Ophthalmology: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment of Eye Infections

The branch of medicine which is involved in diagnosing, prevention and treatment of infections which can affect the eye is known as ophthalmology. Eye infections are caused when harmful micro-organisms such as bacteria, viruses and fungi invade a part of the eyeball or surrounding tissues including the cornea and conjunctiva. A few of the major symptoms of eye infections are pain, blurry vision, itching, swelling around the eyes, swollen eyes, light sensitivity, dry eyes, watery eyes, eye discharge and red eyes. Some examples of bacterial, fungal and viral eye infection are pink eye or conjunctivitis, ocular herpes, fungal keratitis, acanthamoeba keratitis, trachoma and endophthalmitis. An eye infection can also affect the interior portions of lower and upper eyelids to create a chalazion or stye. Rubbing or popping a stye can cause a more serious infection known as orbital cellulitis. This book unravels the recent studies in the field of eye infections. The topics covered herein deal with the causes, symptoms and treatment of eye infections. This book will serve as a reference to a broad spectrum of readers.