held for 5 minutes. The solution will also be effective for washing the mucous membrane.
Compress (from marshmallow root)	The compress is prepared using marshmallow root. For 1 glass of water take 3 tbsp. l. finely ground root. It must be filled with water and left for 8 hours. The finished preparation is shaken and filtered. Gauze wipes are soaked in medicine and applied to the eyelids. It is recommended to hold the compress for 7-8 minutes.

In this case, therapy should be carried out only under the supervision of a specialist. It should include:

• washing the affected cavity;
• use of local drugs;
• use of systemic antibacterial drugs.

During treatment of conjunctivitis, it is prohibited to wear eye patches or contact lenses. The latter can only aggravate the situation, as they accumulate in themselves.

For inflammation of the mucous membrane, treatment can take place at home.

Prevention

Do you follow the rules of hygiene? Prevention of the development of conjunctivitis is to follow all the rules of hygiene. It is necessary to exclude contact with those objects that can become sources of infection.

Do not rub your eyes with your hands, and when working in smoky or dirty areas, you should use safety glasses.

When using contact lenses, you must especially carefully follow all recommendations for their storage.

Lens containers must be filled with fresh disinfectant solution daily.

Women are advised to choose only high-quality decorative cosmetics. To remove a speck of dust or an eyelash from your eye, you need to use only a clean cotton pad; doing this with your fingers is strictly prohibited.

Conclusion

Treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis should be comprehensive. The treatment regimen and specific medications are selected by the doctor depending on the severity of the lesions. During and after treatment, you must carefully follow all hygiene rules. Otherwise, re-infection and complications may develop.

Source: https://kakorel.com/bolezni/zabolevaniya-konyunktivy/konyunktivit/raznovidnosti/bakterialnyj/lechenie.html

Treatment methods for bacterial conjunctivitis

The most common form of inflammatory process affecting the mucous membrane of the eye (conjunctiva) is bacterial conjunctivitis. More common in children.

The essence of bacterial pathology

The term “conjunctivitis” refers to a certain type of inflammatory reaction that affects the mucous membrane of the organ of vision. The conjunctiva covers the anterior zone of the eyeball with a transition to the inner surface of the eyelids. The appearance of conjunctivitis is provoked by various types of pathogenic microorganisms that populate the mucous membrane of the eye from the very birth of a person.

The patient is able to detect signs of conjunctival damage on his own, but to clarify the correct diagnosis for prescribing treatment should be entrusted to a specialist. To prevent infection of the second eye and immediate environment, you must adhere to the following recommendations:

• use only your own hygiene items;
• avoid touching your eyes with your hands;
• minimize contact with healthy people.

The main reason for the development of bacterial conjunctivitis is associated with a weakening of local immunity, which leads to an imbalance between friendly and pathogenic microflora.

Causes of infection

In addition to a decrease in the body's defenses, a rapid increase in the pathogen population can be triggered by the following situations:

• frequent colds and viral diseases;
• foreign bodies getting on the surface of the conjunctiva;
• diseases of the ENT organs, infectious diseases of the skin;
• pathologies of the visual organs, structural defects or injuries;
• improper use of contact lenses;
• impaired outflow of tear fluid, dry eye syndrome.

Bacterial conjunctivitis is highly contagious, and infection can occur through household contact. Conjunctivitis is diagnosed even in newborns who become infected in utero from a sick mother. In adults, acute bacterial conjunctivitis is provoked by non-compliance with the rules for using contact lenses.

Signs

Symptoms of conjunctivitis develop rapidly. The inflammatory process first starts unilaterally, rapid progress leads to damage to both eyes. Just a few hours after direct infection, bacterial conjunctivitis signals a violent clinical picture:

• copious discharge of purulent exudate from the eyes with swelling of the eyelids and mucous membranes of the eye;
• sticking of the eyelids due to the appearance of crusts that prevent the opening of the organ;
• hyperemia of the conjunctiva with profuse hemorrhages;
• burning sensations, severe pain, sand in the eyes.

The acute form of the pathology can be accompanied by a sharp jump in body temperature, the appearance of headaches, the development of insomnia, and the formation of follicles on the mucous membrane of the eye. If at the initial stage of the disease the discharge from the eyes is watery, then after a day it becomes purulent, and the mucus looks like threads. The danger of this form of ophthalmia is the threat of developing keratitis of bacterial etiology.

Acute conjunctivitis should be treated immediately if even minor symptoms are detected. Therapy usually lasts 10-14 days, but self-medication is excluded.

Classification of bacterial pathology

Taking into account the rate of progression of the inflammatory process, eye disease can develop according to a certain scenario.

• The fulminant form of inflammation is characterized by pronounced symptoms. It manifests itself as severe swelling of the organs of vision, accompanied by copious purulent discharge, and threatens complications.
• Acute or subacute types of bacterial conjunctivitis are characterized by a slower progression of symptoms that occur suddenly. Timely treatment begins to promote the disappearance of signs of the disease after 2 weeks.
• With the chronic development of the disease, the symptoms are mild, but are constantly present. During a long course, phases of exacerbation are replaced by periods of remission with temporary relief of the condition.

Thanks to the production of tear fluid, the human eye is protected from environmental infection. Tear is intended to moisturize the mucous membrane and wash away pathogenic microflora from its surface. However, in newborns, the eye protection mechanism has not yet been formed, so the threat of conjunctivitis under the influence of external and internal factors is real.

Types of ophthalmia

Conjunctivae caused by staphylococcus or streptococcus have similar symptoms and similar treatment methods. Symptoms of staphylococcal conjunctivitis are more often diagnosed in children whose eyes the infection gets through dirty hands.

The pathology is characterized by signs of sharp hyperemia of the entire surface of the swollen conjunctiva with the separation of abundant mucopurulent secretion.

Inflammation first progresses in one eye, then the process covers the second organ of vision, developing in stages.

• At the stage of the acute process, the pronounced symptoms of itching and burning with an abundance of purulent discharge are disturbing.
• The transition of the disease to the chronic stage is indicated by a drop in the severity of symptoms (after a week) with the development of photophobia.

How to treat: the doctor prescribes antiseptic solutions for wiping the eyelids, washing the conjunctival sac, with strict adherence to the rules of personal hygiene. For eye drops for conjunctivitis, sodium sulfacyl and picloxidine are used. Apply antibiotic ointments (tetracycline, ofloxacin).

Gonococcal bacterial conjunctivitis

Gonococcal ophthalmia has been rarely reported recently. The cause of a serious illness with profuse purulent discharge and acute swelling of the eyelids due to the development of sexually transmitted gonorrhea. In the adult category of patients, the course of gonorrheal conjunctivitis is accompanied by serious complications (damage to the cornea); even complete loss of the organ of vision is not excluded.

Inflammation is especially difficult for newborns; infection is caused by the passage of an infected mother through the birth canal. The progression of gonoblennorrhea is accompanied by bleeding of the conjunctiva with the threat of complete loss of vision.

How to treat bacterial conjunctivitis:

• intramuscular injections of antibiotics (fluoroquinolones);
• washing the eyes with antibacterial solutions;
• instillation of anti-inflammatory drugs.

Treatment of gonoblennorrhea should be immediate with mandatory re-monitoring of the condition based on the results of bacteriological examination. Prevention of severe ophthalmia in newborns is performed with erythromycin drops. The mother of a sick baby will have to carefully monitor her own hygiene to avoid infection during the treatment of the child.

Pneumococcal conjunctivitis

This type of eye pathology is diagnosed in children; it rarely affects adults, mainly older people.

Symptoms of rapidly spreading and rapidly developing pneumococcal conjunctivitis can become the beginning of an epidemic.

To treat the pathology, drops are prescribed with the antibiotic to which the pathogen is sensitive, and ointments for night use. In case of eyelid perforation, treatment is performed by cauterizing the conjunctiva with lapis (silver nitrate in solution).

Rare types of bacterial conjunctivitis

The most common cause of bacterial conjunctivitis is concomitant diseases of the upper respiratory tract of an infectious nature. But there are other reasons for the development of ophthalmia.

• The appearance of the pseudomonas variant of the disease is associated with prolonged wearing of contact lenses, which are colonized by bacteria. Symptoms begin acutely with the presence of lacrimation and photophobia.
• Diphtheria conjunctivitis is also characterized by an acute onset with pronounced swelling of the eyes and bluish eyelids. The exudate contains white flakes, and an attempt to lift the eyelids causes a copious flow of purulent discharge.

The development of chlamydial conjunctivitis begins with the penetration of chlamydia into the body through the mucous membranes of the genital organs. This type of conjunctivitis is especially dangerous for pregnant women, as it threatens to infect the baby with the development of pneumonia.

Differences between viral and bacterial conjunctivitis

Treatment of any type of eye disease is carried out after confirmation of the correct diagnosis. Due to the similarity of symptoms, the bacterial form is often confused with infectious conjunctivitis. Therefore, for the correct prescription of medications, it is important to accurately determine the type of infectious agent. This can be done by analyzing indirect signs.

Viral pathology of the organs of vision	Bacterial type of inflammation
The causative agent of infection is viruses	The culprit of the problem is bacteria
The inflammation process usually develops gradually and affects the conjunctiva of only one eye	Signs of damage to the mucous membrane start in one eye with a rapid transition to the other
The disease begins with an increase in redness of the eye shell, accompanied by tearing	Symptoms of redness and tearing are minimal. A striking manifestation is an abundance of purulent discharge
Exudate from the eyes is transparent, although it may cause eyelashes to stick together.	Opaque mucus with an abundance of purulent secretion leads to sour eyes after sleep

Medical statistics report that almost 80% of inflammations of the eye membrane are of the viral type of ophthalmia. Delayed or inadequate treatment of viral conjunctivitis leads to the development of a bacterial form of inflammation.

How to treat a bacterial infection

The leading role in therapeutic measures belongs to local antibiotics (drops, ointments) of a bactericidal nature. To block the contagiousness of the disease, precautions should be taken, not forgetting the principles of personal hygiene.

Treatment regimen:

• At night, an antimicrobial ointment is placed under the eyelids;
• in the morning, sour eyes are cleaned of purulent mucus with an antiseptic;
• During the day, antibiotic drops are instilled every 2-4 hours.

The most modern method of treating bacterial conjunctivitis is the use of fluoroquinolone antibiotics. The highest effectiveness can be achieved with therapy with solutions of Ciprofloxacin, as well as Ofloxacin.

The combination drug Sofradex, which combines antibiotics with an anti-inflammatory agent, has gained well-deserved popularity. Among ointments, Tetracycline ointment has the best antibacterial effect.

Drops for bacterial conjunctivitis

Names of ophthalmic solution	Brief information about the drip form of medication with an antibiotic
Tobrex	The active substance tobramycin is characterized by a wide range of effects on the vital activity of many bacteria, including streptococci and staphylococci, diphtheria bacillus. The course of therapy lasts a week
Dancil	Drops based on ofloxacin (fluoroquinolone) demonstrate the strongest antimicrobial effect. Due to resistance to the composition of enzymes secreted by bacteria, antibiotic resistance does not develop
Levomycetin	The active substance of the drops is characterized by rapid absorption and blocks the synthesis of bacterial protein structures. Inexpensive drops should not be used for a long time, so as not to cause disruption of the hematopoietic function
Phloxal	A solution of a popular antibiotic from the fluoroquinolone group is effective 10 minutes after use. The therapeutic effect of drops, practically devoid of harmful effects, lasts up to 6 hours
Oftaquix	The active antibacterial substance levofloxacin can lead to the development of an allergic reaction. Drops have a list of side effects
Albucid	The drug from the sulfonamide line is characterized by a powerful bacteriostatic effect. The active substance helps suppress the growth and reproduction of bacteria, but without completely destroying them

Eye drops for children

Any type of bacterial eye disease without a professional approach to treatment can lead to adverse consequences. For the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis in children, the doctor selects medications approved for children and adjusts the dosage taking into account the child’s age and the severity of the eye infection.

How can you treat a child:

• Albucid eye drops 20% concentration;
• children over 2 years of age can have Levomycetin solution instilled into their eyes;
• Fucithalmic drops are used for a week, if there is no result, the drug is replaced with another;
• Children after one year of age are allowed Ciprofloxacin drops, starting with a loading dose every two hours;
• Vitabact drops are suitable for long-term treatment of symptoms of combined infection in newborns.

During treatment, one should not forget about the high contagiousness of bacterial conjunctivitis. If the organ of vision is affected in a small child, it is necessary to ensure that he does not rub his eyes with his hands, as this can worsen the course of the disease. An important point in the treatment of conjunctivitis in small and adult patients is washing the conjunctiva with antiseptics.

Source: https://BeregiZrenie.ru/konyuktivit/bakterialnyj-konyunktivit/

Bacterial conjunctivitis: causes, pathogens, drops, ointments

Bacterial conjunctivitis can develop when infected with bacteria such as Chlamydia trachomatis or Moraxella, so it is more logical to talk about this disease in the plural, since there are a lot of pathogens. The main feature of these pathogens is that they all produce pus and these bacteria are called pyogenic (that is, producing pus).

Bacterial conjunctivitis can be easily recognized by discharge from the eyes, which causes the eyelids to stick together. The discharge itself is most often a viscous substance of gray or yellowish color. Although discharge is not the main symptom of bacterial conjunctivitis.

Thus, a sensation of a foreign body may appear in the eye, or dryness in the eye and skin around it, which is also considered a symptom of bacterial conjunctivitis. In most cases, one eye is affected, although the infection can spread to the other.

What is bacterial conjunctivitis

Bacterial conjunctivitis of the eyes is an infectious-inflammatory lesion of the mucous membranes of the eye, resulting from damage to the conjunctiva by gram+ or gram-pathogenic or opportunistic flora.

For reference. Bacterial conjunctivitis is the most common type of infectious inflammation of the conjunctiva. According to statistics, about 70-75% of all eye inflammations are bacterial in nature.

Bacterial conjunctivitis rarely occurs in isolation. Most often, the disease is combined with infectious-inflammatory blepharitis and keratitis.

It should be noted that acute bacterial conjunctivitis and viral-bacterial conjunctivitis have a pronounced seasonality. Most cases of the disease are recorded in autumn and winter. The exception is countries with hot and humid climates, where outbreaks of conjunctivitis occur in the summer.

The leading causes of bacterial conjunctivitis are staphylococcal flora (aureus and epidermal). There are also conjunctivitis caused by:

• pneumococci,
• streptococci,
• Proteus,
• Moraxella,
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa,
• chlamydia,
• gonococcus, etc.

How is bacterial conjunctivitis transmitted?

• improper care of contact lenses (a common cause of the development of Pseudomonas aeruginosa); 
• getting contaminated water into the eyes when washing, bathing, etc.; 
• failure to comply with personal hygiene rules (using dirty or shared towels, rarely changing pillowcases, etc.); 
• the habit of not removing makeup from your eyes at night; 
• the patient has sinusitis, otitis, pathologies of the nasopharynx or skin, blepharitis, dry eye syndrome; 
• eye injuries; 
• getting foreign objects into the eyes; 
• infection during childbirth (gonococcal and chlamydial conjunctivitis of newborns).

Factors contributing to the development of bacterial conjunctivitis

The development of inflammation is promoted by:

• the patient has foci of chronic infection (especially: bacterial infections of the skin, chronic sinusitis, otitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, etc.);
• the patient has immunodeficiency conditions, endocrine pathologies, etc.;
• eye injuries;
• long-term wearing of contact lenses, subject to their improper use, storage, etc.;
• work in rooms with dry and hot air;
• frequent contact with dust;
• working with chemicals and other occupational hazards;
• long work at the computer;
• presence of dry eye syndrome;
• damage to the lacrimal canal, etc.

Classification of bacterial conjunctivitis

• acute, lasting less than four weeks;
• chronic, lasting more than a month.

The disease can also be classified according to the causative agent:

• staphylococcal conjunctivitis;
• pseudomonas conjunctivitis;
• chlamydial conjunctivitis;
• gonococcal;
• streptococcal;
• Proteaceae, etc.

Natural protective factors of the conjunctiva

Normally, a healthy conjunctiva of the eye is characterized by a high level of resistance to the development of inflammatory and infectious diseases.

Due to the high level of antibacterial activity of the tear fluid (it contains immunoglobulins, complement components, lactoferin, lysozyme and other natural defense factors), pathogenic microorganisms found on the surface of the mucosa are quickly destroyed.

How is typhoid fever diagnosed and treated?

Also, an important protective role is played by:

• eyelids that prevent pathogenic microorganisms from entering the eyes; 
• low temperature of the conjunctiva, creating unfavorable conditions for the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria.

In case of injury, dirty hands introducing a large number of bacteria into the eye, etc., the active release of macrophage and neutrophil cells into the tear fluid from the conjunctival vessels begins.

Due to this, pathogenic bacteria are destroyed, clinically manifested by the appearance of an inflammatory reaction (redness, swelling of the conjunctiva, eye pain and other symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis).

For reference. The pus that appears is an accumulation of dead neutrophils, macrophages, bacteria, etc.

In the vast majority of cases, bacterial conjunctivitis progresses favorably.

Attention! However, with inadequate or late treatment (especially with gonococcal, pseudomonas and chlamydial conjunctivitis), there is a high risk of developing keratitis and corneal ulcers. These complications can cause partial or complete loss of vision.

In this regard, treatment of bacterial eye conjunctivitis should begin as early as possible and be prescribed only by an ophthalmologist. Self-medication is unacceptable and can cause severe complications.

Bacterial conjunctivitis - symptoms

The first symptoms of inflammation of the mucous membrane are hyperemia (redness) of the conjunctiva, the appearance of itching and burning in the eye, pain in the affected eye, and photophobia. Often patients may be bothered by a “sensation of foreign bodies” in the eye. This is associated with inflammatory proliferation of the papillae and follicles of the eye.

For reference. At the beginning of the disease, severe lacrimation may occur. Pathological discharge from the eye can be serous in nature (transparent, mucous), but within 24 hours the discharge becomes purulent (viscous, sticky, yellowish-green).

Due to the viscous structure of purulent discharge, the most significant and indicative manifestations of bacterial conjunctivitis appear in adults and children:

• morning “gluing” of eyelids;
• the appearance of purulent streaks on the eyelids;
• the appearance of dried crusts on the eyelids;
• swelling of the eyelids.

With chronic conjunctivitis, there is a slow progression of symptoms and alternating periods of exacerbation of the disease and improvement of the patient's condition.

For reference. With chronic bacterial conjunctivitis, loss of eyelashes, the addition of chronic blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids), and the appearance of pustular rashes on the eyelids are often observed.

Patients are also concerned about the constant increased sensitivity of the eyes to sunlight, burning and dryness of the eye mucosa, pain in the eyes, dry eye syndrome, redness of the eyes, rapid eye fatigue when working, reading, etc., the appearance of dry crusts on the eyelashes in the morning.

Symptoms of gonoblenorea

In newborns, symptoms of gonococcal conjunctivitis appear on the second to fifth day after birth. In adults - within several days after the introduction of gonococci to the mucous membrane of the eye.

In this case, gonococcal bacterial conjunctivitis in a child is accompanied by damage to both eyes at once, and in adults the disease can affect only one eye (in the absence of timely treatment, inflammation of the second eye soon occurs).

A characteristic manifestation of the disease is the appearance of a purplish-bluish color and severe swelling of the eyelids, due to which the patient often cannot open his eyes.

Discharge from the eyes during gonoblenorrhea is initially serous-bloody and then purulent in nature (abundant, green, viscous discharge). There is a sharp swelling of the conjunctiva, its hyperemia, the appearance of hemorrhages, and bleeding of the mucous membranes of the eyes.

Attention! Gonococcal conjunctivitis is characterized by the rapid development of severe lesions of the cornea, the development of purulent infiltrates, ulcers, endophthalmitis, etc. These complications can lead to partial or complete loss of vision.

The development of bacterial conjunctivitis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa is accompanied by a rapid onset and rapid progression of inflammation. Patients are concerned about severe photophobia and sharp, cutting pain in the affected eye (inflammation is usually one-sided).

How and why tetanus is prevented

There is also pronounced swelling and sharp hyperemia of the eyelids and conjunctiva, the appearance of copious purulent discharge from the eye, crusts on the eyelashes, and “gluing of the eyelids.”

Attention. Without active specialized treatment, pseudomonas conjunctivitis can within a few days lead to the development of keratitis, corneal ulcers with subsequent perforation.

Unlike bacterial conjunctivitis, viral eye infections are rarely independent diseases. As a rule, viral conjunctivitis is observed against the background of influenza, measles, adenovirus infection, etc.

For reference. The main, most specific manifestation of bacterial conjunctivitis is the appearance of purulent discharge from the eyes, crusts and the symptom of morning “sticking together of the eyelids”.

Also, with viral conjunctivitis, profuse lacrimation and the appearance of inflammatory papillae and follicles on the mucous membrane are noted.

How to treat bacterial conjunctivitis in children and adults

All treatment of conjunctivitis should be prescribed exclusively by an ophthalmologist after examining the patient and identifying the cause of the inflammation. To clarify the bacterial microflora that caused the inflammation, cultures are carried out to clarify the sensitivity of bacteria to antibiotics.

Important. Treatment is prescribed taking into account the type of pathogen and its sensitivity to antimicrobial drugs.

During the daytime, it is preferable to use antibacterial drops. It is recommended to use antibacterial ointments at night, as they allow you to create a high concentration of antibacterial agents for a longer time.

• For empirical therapy, when the type of pathogen is unknown, it is preferable to use drops and ointments with fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin), macrolides (erythromycin), tetracyclines (tetracycline).
• For conjunctivitis of staphylococcal nature, the use of drops with tobramycin, gentamicin, and levofloxacin is effective.
• For the treatment of streptococcal conjunctivitis, in addition to the above drugs, drops with chloramphenicol can be prescribed.
• If necessary, according to indications, combination drugs with neomycin, dexamethasone and polymyxin B (Maxitrol, Neladex, Dexapol) or with tobramycin and dexamethasone (Tobradex) can be prescribed.

For reference. The frequency of use of drops and the duration of therapy depends on the severity of inflammation, the presence of complications and the nature of the pathogen. For moderate nonspecific conjunctivitis, drops can be used 4-6 times a day. For gonococcal conjunctivitis, drops can initially be prescribed every hour, and then up to six to eight times a day.

If necessary, antiallergic and anti-inflammatory drops can additionally be used (in case of severe swelling and irritation of the ocular conjunctiva).

For reference. For severe fulminant conjunctivitis, systemic antibiotics are used - ceftriaxone. Azithromycin, doxycycline, cefotaxime, ofloxacin, etc. can be used to treat gonoblenorrheal inflammation.

The choice of antibiotic depends on the patient's age and the severity of his condition.

Bacterial conjunctivitis - drops and ointments

• Dex-gentamicin (drops (K) and ointment (M) with aminoglycoside antibacterial gentamicin and the hormone dexamethasone); 
• Gentamicin sulfate 0.3% (K with gentamicin); 
• Brulamycin (ophthalmic K with aminoglycoside antibacterial medium tobramycin); 
• Tobrex (M with tobramycin); 
• Tsifran, Tsiloxan, Tsiprolet, Tsipromed (eye K with fluoroquinolone antibiotic ciprofloxacin); 
• Okacina, Lofoxa (K with fluoroquinolone antibiotic lomefloxacin); 
• Normaxa (K with fluoroquinolone antibiotic norfloxacin); 
• Tetracycline M; 
• Erythromycin M; 
• Floxal (M with fluoroquinolone antibiotic ofloxacin); 
• Oftocipro (M with ciprofloxacin); 
• Oriprima-P (a combination agent (C) with the polypeptide antibiotic polymyxin B and the broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent trimethoprim); 
• Colbiocin (a combined agent in the form of M and K with chloramphenicol, sodium colistimethate and tetracycline); 
• Sulfacetamide (antibacterial K with sulfacetamide); 
• Okomistin (antiseptic (K) with miramistin); 
• Garazona (a combined agent in the form of M and K with gentamicin and betamethasone); 
• Sofradexa (combined K with gramicidin, framycetin and dexamethasone).

For reference. All drops and ointments for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis must be prescribed by a doctor, taking into account the severity of the patient’s condition, his age, the pathogen, the presence of complications and individual contraindications.

Source: https://klinikanz.ru/bakterialnyj-konyunktivit/

Bacterial conjunctivitis - quick eye treatment for adults

Bacterial conjunctivitis is one of three types of damage to the ocular conjunctiva by pathogenic microflora.

If in the case of the viral type the root cause is considered to be damage to the eye by viruses, in case of allergic conjunctivitis the cause should be sought from an allergist, while bacterial damage to the eye is caused by the ingress of microbes that multiply quickly and cause severe discomfort to adults and children.

How to distinguish bacterial conjunctivitis from other types of disease? Is there a difference in treatment? What conditions are favorable for damage to the conjunctiva of the eye by various bacterial agents? Is it possible to avoid complications if there is purulent discharge from the eyes? Details in the article.

Physiology of the human eye

Nature has provided protective mechanisms for the body to eliminate negative consequences from contact with the environment. The eyes are no exception, given that they can be easily injured.

In addition to the eyelids and eyelashes, the eyeball is constantly moistened by a liquid called lacrimal and has the function of protecting against the penetration of the smallest elements (grains of sand, microbes, viruses) onto the cornea.

This is a special function of local immunity.

Tear fluid is formed in the lacrimal sacs and enters the surface of the eyeball through the canaliculi in a small or large volume, which depends on external circumstances.

This liquid itself is not ordinary water. It contains special substances - immunoglobulin and lactoferrin, which act as antiseptics and a protective barrier against microbes of different origins.

But circumstances arise that reduce the protective properties of tear fluid. Microbes, viruses and allergens quietly penetrate the mucous membrane of the eyes and begin to actively multiply, leading to the formation of inflammation and pus.

With conjunctivitis, it is the conjunctiva of the eye that is affected, the lacrimal canal is blocked and the natural antiseptic cannot fulfill its function in full. Pathogenic microflora, which surrounds a person at every step, freely settles on the conjunctiva and leads to serious illness.

Specifics of the bacterial form of conjunctivitis

This form of damage to the visual organ is the most complex and dangerous among the three forms of pathology, because there is a bacterial background that can quickly multiply and leave waste products on the mucous membrane.

Bacterial conjunctivitis is always accompanied by the formation of pus in a small or large volume.

A purulent mass fills the conjunctiva, comes out, and can stick together the eyelashes, making it difficult to open the eyes and see clearly.

Bacterial conjunctivitis in most cases affects both eyes at the same time, or very little time passes between inflammation in one and the other if treatment measures are not carried out in a timely manner.

Bacterial conjunctivitis is a form of complications after inflammation in the throat, nose, and ears, if these diseases become chronic or are not treated properly.

Staphylococcus, pneumococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, chlamydia and other classes of bacteria that cause ENT diseases can enter the conjunctiva and, due to reduced immunity, manifest themselves as purulent secretions.

Eye infection with bacterial conjunctivitis is relevant for newborns if the mother has one of the groups of bacteria in the birth canal, for example, chlamydia, staphylococcus. When passing through these paths, without having a protective film, as in the uterine cavity, the child gets an infection of the eyes, which manifests itself in the first days after birth.

If purulent discharge is not treated according to the correct regimen or therapy is not carried out until complete recovery, conjunctivitis becomes chronic, which can negatively affect vision if pathogenic agents penetrate the cornea.

Factors preceding bacterial conjunctivitis

The human body is naturally able to withstand any external circumstances and quickly recover if there is no reason that reduces internal vigilance and protection. Any pathological processes that lead to a failure in a single mechanism open a weak link for attack by pathogenic agents from the outside.

The eyes, unlike other organs, are the first to be exposed to this threat. Their protection, even with a good immune response, can be destroyed if the influence of the outside world is overly aggressive, for example, damage to the eyes from toxic gas, caustic smoke, or some object. With bacterial conjunctivitis, infection occurs for the following reasons:

• Frequent respiratory diseases (sinusitis, otitis media, tonsillitis, ARVI) are a source of bacteria that easily penetrate the eyes due to their close location to the source of inflammation. Without following the rules of hygiene, an adult or child transfers germs from the nose to the eyes or the infection penetrates through adjacent channels;
• Injury to the conjunctiva by an object or gas, which weakens the function of the protective film and allows bacteria to freely penetrate the damaged organ;
• Other eye diseases not associated with bacterial conjunctivitis provide fertile ground for bacteria. Dry eye syndrome, when there is not enough tear fluid to create a protective film. Blepharitis, cataracts, viral conjunctivitis and other pathological processes lead to weakened immunity in the organs of vision;
• Mother's illnesses that are not cured before pregnancy pose a threat to the newborn becoming infected during childbirth;
• Hypothermia also weakens the body’s defenses and creates conditions for bacterial conjunctivitis;
• Dermatitis on the face is a breeding ground for bacteria if the rules of hygiene and care for inflamed areas on the skin are not followed;
• Glasses and contacts can be a source of bacteria if proper use of eye instruments is not followed. Lenses must be removed and treated in a special solution, but glasses also require proper use. You should not use other people's items, because both lenses and glasses are individual products.

Any of the above reasons can lead to bacterial conjunctivitis, because pathogenic agents surround a person constantly and wait for the right moment to attack.

This eye disease is contagious, which creates a threat to your immediate environment if simple hygiene rules are neglected.

Manifestations of bacterial conjunctivitis

Based on the fact that ordinary people rarely know about the existence of several types of conjunctivitis, it is difficult to understand from the expressed symptoms that it is bacterial that has developed. But if you observe the clinical picture on the first day of infection, you will notice the following signs indicating the penetration of bacteria into the eyes:

1. The inflammatory process is rapid. No more than 48 hours pass from infection to the onset of symptoms;
2. The patient feels a burning sensation, pain, and the presence of a foreign object. Typically, complaints describe sand in the eyes and itching;
3. Swelling, redness, hemorrhages, discharge of purulent fluid. This secretion can accumulate in the corners of the eyes closer to the nose or completely fill the space of the conjunctiva, form dried crusts on the edges of the upper and lower eyelids, and glue eyelashes together. In a complex form of the disease, there is so much pus that the eyes open with difficulty and the conjunctiva between the eyelids may be pinched;
4. Possible increase in body temperature, headache, general malaise, as with other forms of infection of the body by pathogenic bacteria or viruses;
5. The bacterial form is confirmed by souring of the organs of vision after waking up, which indicates the activity of microbes. With viral and allergic conjunctivitis, such symptoms are absent, because the secretion does not have a sticky base.

You can independently understand that the eye is affected by bacteria and not a virus or that it is an allergic reaction if this is not the first time you have encountered the disease.

But you shouldn’t take risks and start treatment without consulting an ophthalmologist, because the principles of treating bacterial, viral or allergic conjunctivitis differ from each other, and incorrect actions can lead to complications and a longer course of the disease.

Fighting bacteria

Treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis, if correctly diagnosed by an ophthalmologist, takes 10–14 days, depending on the severity of the disease. The principles of therapy for adults and children are the same. The only exception is the choice of medications prescribed by the doctor according to the patient’s age.

To understand how to treat bacterial conjunctivitis in an adult or child, the doctor conducts an examination, examination using equipment and prescribes tests to confirm his assumptions.

In order not to select an antibiotic at random, it is better to identify the causative agent of conjunctivitis.

• Sometimes the selection of an antibiotic for the treatment of an eye disease is complicated by the patient’s allergic reaction to the active substance or additional ingredients of the drug. If the patient is not aware of a possible allergic reaction, the new medicine must be taken with caution to prevent the development of adverse symptoms;
• In addition to antibiotics in the form of eye drops, the doctor prescribes disinfection procedures using a furatsilin solution, which is prepared at home and used in both adults and young patients;
• To eliminate itching and swelling, antihistamines are prescribed in the form of tablets or drops for babies;
• At night, to eliminate the need for eye drops, antibiotic eye ointment is used at a certain interval. The action is long-lasting, which eliminates the possibility of protein synthesis of pathogenic agents;
• In more complex cases, it is possible to prescribe an eye wash procedure in a hospital setting to remove as much germs as possible.

Attention! Any eye patches with medicine or disinfectant solution are excluded so as not to create favorable conditions for the growth of bacteria and aggravation of the patient’s condition.

Sequence of procedures in the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis

The treatment regimen for the disease consists of several points, which are repeated daily until complete recovery:

1. Disinfect each eye with furatsilin solution, preparing it in advance according to the instructions included in the package with the drug. You will need a sterile napkin, which you can buy at a pharmacy or make yourself from a bandage. A separate swab for each eye to prevent infection if only one is affected. The possibility of infection is very high if you neglect to use different tampons. The liquid should be warm and not burn the surface of the eyelid and the mucous membrane of the eye;
2. After thoroughly cleaning both eyes, you need to instill drops prescribed by your doctor. Try not to let the tube dropper come into contact with the eye so that bacteria do not transfer to its surface and be transferred to the other eye. It is better to wipe the tip before performing manipulations on the second eye. The number of drops and approaches per day is determined by the attending physician;
3. Before going to bed, the drops are replaced with eye ointment, which, after thoroughly disinfecting the hands and the inflamed area, is placed in a thin layer behind the lower eyelid and distributed over the surface. It is advisable to close your eyes and remain in this position until the morning so that the antibiotic has maximum effect on the disease.

You cannot stop treatment when the first improvements appear, because residual forms of the pathogenic agent may be present in the eyes and after some time the conjunctivitis will return and may develop into a chronic form, which is much more difficult and longer to combat. There is a risk of developing bacterial keratitis (damage to the cornea by microbes).

The ophthalmologist always schedules a follow-up appointment with the patient to make sure that the treatment is correct and there is no reason for relapse.

Brief overview of drugs for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis

In most cases, a solution of furatsilin is prescribed as a disinfectant.

It can be replaced with plain boiled water or a decoction of herbs, which must be carefully strained before use so that particles do not get into the eye and cause deterioration.

Among traditional medicine recipes, baths with tea leaves are popular, in which tampons are moistened and the eyes are wiped from the temple to the nose.

Among antibiotic eye drops and ointments, the following drugs are widely used:

• Levomycetin;
• Albucid;
• Phloxal;
• Oftaquix;
• Tobrex;
• Sulfacyl Sodium (for children);
• Normax (for children);
• Tetracycline ointment;
• Erythromycin ointment.

The list of pharmaceuticals for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis is more diverse, but the choice should be made only together with your doctor and study the instructions for use in detail, especially the contraindications section, in order to avoid harm from the medicine.

Finally

Conjunctivitis, whether bacterial, viral or allergic, is a serious eye infection that can become a chronic problem and contribute to the development of other eye diseases if the correct measures are not taken to diagnose and treat the disease.

Source: https://zrenie.guru/konyunktivit-bakterialnyy