What could be the long-term consequences? | Chlamydia infection of the eye

What could be the long-term consequences?

Untreated Chlamydia infection of the eye can cause serious damage due to the ongoing inflammation: An inflammatory reaction leads to destruction of the tissue, which in turn causes scarring. This scarring also leads to a restriction or even loss of the actual function of the tissue. In the case of an eye infection caused by Chlamydia, blindness can therefore be the result in the worst case.

However, a chronification of the infection without blindness is also possible: this means that the symptoms persist for a long time and the associated poorer response to medication. – Find out how you can alleviate the symptoms at Home remedies for conjunctivitis

The loss of sight due to a Chlamydia infection is possible, but very rare, especially in Europe and other countries with good hygienic conditions. This is because not all subgroups of chlamydia are responsible for the process of scarring, which, as described above, can lead to blindness in the long term: The subgroups (“serovars”), which are common in countries with good hygienic conditions, do not trigger this process. Caution is therefore rather advised in countries that do not meet the hygienic standards of industrialized countries, as well as in countries with a tropical climate. Here, infection with the more dangerous types of chlamydia can occur, which can lead to long-term blindness.

Forecast

An acute infection with Chlamydia in the eye should always be treated with medication, otherwise it carries serious risks such as chronicity or even blindness. An antibiotic therapy usually lasts between one and three weeks. If the person is in a partnership, any existing infection of the partner should also be treated, as chlamydia is a disease that can be transmitted through physical contact and smear infections.

However, once therapy is complete, the infection can be expected to be completely cured. There is no increased risk of re-infection if hygienic instructions are followed.