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2023 Author: Alfred Shackley | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 13:14
There are many diseases that can affect the conjunctiva of the eye. Inflammatory processes can be due to various reasons. One of the varieties of diseases of this part of the organ of vision is follicular conjunctivitis, which is an inflammatory process of viral, fungal or bacterial origin.
The onset and course of the disease
The development of the disease begins with inflammation of the lymphatic follicles located on the eyelid, and the conjunctiva. Follicles are formed in the conjunctival sac - in its lower part.
Follicular conjunctivitis can develop against the background of age-related changes in adenoid tissue.
The disease begins its onset when the conjunctiva of the third century is irritated by various substances or under the influence of pathogenic microorganisms.
According to the researchers of this problem, the main factor in the onset of the disease is the loss of resistance by the eye tissues to various kinds of stimuli. Research also shows that the etiology of the disease can be viral, fungal or bacterial.
Often human follicular conjunctivitis develops against the background of the adenoviral form of the disease. The ailment can intensify in the presence of colds. They are also one of the factors that increase the risk of developing follicular conjunctivitis.
Most often, the disease makes itself felt in the fall and spring.
It should be remembered that the causative agent of the disease can be transmitted by airborne droplets, and children are often infected with it. They, by the way, experience follicular conjunctivitis easier and faster than adults.
Visually, one can notice the appearance of small infiltrates under the Bowman's layer of the cornea, the number of which is rapidly growing during several days of the course of the disease. Over time, the infiltrates move to the peripheral, as well as the middle part of the cornea.
These rashes contribute to the deterioration of vision, since they obstruct the view. When the disease is treated, the infiltrates gradually recede, and the visual acuity is restored.
In the active phase, the disease lasts about 3 weeks. Next comes the recovery phase. In general, the duration of the disease can be several months (about 2-3 months).
Symptoms of the disease
Human follicular conjunctivitis has many signs in common with other forms of the disease. However, some symptoms will help distinguish this particular type of conjunctival inflammation from others.
Here are the signs that accompany the disease:
- The main symptom is the presence of infiltrates resembling papillae located on the eyelids. They have a grayish tinge, which gives them the contents of the rash. As a rule, these rashes are not located outside or are present on the outer part of the eyelid in small quantities, nevertheless they can be found;
- Redness. As a rule, this symptom is pronounced;
- Swelling of the eyelids. In some cases, follicular conjunctivitis is accompanied by severe swelling, but there are exceptions;
- Lachrymation. This symptom is also pronounced, and often it is supplemented, and also intensified by photophobia;
- Purulent discharge, worse at night;
- Blepharospasm is a characteristic sign of follicular conjunctivitis. This phenomenon means a constant desire to close your eyes.
With the disease, minor symptoms can also be observed:
- Headache;
- Increased body temperature, chills;
- Sore throat;
- Cough;
- General weakness;
- Runny nose.
Even if at the beginning of the development of the disease the infiltrates are not species, which is often due to the fact that they usually "hide" behind the visible part of the eyelid, the rash is felt by the patient - he has a feeling of a foreign body in the eye, a feeling of cramps.
Despite the severity of the symptoms, provided that adequate treatment is carried out, consequences such as the appearance of scars, decreased vision, pathological changes in the eye tissues are usually not observed after the disease.
Timely fight against the disease is a guarantee that it will disappear quickly, the main thing is to establish and eliminate its pathogen.
Causes of the disease
There are several categories of follicular conjunctivitis provocateurs.
It can be bacteria that are transmitted by contact and household, and these include:
- Pneumococci;
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa;
- Streptococci;
- Staphylococci;
- Escherichia coli;
- Klebsiella;
- Tuberculous bacteria;
- Proteus.
Viruses are transmitted in the same way:
- Herpes (simple or shingles);
- Chicken pox;
- Enteroviruses;
- Measles.
Fungi can provoke follicular conjunctivitis:
- Yeast-like;
- Moldy;
- Actinomycetes.
The cause of the disease can also be the physical effect of various irritating factors:
- Eye contact with dust, smoke, foreign bodies;
- Exposure to ultraviolet rays.
Impaired metabolism, lack of vitamins and minerals in the body, decreased immunity are also provocateurs of follicular conjunctivitis, but they, as a rule, are indirect.
Treatment of ailment
For it to be effective, it is necessary to find out the reason why follicular conjunctivitis develops. In accordance with this, medicines of a certain group are selected, depending on their effect.
It is impossible to do this on your own, therefore, self-medication will be useless, and given that the disease will progress, it will be quite dangerous.
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"Albucid". The drug is available in the form of eye drops with antibacterial, bacteriostatic, anti-inflammatory effects. The active substance of the drug is sulfacetamide, and its auxiliary ingredients are sodium thiosulfate, purified water, hydrochloric acids. The drug is instilled in the amount of 1-2 drops into the conjunctival sac about 6 times / day. The duration of treatment with the drug can last about a week, but the doctor can adjust these terms, as well as the dosage, frequency of use in accordance with
dynamics of recovery. It is impossible to carry out treatment with "Albucid" in case of personal intolerance to the components of the drug. It should not be combined with medications that contain silver;
- "Poludan". This medication is antiviral, available in the form of drops. It is based on a polyribonucleotide complex (polyadenylic, polyuridylic acid, potassium salt of these acids), due to which follicular conjunctivitis is treated. Auxiliary components of the product are sodium chloride, sodium hydrogen phosphate, potassium dihydrogen phosphate. In the acute form of the disease, treatment with drops is carried out by instilling them in an amount of 1-2 drops with a frequency of 6-8 times / day. When the symptoms of the disease recede, it is enough to apply the drops three times or four times / day at the same dosage. If the components of the drops are intolerant, they cannot be used;
- "Levorin". It is an antifungal medication that comes in many forms, in particular in tablets, which can be used to treat a disease. The product also has antibacterial properties. The main substance of the tablets is levorin. The dosage, frequency and duration of use should be prescribed by the doctor, depending on the course of the disease, the age of the patient. Usually, the medication is prescribed in the amount of 1 tablet once / day if the patient's age is 2-6 years. For patients over 6 years old, "Levorin" is prescribed in the amount of 1-2 tablets twice or four times / day. As for the duration of the course of treatment, it is 1-2 weeks. It is possible to repeat the course a week after the second examination. The drug has many contraindications. These are renal or hepatic failure, pancreatitis, duodenal or stomach ulcer, pregnancy, non-fungal diseases, hypersensitivity to the constituents of the drug.
In some cases, surgical removal of the follicles is required. The need for this is determined by the doctor.
Disease prevention
It is better to prevent follicular conjunctivitis than to treat it later, and the following measures will help in this:
- Avoid touching, much less rubbing your eyes with dirty hands;
- Maintain good personal hygiene;
- Wash your face with boiled or purified water;
- Avoid contact with people with this disease;
- Make sure that your immunity is not weakened.
Having fallen ill with follicular conjunctivitis, do not despair - if you responsibly approach the fight against it, the ailment will be cured without leaving behind any consequences.