Chlamydial conjunctivitis develops due to chlamydia entering the eye mucosa. For example, bacteria can enter the conjunctival sac through personal items or hands contaminated with body fluids.

In this case, the carrier of the pathogen can transmit it both to their own mucous membranes, but also to the mucous membranes of a partner or child. Chlamydia of the mucous membranes of the eyes is almost any lesion of the mucous membrane of the visual organ.

According to medical research, this type of disease accounts for more than a third of all cases of mucosal inflammation.

Prerequisites for development

Chlamydial conjunctivitis can affect both adult women, men and children. It manifests itself in the following types:

• paratrachoma;
• trachoma;
• pool conjunctivitis;
• chlamydial episcleritis;
• chlamydial uveitis;
• chlamydial meibolith;
• conjunctivitis with Reiter's syndrome.

Most often, these problems become just part of the whole complex with the development of chlamydial infection in newborns or adult patients.

The main disease for problems caused by chlamydia is considered to be urogenital chlamydia, which develops in the organs of the genitourinary system.

Most often, chlamydia is transmitted through unprotected sexual contact. In the case of direct infection of the visual organ, it can be assumed that vaginal fluid or infected semen has come into contact with the mucous membrane.

Let us note separately that chlamydia often occurs with virtually no symptoms, and conjunctivitis can be an indicator that this infection is beginning to develop in the body.

Although there may be no other symptoms at all, both in children and adult patients.

This is one of the most insidious dangers of infection, which greatly complicates the process of diagnosis and accurate detection of the disease in the early stages and without laboratory tests.

Conjunctival lesions of the eyes of newborns and children can develop as a result of accidental transmission of infection to the eyes. If there is no treatment, the disease will become chronic.

• Obstetrics and gynecology,
• Venereology, doctors here are constantly in contact with contaminated biological materials,
• Urology.

You can become infected with chlamydial conjunctivitis even in public places - such as a bathhouse or sauna, or a swimming pool. Despite the fact that the bacterium is practically not adapted to life outside the cell, it can enter the mucous membrane of the eyes with liquid and begin to develop there.

This occurs when there is not enough chlorine in the water to be safe.

In some cases, chlamydia can be transmitted from newborns, but this is extremely rare.

With congenital chlamydia, the disease is accompanied by serious damage to other systems and internal organs (photo).

The most unpredictable form of chlamydia in a newborn child is chlamydial infection of the respiratory system.

If the pathogen spreads through the sinuses, children and newborns may experience:

• rhinitis;
• eustachitis;
• severe damage to the respiratory system;
• acute otitis;
• nasopharyngitis.

Pathogenesis of chlamydial conjunctivitis

Infection of the eyes during the development of chlamydia is often defined as simple blepharitis. This conclusion is quite logical, because chlamydia may practically not appear.

In some cases, frequent relapses help to suspect chlamydia, but the pathogenesis of the disease is quite interesting.

The manifestation of the ophthalmological type of chlamydial infection can be directly related to several factors:

• duration of the disease;
• localization of chlamydia in the patient’s body;
• individual characteristics of the body and its response to the penetration of a foreign microorganism.

The eye in adults and newborns can leak from 2 to 7 days.

There are cases when this period can increase to a month.

In the initial stage, one eye is the first to be affected, then the infection, not without the help of the patient himself, reaches the mucous membrane of the second eye.

It is noted:

1. obvious redness of the mucous membrane of the eye;
2. lacrimation, eyelids begin to stick together in the morning;
3. patients note the appearance of photophobia.
4. Almost every patient from 3-5 days will suffer:
5. preauricular adenopathy on the affected side (disease of the lymph nodes located in front of the ear);
6. eustachitis (inflammation of the auditory tube).

Chlamydial conjunctivitis can be acute or chronic.

The pathogenesis of the acute form will be accompanied by severe swelling of the eyes with abundant mucopurulent exudate, swelling of the conjunctiva, and damage to the cornea.

In almost 50% of all cases of infection, enlargement of the follicles in the lower eyelid can be noted.

And in a third of patients, the conjunctiva of the upper eyelid enlarges and all tissues of the conjunctiva become thicker (in both adults and newborns).

If chlamydia of the eyes (photo) becomes a chronicle, then in this case the following will be noted:

• slight swelling of the eyelids;
• thickening of the conjunctival tissue;
• light discharge from the eyes.

The result of chlamydial damage to the visual organ in children and newborns can be ambiguous. Symptoms of scarring of the cornea and conjunctiva, as well as relapses, may not always be manifested, which suggests that the disease can be asymptomatic.

Who is at risk

The range of potential patients is quite wide. So, they can become infected:

• sexually active men and women of almost any age (who suffer from recurrent or chronic conjunctivitis);
• patients with urogenital chlamydia;
• their sexual partners and family members;
• patients with conjunctivitis in the acute stage;
• patients with recurrent conjunctivitis;
• newborn children from mothers suffering from chlamydia.

Only after confirming the diagnosis of chlamydial conjunctivitis (acute or chronic) will the doctor prescribe appropriate treatment.

How to identify the disease

The most vulnerable place for non-urogenital chlamydia is the eyes.

Chlamydial conjunctivitis can be diagnosed based on a simple examination of the mucous membranes and using laboratory analysis methods.

In general, the first method does not provide 100% accuracy and information content.

Today, the following research methods are considered the most informative:

• detection of chlamydia through scraping. Cytological, immunoenzyme, immunofluorescent methods, polymerase chain reaction can be used;
• isolation of infections in cell culture. The cultural method for detecting ocular chlamydia in modern medical practice is considered the standard;
• blood test in children and newborns.

For analysis, biological material is taken from the inner surface of the eyelids, naturally, after anesthesia.

Treatment of chlamydial conjunctivitis

The biggest mistake is to treat chlamydial eye lesions in newborns and adults with local antibiotics.

Such an approach, based only on a visual examination of inflammation (without identifying the causes), will not give absolutely any results. Chlamydia has virtually no sensitivity to antibiotics used (for example, these can be drops).

Chlamydial conjunctivitis is an extremely dangerous disease that does not tolerate unauthorized treatment or ignoring symptoms!

If treatment is not targeted, then the disease becomes a chronic type of infection of the visual organ, and is characterized by further active spread throughout the body.

It is for this reason that timely completion of all necessary tests and subsequent complex therapy for conjunctivitis, both in adult patients and in newborns, children, and adolescents, is extremely important.

For effective treatment, finding out the cause of the disease is not enough. It is necessary to find out the degree of its sensitivity to certain drugs.

If therapy had already been carried out previously, then surviving chlamydia could well have developed resistance to it.

In this case, the treatment will be ineffective, the chronic illness and characteristic symptoms will continue to torment the patient.

The dosage of internal medications (treatment of the disease) should be determined taking into account the severity of the disease. The doctor may prescribe:

• eye drops;
• antihistamines.

Drops should be selected individually and based on likely associated health problems that are asymptomatic.

Treatment of chlamydial conjunctivitis takes up to 3 weeks. At this time, the symptoms of the disease disappear and the infection dies.

As soon as treatment is completed, it is necessary to carry out control laboratory tests.

It is highly desirable that crossover methods be used.

Basic clinical signs of chlamydial conjunctivitis:

• slight soreness of the mucous membrane of the eye;
• hyperemia (redness) of the conjunctiva;
• dry eye;
• fear of light;
• light discharge (exudate accumulates in the corners of the eye).

Initially, symptoms are usually observed in one eye. But after a few days the infection can become bilateral.

Features of the clinical symptoms of chlamydial conjunctivitis, which allows the doctor to suspect this disease:

• mild clinical course;
• unlike other bacterial infections, there are no copious purulent discharges, they are mucous or mucopurulent in nature;
• sometimes the eyes do not turn red, and the only symptom is a feeling of sand in the eyes.

In addition, medical history helps to suspect chlamydial etiology of the disease. Chlamydial conjunctivitis often occurs in newborns if they were born to mothers suffering from chlamydia. The disease usually begins 1-2 weeks after birth.

The pathological process occurs suddenly. Mostly only one eye is affected. The disease is much more severe in children. Pus mixed with blood accumulates in the conjunctival cavity.

The conjunctiva itself becomes swollen and reddened. The eyelids may swell. Enlargement of the papillae is often observed.

Complications of chlamydial conjunctivitis in children with a long course of the disease:

• folliculitis;
• subacute infiltrative conjunctivitis;
• pneumonia;
• otitis;
• pharyngitis.

In addition to conjunctivitis, children born from mothers infected with chlamydia may simultaneously develop chlamydial proctitis, and girls may develop vulvovaginitis.

Diagnosis of chlamydial conjunctivitis

Before how to treat chlamydial conjunctivitis, you need to make sure that it is caused by chlamydia. A diagnosis cannot be made based on symptoms alone. The doctor is able to notice the very fact of the inflammatory process of the mucous membrane of the eye even during the initial examination of the patient. But he doesn’t know what exactly triggered the pathological process.

Chlamydial conjunctivitis does not cause pathognomonic symptoms. But the doctor is helped by the history data.

If the patient is a child, then anamnestic data may indicate:

• his birth from a mother suffering from urogenital chlamydia (children in the first month of life are affected);
• swimming in pools with other children.

If the patient is an adult, medical history may indicate:

• promiscuity;
• frequent episodes in the past of treatment for sexually transmitted infections;
• low social status (one of the risk factors for sexually transmitted infections).

The diagnosis can be confirmed by taking a smear from the conjunctiva. It is examined or applied to the nutrient medium to subsequently monitor the growth of colonies.

Chlamydial conjunctivitis - treatment

The disease is treated with antibiotics.

In adults, one of four drugs is used:

• azithromycin;
• josamycin;
• spiramycin.

All of these antibiotics are capable of destroying chlamydia inside cells. The most effective drug is doxycycline.

But it has a number of disadvantages:

• phototoxicity (makes treatment difficult in the summer);
• teratogenicity (the drug is not used during pregnancy).

In addition, doxycycline has to be taken for 7 days in a row, 2 times a day. Therefore, azithromycin is much more convenient for many patients. It is taken once in a dose of 1 g.

Azithromycin is the drug of choice if the doctor is not confident that the patient will carefully follow his prescription and be treated to the end.

Children are treated:

• josamycin (50 mg/kg per day in 3 doses, course 10 days);
• azithromycin (10 mg/kg, once a day, course 3 days).

At chlamydial conjunctivitis drops not required to use. But they are sometimes appointed.

Use:

• antibacterial drops or eye ointments containing fluoroquinolones (ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin) or tetracycline;
• anti-inflammatory drops that reduce the symptoms of conjunctivitis;
• vasoconstrictor drops - to eliminate redness of the mucous membrane.

Which doctor treats chlamydial conjunctivitis?

Chlamydial conjunctivitis treats. He is an appointment at our clinic. You can contact one of our specialists for diagnosis and treatment of chlamydial conjunctivitis. The doctor will prescribe the most effective medications to prevent complications.

If you suspect chlamydial conjunctivitis, contact a competent venereologist.

Chlamydial conjunctivitis develops as a result of the penetration of chlamydia into the mucous membrane of the eye. For example, bacterial flora can enter the conjunctiva:

• through body fluids containing pathogenic elements;
• from objects of use on the surface of which pathogenic flora containing representatives of the chlamydia group has been identified;
• through the transfer of bacterial flora from the contaminated surface of the hands.

Chlamydial conjunctivitis in medicine has several names - ophthalmochlamydia or ocular chlamydia. Its occurrence is associated with the development of urogenital chlamydia in the body, which can progress in an asymptomatic form and practically not cause concern in humans.

Favorable conditions for bacteria to emerge from their dormant state are:

• taking antibiotics;
• hypothermia;
• development of ARVI in the body;
• overheat.

Various antigenic serotypes of chlamydia can provoke the development of different types of mucosal lesions:

• serotypes A, B, Ba, and C contribute to the development of trachoma in humans;
• the presence of serotypes D - K leads to the progression of paratrachoma, epichlamydial conjunctivitis or urogenital form of chlamydia;
• in the case of the presence of serotypes L1-L3 in the body, signs of progression of inguinal lymphogranulomatosis in humans are observed.

Chlamydia of the eye is an infectious disease that can be transmitted through shared objects. The pathogen can enter the human body from an animal carrier.

Types of ophthalmochlamydia in humans

Most often, ophthalmochlamydia develops in humans in the following varieties:

• trachoma. It is an infectious type of disease that occurs in a chronic form and can cause complications leading to complete blindness.;
• paratrachoma;
• pool conjunctivitis;
• chlamydial uveitis, which is an inflammation of the uvea of ​​the eye;
• conjunctivitis with Reiter's syndrome;
• chlamydial episcleritis, which is an inflammatory process in the episclera, which is the connective tissue between the conjunctiva and the sclera;
• chlamydial meibolith, which is an inflammatory process that occurs in the cells of the meibolian glands of the organs of vision during the long-term spread of chlamydia, “transmitted” to the owner by animals. This form is called zoonotic chlamydia.

Most often, the pathology progresses as a concomitant disease with the development of underlying chlamydia. Eye damage is observed in patients who have been diagnosed with a urogenital form of bacterial infection.

Chlamydial conjunctivitis is often detected in newborns. The microorganism is able to penetrate the baby’s body during the passage of the birth canal during birth. Chlamydia in children can often provoke damage to various organs, which aggravates the situation. As a result of the spread of pathology, a newborn can develop:

• chlamydial;
• chlamydial;
• chlamydial nasopharyngitis;
• chlamydial eustachitis;
• chlamydial acute;
• other severe lesions of the respiratory system.

Chlamydial conjunctivitis of a newborn is detected in 5–10% of cases. It most often appears 5–19 days after birth.

This pathology can occur in acute, capillary and subacute infiltrative forms.

Causes of the disease and risk factors

The main pathology that progresses in the human body under the influence of chlamydia is urogenital chlamydia. Its transmission occurs during unprotected sexual intercourse.

Chlamydia of the organs of vision in the adult part of the population most often develops and progresses as a result of transportation of the causative agent of the disease from the genitourinary organs to the eyes on hands and objects contaminated with secretions, such as a scarf or towel.

It should be noted that the carrier of the infection can transfer bacteria not only to the mucous membrane of his eyes, but also to the mucous membrane of the organs of vision of a healthy person. The disease is very often transmitted to a partner as a result of orogenital sexual intercourse, during which direct infection of the eye mucosa occurs.

Chlamydia of the organs of vision most often develops as a result of transportation of the causative agent of the disease from the genitourinary organs to the eyes

Chlamydia of the eye may be the first symptom of the asymptomatic development of the urogenital form of the disease caused by Chlamydia trahomatis in the human body.

Infectious damage to the visual organs of children is most often the result of accidental transfer of a pathogenic microbe to the mucous membrane of the eye.

The risk group includes medical workers specializing in obstetrics, gynecology, urology, andrology and venereology. Most often, infection occurs after examination of patients who have the urogenital form of chlamydia. In some cases, it is possible to transfer the pathogen from a sick person to an ophthalmologist during the examination.

Very often, ophthalmochlamydia accompanies Reiter's syndrome. However, it should be noted that in this case, the mechanism of occurrence, transmission, spread and features of damage to the visual organs have not been fully established by researchers.

There is a high probability of developing the disease when using public swimming pools, saunas and baths. Infections acquired while visiting these establishments are sometimes called “swimming pool” conjunctivitis or “swimmer’s conjunctivitis.” Very often, such pathologies take on the character of epidemics. This situation occurs because the water used contains insufficient chlorine for disinfection.

General symptoms of ophthalmochlamydia of the visual organs

The chlamydial nature of the infectious infection of the organs of vision is most often diagnosed as sluggish conjunctivitis. When conducting an examination, an ophthalmologist can determine the true cause only due to the occurrence of constant relapses of the disease.

Most often, chlamydia of the eye is asymptomatic in humans. The manifestation of the disease is influenced by a large number of factors:

• duration of development of the infectious process in the patient;
• affected area;
• individual characteristics of the body;
• individual reactions of the patient’s body to the development of infection.

The development of bacterial infection occurs in several stages. The initial period is called the incubation period. In an adult, it ranges from 2 to 7 days, in rare cases a month.

Initially, damage to one organ of vision is observed. The second eye usually becomes infected after 2–6 days; this occurs in 30% of patients.

At the end of the incubation period, redness of the mucous membrane of the organs of vision and slight lacrimation occur, and a moderate feeling of photophobia may be present.

In most patients, starting from days 3–5, preauricular adenopathy is observed from the infectious lesion. It manifests itself in the appearance of mild pain in the area of ​​the lymph nodes, which are localized in front of the auricle; in some cases, eustachitis can develop.

External manifestations of ophthalmochlamydia - photo gallery

Symptoms of ophthalmochlamydia depending on the form

The severity of the symptoms of progressive chlamydial conjunctivitis completely depends on the form of its course. Highlight:

• fulminant form of the disease. The incubation period lasts up to 3 days. The symptoms of the disease are pronounced and rapidly progressing. The fulminant form is characterized by the rapid appearance of abundant purulent discharge, severe swelling of the conjunctiva, sclera and eyelids. In this case, it is very important to promptly take all measures to get rid of the pathology and prescribe appropriate treatment as soon as possible. Its basis is taking appropriate antibiotics. The fulminant form of chlamydial conjunctivitis is characterized by a rapid transition to keratoconjunctivitis;
• spicy. It is characterized by the rapid progression of the disease. At the initial stage, a person experiences lacrimation, pain in the eyes and hyperemia, later a feeling of photophobia develops, and body temperature rises. The progression of the disease leads to the patient developing copious mucous discharge from the organs of vision, which after some time turns purulent. As a rule, both eyes of the patient are affected. The acute form of the disease can be treated quite successfully with timely examination and selection of the appropriate course of treatment;
• chronic. It develops when the process of treating the acute form of chlamydial conjunctivitis with antibiotics is interrupted. At the same time, the bacteria reduce their activity, but do not completely disappear from the body. The chronic form is characterized by periods of exacerbation, which alternate with periods of remission. Symptoms are muted, and the disease is often accompanied by blepharitis. Quite often, patients complain only of some discomfort in the visual area. During the period of exacerbation, there is practically no discharge from the eye. Treatment is significantly complicated by the fact that bacteria develop resistance to the antibiotics used.

Diagnosis and differential diagnosis

At the initial stages of disease progression, differential diagnosis is carried out, which makes it possible to exclude types of conjunctivitis that do not match the symptoms. During the examination, the specialist determines the nature of the pathology. After this, laboratory tests are prescribed. If necessary, the ophthalmologist refers the patient for examination to a venereologist, gynecologist, urologist or rheumatologist.

There are several methods for conducting laboratory tests when diagnosing ophthalmochlamydia:

1. Polymerase chain reaction is a research technique that allows you to confirm or refute the diagnosis of chlamydial conjunctivitis with an almost one hundred percent guarantee.
2. An enzyme immunoassay can detect the presence of specific antibodies to chlamydia in the blood. When using this technique, not only the presence of bacteria is determined, but also the form of the disease. The disadvantage is that the test can only be used 10–15 days after infection, when the production of specific antibodies begins, as well as its low accuracy, which is about 60%.
3. Culture for chlamydia. This examination method is the most expensive, and specialists receive the results within a few days. The advantage is the ability to detect the sensitivity of the pathogen to various groups of antibiotics.
4. Cytological examination - the method is based on a microscopic examination of the obtained smear. Its effectiveness does not exceed 15%. Allows you to establish only the presence of an inflammatory process.
5. The immunofluorescence method allows you to determine the presence of ocular chlamydia with a probability of up to 50%. It consists of obtaining a biomaterial, followed by staining it with a special substance and examining it under a fluorescent microscope.

Carrying out an accurate diagnosis is the most important step, as it allows you to select the most effective drugs for the treatment of pathology caused by chlamydia and start therapy in a timely manner. This prevents the disease from becoming latent, the development of relapses and the further spread of infection in the patient’s body.

Differential diagnosis - table

Sign	Bacterial conjunctivitis	Adenoviral conjunctivitis	Herpesvirus conjunctivitis	Chlamydial conjunctivitis	Fungal conjunctivitis	Allergic conjunctivitis
Pathogens	Most common bacterial infections: staphylococci; gonococci; streptococci; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Haemophilus influenzae.	adenoviral infection	simple virus herpes	chlamydia	Diverse Groups fungal infections: actinomycetes; mold; yeast; dimorphic fungi.	Various types allergens: medications; Food; flower pollen; various herbs; animal hair; fish food; dust; household chemical goods; tobacco smoke; traffic fumes.
General course of the disease	norm	complex progression is possible in combination with ARVI		norm		manifestations of a systemic allergic reaction; manifestations of dermatitis.
Seasonality of occurrence	absent	characterized by epidemic outbreaks	absent			characteristic, depends on the type of allergen
Course of the disease	spicy; chronic.	acute	spicy; relapses are possible.	acute form; chronic.	chronic	Large papillary: chronic. Pollinose: spicy; chronic. Drug: spicy; subacute; chronic.
Fellow eye involvement	Yes		No		Yes
Main complaints	irritation; burning; sticking of eyelids.	burning; painful sensations.	pain; burning; painful sensations.	the appearance of a feeling of the presence of a foreign body; pronounced hyperemia of the conjunctiva.	development of swelling; redness of the conjunctiva.	the appearance of swelling; redness of the conjunctiva.
Character of the discharge	purulent; mucopurulent.	slimy; watery.	absent	mucopurulent or no discharge	mucopurulent; purulent.	slimy, viscous
Clinical manifestations	hyperemia; swelling of the conjunctiva; mucopurulent discharge; blepharitis.	follicular variety - small follicles appear on the conjunctiva of the lower eyelid; hemorrhagic type - the appearance of a large number of microbleeds.	herpetic vesicles that are filled with liquid contents	Large follicles are formed, located in rows on the conjunctiva of the lower eyelid and the transitional fold. In acute cases: conjunctival hyperemia.	actinomycosis manifests itself as purulent conjunctivitis; blastomycosis is manifested by the characteristic formation of yellowish, easily removable films; candidomycosis is characterized by the formation of a nodular infiltrate; aspergillosis is characterized by hyperemia of the conjunctiva, combined with damage to the cornea.	pollipous: small follicles on the mucous membrane; large papillary: papillary hypertrophy; the drug develops within 6 hours after taking the drug, characterized by the appearance of: rapidly developing edema; itching; burning.

1. The course of treatment for ophthalmochlamydia involves the use of antibiotics selected taking into account the sensitivity of the pathogen established during the examination. The following groups of drugs are used:
   • fluoroquinolones. This group of drugs includes Levofloxacin, Sparfloxacin, Moxifloxacin;
   • macrolides. This group includes the following drugs used for ocular chlamydia - Azithromycin, Erythromycin, Roxithromycin, Midecamycin, Spiramycin, Josamycin;
   • tetracyclines. This group of drugs includes drugs such as Vibramycin, Doxycycline, Tetracycline, Monoclin.
     

     The completeness of recovery is assessed after antibiotic therapy in a month, and then such monitoring is carried out twice monthly.

2. Local therapeutic methods include installation of antibacterial eye drops such as Ofloxacin and Ciprofloxacin. The procedure involves injecting the medication into the conjunctival sac using a pipette. After this, the patient needs to close his eye so that the drug can be evenly distributed over the surface. Avoid contact of medications with the cornea. This technique is used in the treatment of almost all eye pathologies.
3. In addition, ointment applications to the organs of vision using tetracycline or erythromycin ointment are used. The procedure is carried out by placing the medicinal composition with a glass rod or using a special tip on the tube. After this, the eye is closed and the eyelid is massaged, which helps to distribute the product evenly.
4. To eliminate the side effects that occur when using antibiotics, corticosteroid and trophic agents are used, such as Dexamethasone, Hydrocortisone, Taufon and Solcoseryl. These drugs help improve metabolic processes.
5. In order to normalize the microflora, drugs belonging to the group of eubiotics and antifungal agents are used, for example, Lactobacterin, Baktisubtil, Livarol and Linex.
6. To relieve inflammatory processes, anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of drops (Indocollir) are used.
7. To prevent the development of allergic reactions, antihistamine medications are used, which include Erius, Ebastine, Zyrtec, Cetrin, Telfast and some others.

During the treatment period, the consumption of any dairy products is prohibited. Kefir, yogurt, cottage cheese, milk and any cheeses should be excluded from the diet. In addition, you should not eat spicy foods or a variety of spices. You must avoid any drinks that contain alcohol.

During the treatment process, the individual characteristics of the patient should be taken into account, as well as his special conditions, which may be:

• presence of chronic diseases;
• pregnancy period;
• breastfeeding period;
• the presence of hereditary pathologies.

Only a specialist with certain knowledge and experience is able to correctly select the regimen, duration of therapy, and dosage of drugs. Self-medication is unacceptable for ocular chlamydia.

Medications - photo gallery

Indocollyr is used to relieve inflammatory processes Lactobacterin normalizes intestinal microflora after taking antibiotics Levofloxacin is an antibacterial drug for the treatment of ocular chlamydia Taufon helps improve metabolic processes Ciprofloxacin is a broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone antibiotic for topical use. Erythromycin ointment is used as an application to the organs of vision Erius is necessary to prevent the development of allergic reactions

Use of folk remedies

The use of traditional medicine will not cure the disease, but will have a general strengthening and supportive effect on the body.

If chlamydial conjunctivitis occurs, infusions, decoctions and teas prepared from medicinal plants can be used to wash the affected organ of vision and remove purulent discharge. Ideal for such procedures:

1. Infusion prepared from chamomile flowers:
   • 2–3 tbsp. Pour one liter of boiling water over spoons of plant material;
   • leave for an hour in a closed container;
   • strain and rinse 2–4 times a day.
2. Infusion of flax, elderberry, cornflower:
   • take all components in equal proportions;
   • Infuse 15 g of herbal mixture in 2 cups of boiling water in a dark place;
   • strain and use for lotions and eye rinsing.
3. Infusion prepared from crushed plantain seeds:
   • take 10 g of seeds and pour boiling water;
   • After 30 minutes, strain the product and use it as a lotion.
4. Infusion of blueberry leaves and hop cones:
   • pour one tablespoon of the plant collection, taken in equal proportions, with a glass of hot water;
   • keep in a thermos for one hour;
   • Take the product orally three times a day, three sips 30 minutes before meals.

In addition to these remedies, you can use tea leaves, both green and black, to wash the affected eye. Using this remedy helps relieve inflammation and irritation.

Medicinal plants used in the treatment of ocular chlamydia - photo gallery

Plantain relieves inflammation
Flaxseed, having antiseptic properties, can treat conjunctivitis Elderberry has antibacterial properties An infusion of cornflower flowers is used as an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agent for conjunctivitis. A decoction of blueberry leaves has anti-inflammatory properties.

Features of treatment in children, pregnant and breastfeeding women

Chlamydia of the eye can pose a great threat to the woman carrying a child and the baby itself. The presence of this pathology contributes to the progression of dangerous processes in the mother and fetus, which can provoke premature rupture of the membranes and miscarriage. To carry out therapeutic measures, the pregnant woman is hospitalized.

Treatment of ocular chlamydia in a child is carried out at home under the strict supervision of a doctor.

During the period of therapy, it is necessary to limit the child’s communication with peers. Those adults who come into contact with an infected child should be tested for chlamydia, which will help avoid re-infection in the future.

Self-medication by pregnant and breastfeeding women is strictly unacceptable, as it can harm the body not only of the mother, but also of the child.

Prognosis for treatment of the disease and possible complications

The consequences of the development of the disease largely depend on the timeliness of treatment and the severity of the course.

With properly selected therapy, complete recovery of the patient is guaranteed. However, there are cases when the disease takes on a relapsing course, which can cause:

• baldness of the eyelid;
• decreased visual acuity;
• fusion of the mucous membrane of the eye and the membranes of the eyelid;
• the appearance of scars on the cornea or conjunctiva.

Chlamydial conjunctivitis develops for one of the following reasons:

• rubbing the eyes with dirty hands;
• visits to public saunas, baths, swimming pools;
• neglect of hygiene rules;
• using someone else's towels or eye care products.

You can become infected with microorganisms that cause chlamydial conjunctivitis at an appointment with a doctor (gynecologist, urologist, dermatovenereologist, ophthalmologist) during an examination using unsterile or poorly sterilized instruments.

However, most often this pathology develops in people with chlamydia of the genitourinary tract. In 50% of cases, during diagnosis, pathogens of the pathological process are found on the mucous membranes of the eyes and genitals.

Forms of the disease

Chlamydial conjunctivitis has its own classification, according to which it is divided into the following forms:

• trachoma;
• paratrachomas (in adults);
• blenorrhea (conjunctivitis of newborns);
• pool;
• epidemic (in children);
• HC accompanying Reiter's syndrome;
• chlamydial meibomite, which is zoonotic in nature.

In addition, there are also keratitis, episcleritis and other ophthalmological pathologies caused by the addition of chlamydial microflora.

Clinical manifestations

The symptoms of chlamydial conjunctivitis depend on the form in which it occurs. But they often appear at later stages of progression of the pathological process. If it has just begun, the disease can be latent, that is, completely asymptomatic.

The incubation period for the development of chlamydial conjunctivitis lasts from 6 to 14 days. Often one visual organ is affected first, but if the first signs of the pathological process are ignored, the disease can spread to the second.

Symptoms of acute chlamydial conjunctivitis can manifest themselves due to the occurrence of:

• swelling of the conjunctival sac;
• hyperemia of the eyeball;
• increased lacrimation;
• photophobia;
• swelling of the mucous membranes of the eyes;
• pain and pain in the eyes;
• discharge of sticky (purulent) eye secretion.

At later stages of development, chlamydial conjunctivitis can cause the development of eustachitis, as well as lead to hearing loss and the occurrence of noise and ringing in the ears.

The chronic form of the pathological process is considered sluggish due to the mild severity of its symptoms. However, it is no less dangerous, so treatment is necessary in any case.

Which doctor treats chlamydial conjunctivitis?

If symptoms characteristic of chlamydial conjunctivitis occur, you should consult an ophthalmologist.

Risk group

Chlamydial conjunctivitis is most susceptible to:

• children;
• aged people;
• persons with weak immunity;
• diabetics.

People who are sexually promiscuous are also at risk. Under such conditions, the risk of “catching” genital chlamydia is highest, and even modern methods of contraception that ensure safe sex are not always effective.

Diagnostic features

Diagnosis of chlamydial conjunctivitis consists of an initial ophthalmological examination. It is performed using a slit lamp, after which the ophthalmologist may prescribe other diagnostic procedures:

• Instillation fluorescein test. This laboratory test is carried out to exclude chlamydia damage to the ocular cornea.
• Cytological examination.
• Immunofluorescence analysis - ELISA.

These procedures are especially important for differential diagnosis, as they will help distinguish chlamydial conjunctivitis from adenoviral conjunctivitis.

Effective therapies

Treatment of chlamydial conjunctivitis in most cases is limited to the use of medications, and only in severe situations is surgical intervention possible.

Conservative therapy implies the mandatory use of antibacterial drugs belonging to the groups of macrolides, fluoroquinolones and tetracyclines.

Also an important component of the treatment of (local) chlamydial conjunctivitis are antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial ophthalmic solutions for instillation of the eyes:

• Ofloxacin;
• Ciprofloxacin;
• Dexamethasone (drops);
• Indomethacin;
• Floxal et al.

Pathology should be treated comprehensively, so another component of therapy is ointment applications on the eyes. Ointments should also have an antibacterial and antiseptic effect (Tetracycline, Erythromycin). As for the systemic treatment of chlamydial conjunctivitis, it is carried out according to the treatment regimen for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Features of pathology in children and pregnant women

Paratrachoma, or chlamydial conjunctivitis in children is not so rare. Those at risk are primarily adolescents who begin sexual activity early. At the same time, girls suffer from pathology more often than boys.

The disease can be transmitted vertically (placentally), in which case the newborn child will be infected. With the development of chlamydial conjunctivitis, children complain of pain and pain in the eyes, the appearance of pus, and the development of rhinitis (runny nose). With a prolonged course of the pathology, enlargement of the lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy) occurs.

HC in expectant mothers

The development of chlamydial conjunctivitis during pregnancy is due to changes in hormonal levels and a significant weakening of the immune system. If a pathology is detected in the expectant mother, treatment should be prescribed immediately. However, it should not cause harm to the fetus, so the woman herself can only use traditional medicine.

This type of conjunctivitis during pregnancy is dangerous because chlamydia can spread to the mucous membranes of various organs, including the genitals. Intrauterine infection of a child can cause serious harm to his health after birth, which can result in the same often recurrent conjunctivitis and other ophthalmological pathologies.

Folk remedies for the treatment of pathology

Alternative medicine recipes give good results in the treatment of chlamydial and other types of conjunctivitis. However, remember that they should be used only in combination with medications, since they are not suitable as an independent therapeutic technique.

Below are the most effective recipes aimed at stopping purulent discharge from the eyes and stopping the inflammatory process in the tissues.

Chamomile decoction

Chamomile has anti-inflammatory, soothing and antiseptic properties. To prepare a medicine for the eyes, you need to pour 5 g of dried flowers with 300-450 ml of hot water and boil over low heat for 7-8 minutes. Let the broth brew and cool slightly, then moisten a sterile piece of gauze or cotton wool in it and apply it to the eyes. Repeat the procedure 7-10 times a day.

Chamomile decoction can be used for the treatment of chlamydial conjunctivitis in young children and infants. But you need to make sure that it is not too rich, otherwise pain, burning and itching of the eyes may occur.

Plantain seeds

Plantain seeds must be crushed well in a mortar, then take 2 tbsp. l. raw materials and pour a glass of boiling water. Let it brew in a closed container for 40-50 minutes, then strain well. The finished infusion is used to wash the eyes or as warm lotions.

Propolis-based drops

A good remedy to help quickly get rid of chlamydial conjunctivitis are eye drops based on bee glue. However, it should absolutely not be used by people prone to allergies - this can lead to dangerous consequences.

To prepare the product, you need to grind the propolis stick to a powder state and mix with boiled water in a ratio of 1:5, respectively. Leave for several hours, then strain and apply as eye drops 2-3 times a day.

Possible complications of pathology

In the absence of timely treatment, complications of chlamydial conjunctivitis in children and adults may include:

• scars that form on the surface of the cornea of ​​the eye;
• decreased visual acuity.

But in most cases, the pathology is successfully cured and does not lead to similar consequences. Complications can arise only in the presence of a sluggish chronic form of chlamydial conjunctivitis, the symptoms of which have been ignored by the patient for a long time.

Prevention measures

Any disease is easier to prevent than to treat, therefore, in order to avoid the development of chlamydial conjunctivitis, it is necessary to take a responsible approach to the issue of its prevention. To prevent the development of pathology it is necessary:

• wash your hands thoroughly after each visit to the restroom, saunas, baths and other public places, as well as after coming from the street;
• practice only safe sex, protect yourself with condoms;
• do not rub your eyes with dirty hands, especially on the street, in a hospital, public transport and in crowded places;
• carry an antiseptic solution with you - if necessary, you can always use it if there is no place nearby where you can wash your hands;
• avoid using other people's products and hygiene items;
• use only individual cutlery;
• avoid examinations with a gynecologist using “general” instruments; pharmacies sell sterile gynecological kits for one-time use;
• address the issue of strengthening the immune system.

Persons who are promiscuous should undergo regular preventive examinations by specialized specialists (dermatovenereologists, gynecologists or urologists-andrologists). The presence of chlamydial infection on the mucous membranes of the genital tract will sooner or later cause the development of not only conjunctivitis, but also other diseases that can cause significant harm to a person’s health and significantly reduce his quality of life.

Useful video about conjunctivitis

According to statistics, every year 100 million people become ill with chlamydia. And the number of infected people is at least one billion. Moreover, chlamydia affects not only the genitals, but also the larynx, joints, skin, heart, rectum and lungs.

Chlamydia often affects the mucous membrane of the eyes, which requires immediate treatment, as a person can go blind.

Chlamydial eye infection occurs when the mucous membrane of the visual organs is damaged by a special group of microbes. They are neither viruses nor bacteria, so they are considered opportunistic microorganisms.

Reference: 1/3 of all conjunctival diseases are caused by chlamydial infection.

Chlamydia of the eye can occur in various forms:

• Chlamydial keratitis - pathogens live in the cornea.
• Paratrachoma is a follicular trachoma-like inflammation of the ocular membrane.
• Spread of infection to the eyes in Reiter's syndrome, characterized by chlamydial joint damage.
• Epidemic – pool conjunctivitis.
• Episcleritis is an inflammatory process in the tissues connecting the conjunctiva and sclera.
• Meibomite is zoonotic - infection occurs through contact with an infected cat.
• Uveitis is inflammation of the eye vessels.

But most often ophtholmochlamydia is a complication of urogenital chlamydia. Since in 50% of people, with this form of conjunctivitis, infection of the genital organs was detected.

How is chlamydial conjunctivitis transmitted?

In most cases, in adults, the disease occurs when the infection is transferred to the visual organs from the genitals.

There may be dirty hands, personal items (towel, handkerchief) or objects.

Moreover, in addition to self-infection, the patient can transmit chlamydia to his sexual partner.

The disease also develops as a result of oral-genital contact, in which the microorganism enters the visual organs.

Attention: often chlamydia in the eyes are symptoms of sexual chlamydia, which often occurs without a clear clinical picture.

Sometimes the pathogen is found in children. This occurs when chlamydia is unintentionally transferred to the eye.

Infection also occurs after contact with a newborn child. In this case, there are 2 methods of transmission of the disease: generic (infection occurs at the time of passage of the birth canal) and transplacental (the fetus becomes infected while in the womb).

Chlamydia can also be contracted in a public place.

For example, if you swim in water where a sick person swam. This happens in saunas and swimming pools. Moreover, if the chlorine content in the water is low, then mass invasion is possible.

Who is at risk of becoming infected?

A significant number of people are at risk:

Reference: ophtholmochlamydia is diagnosed in 5-10% of children infected from the mother during childbirth.

In rare cases chlamydia can be transmitted to doctors who come into contact with sick people. At risk are venereologists, gynecologists, infectious disease specialists, urologists, obstetricians, andrologists and ophthalmologists.

Signs of ocular chlamydia

Symptoms of infectious conjunctivitis appear after an incubation period of 5 to 14 days.

In 70% of cases, the disease affects only one eye. Often the course of the disease is acute or subacute, less often it is chronic.

If the disease is chronic, then its symptoms are mild with frequent exacerbations of conjunctivitis or blepharitis. Clinical picture– mucous secretion discharged from the eyes, swelling of the conjunctiva and redness of the eyelids.

The duration of the remission period is 1.5 – 3 months.

Important! In order not to provoke an exacerbation of chlamydial conjunctivitis, you should avoid such provoking factors as wearing contact lenses, drinking alcohol and junk food.

Acute and recurrent ocular chlamydia - symptoms with photos:

• infiltration of the mucous membrane of the organs of vision and their transitional folds;
• severe swelling of the eyelids;
• itching and cutting pain in the eyes;
• mucous and purulent discharge;
• enlarged lymph nodes located behind the ears;
• sometimes unilateral ptosis appears.

Also, eustacheitis and preauricular adenopathy may develop on the affected side, which causes noise in the ear and hearing problems.

As some types of disease progress, pannus forms.

Upon visual examination, chlamydia of the eye, the photo of which is posted below, is manifested by many fibrinous films and follicles.

But after recovery, the formations completely resolve, leaving no scars.

The duration of the acute stage of ophtholmochlamydia is from 14 to 90 days.

Reference: with Reiter's syndrome, eye damage can occur not only in the form of chlamydial inflammation of the conjunctiva, but also in the form of retinitis, keratitis, choroiditis and iridocyclitis.

In addition to intense eye symptoms, a newborn child may develop chlamydial rhinitis, eustachitis, pneumonia, otitis media and RVI.

The consequences of incorrect treatment or its absence are scarring of the conjunctiva or stenosis of the nasolacrimal ducts.

Diagnostics

To detect ophthalmic chlamydia, a comprehensive diagnosis is necessary. It includes examining the diseased eye, taking an anamnesis, and the ophthalmologist also takes a scraping from the conjunctiva of the eye for chlamydia.

Various methods are used to make a diagnosis:

Culture for chlamydia. A rather lengthy and expensive study. But its advantage is that it allows you to determine which group of antibacterial agents the pathogen is most sensitive to.

Identifying the cause of the disease and accurately diagnosing it is the first step to successful recovery.

However, to know how to treat eye chlamydia, you need to visit an ophthalmologist, venereologist or gynecologist. After all, only a specialist will be able to select the most effective therapeutic course against chlamydia, which is not always possible to get rid of even after completing a full treatment course.

Treatment

If chlamydia appears, eye treatment is carried out with the help of systemic and local treatments.

In the first case, the antibacterial agent is introduced into the body by injection or drunk in tablet form. In this way, the drug quickly enters the bloodstream, eliminating infectious foci.

Regarding local therapy, it is based on the use of antibacterial ointments (erythromycin, tetracycline).

The best eye drops for chlamydia are Lomefloxacin, Ciprofloxacin, Ofloxacin and Norfloxacin.

If left untreated, ophtholmochlamydia may develop blindness, trichiasis, fusion of the membrane of the eyelid and the mucous membrane of the eye, xerosis, and loss of eyelashes.

To prevent irritation of the mucous membrane, as well as the occurrence of allergic and toxic reactions, the doctor may prescribe trophic (activate metabolic processes in tissues) and corticosteroid drugs (eliminate inflammation).

Such drugs are used topically, in the second week of general antibacterial treatment. Initially, corticosteroids are used up to 2 times a day, and if allergies occur, up to 4 times a day.

Even if chlamydia was not detected in other systems and organs, the use of systemic antibiotics is still necessary. After all, urogenital chlamydia is difficult to diagnose, so test results are often false negative. The duration of such treatment ranges from 10 to 30 days.

Systemic therapy for chlamydial infection is based on the use of drugs such as Norfloxacin, Doxycycline, Ciprofloxacin, Ofloxacin, Lomefloxacin. The course of treatment lasts from 7 to 10 days.

However, the fast-acting drug Sumamed is increasingly being prescribed, which destroys the infection after just a single dose. Sumamed for ocular chlamydia also has other advantages: it instantly relieves symptoms and has a minimal number of contraindications and negative effects.

Prevention

After antibacterial treatment, it is necessary to drink eubiotics and antifungals.

It is better to prevent the development of ophtholmochlamydia than to treat it by taking antibiotics that are harmful to health.

Therefore, for preventive purposes, you need to systematically do wet cleaning in the house (treat plumbing in the toilet and bathroom with antimicrobial agents), constantly wash towels and underwear at high temperatures.

It is also necessary to promptly treat urogenital chlamydia (even during pregnancy) and conduct a thorough examination of newborn children.

In contact with