In the body of every person, even perfectly he althy, there is staphylococcus aureus, which is dormant until a certain time. As soon as certain favorable conditions occur, these bacteria are activated and provoke the development of certain diseases. It should be noted that the elderly, as well as preschool children, infants and those who have severely reduced immunity, are primarily at risk. Most often, bacteria develop in the eyes. Staphylococcus on the epidermis in the area of the organs of vision spreads quite quickly. If left untreated, staphylococcus aureus can lead to complete loss of vision, and in severe cases, death is possible.
Development of disease
Staphylococcus can be found not only in adults, but even in newborns. It has been shown that pathogenicthe bacterium is constantly on the body, and only favorable conditions that provoke an increase in the number of bacteria can provoke a disease of the organs of vision. In the absence of adequate therapy, staphylococcus aureus continues to affect the visual apparatus, which often leads to damage to the organs of vision.
The state of the immune system affects the development of ocular staphylococcus aureus. Pathogens enter the eyes through wounds, damaged skin mucosa, unwashed hands, and bodily contact. Moreover, the carrier may not always have a staphylococcal infection. When pathogens enter the eyes, their active spread and reproduction begins. After some time, bacteria can significantly affect he althy areas of the organs of vision. This type of staphylococcus can be contracted by sneezing and sharing common household items.
Reasons
Main causes of staph eye infection:
- non-compliance with basic hygiene rules;
- eye injuries;
- chronic endocrine diseases;
- abuse of strong alcohol;
- prolonged use of vasodilators and antibiotics;
- preceding viral diseases;
- hypothermia.
Other factors
In case of injury or contact with the eyes of any foreign body, the disease will develop quite quickly. In some cases, immediate medical attention may be required. With inadequate treatment of staphylococcus in the eyes of golden and epiderm altype and neglected course of this condition, retinal hemorrhage may occur. Staphylococcus is a rather complex organism, characterized by resistance to various irritants. Therefore, the dishonesty of doctors and the use of non-sterile instruments become the cause of possible infection of a person directly in a medical facility.
Mechanism of disease transmission
The most common cause of eye staphylococcus is a weakened immune system that cannot fight bacteria. In addition, the bacteria that cause such a disease are very quickly transmitted by airborne droplets from a sick person to a he althy person. Infection often occurs when using a towel, as well as other household items belonging to the patient.
You can catch this eye disease through communication, close contact, and also when sneezing. Staphylococcus eyes can develop in a person with any chronic diseases, since in this case immunity is also significantly reduced. Often, staphylococcus develops in those who use antibiotics uncontrollably, neglect the rules of personal hygiene, or rub their eyes with dirty hands. By the way, any eye injury, even the most minor, as well as swimming in dirty water, prolonged use of vasoconstrictors, regular exposure to cold and various viral infections can also lead to the development of staphylococcus within the entire visual apparatus.
Symptoms
Newborns are most often affected by staph infections in the eyes. This happens for various reasons. In infants, Staphylococcus aureus in the eyes can occur due to weak immunity, babies can also be infected in a medical facility. Parents who are unaware of the infection can also be carriers of the disease.
A baby can become infected from a mother who was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection during pregnancy. Staphylococcus on human skin can live asymptomatically, manifesting itself only under certain factors. It is important not to miss the first symptoms in order to prevent the spread of the infection.
Conjunctivitis is the first sign confirming the presence of the disease. Its onset can be recognized by the following symptoms of staphylococcus in the eyes of a child and an adult:
- conjunctival hyperemia (redness);
- burning or itching;
- eye hypersensitivity to light, often painful;
- puffiness;
- sand feeling in eyes;
- after waking up, the eyes are "glued" from pus, crusts form.
With the spread of infection and inflammation to other parts of the eye, symptoms such as fatigue, headache, and in some cases fever may occur.
Diseases causing pathology
The following are diseases that affect the occurrence of this disease:
- Ciliary mite. In this case, the ciliary edge of the eyelids becomes inflamed, causing a certaindiscomfort. It is quite difficult to cure this disease by 100%, but it is possible by reducing the growth rate of your own eyelashes.
- Blepharitis is caused by a special type of staphylococcus aureus that quickly adapts to different temperatures, strong antiseptics, drying and exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Therapy is recommended to be performed at the initial stage, because otherwise blepharitis becomes acute, and the recovery process will be quite long. The patient's vision may deteriorate, which undoubtedly affects the performance and he alth status.
- Keratitis. There is inflammation of the cornea. The cause of the development of keratitis may be trauma. Mostly this pathology manifests itself in the form of manifestations of photophobia, turbidity, lacrimation, redness, blepharospasm, a decrease in the transparency of the cornea and soreness of the eyes. Keratitis may also be infectious.
- Dacreocystitis. The development of inflammation in the lacrimal sac is noted, it occurs due to an increase in the number of staphylococcus, as well as as a result of colds. The main symptoms of dacreocystitis are swelling and a feeling of bursting of the lacrimal sac, increased and causeless lacrimation, sharp pains near the inner eye, as well as fever and the release of pus or fluid when pressed.
- Endophthalmitis. In fact, this is an inflammatory process with the formation of pus that affects the vitreous body. It is worth noting that this is a rather dangerous pathology, which, without quality therapy, can lead to complete loss of vision. Endophthalmitis occurs inmainly due to eye injury and inflammatory processes, which are joined by a staphylococcal infection.
To keep your eyes he althy, you need to keep them clean and prevent harmful microorganisms from getting into them. But even if this disease appears, you should immediately choose the optimal treatment regimen and start therapy.
Diagnosis
Staffylococcal infection is the most common agent affecting the mucous membranes of the mouth and eyes. Only an experienced ophthalmologist can identify it and distinguish it from other types of bacteria in appearance.
The diagnostic methods chosen for the subsequent treatment of pathology caused by staphylococcal infection are selected by a specialist, taking into account the severity of manifestations:
- General tests - blood, urine, feces are standard for all types of illness. They are needed to detect an infection inside the body and determine the degree of its impact on the body.
- Bacterial cultures - discharge from the eyes, urine. Screening is a prerequisite for the correct selection of bacteriophages and antibiotics.
- A blood test for antibodies - carried out to determine the ability of the immune system to resist pathogenic bacteria.
- Specialized ophthalmological examinations - the degree of visual function impairment, the area of damage to the vascular wall, the depth of penetration of the infection inside (behind the eyeball along the nerve fiber and mucous membranes)shells, muscles).
Treatment
Staphylococcus affects people of all ages. Very often it occurs in newborns due to weak immunity. The causative agent of this disease is able to quickly spread around the entire perimeter of the visual apparatus in a short time, therefore, at the first signs, it is necessary to choose the right treatment as soon as possible. Without medical intervention, bacteria can cause permanent damage to the eyes.
The first symptom of Staphylococcus aureus epidermidis in an infant, child or adult can be conjunctivitis, which leads to swelling of the eyelids, burning, purulent discharge, lacrimation and photophobia. Without surgical treatment, the disease progresses very quickly. Symptoms such as weakness, headache and fatigue appear. Body temperature may rise slightly.
Staphylococcus aureus can be treated with topical remedies for eye infections and general restorative therapy. During illness, to reduce pain, it is necessary to use glasses with dark glasses that can protect the mucous membrane from wind and dust. Staphylococcus is resistant to antibiotics, so they are prescribed only when the infection provoked the development of concomitant diseases.
Antibacterial
It is necessary to start treatment of staphylococcus in the eyes with the use of drops and ointments, which contain broad-spectrum antibacterial agents:
- chloramphenicolointments and drops are effective against staphylococcus aureus;
- tetracycline ointment is used for infectious inflammation of the eye;
- drops and ointments with the addition of fluoroquinols quickly remove the symptoms of the disease, and are also used in the prevention of eye infections.
From inflammation
In order to quickly cure and relieve inflammation that occurs due to the spread of staphylococcus, you must use the following drugs:
- drops "Albucid";
- furatsilin solution;
- potassium permanganate.
Folk methods
Medications prescribed by a doctor are recommended to be combined with eye washes, which can be done up to six times a day. For eye baths, you can use medicinal herbs that can resist the microbe. This includes chamomile, calendula and St. John's wort. You can use tea leaves. During eyewash, hands must be clean and cotton swabs used for the procedure sterile.
Prevention
There are not so many precautionary measures against the introduction of pathogenic flora, and it is easy to get used to them. First of all, you need to observe your own hygiene:
- avoid multiple use of disposable wipes;
- have a separate clean towel for each family member;
- Wash your hands regularly and touch your eyes as little as possible.
In addition, hygiene should be observedwearing contact lenses. They must be changed in accordance with the instructions: every day, every month or once a quarter. Before putting on and taking off, thoroughly wash your hands with soap and dry with a clean towel. The lenses themselves should be washed and stored in a sterile solution, which should be replaced after each contact with the fingers or the ingress of debris, dirt.
