Why Does My Eye Hurt?

A Viral Cure For Pink Eye? Bacteriophages Show Promise As A Therapeutic Option

Boy rubbing eye

ACCESS Health International

This story is part of a series on the current progression in Regenerative Medicine. This piece is part of a series dedicated to the eye and improvements in restoring vision.

In 1999, I defined regenerative medicine as the collection of interventions that restore to normal function tissues and organs that have been damaged by disease, injured by trauma, or worn by time. I include a full spectrum of chemical, gene, and protein-based medicines, cell-based therapies, and biomechanical interventions that achieve that goal.

Millions of individuals in the United States suffer from conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, which is the inflammation of the thin, transparent membrane covering the eye's white part. The cost of managing bacterial conjunctivitis in the United States annually amounts to 857 million US dollars.

Bacteria, viruses, allergens, or irritants can cause this illness. Although most cases of conjunctivitis are not severe, some types can lead to blindness if left untreated. Conjunctivitis can be classified into three main types: bacterial, viral, and allergic.

Types and Causes of Conjunctivitis

An allergic reaction causes the allergic type of conjunctivitis. It can cause symptoms such as redness, itching, tearing, and eye swelling. Treatment for allergic conjunctivitis involves avoiding the allergen, using antihistamine eye drops or oral medications, and sometimes using corticosteroid eye drops for severe cases.

Viral conjunctivitis is an eye infection that is primarily caused by either the common cold or the herpes simplex virus, which is also responsible for cold sores. This highly contagious infection can spread through either direct or indirect contact with an infected eye. Symptoms of the condition include redness, itching, burning, watery discharge, sensitivity to light, and sometimes, a gritty sensation. It typically begins in one eye and eventually spreads to the other. Unfortunately, there is currently no specific treatment available for viral conjunctivitis.

Diagram showing bacterial conjunctivitis in human eye

ACCESS Health International

Bacterial conjunctivitis is caused by certain types of bacteria, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Staphylococcus aureus. This kind of eye infection spreads quickly through direct or indirect contact. Symptoms include redness, swelling, itching, and discharge from the eye. The discharge may be transparent or yellow and can cause the eyelids to stick together, especially after waking up. The cornea may become infected in severe cases, leading to vision problems. Treating bacterial conjunctivitis usually involves antibiotic eye drops or ointments, which help relieve symptoms and clear up the infection.

Nanotechnology-based Bacteriophage Delivery Strategies

Bacteriophages are a type of virus that are naturally occurring organisms in our ecosystem. They hold a critical role in regulating and developing microbial communities. As such, they have been extensively studied and used in various fields, including phage display, cancer cell targeting, drug delivery, diagnostic applications, gene delivery, and nanoprobes. However, it is essential to note that using bacteriophages as therapeutic agents is still unproven. Definitive controlled clinical trials are needed to assess its general applicability.

Recently, they have explored their potential use in combatting the rising issue of antibiotic resistance, which has become a severe problem due to the overuse and misuse of antibiotics. Bacteriophages have also drawn attention as therapeutic agents to treat bacterial ocular infections, as indicated in a study published in the Frontiers in Pharmacology journal. The authors demonstrated the efficacy of using bacteriophages to treat bacterial conjunctivitis in the survey.

Researchers have developed nanotechnology-based delivery strategies to deliver bacteriophages to the site of infection. A study published in The Journal of Microbiological Methods revealed the promising results of nanotechnology in delivering bacteriophages to treat ear infections. In this study, the authors used chitosan nanoparticles to deliver bacteriophages to the site of infection, which reduced the bacterial load and inflammation.

Another study published in the Nanomaterials journal explored the potential use of liposomes to deliver bacteriophages to the site of infection. The authors showed that the bacteriophages were stable and effective at killing pathogenic bacteria, offering a promising alternative to antibiotics.

Using bacteriophages in nanotechnology-based delivery strategies can offer several advantages. They are highly specific and only target the bacteria causing the infection, leaving other bacteria unharmed. This reduces the risk of developing antibiotic resistance and minimizes potential side effects. Furthermore, bacteriophages can penetrate biofilms that otherwise protect bacteria from antibiotics, as noted in the study.

Antibiotic resistance is a serious global issue, and exploring alternative treatment options like bacteriophages is essential. However, it's important to be cautious and wait for definitive controlled clinical trials before using them as a treatment. This will help us to fully understand and assess their applicability and ensure that they are used effectively in addressing the problem of antibiotic resistance.

The Future of Conjunctivitis Treatment

The future of conjunctivitis treatment is bright with the advances in technology. Researchers are exploring ways to use gene-editing technologies, such as CRISPR-Cas9, to fight bacterial infections that cause conjunctivitis. Researchers are also looking for ways to develop new treatments targeting antibiotic-resistant bacteria. There is also a focus on developing more effective therapies for viral conjunctivitis. The use of nanotechnology-based bacteriophage delivery strategies shows promise and could lead to the development of new treatments for bacterial ocular infections.

To learn more about the eye, read more stories at www.Williamhaseltine.Com

Seeing Through The Symptoms: The Power Of Eye Drops In Conjunctivitis Treatment

Boy dropping eye drop medicine

ACCESS Health International

This story is part of a series on the current progression in Regenerative Medicine. This piece is part of a series dedicated to the eye and improvements in restoring vision.

In 1999, I defined regenerative medicine as the collection of interventions that restore to normal function tissues and organs that have been damaged by disease, injured by trauma, or worn by time. I include a full spectrum of chemical, gene, and protein-based medicines, cell-based therapies, and biomechanical interventions that achieve that goal.

Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, is a prevalent eye condition that causes inflammation and swelling of the conjunctival tissue. The conjunctiva is a thin, transparent membrane covering the eye's white part and the eyelid's inner surface. This inflammation causes redness and irritation by engorging eye vessels. Alongside visual symptoms, conjunctivitis can cause discomfort like eye discharge, itching, burning sensation, and heightened sensitivity to light.

Facts About Conjunctivitis

The causes of conjunctivitis can vary, which include bacterial or viral infections, allergic reactions, and irritants such as smoke, pollution, or chemicals that come into contact with the eye. Bacterial conjunctivitis is often induced by the same bacteria responsible for strep throat, whereas viral conjunctivitis is commonly associated with the common cold or other respiratory infections. On the other hand, allergic conjunctivitis stems from an immune response triggered by allergens like pollen, dust mites, or animal dander.

Bacterial conjunctivitis is typically treated with antibiotics, while viral conjunctivitis may not require specific treatment and can clear up independently. Allergic conjunctivitis can be treated with antihistamines through eye drops or oral medications. In some cases, topical steroids may be prescribed to reduce inflammation. Lubricating eye drops may also be recommended to soothe dry and irritated eyes. In severe cases, a combination of different eye drops may be prescribed.

Efficacy of Eye Drops in Treating Eye Infection

A study published in the Journal of Ophthalmic & Vision Research has shown that antibiotic eye drops are highly effective in treating bacterial conjunctivitis. The study found that these eye drops successfully treated the infection in 96.8% of cases.

Antibiotic eye drops contain active ingredients that target the bacterial cell wall. The cell wall is an essential component of the bacteria's survival mechanism. Antibiotics bind to the bacterial cell wall, disrupting its integrity and causing it to rupture and die. As a result, the infection resolves, and the symptoms subside.

Bacterial conjunctivitis is commonly treated with polymyxin B, bacitracin, and erythromycin. The antibiotic choice depends on the infection's severity, the patient's age, and any underlying medical conditions. Completing the entire course of antibiotics is crucial to effectively eliminate the disease, even if the symptoms have subsided. Failure to do so may cause a relapse of the condition and increase the risk of antibiotic resistance.

Eye Drops for Allergic Conjunctivitis

Allergic conjunctivitis is another type that occurs due to the body's hypersensitivity to allergens such as pollen, dust mites, and pet dander. Unlike bacterial conjunctivitis, allergic conjunctivitis does not require antibiotics. Instead, antihistamine and mast cell stabilizing eye drops provide relief from the symptoms.

Antihistamine eye drops are a medication used to treat allergic conjunctivitis, in which the eyes become irritated and inflamed due to an allergic reaction. These eye drops contain antihistamines, which are drugs that work by blocking histamine receptors in the eyes. Histamine is a chemical released by the body in response to allergens, and it is responsible for causing symptoms like itching, redness, and swelling.

By blocking histamine receptors, antihistamine eye drops prevent the release of histamine and reduce the severity of allergy symptoms. This makes them an effective treatment option for people who experience allergic conjunctivitis. In fact, a study published by the University of Oulu found that eye drops containing antihistamines and steroids were highly effective in treating this condition, with symptom relief observed in as little as 24 hours.

Mast cell stabilizing eye drops work by preventing the activation and release of histamine, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes from mast cells, which reduces inflammation and alleviates allergy symptoms. Mast cell stabilizers take a few days to work but provide long-term relief from allergies.

Innovation in Eye Drop Technology Continues to Progress

Significant advances in eye drop technology have transformed the treatment of eye diseases. Eye drops have a lower risk of adverse effects and provide the flexibility of developing combination eye drops that contain numerous active ingredients. Patients with sensitive eyes or long-term treatment requirements can benefit from improved treatment outcomes by developing preservative-free eye drops.

Ongoing research and development in this field are paving the way for even more improvements in eye drop technology. One such development is using nanoparticles to deliver medication directly to the eye, reducing the need for frequent administration and improving treatment outcomes. Another promising development is gene therapy to treat genetic eye diseases, which could provide a permanent cure for these conditions.

Overall, the continued advances in eye drop technology are a promising sign for those with eye diseases. With further research and development, we can expect to see even more innovative treatments that will improve the quality of life for patients and reduce the burden of eye diseases on society.

To learn more about the eye, read more stories at www.Williamhaseltine.Com

Pink Eye In Flu Season: Symptoms, Causes, Dos And Don'ts Of Conjunctivitis; Expert Weighs In

Conjunctivitis, pink eye, infection, and inflammation in the eyes are common in the flu season. With a sudden shift in the weather and pollution, the common cold in this season often causes a spike in the number of patients. While one can take medicines for cold and cough, prevention and treatment of pink eye or conjunctivitis is a task.

Therefore, we spoke to Dr Rituraj Baruah, Senior Consultant, Ophthalmology, Max Multi Speciality Centre, Panchsheel Park, New Delhi, to understand the dos and don'ts for patients with the common cold.

Symptoms Of Pink Eye Or Conjunctivitis

According to reports, viruses that cause COVID-19, the common cold, and the flu can also cause inflammation and infection in the eyes. The patient's eye can turn pink or even red. 

A few other symptoms of this condition include,

Discharge from eyes

Itchiness

Irritation

Causes For Pink Eye Or Conjunctivitis

There are two reasons for conjunctivitis - viral or bacterial. Viral often comes with watery discharge and itchiness. The condition can spread from one person to another as it is communicable. In the viral infection, both of your eyes can get infected and patients can even experience a burning sensation or redness in the eyes. 

Bacterial pink eye is often caused by injury or infection in the eye. For example, many people get bacterial pink eyes due to contact lenses. In such a case, people experience thick yellowish discharge along with blurry vision and pain. This condition usually remains confined to the eye and does not spread. 

Dos And Don'ts To Prevent Pink Eye Or Conjunctivitis

If you are suffering from pink eye, here are a couple of things you should do,

Wash your hands first before touching your eyes and cleaning the discharge.

Use new cotton or eye buds to remove the discharge (Know All Abotu Vaginal Discharge) around the infected area several times a day.

The expert suggested using wet cotton balls so that the discharge wipes off easily without adding to pain or injury.

Throw away the cotton and sanitise your hands immediately after cleaning your eyes.

Wash pillow covers, bed sheets, towels, and napkins with hot water and detergent after you have recovered or stained any of the items. Wash hands after handling infected items.

If you wear spectacles, you should clean them regularly. You can clean the lens with warm water and soap to ensure germs and bacteria are killed. 

Here are a couple of things you must avoid at any cost if you have a pink eye or conjunctivitis

Do not run or touch your eyes frequently, except for cleaning with cotton balls. If your hands are dirty, it can worsen the condition, and the infection can spread rapidly.

Avoid using the same eye drop for the infected eye and healthy eye. It will transfer the infection from the infected to the healthy one.

When you experience discharge or redness in your eyes, you should not wear contact lenses because it can add to the infection.

Do not use swimming pools in this condition because the germs in the water can worsen the condition, and will be infected for others as well.

If your eyes are infected or you have conjunctivitis at home, you must avoid sharing towels, napkins, makeup brushes, cosmetics, etc. 

The pink eye needs to be examined by the doctor to ensure it gets treated properly. Dr Baruah suggested consulting an ophthalmologist to ensure that you get the right medicine for the eye and know the instructions to take care of it. A healthcare expert will also ensure that the infection does not spread and you recover without any issues in your eyes. 

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