Duration of inflammation in the eye
The duration of an eye inflammation depends on the type and course of the disease. Some inflammations, such as conjunctivitis, heal spontaneously within a few days, whereas others last longer and can even become chronic (e.g. uveitis). The duration can therefore vary between a few days and several weeks, whereby chronic inflammation of the eye is referred to as eye inflammation if the disease lasts for more than three weeks.
Causes of inflammation of the eye
The causes of eye inflammation are very diverse. In most cases it is caused by an infection with bacteria, viruses or fungi. The most common bacterial pathogens include staphylococci, streptococci and pneumococci.
Viruses, especially adenoviruses, cause highly infectious conjunctivitis of the eye. Normally, the eye has a number of protective mechanisms that protect the visual system. The eyelid closure reflex prevents foreign bodies or small dirt particles from entering the eye.
The tear fluid also plays an important role in the defense against germs. People with dry eyes in particular have a reduced protective barrier, which means that pathogens can easily penetrate and cause inflammation. Besides infectious causes, environmental influences also play an important role in the development of inflammatory processes in the eye.
Especially strong UV radiation (sunlight), dust or exhaust fumes irritate the eye and overload it. Chemical substances or allergic reactions, for example to pollen or animal hair, also cause inflammation of the eye. How to prevent an infection and thus an inflammation of the eye, you can read in the following article: Infection of the eyeSome diseases lead to inflammation of the eye in addition to other symptoms.In addition count above all illnesses from the rheumatic form circle, as for example rheumatoide Arthritis.
Another disease associated with inflammation of the eye is scleroderma. This is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly considers the connective tissue as foreign and attacks it. As a result, hardening and inflammation occur.
The eyelids become stiff, can no longer be closed completely and dry out. Dry eyes make it easier for pathogens to penetrate and lead to eye inflammation. In most cases, the accompanying inflammation of the eye is manifested by dry and itchy eyes, this clinical picture is called Sjögren’s syndrome.
Dry eyes are harmless in most cases, but can also be an indication of diabetes mellitus. In diabetes, the body’s sugar balance is disturbed and the blood sugar level is elevated, allowing sugar molecules to be deposited on the blood vessels. This has serious consequences, especially on the fine vessels of the eye: the blood circulation of the eye is disturbed, the eyes become inflamed and dry out. Other diseases that are associated with an eye inflammation are various viral and bacterial infections, for example influenza, mumps, measles or staphylococci. You can read the individual clinical pictures that have been explained here:
- Rheumatism
- Scleroderma
- Sjögren’s Syndrome
- Diabetes mellitus
- Infectious Diseases
