Ophthalmitis symptoms are signs that you have an infection or other problem in the eye. Symptoms can include pain, redness in the eye, sensitivity to light, and blurred vision.
Often, these symptoms are caused by bacteria or fungi. If they aren’t treated, they can damage the tissue inside the eye and cause permanent vision loss. If you have any of these symptoms, see an ophthalmologist as soon as possible.
Your doctor will review your symptoms and ask about any eye surgery or injuries you may have had. Then they’ll examine your eyes with an ophthalmoscope, a lighted instrument used to look inside your eye. They may also order an ultrasound to find out if there are any foreign objects in your eyeball.
The doctor will take a sample of fluid from your eye so they can get a better look at it and determine what type of infection is causing the problems. Once they have that information, they can decide on the best treatment.
Exogenous Endophthalmitis
This is the most common type of endophthalmitis and happens when germs enter your eye from outside the body. This usually happens after surgery or an injection into the eyeball, or when a cut or other opening occurs in your eye. If you have this kind of endophthalmitis, the symptoms usually begin within a few days of the injury or surgery.
Risk factors for this type of endophthalmitis include a loss of vitreous gel (the jelly-like substance that sits in the center of your eye), poor wound closure, and prolonged surgery. People who live in rural settings are at greater risk for developing this type of infection because they have less access to doctors and hospitals.
These infections tend to occur after a serious illness or major surgery and could leave you blind without prompt treatment. They can be hard to treat, so contact our ophthalmologist as soon as you notice any symptoms of this condition.
Your doctor can also check for other diseases or conditions that may be causing your symptoms. Your doctor will ask about your medical history and any other health problems you have, such as diabetes or heart disease.
They will also do a physical exam to make sure your eyes are healthy and clear of any other issues. If you have an eye infection, your doctor will give you antibiotics or other medications to help the infection heal.
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you might need to have an operation called vitrectomy, where the infected fluid is removed and your eyelids are closed to prevent further infection from happening. It can be very painful, but the results are well worth it.
Other types of endophthalmitis are called endogenous and happen when germs enter the eye from other parts of your body after some time. They’re much less common, but they can still happen if you have other diseases or health conditions.
