Diagnosis and treatment of eye infections

Ocular and periocular infections may be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. Most of the infections involving the skin, eyelids, and conjunctiva can be managed by primary caregivers. In order to treat these infections, the primary caregiver should be familiar with the more common infections involving the eye and periocular structures, their etiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic testing, and available treatment modalities. Ophthalmology consultation should be obtained when there is no clinical improvement with treatment, if an inflammatory or infectious process is severe enough to potentially lead to loss of vision or permanent damage to the eye and adjacent structures, or if an intraocular process is thought to be present.