A wide variety of eye infections exist which are caused by different bacteria, viruses or fungi:

• Conjuctivitis: A common and highly contagious infection (also known as 'red eye'), conjunctivitis is often prevalent in schools, nurseries and other locations where large numbers of children mix. It is characterised by the inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin tissue layer which covers the front of the eye. Symptoms include redness, itching and a yellow discharge (which may be worse when waking from sleep). The cause may be a bacterial or viral infection or an allergic reaction to pollen or substances such as shampoo.

• Viral Keratitis (inflammation of the cornea): A variety of other viral infections can cause symptoms which bear a similarity to conjunctivitis, such as the herpes simplex virus or adenovirus.

• Fungal Keratitis: Fungal eye infections are associated with the Fusarium fungi which is commonly found in organic substances. Being poked in the eye by a tree branch, for example, can transfer the fungus to a person's eye where it can reside causing infection, the symptoms of which include pain, redness, discharge and blurred vision.

• Acanthamoeba Keratitis: Although less common, the Acanthamoeba Keratitis infection can be potentially serious and threaten to cause long-term damage to a sufferer's eyesight. Often caused by a parasite which enters the eye, contact lens wearers are more prone to this infection if good standards of hygiene are not observed and safety tips, such as not wearing lenses while swimming, are not followed.

• Endophthalmitis: Most eye infections are superficial and affect only the exterior tissue of the eye but in some cases a more serious infection may penetrate the eye, the outcome of which can be serious. An injury to the eye and, in rare cases, a complication of cataract treatment, endophthalmitis requires urgent antibiotic treatment. Initial symptoms may include a loss or worsening of vision, pain, redness and swelling. As the infection progresses, symptoms - which may occur more mildly - include blurred vision, eye pain and sensitivity to light.

• Trachoma: Less common in developed countries, trachoma is a leading cause of blindness in many undeveloped areas of the world and travellers should be aware of the potential for infection which is spread by flies in places where sanitation is poor. Trachoma causes scarring to the inner eyelids which in turn leads to the eyelids turning in on themselves; the contact between the eyelashes and the sensitive tissue of the cornea may cause irreparable damage, with blindness a common consequence.

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Contact Lenses and Eye Infections