Chlamydia conjunctivitis

Inflammatory processes on the mucous membranes of the eyes can be caused by various pathogens. According to studies in ophthalmology, up to 30% of these infections occur in chlamydial conjunctivitis. Infection can occur in several ways. Most often, chlamydia is transmitted through oral-genital and ordinary sexual contacts. There are also cases of infection in the pool, through household and hygiene supplies.

Symptoms of chlamydial conjunctivitis

In the first 5-14 days after infection, there are no signs of pathology. After the expiration of the incubation period, typical clinical manifestations of ocular infection are observed:

• severe swelling of the mucous membranes and eye folds;
• secretion of a thick purulent secret;
• gluing of the eyelids, especially in the mornings;
• burning sensation, sensation of rubbing in eyes;
• lacrimation ;
• fear of bright light;
• the occurrence of pain when trying to focus the vision;
• reddening of soft tissues and mucous membranes.

The acute phase of the considered disease lasts up to 3 months. If the timely treatment does not deal with the inflammatory process, it will go into a chronic form.

Sluggish conjunctivitis is characterized by less severe symptoms:

• mucous thick discharge from the eyes;
• easy swelling of the eyelids and mucous membranes;
• periodic relapses of pathology.

A chronic variety of infection is difficult to diagnose even for an experienced ophthalmologist, careful laboratory testing will be required.

How to treat chlamydial conjunctivitis?

The complexity of the therapy of the described disease lies in the fact that chlamydia, being intracellular parasites, do not react to all groups of antibacterial drugs.

To treat such conjunctivitis, etiotropic antimicrobial medicines - macrolides , tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones, are suitable. However, you can not assign them at random, trying to pick up a tool with the widest possible spectrum of action. Before developing a therapeutic regimen, it is important to conduct an individual analysis of the sensitivity of chlamydia to each of the available antibiotics. Otherwise, pathogenic microorganisms will develop resistance to drugs.

Self-treatment of symptoms and consequences of chlamydial conjunctivitis can lead to a rapid transition of the acute phase into a chronic form, the spread of pathogens to other organs. Therefore, therapy should be performed only under the supervision of an ophthalmologist.