| ss is a major health problem the world over. It is | | | | powder also provides some relief. Infection of cornea |
| estimated that there are approximately 50,000,000 | | | | may be a severe condition, which if left untreatedmay |
| blind persons in the world and another approximately | | | | cause complete blindness, hence it requires aggressive |
| 150,000,000 with diminished or impaired vision who are | | | | treatment. |
| unable to function effectively. The factors causing | | | | Fungal Infection |
| visual disability, are discussed briefly in this chapter. | | | | Injuries due to wooden stick or a thorn or vegetable |
| Eye Infections | | | | matter can cause fungal infection. This a corneal ulcer, |
| Allergic Conjunctivitis | | | | which is difficult to treat and needs a specialist's |
| It could be seasonal keratoconjunctivitis seen usually in | | | | intervention. |
| summer season. Patient has complaints of eye | | | | Viral Infection |
| discomfort and redness. It is treated with combination | | | | Trachoma is a contagious inflammation of eye caused |
| of anti-allergies and low dose of steroids. Another | | | | by Chlamydia trachomatis, which is not a true virus but |
| form of allergy is due to use of medication, for which | | | | resembles a virus in its properties. It develops slowly. |
| the use of drug should be stopped. | | | | Initially, the patients feels irritation in the eye with |
| Bacterial Infection | | | | redness. This may progress to the formation of small |
| Infection of eye membrane (conjunctivitis) and eyelids | | | | follicles and scarring of eye membrane. If cornea is |
| (blepharitis) occurs both in children and adults. It may | | | | involved, it may lead to blindness. |
| occur in a newborn baby (neonate) too. It is usually | | | | Epidemic kertoconjunctivitis is usually seen after rainy |
| caused due to poor hygiene. There may be discharge | | | | season and is caused by Adenovirus. It has no specific |
| from the eye. The eyelids may adhere to one another | | | | treatment. Herpes, a common viral infection, can also |
| and it may be difficult to open the eye. Sometimes a | | | | cause corneal ulceration. |
| boil may appear on the eyelash with pus in it (stye). In | | | | Treatment of Eye Infections |
| this case eyelash should be removed by a specialist | | | | The treatment of infection of the eye requires |
| followed with proper medication. Fomentation of the | | | | anti-microbial eye drops or ointments. |
| eyes with boiled water and a pinch of boric acid | | | | |