Chlamydia eye infection, or chlamydial conjunctivitis, is caused by the chlamydia trachomatis parasite. It enters the cells at the site of the infection, where it then reproduces and spreads. The chlamydial eye infection can affect one or both eyes, and usually persists for several weeks without improvement after treatment with a topical antibiotic.
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Effects
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Chlamydia eye infection causes eye redness and irritation.
Features
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The eyes form tears and a pus-forming discharge that drains out of the eye. It then forms crust around the eye and on the eyelashes.
Identification
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The eyelids become swollen from the infiltration of the infection into its subepithelial layers, and the presence of a swollen lymph node in the eyelid is common.
Diagnosis
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A chlamydia eye infection is usually diagnosed from the results of a culture of the infected eye.
Treatment
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The infectionis then treated with anitbiotics and other prescription or topical medications, such as tetracycline, erythromycin and azithromycin.
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