How to Handle a Bacteria Eye Infection
There are millions of different bacteria in the world, however most eye infections are caused by the same few bacteria. These bacteria are particularly likely to infect the eyes because they are present in many environments or have an affinity for infecting the eyes. Identifying the particular bacteria that is causing an infection is an important part of properly treating a bacterial infection.
Classifying Bacteria
Bacteria are classified both by the shape of the bacteria and how it is composed. Bacteria come in different shapes including round, cylindrical, and spiral. The different shapes are conducive to different living environments.
Bacteria are often classified using a process called Gram Staining. This involves treating the bacteria with a specific dye and depending on what the bacteria has as a capsule they will stain different colors.
Gram positive bacteria will have a dense cell wall coating and dye purple.Gram negative bacteria do not have a dense cell wall and will dye red with the Gram stain process.
Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria will respond to different medications.
Gram Positive Bacteria that Infect the Eyes
Most bacteria that infect the eyes and eyelids are Gram positive bacteria.
Among the species of bacteria which are common in these infections are staphylococcus and streptococcus.
Corneal ulcers, eyelid infections, and tear gland infections are all commonly caused by these bacteria.
Gram Negative Bacteria that Infect the Eyes
Infections from Gram negative bacteria are less common in the eyes but can be very severe.
The two main Gram negative bacteria which infect the eyes are Pseudomonas and Neisseria.
Neisseria is the bacterium responsible for gonorrhea and can cause a very severe conjunctivitis or pink eye with mucus discharge.
Pseudomonas is a bacterium which is often associated with wearing contact lenses in non-sterile water environments such as a hot tub or lake. Pseudomonas can cause a severe corneal ulcer.
Treating a Gram Positive Bacterial Infection
A Gram positive bacterial infection is usually treated with either antibiotic eye drops or oral antibiotic pills.
Among the most common eye drops used for Gram positive bacterial infections are tobramycin and besifloxacin.
The usual oral medications for a Gram positive bacterial infection include penicillins, cephalosporins, and azithromycin.
A special Gram positive bacteria called MRSA, or methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus, is resistant to many antibiotics and requires specific treatment with medications such as doxycycline or vancomycin.
Treating a Gram Negative Bacterial Infection
Like Gram positive infections, a Gram negative bacterial infection can be treated with either antibiotic eye drops or antibiotic oral medications.
The antibiotic eye drops used in a Gram negative infection are usually ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, or besifloxacin.
The oral medications used for Gram negative infections are doxycycline, azithromycin, and trimethoprim.
How to Determine What Bacteria is Causing an Infection
When dealing with a bacterial infection, an eye doctor may be able to determine the likely cause of the infection based on the presentation and symptoms.
However, in some cases a bacterial culture will be done and the exact bacteria responsible for the infection can be identified and treated properly.
Our eye doctors at GHEye excel in prescription of glasses, contact lenses and the diagnosis of a variety of eye diseases. Call our optometrists at (571) 445-3692 to schedule your appointment today if you would like to learn more about bacteria and how it affects the eye. Our eye doctors, Dr. Ally Stoeger and Dr. Jennifer Sun, provide the highest quality optometry services and eye exams in the Gainesville VA and Haymarket VA areas.
There are millions of different bacteria in the world, however most eye infections are caused by the same few bacteria. These bacteria are particularly likely to infect the eyes because they are present in many environments or have an affinity for infecting the eyes. Identifying the particular bacteria that is causing an infection is an important part of properly treating a bacterial infection.
Classifying Bacteria
Bacteria are classified both by the shape of the bacteria and how it is composed. Bacteria come in different shapes including round, cylindrical, and spiral. The different shapes are conducive to different living environments.
Bacteria are often classified using a process called Gram Staining. This involves treating the bacteria with a specific dye and depending on what the bacteria has as a capsule they will stain different colors.
Gram positive bacteria will have a dense cell wall coating and dye purple.Gram negative bacteria do not have a dense cell wall and will dye red with the Gram stain process.
Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria will respond to different medications.
Gram Positive Bacteria that Infect the Eyes
Most bacteria that infect the eyes and eyelids are Gram positive bacteria.
Among the species of bacteria which are common in these infections are staphylococcus and streptococcus.
Corneal ulcers, eyelid infections, and tear gland infections are all commonly caused by these bacteria.
Gram Negative Bacteria that Infect the Eyes
Infections from Gram negative bacteria are less common in the eyes but can be very severe.
The two main Gram negative bacteria which infect the eyes are Pseudomonas and Neisseria.
Neisseria is the bacterium responsible for gonorrhea and can cause a very severe conjunctivitis or pink eye with mucus discharge.
Pseudomonas is a bacterium which is often associated with wearing contact lenses in non-sterile water environments such as a hot tub or lake. Pseudomonas can cause a severe corneal ulcer.
Treating a Gram Positive Bacterial Infection
A Gram positive bacterial infection is usually treated with either antibiotic eye drops or oral antibiotic pills.
Among the most common eye drops used for Gram positive bacterial infections are tobramycin and besifloxacin.
The usual oral medications for a Gram positive bacterial infection include penicillins, cephalosporins, and azithromycin.
A special Gram positive bacteria called MRSA, or methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus, is resistant to many antibiotics and requires specific treatment with medications such as doxycycline or vancomycin.
Treating a Gram Negative Bacterial Infection
Like Gram positive infections, a Gram negative bacterial infection can be treated with either antibiotic eye drops or antibiotic oral medications.
The antibiotic eye drops used in a Gram negative infection are usually ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, or besifloxacin.
The oral medications used for Gram negative infections are doxycycline, azithromycin, and trimethoprim.
How to Determine What Bacteria is Causing an Infection
When dealing with a bacterial infection, an eye doctor may be able to determine the likely cause of the infection based on the presentation and symptoms.
However, in some cases a bacterial culture will be done and the exact bacteria responsible for the infection can be identified and treated properly.