Staph infection in the eye

Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterium that is a part of the normal skin flora in humans. These microorganisms reside in the human skin without causing health problems until they overgrow, which leads to various infections.

Staphylococcus aureus is known for causing a wide range of diseases, from mild ones, like easily treated skin infections, to life threatening ones, like bacterial meningitis, septicemia and endocarditis. These bacteria can also infect the eyes, and if a staph eye infection remains untreated, it can seriously damage the vision.

Types of staph infections in the eye: What Staphylococcus aureus can do to your vision

Styes are a common and easily treated infections of the eye caused by Staphylococcus. A stye, also called hordeolum, forms when bacteria affect the oil glands in the lower or upper eyelid, leading to the formation of one or more tiny but angry bumps filled with pus. This causes itching, swelling, pain, and watery eyes.

Dacryocystitis is an infection of the tear glands, but it affects the glands in the corner of the eye, where a red or yellow bumpy mass develops, causing pain and discomfort. This is basically a clogged tear duct, and dacryocystitis can have many other causes besides a staph eye infection, such as sinusitis and even tumors.

Periorbital cellulitis affects the eyelids. The bacteria, in this case staph, causes inflammation inside and around the eyelids, as well as in the area around the eyes. The skin becomes raised and bright red.

Orbital cellulitis is a severe form of periorbital cellulitis. The eye and the whole area around it becomes red and swollen, and the eye movement is limited. This condition is often accompanied by fever.

Endogenous endopthalmitis, a rare but equally dangerous eye infection that can lead to serious vision damage, is caused by bacteria or fungi in around 50 percent of all cases. When it's caused by bacteria, staph infections are among the top culprits, in Europe and North America at least. Endogenous endopthalmitis affects the vascular portion of the eye and if left untreated, can spread to the retina and lead to partial or complete blindness. The whole eye becomes red, swollen and raised, and patients will require immediate medical attention.

Blebs are large, purple or red blisters that form around the eye or on the eyelids. They are often a result of an injury or a cut. Blebs are painful to the touch and filled with liquid, and can be caused by staph infections of the eye, too.

Treatment and prevention for staph infections in the eye

The treatment for staph infections of the eye consists of a combination of different treatment methods. Patients diagnosed with staph eye infections can usually expect to be told to apply warm compresses, take topical antibiotics as directed (complete the entire course even if your symptoms get better), and steroidal eye ointments.

Since methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) — a kind of staph that's resistant to antibiotics — is becoming increasingly common now, it's important to do what you can to prevent staph eye infections. Staph infections can be prevented by taking proper care of personal hygiene. The eyes should never be touched with unclean hands, a lesson SteadyHealth is sure most people have already taken to heart since becoming familiar with COVID-19.

If spending time in unsanitary conditions, an antiseptic product should always be at hand, and hand sanitizers with 60 percent alcohol or more can replace handwashing.

If the eye suffers an injury or an open wound, it should be carefully disinfected and proper measures should be taken to prevent an infection.

Staph infections of the eye can usually be treated very efficiently and successfully if they are diagnosed early, before they progress and spread, at which point staph eye infections can cause vision damage and even blindness. This is why it is important to see a doctor whenever there is a problem involving the eyes, in a timely manner.