Fungal keratitis: signs, causes, therapy

Keratitis is a disease that occurs against the backdrop of inflammatory processes.The nature of its origin and development may be different, but the fungal form of the disease may be particularly difficult to diagnose and treat. Despite this, it has a number of characteristic features on which the disease can and is important to calculate in a timely manner.

Definition of disease

Keratitis of fungal nature (keratomycosis) - characterized by the presence of inflammatory processes disease, localized in the cornea of ​​the eye.The causative agents of the problem are parasitic fungi. In the absence of timely treatment, serious deterioration in the condition of the visual apparatus is possible, and in severe cases, blindness.

The risk group in this case consists of people of all ages who have weakened immunity, including after treatment with antibiotics.

The most common disease occurs in people living in rural areas and engaged in gardening. These categories need to undergo preventive examinations from an ophthalmologist.

Types and Classifications

Currently, there are two forms of fungal keratitis development: superficial and deep.Accordingly, the superficial type of disease affects only the upper layers of tissues, deep - internal.The deepest form can be considered the most dangerous, as it leaves scars and scars after itself even after qualitative treatment, and they, in turn, affect the functions of the visual apparatus.Thus, the disease can cause a severe decrease in the quality of vision.

Deep fungal keratitis

The most successful result of therapy can be expected only in the early stages of development of pathology.

Causes

Parasitic fungi that can become the causative agents of infection, there are now about seventy.They are found mainly in the soil (especially with an admixture of humus), decomposing plant residues and products. However, without special circumstances, it is practically impossible to catch fungi, for this, catalysts are needed.So, the factors that increase the risk of keratitis appearing are:

• Injuries and mechanical damage to the surface of the eyeball (especially during work directly with soil and plants);
• Foreign body on mucous membranes;
• Use of poor-quality or non-sterile contact lenses;
• Inflammatory processes (especially herpes nature);
• Inflammation of the conjunctiva (purulent and non-swollen);
• Surgical operations.

The highest risks can be with a deficit of immunity (this is facilitated by various disorders, taking antibiotics), as well as living in a tropical climate.

To prevent disease, it is very important to monitor the state of immunity and not to abuse antibiotics.

Symptoms

At first fungal keratitis rarely makes itself felt.A person may experience mild ailment, but there is practically no sign of progression of a disease of a similar nature while not detecting it.During the first few days, the sensation of a foreign body in the eye is also possible, then the following symptoms occur:

• Painful sensations (can occur periodically), burning and burning of the mucosa;
• Fear of light of any nature;
• Abundant lacrimation;
• Redness and swelling;
• Inability to open eyes (possible periodically);
• Mute and purulent discharge from the eyes;
• Blurred vision, loss of quality of the functions of the visual apparatus.

Any symptom of the listed can indicate the presence of pathology. Purulent discharge indicates the transition of the disease to a more severe stage.

Possible complications

Any inflammation (especially purulent) is treated quite uneasy.However, a complete lack of therapy can gradually deprive a person of vision.Keratomycosis without timely intervention penetrates deeper into the tissue and contributes to the appearance of scars that do not allow a person to see well.The most severe consequence for the patient may become a thorn in the eye and necrotic processes caused by bacteria that completely deprive the person of vision.

Complication of fungal keratitis - a thorn in the eye

Diagnostics

Sometimes for a precise diagnosis of an ophthalmologist, a visual examination and a conclusion obtained as a result of the patient's interview are sufficient.However, an analysis of the smear and scraping on the type of fungus is usually of no small importance. Often, the patient's treatment plan depends on its outcome. The doctor can also conduct a confocal tomography of the cornea and diagnostic keratoplasty.

Conducting optical confocal tomography of the cornea

In the process of medical examination, not only fungi, but also bacteria and viral infections that can hinder treatment can be detected.

Treatment

The main method of treating keratomycosis is usually medicated.In this case, therapy is often complex. This is due to the need to destroy not only the fungus-pathogens, but also to eliminate the factors of infection and accompanying infections.

Medicines

Antifungal agents in the form of ointments and eye drops are prescribed in accordance with the identified type of fungus.One of the most commonly prescribed drugs is Nystatin. With complex types of keratitis, oxomistin, fluconazole and Voriconazole can be used. With concomitant diseases - antimicrobial and antiviral drugs.

Oksolinovaya ointment fights with fungal keratitis

People's means

As an additional means of therapy, you can use traditional medicine recipes that involve the use of a variety of medicinal herbs.Among them, the most effective and safe:

• Enchantment.A teaspoon of grass should be filled with a glass of boiling water and boiled for two to three minutes, drain. Ready-made broth can be used as eye drops at night or used for making lotions and rinsing.

• Calendula.For ten grams of water, use a glass of boiling water and cook the mixture for five minutes. Then it should be insisted for three hours. Use a filtered and cooled decoction for washing.
• Honey.A few drops of honey dissolved in warm boiled water and used as a solution for instillation.

Recipes of traditional medicine should not be used as the main method of therapy. Their introduction into the course of treatment should be approved by the attending physician.

Surgically

Surgical treatment of fungal keratitis can be effective in the late stages of the disease in the absence of effectiveness from the use of medicines and at high risks of complications.In this case, under local anesthesia, ulcers are scraped and removed, keratoplasty and laser coagulation are performed. Often the procedure is accompanied by tissue washing with antiseptic.

Laser Coagulation Procedure

Prevention

The main method of prevention is compliance with safety regulations when working on land.It is recommended to wear rubber gloves and protect your eyes with special glasses. After performing the work, it is important to wash hands and face thoroughly.Also, the following measures will help prevent the occurrence of infection:

• Compliance with hygiene rules;
• Avoiding situations that can cause injuries and eye injuries;
• Avoiding the use of non-sterile ophthalmic ointments and drops;
• Passage of preventive examinations from an ophthalmologist and timely access to a doctor with the appearance of unpleasant symptoms.

To reduce the risk of infectious diseases of any type will help support and strengthen immunity.

Video

conclusions

Inflammation of the eye surface caused by various pathogenic fungi can be a great danger to the health of the visual apparatus and the human body as a whole.Especially if keratitis passes into the deep layers of the cornea. This can lead to a clouding of the lens, the development of early cataracts, glaucoma, retinal diseases. The diagnosis can be difficult due to the need to identify the type of fungus. However, preventive measures that are capable of minimizing the risk of infection can be quite easy.