Hello blueenergy,
I am pleased to be able to answer your first Google question!
Eye and eyelid infections can be bacterial, viral, fungal and even
parasitic. When prescribing how to treat an eye infection of any kind,
the opthamologist takes many factors into consideration, such as the
infectious agent, the severity of the infection, the location of the
infection, the age and condition of the patient and patient
compliance. Patient allergy must be considered as well. Even the
patient's insurance may affect the doctor's choice of treatment.
http://www.emedicine.com/oph/INFECTIOUS_DISEASE.htm
http://www.revoptom.com/handbook/SECT2D.HTM
The use of oral medication versus topical creams, ointments or drops
or a combination of more than one would depend on factors such as
severity of infection, age of patient, risk of antibiotic resistance,
and blood supply to the affected area. Ointments are a good choice for
treating styes because ointments cling to the eyelash, effectively
holding the treatment in place. Ointments are easier to apply than
drops, to small children, and melt from body heat, bathing the eye.
However, ointments are not recommended with contact lens use. Some
patients have difficulty applying eyedrops as well, and would prefer
an ointment. Some antibiotics need to be taken with food, or not taken
with dairy products. If the doctor thinks the patient may have
difficulty complying with dietary restrictions during the treatment
regimen, eye drops or ointment may be prescribed over oral medication
if appropriate.
http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/pa/pa_eyeinfec_hhg.htm
Antibiotics/antivirals taken by mouth are transported to the infected
area via the circulatory system. Should the infected area not receive
a good blood supply, then topical drops and/or ointments may be
prescribed. Diseases such as diabetes and glaucoma can cause
diminished blood flow and occlusions (blockages)to the eye and lid.
Our cornea, for example, the clear outer coating of the eye, does not
have its own blood supply. By blinking our eye, we bathe the cornea
with fresh tears, rewetting, reoxygenating and cleaning the cornea.
For a corneal infection, eye drops would usually be the delivery
method of choice. Eye drops may be prescribed as wetting agents, to
keep the eye comfortable, moist and healthy, or as an adjunct therapy
to the oral antibiotics. Steroid drops may be prescribed to relieve
inflammation. Anesthetic drops may be prescribed to numb pain.
http://www.stlukeseye.com/Conditions/Conjunctivitis.asp
Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelid, commonly seen by
opthamologists. Blepharitis is often caused by the staph organisms
that normally inhabit our skin. If the infection spreads to the
eyelashes, a sty can develop. If the sty is not severe, antibiotic
ointments can be applied to the lid. If the infection is severe
enough, oral antibiotics may be prescribed as well. Treating a
stubborn infection with oral and topical agents simutaneously is like
attacking the enemy (germs) from two fronts!
http://www.terencemendoza.co.uk/html/eyelids_and_tear-film.htm
http://www.terencemendoza.co.uk/html/eye_disease.htm
http://www.parentcenter.com/refcap/health/ills&inj/atoz/2026.html
http://www.ohiovalleyeye.com/eyeinfo_blepharitis.html
http://www.ohiovalleyeye.com/eyeinfo_dsgdia.html
http://www.prodigy.nhs.uk/TheBook/BookPDF/Admin/TheBookPDFFiles/Guidance/B/Blepharitis.pdf
Gonoccocal eye infection (Yes, gonorhea of the eye) warrants treatment
with oral antibiotics and ointment or drops
http://www.merck.com/pubs/mmanual/section8/chapter95/95b.htm
Trachoma, a leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide, caused
by an organism called chlamydia trachomatis, and is treated with oral
antibiotics, usually azithromycin.
http://www.emedicine.com/oph/topic118.htm
Herpes zoster, the virus that also brings us chicken pox, on the other
hand, is treated with oral antivirals and topical drops, ointments,
etc.
http://www.emedicine.com/oph/topic257.htm
Some severe infections are treated with intravitreal injections
(ouch!) or IV antibiotics:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=13129867&dopt=Abstract
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12963610&dopt=Abstract
http://www.uphs.upenn.edu/bugdrug/antibiotic_manual/ocular.htm
Other sources:
http://www.revoptom.com/handbook/hbhome.htm
http://www.merck.com/mrkshared/mmanual_home/sec20/222.jsp
http://www.djo.harvard.edu/meei/PI/iritis.html
http://www.prodigy.nhs.uk/guidance.asp?gt=Herpes%20simplex%20-%20ocular
Hope this anwers your question! If not, please ask for an answer
clarification, and I will be glad to further assist you!
Regards,
crabcakes-ga
Search terms:
ocular infections
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eyelid infections
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