Ocular Infections

Since the first edition that was published in 1998 we have seen manychanges in ophthalmology from advancements in laser surgery to new techniques in cataract surgery. With these new developing advancements symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments in ocular disease have also begun to change. Early diagnosis and management of ocular infection is essential

The human eye and its associated structures are susceptible to several diseases and disorders, and age-related changes. Eye infections, such as conjunctivitis are characterized by inflammation, pain, scratchiness, burning and itchiness. It is a fairly common infection occurring in children, people wearing contact lenses and people infected with chlamydia or gonorrhea. It is primarily caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Keratitis is another infection of the eye in which the cornea of the eye becomes inflamed. It is characterized by photophobia, impaired eyesight, red eye and pain. It can be acute or chronic. Such infections can be caused due to bacterial, fungal, viral and parasitic agents. Endophthalmitis is another eye infection in which the interior of the eye gets inflamed. It can potentially lead to a loss of vision and the eye itself. Although it is triggered by a viral or fungal infection, it can occur due to a penetrating trauma, intravitreal injections and retained intraocular foreign bodies. Antibiotic and steroid eye drops are used to treat eye infections or to prevent them from occurring after eye surgeries. The branch of medicine and surgery that is concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of eye infections is known as ophthalmology. Some of the diverse topics covered in this book address the various infections of the eye. The various advancements in ophthalmology, in relation to eye infection diagnosis and management, are glanced at and their applications as well as ramifications are looked at in detail. It will provide comprehensive knowledge to the readers.

Since ocular infections are one of the most frequent occurrences in ophthalmology, the treatment for these infections must be fast, precise and effective. In order to address this goal, it is important to identify and characterize the culprit microorganisms involved in the pathogenesis of ocular infections. Clinical diagnosis of ocular infections can be confirmed by several techniques based on microbiological test of ocular samples. Some of these techniques include classic microbiological testing in which it is necessary to isolate microorganisms to characterize them by biochemical analysis which require significant resources and timing.

Ocular infections remain an important cause of ocular morbidity and loss of vision, yet many are preventable or curable. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment help in the control of such infectious disorders and the prevention of blindness. There are many infectious diseases of the eye and adnexa and knowledge of their diagnosis and management is essential to an optimal therapeutic outcome. This book provides the practitioner with the important information required to ensure appropriate diagnosis and management of ocular infectious diseases. Specific clinical signs and symptoms are outlined, and the role of specific diagnostic tests, including molecular biology techniques, is explained. All of the most common microorganisms are considered and current knowledge on the antimicrobial therapy of ocular infections is clearly summarized. Ocular Infections will be a great help to physicians as a guide to the care of patients with ocular infectious diseases.

This book is a new addition for a broad-spectrum library in ophthalmology and other specialties in medicine of "InTech." It addresses ocular infections. These infections may result in blindness if not correctly diagnosed and promptly treated. Therefore, it is essential to be fully aware and knowledgeable about the manifestations of these diseases, and this book covers some of the different aspects of them. The chapters were written by experts from around the globe and these reflect the importance of the subject. The book is aimed for ophthalmologists, residents in ophthalmology and infectious diseases, general practitioners, and researchers in hope to advance the knowledge for the benefit of the world habitants wherever they are.

This book addresses the diagnosis and treatment of common ocular infections. Relevant pathological principles are described to provide a basis for the understanding of these disorders. The epidemiology of infection as a class of ocular disease and the pathological effects of infectious processes in tissue are discussed in introductory chapters. These fundamentals are explained and reinforced with tables and selected illustrations of tissue pathology. Further chapters by leading clinical specialists describe recommended approaches to infections of the eye and periocular tissues as these conditions occur in adults and children. Illustrative tables and algorithms enhance the discussion, making key principles accessible to the busy clinician. The final chapters provide a guide to relevant microbiological techniques, recommendations for specimen collection and transport, and a survey of antimicrobial therapy for the care of patients with ocular infectious diseases.